DOWNSIZING GUIDE FOR SENIORS

Seniors know that they eventually have to downsize to cut costs, simplify their lifestyle, deal with medical issues, or to be closer to their grand kids. The process is usually tolling and stressful, both physically and emotionally. However, you don’t have to feel overwhelmed. Here are a few downsizing tips for seniors.

Senior-friendly Downsizing Tips

Start Early

Give yourself enough time to downsize. The downsizing process will take longer than you expect so you need to have a lot of time to sort through all of your belongings. You can’t do this in just a single day or one weekend. Give yourself a more realistic timeframe like a few weeks or months. Work on one room at a time and make sure to take breaks as needed. You’ll find downsizing less stressful if you are not rushed.

Start Small

You are probably eyeing things that you want to get rid of in your garage or kitchen. However, it’s not recommended to start in such a big room. Remember that you’ve got several years worth of things to go through in these parts of your house. Not to mention the emotional attachment that you have with these items.

Basements, attics, and garages are known to be notorious because it is where homeowners usually store unused boxes, old holiday decors, old hobbies, and clutter. It’s better to start small and begin in areas where you have little emotional attachment. Some good options are the linen closet or the laundry room. You should know what your needs are. For example, if you are moving into a house with two bedrooms only, then having four sets of sheets should be enough and you can get rid of the rest. If you are having a hard time, you can always hire a professional moving help.

Get Rid of Rooms You Won’t Have In Your New House

In case you are moving into a townhome or an apartment, you probably won’t have an office space or a garage. Almost everything in those spaces have to be relocated to a different room, tossed, donated, or sold. Items like office furniture may also be good for garage sales or consignment.

Get Rid of Duplicates

This holds true for many of your kitchen items. You probably have a few big pots, several spatulas, and cookie sheets. This is the perfect time to get rid of clutter. In case you’re having second thoughts in handing off an item that you think you’ll be using for the next holiday, why don’t you give it to someone who needs it the most.

Create Yes or No Piles Only

If you are going through your belongings, there will be some items that you will feel an emotional attachment to, and you will be tempted to create a maybe box, when in fact, you should only have a Yes or No pile. Don’t fall for this trap. If you do, you will end up with a bigger pile than the two. Keep items that you use all the time. Let go of those that are sitting in your closet or shelf for at least year.

Reduce Your Collections

Letting go of collections is difficult. But keeping them takes up a significant amount of space, too. If you are downsizing, you need to cut back on your collections. Instead of keeping them all, why don’t you take photos of some of your collections so you’ll have something to remember them by before you donate or sell them. Remember, you can do all these things yourself or you can hire moving help, instead.

Call Brunswick Organizing Solutions now if you need assistance in downsizing or if you need moving help.

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Leland, NC 28451
910-477-3768
https://www.getorganizednc.com/

Cities Served
Leland, Wilmington, Shallotte, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Southport, Bolivia, St. James, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, Calabash, Castle Hayne, Burgaw – Brunswick and Horry County

 

TIPS TO HELP YOU DECLUTTER IF YOU CAN’T LET GO OF THINGS

Decluttering isn’t easy for everybody. Living in a home that doesn’t have any clutter sounds great but it can be hard to get rid of things especially if you are the kind of person who gets attached to things and cannot let go easily. Sentimental things can be very hard to let go. How will you know which items to save and which items to get rid of? Here are some declutter tips to help make the process easier for you.

Decluttering Tips

Don’t forget to practice.

It’s always hard at the beginning. But the longer you declutter your home and make clean and organized spaces, you’ll eventually find it easier to let go of things. You’ll discover that you won’t miss the things that you got rid of and that it’s not that hard to say goodbye to them at all. If you find yourself in that place at the start of the process and you feel overwhelmed with all of the clutter, trust in the process and know that it will get easier.

