Archives for May 2019

Cutting the Clutter

Ways to Conquer Cord Clutter

Feel like you own more electronic devices than ever before? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us are constantly plugged into our cell phones, tablets, TVs, computers, gaming consoles and other gadgets, especially when we’re at home. And while technology can be great, one of its biggest downsides tends to mean that more electronics means more wires. But with a few simple steps, you can easily manage cord clutter and create a neat and orderly space at your home or office.

1. Untangle and Organize – The first step is to organize your cords and pair them with their corresponding devices. You may find you have cord orphans left behind after devices like VCRs (hello, ‘90s flashbacks!) and gaming consoles have been replaced or thrown out.

Get rid of any cords that aren’t in use. Chances are you won’t need them in the future and keeping them only creates more clutter.

Bundle and Label Cords– When it comes to organizing cords, twist ties, zip-ties and Velcro are going to be your best friends. Take the time to neatly coil, loop or bind slack cord with these tools, which you can find at most office supply and home organization stores. Binder clips are also great for bundling cords. You can wrap masking tape around the coil of cord slack, leaving a folded over tab of tape to write the name of the cord on with a marker. Labeling may seem like overkill, but it will come in handy the next time you are on your hands and knees reaching behind a bookshelf to unplug a specific cord.
Use Baskets and Boxes– When placed near a desk or TV, storage boxes and wicker baskets can make for great places to store unsightly wires and certain electronics. Just bundle wires together and organize them neatly inside said box or basket. Boxes and baskets also make for great spots to hide internet routers and store chargers when not in use.
Buy a Cord or Cable Sleeve– Most home maintenance stores carry cord covers, which are inexpensive plastic coverings that hide wires. Cord covers are great for electronics like wall-mounted TVs, and they come in all different sizes and lengths. They do require a bit of installation, but the steps aren’t very complicated. Cable sleeves are another simple way to easily organize cords, and they can also be found at most home improvement stores.
Go Cordless– Want to deal with less cords overall? Invest in some cordless technology. Thanks to Bluetooth-enabled devices, like speakers, keyboards and printers, you can play music, write an email or print documents seamlessly through your smartphone, without needing to deal with a mass of wires. Next time you need to replace a device, consider a wireless option if one is available.

The easiest way to eliminate cord clutter is to keep it from building up in the first place. Whenever you’re setting up new computer equipment or moving into a new space, be sure to carefully bundle, label, clip, stow and plug cords in neatly from the get-go. It will make things much easier for you in the long run! Plus, a tidy, uncluttered space to live in can reduce stress and make your home more welcoming.

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990

Chris@RisingStarRealty.com

www.RisingStarRealty.com

2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE

Furniture to Splurge On

Furniture Pieces Worth the Financial Investment

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner moving into a new home, it can be tempting to run out and spend your savings furnishing every nook and cranny of your new place. But before you do, stop to consider whether the furniture you’re buying is worth the investment.

There may well be a time and need for simple, affordable, IKEA-type furniture, but there are some pieces that are well worth splurging for. Spending more money on fewer pieces can pay off in the long run, especially when you’re purchasing furniture that can be passed on to your kids – and even grandkids – one day.

You may be thinking “but they just don’t make furniture like they once did,” and that is certainly true when considering the mass-produced furniture that’s saturating the market. But if you know what it is you’re looking for, finding those pieces that can truly stand the test of time is still possible. Here are six pieces worth the extra investment.

Sofa – When you move to a new house, a new sofa is a must. That sectional that fit perfectly in your old space will probably stick out like a sore thumb in your new place. Most importantly, choose a sofa – or a set complete with loveseat and armchair or recliner – that is well-made. Good living room furniture is an investment, no doubt, but it is possible to find a well-crafted, sturdy sofa in just about any price range. Skip the patterns and stick to neutrals so you won’t feel the need to replace your sofa when your taste changes. Need an updated look? Swap out throw pillows and window treatments and slap a new paint color on the wall rather than shopping for a new living room set. And pay the extra for treated, stain-resistant fabric. You’ll thank yourself when your kid spills his juice (or worse) on your sofa.

Bed frame and headboard – Choose a timeless headboard because it’s one piece you’ll have for the long haul. Upholstered headboards are simple, elegant and classic – and easily recovered when you need a fresh look. Or go for solid wood with clean lines to stand the test of time. If you purchase a stand-alone headboard, be sure to invest in a solid bed frame as well. Invest in a frame with horizontal slats to support your mattress so you won’t begin to feel the sag after a few years of use.

Mattress – There’s no reason this shouldn’t be at the top of your list. Too many of us are sleeping on old, worn mattresses that cause back pain and sleepless nights. Sleeping on a good mattress shouldn’t be a special treat reserved to vacation nights spent in a hotel – they are a luxury well worth the investment. While it can be tempting to shop online, before you do, step into a mattress store that will help you find the mattress that is right for you and your sleep style. You’ll be glad you did. And you might just be surprised to learn that while you’ve always gone with a pillowtop mattress, it’s really a firm, memory foam bed you need to get the best sleep at night. If you’re on a tight budget, once you know what kind of mattress you need, you can move your search online where you may find better prices.

Dining Room Table – Whether you love entertaining and hosting elaborate dinner parties or prefer simple meals with the family, a quality dining room table is another must have. This is a piece you’ll use regularly, and one that’s certainly worth the investment. It’s not necessary to buy new if you find a previously-loved piece you just can’t live without. The secret is to find