Ask yourself what you want to keep instead of what you want to get rid of

If you start the decluttering process thinking that you are getting rid of everything and you just want to determine which items you wish to keep, it will be a lot easier for you to part with those things. For example, if you have lots of books, pile them all up in your living room and have a mindset that you’ll be donating all of them. Then go through all of your books and take out all the titles that you really like. Once that happens, you’ll eventually end up with a few books that you really love the most.

Think about the people who could benefit from the things that you no longer use

There are many practical people in this world and you may be one of those who have a hard time letting go of things that are still in good working condition. What may be clutter for you could be useful for someone else. Check with the food pantries or shelters in your area and find out if they need any of the things that you are planning to get rid of but still in good shape. Local schools or churches may know of some families who need these things. They will greatly benefit from the items that you are ready to give. The items that you are planning to get rid will be a blessing to those who will receive it and this will make letting go a lot easier for you.

Imagine the “after”

Think about all the reasons why you started to declutter in the first place. Imagine yourself feeling great in a home that is clutter free, welcoming, and serene. You can even create a board of inspiration in Pinterest. This will help remind you of the kind of space that you want to have after decluttering- an organized home.

Do A Test Run

Do a test run if you are anxious about letting go of certain things as you do your home organizing. Place the items you want to let go in a bag or box and store them in a basement or in any area that is out of your way. Add a reminder on your phone for a month. If you didn’t miss the items that you placed in the box then it’s time for you to let it go.

Be Thankful and Move On

Remind yourself that the things you need to let go have already served their purpose. Just be thankful that you got the chance to hold on to them for a while. Recognize that these items have done their job and the time has come for you to let them go and move on.

Call Brunswick Organizing Solutions now and let our professional organizer help you declutter.

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Leland, NC 28451
910-477-3768
https://www.getorganizednc.com/

Cities Served
Leland, Wilmington, Shallotte, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Southport, Bolivia, St. James, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, Calabash, Castle Hayne, Burgaw – Brunswick and Horry County

HOME ORGANIZING TIPS FOR AN EASIER MOVE

The thought that you’ll finally be moving to your new home can be very exciting. However, if you think about all the preparations you need to make for the big move can make any collected and calm individual anxious and frazzled. There’s no need for you to dread the actual moving day. There are things you can do to make moving more exciting and hassle free. Not to mention, you can always hire moving help for a more convenient move.

Prepare Early

It is better to declutter and pack early and not a few days before the move. If you do the latter, you’ll only make it harder on yourself and your loved ones. It’s best to prepare in phases. Four weeks before packing, you should begin the purging process. When you get rid of the items that you don’t want to bring to your new home. But you should not pack your house too early either. You don’t want to live in a home that is filled with boxes. Once you are done with the purging process then you can start packing at least seven days before the move.

Declutter

Whether you have lived in your current home for a few months or for twenty years, you may have accumulated several things that you no longer want, need, or use. So it’s best not to bring all the extra items into your new home where they will most likely just pile up. Don’t leave any stone unturned and make sure to move from one room to another. Pack all the keepers and toss or donate out the rest.

Organize Your Current Home

You may believe that organizing your house will be a waste of time because you are going to leave very soon. However, it may actually save you a lot of precious time. For example, you can put all the things under the kitchen sink in a bin or put your bathroom items into a drawer insert.

Pack Per Room

Packing by room makes everything streamlined and it will make the unpacking process is much easier. It is the simplest way to keep your things organized throughout the whole moving process. Each box should contain things from one room. Even if the box has extra space, you should avoid adding more items from a different room.

Don’t Forget The Labels

You should keep track of all your things so you don’t move to your new house and realize that you cannot find something and you need to open all of the boxes just so you can find that single item. Always label. They will be your best friend during the move. Label all of the contents of every box and add a box number, and make sure to keep a checklist for an easy reference.

Take Everything In

Moving can be physically and emotionally tiring. So be sure to have enough time to breathe and think about moving day. You should enjoy the milestone moment since half the work is done and the hardest phase is finally over. What you should do now is set up your new house and celebrate this fresh start.

Create Organizing Goals

This is the time to start fresh. Do you wish to have a linen closet that is spacious enough to hold your folded towels and blankets? Determine what are important to you so you can make sure that your new house incorporates all the things that you want right from the very beginning.

Have A Time Frame For Unpacking

Get started right away but work at your own speed. Set realistic goals and make sure that you hold yourself accountable. Create a limit that will help you remain focused and motivated.

Come Up With An Organizing Plan

Once you have unpacked and the boxes are out, you can now start to come up with a home organizing approach. Take dimensions of the area you wish to organize and never forget to reference all your priorities. Pay attention to the depth, width, and height so that you could shop for product supplies and make full use of every inch. Purchase a few different options that you can experiment with, as well additional quantities just in case they are necessary. If there are any leftovers then you always have the option to return it or you can use them for other purposes.

Call Brunswick Organizing Solutions if you need professional help to make your moving experience fun, exciting, and stress-free.

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Leland, NC 28451
910-477-3768
https://www.getorganizednc.com/

Cities Served
Leland, Wilmington, Shallotte, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Southport, Bolivia, St. James, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, Calabash, Castle Hayne, Burgaw – Brunswick and Horry County

HOME STAGING

Putting your house on the market is among of the most confusing and stressful events you can face. Especially when you realize that homebuyers aren’t seeing your house; they’re seeing your house.  A homebuyer’s critical eye could be a little offsetting.  Okay, let’s face it… a lot offsetting.  But, remember one thing; you are not alone! Yes, the process can be intimidating, but we’re here to help with the home staging.

 

Reality vs The Dream

 

The first thing to know is that we all live in a house that is much different than the vision of perfection a buyer has when they go house hunting.  Homebuyers are meticulous and have visions of absolute perfection.  These same homebuyers may live with life’s clutter in their own house, but when they go shopping for a new house, they expect neat, tidy, and absolutely uncluttered.

 

However, the truth is that we have hectic and busy lives and we live in our home.  It’s hard to separate our house from our daily life. We wind up with shoe piles in the halls, laundry baskets always perched at the bottom of your home’s stairs, and small appliances lining our kitchen counter-tops like little culinary soldiers. Is this so wrong?  The awful truth is, yes. When you are staging your home to sell, clutter is always a deal-breaker.

 

In order to make your house as salable and appealing as possible, you need to match the buyer’s dream, and a clean slate is the only way a buyer can see their dream.  To you, the seller, this may mean some big changes. So, where do you start?  By learning more about what a buyer wants.

 

To get a sense of just how far apart a buyer’s dream is from your reality, visit a model home or two. Pick a few new home communities and look at the models. Go to open houses in communities where houses are selling.

 

Take a notepad with you.  When you get out of your car, jot down your first impressions:

 

• What struck you about this house the moment you drove up and got out of the car?
• Was it the clean driveway?
• The sparkling windows?
• The flower beds?
• Perhaps it was something distracting, like a broken light fixture.

 

Whatever it was, jot it down, good or bad.

 

Now walk in the front door and, again, write down your first thoughts:

 

• Were you impressed by how spacious the rooms appear?
• Did you notice how all the rooms are so bright and sunny?
• Maybe the clean lines and tasteful decor were appealing.

 

Maybe you can even imagine yourself living there!  Does it feel like you just walked into the pages of a home decorating magazine, or are you trying to find a bare spot somewhere, anywhere, to set your purse?

 

Did something just click?  When you look around as a buyer, what impresses you, and what distresses you?  That’s exactly what you need to know when staging your house for sale. Knowledge is power and knowing what a buyer is looking for is exactly what it takes to sell your house.

 

Brunswick Organizing Solutions  can assist you with removing the clutter from your home and getting it ready for sale.  You don’t need an interior designer and lots of money to make your home appealing to a potential buyers.

 

Call Brunswick Organizing Solutions today for help with making your home standout.

 

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Leland, NC 28451
910-477-3768
https://www.getorganizednc.com/

Cities Served
Leland, Wilmington, Shallotte, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Southport, Bolivia, St. James, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, Calabash, Castle Hayne, Burgaw – Brunswick and Horry County

HOME OFFICE ORGANIZATION

In today’s economy more and more people are deciding to add a second source of income by having a home business.  Operating a home business can be exciting but it does require office organization.

A common problem facing home based business owners is the lack of organization.  This causes a lack of focus which affects performance.  As a home based business you may be wondering where you went wrong and why you are not progressing.  The problem often lies in the lack of planning and being organized.

Importance of Home Office Organization

Organization has been shown to directly affect productivity.  Your home office organization will reflect on how you do business.  A relaxed and cluttered office has been shown to hinder creativity.  You can lose track of important paperwork and let deadlines slip.

Hiring a professional organizer when you are ready to start a home based business can greatly increase your success.  Are you the type of person who hates to organize?  Then you will hire a professional to help with office organization will help you stay focused from the start.  Then as you progress you will have a place for everything.

Have you been running a home business for some time and the clutter is getting out of hand?  Hiring the services of an organizer will definitely help you get back on track.  They can assist you with sorting through the clutter and help you implement new procedures for keeping your home office organized.

Call Brunswick Organizing Solutions today for a free consultation on how we can help you be more successful by utilizing good office organization.

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Leland, NC 28451
910-477-3768
https://www.getorganizednc.com/

Cities Served
Leland, Wilmington, Shallotte, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Southport, Bolivia, St. James, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, Calabash, Castle Hayne, Burgaw – Brunswick and Horry County

ORGANIZING TIPS TO SELL YOUR HOME FASTER

The thought of moving can be overwhelming for many people. There’s a lot of things to do and so many matters to attend to, that a lot of people wind up just staying in the same place even if they don’t like it. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make the move possible and stress-free. Here are some tips from professional organizers that you might find useful.

Declutter Your Home

Pair down the furniture, décor, clutter as well as family pictures you have displayed to a certain amount that makes the place feel more inviting and open. Declutter closets and cabinets of excess items so you can make a more spacious feeling. Be sure that the entry way is free of clutter and can be navigated easily.

Create A Timeline

Check your home records and come up with a list of major home remodels or repairs that you have done to your house that you could leave on the table for those who wish to see the house. Make sure to include the dates the upgrades and work were accomplished. Having a summary like this will tell potential home buyers right away that you took great care of your house.

Show Seasonal Pictures

In case you are selling your house during the winter, make sure to leave photos of the house as to how it looks during fall, summer, or spring so that potential homebuyers can see how the house looks when everything is in bloom.

Corral Clutter Using A Laundry Basket

It is also a good idea to have a laundry basket by the door so that you can easily get whatever clutter is strewn about for any last minute showings. You could simply toss the laundry basket in your car’s trunk once you leave.

Prepack Your Excess

You should also invest in moving boxes so you could pack things that you seldom use or have too much of well before you even list the house. Some good examples are toys, excess décor, or decorations.

A professional organizer said that it’s a good idea to get rid of all unnecessary things rather than just pay to move things that you never use. However, if you are holding on to excess things, you can put it in a box, keep it in the basement or other storage place that you may have.

Deal With Home Improvement Projects

Create a list of things that has to be repaired or improved so your house will look better. This could mean painting and patching nail holes, trimming the back bushes, or replacing a piece of cracked file. The, allot some time to get these projects done or hire a general contractor to take care of them for you.

Call Brunswick Organizing Solutions if you need the help of professional organizers to declutter your home so you can sell it faster.

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Leland, NC 28451
910-477-3768
https://www.getorganizednc.com/

Cities Served
Leland, Wilmington, Shallotte, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Southport, Bolivia, St. James, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, Calabash, Castle Hayne, Burgaw – Brunswick and Horry County

WHY HIRE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER WHEN MOVING?

Hiring a professional organizer during a move could help in solving problems even before they happen. Plus, it will help make your moving experience more convenient and memorable.

Moving can be a stressful process and that’s why many people hire help. Even the most organized individual can benefit from hiring a professional organizer.

3 Ways A Professional Organizer Make Your Move Easier

Reduce the moving weight

Movers base their charges on the weight of the items being moved. Although getting all those extra skinny jeans and underwear may not reduce the weight total significantly, removing 20 bags of books will definitely make a difference.

You should start packing at least 2 months before the day of the move. But before you do that, you should have a professional home organizer thin out our shoes and books. These things are heavy and it could be difficult for you to be objective since these are your belongings.

A move is also a good time to upgrade your home furniture. Perhaps your kids need a bigger bed or your new home calls for a new table or couch. If you have furniture that you no longer adore, have a professional organizer help you sell it before the moving day. Less furniture means lower moving costs.

The garage is another place where you can cut the weight since this is the area where most families store things they don’t use or need anymore. Once you are finished with all the heavy things, you and your professional organizer can help you with the toys.

Unpack as you get back to work

In most cases, the kitchen is the first room that is unpacked in their new house. You can hire a professional organizer so you will have someone to help you unpack your kitchen. They will arrange things in an organized method and label the fronts of your drawers and cabinets so your family could find the bowls, cereal, spoons, and coffee cups. As the organizing team starts to unpack all your kitchen items you could go to work, nap for a bit, and even go to the grocery store so your family don’t have to eat at restaurants all the time.

A professional recommendation is always best

As you find places for your things in your new home, a professional organizer will most likely come up with storage solutions for spaces that you may have not thought about. A reliable professional organizer will be able to suggest the appropriate shelf extender, the right storage container, and give a few out of the box ideas for spots where you can store things when the usual areas are not available.

If your new home has limited closet space, a professional organizer could help determine how you could adjust the storage to fit your new home better. Don’t worry if there’s no linen closet. A professional organizer will be able to help you with home organizing.

Call Brunswick Organizing Solutions now and let our professional organizers help you pack and unpack your things to make your move easier, more convenient, and fun.

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Leland, NC 28451
910-477-3768
https://www.getorganizednc.com/

Cities Served
Leland, Wilmington, Shallotte, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Southport, Bolivia, St. James, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, Calabash, Castle Hayne, Burgaw – Brunswick and Horry County

TIPS FOR SORTING THROUGH BELONGINGS WHEN SOMEONE DIES

When a loved one dies, you’ll find yourself faced with the task of sorting through his whole house and figuring out what to keep. There are experts who can help you how to make decisions related to home organizing after a death of someone close to you. They have the tools and training to change and organize any space. It’s highly unlikely for you to take this big of a task since you still have to deal with the shock and grief over the loss of a loved one. It’s something that you could have never prepared for.

Ask Help From Professional Home Organizers

It can be difficult to decide what to keep when a loved one passes away. Ask for help from a professional home organizer. Many people wold like to help but just have no idea how. You could ask your community to assist you with everything from dropping off supplies or snacks to helping watch the kids so you could focus on the task ahead. Even if they just sit by your side and give moral support, this is not the kind of task that you should do on your own.

Prepare and Plan

Before you try to make any decisions. You need to walk through the space first so that you will have an idea about the scale and size of the project. Take a walkthrough of the space with a home organizer, either in person or virtually. Find out how many rooms you have to sort through, declutter, and organize. You also need to know if you have to coordinate donations or plan estate sales. What kind of supplies will you need and how long do you need to do this.

Trust Your Instincts

If you need to go through an entire home, it’ll be helpful to do an initial sweep and pick up items that you think are most sentimental and meaning for you. At this point, it’ll be helpful to go with your gut.

Pace and Prioritize

Don’t forget to pace yourself when doing this home organizing task. Do the work in small increments so you’ll have enough energy to remain focused. You may find it a lot easier to sort according to the category.

Remember That These Are Just Things

Focus on items that are personal, irreplaceable, and meaningful such as letters, journals, and photos. Always remember that you can always take a photo of an item in case you don’t have the space or you are having second thoughts keeping it.

Make Concrete Limits

You have to be realistic when it comes to the limits in your storage space. You should decide in advance how many of these things you can take, care, for, and store. You can always purchase additional storage bins but make sure that they are reasonable and will fit comfortably in your own home.

Less is Better

There are many instances when homeowners stuff items into their garages, attics, and basements. It is better to keep things that you use regularly rather than keep items that you will only end up stowing away.

Donate

You will most likely end up with belongings and furniture that would need a new house. Once you’ve already decided what you want to keep, you should plan for what you need to do with the rest. One good option is to donate them to a local charity.

Call Brunswick Organizing Solutions now and let our professional organizers help you.

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Leland, NC 28451
910-477-3768
https://www.getorganizednc.com/

Cities Served
Leland, Wilmington, Shallotte, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Southport, Bolivia, St. James, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, Calabash, Castle Hayne, Burgaw – Brunswick and Horry County

TIPS FOR HOME STAGING A LIVING ROOM

The term home staging wasn’t that common back in the 1990s. People knew that a house must look its best first before it’s put on the market. However, homeowners associated this with washing dirty dishes, tidying up the closet, and the like.

Home staging has evolved over the past 30 years. Thanks to the help of professional organizers, it has become a highly sought after service, especially within the real estate industry. Below are some tips on how to stage your home’s living room. In case you can’t do these things on your own, you always have the option to hire a home stager.

 

Living Room Home Staging Basics

 

Paint Your Living Room

You might think that repainting your house before you move is a tiring job. But if the color of the walls are other than light and neutral, you seriously have to reconsider. Neutrals can make any room look brighter and cleaner, not to mention, it’s almost always preferred by home buyers.

Always remember that when you sell your home, it will no longer be about what you want. It is going to be about the buyers. If you want to sell your house right away at your preferred price, it needs to appeal to as many potential buyer as possible and one of the best ways to do it is by choosing neutral colors. Additionally, adding a fresh coat of paint to your home makes it look cleaner, which is vital when it comes to home staging Wilmington.

Declutter Your Living Room

Another crucial home staging preparation tip is to declutter and minimize the number of furniture you have at home. Make sure there are no signs of your personal mementos and photos. You should consider getting rid of smaller furniture pieces, clearing off bookshelves, and tables.

Any potential homebuyer who walks in your front door must be able to imagine their own things in the space and that could be difficult to do if your own possessions are still filling it. So, even if it is difficult, you should get rid of any evidence of you and your loved ones from the house. Additionally, the fewer the items that are in the living room, the cleaner and bigger it will appear, which is what you want.

Seating

Once you have taken out most of the smaller things form the room, you could leave the large pieces for home staging Wilmington. What’s important is that you create a discussion area. In many instances, these include a chair, coffee table, and sofa. If you have a mantle or any natural focal point, be sure to arrange the seats around it.

Maximize the Windows

Don’t forget to play up the windows. Never hide them behind heavy curtains or drapes. Only install streamlined and simple window treatments and don’t forget to pay attention to the amount of light that’s coming in. Even if there is no view, it’s still better to show off the window instead of concealing it behind curtains.

Home Repairs 

Fix anything that needs fixing, especially the ones that can easily be repaired. A loose doorknob, a squeaky floorboard or perhaps a wonky curtain rod, these are the things that you can easily repair but can potentially put off any potential buyer.

If there’s something off, it tells the buyers that the home might not be in good condition. Everything in and out of your home should look perfect and in tip top shape.

 

Call Brunswick Organizing Solutions if you need the help of professional organizers in staging your home.

 

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Leland, NC 28451
910-477-3768
https://www.getorganizednc.com/

Cities Served
Leland, Wilmington, Shallotte, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Southport, Bolivia, St. James, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, Calabash, Castle Hayne, Burgaw – Brunswick and Horry County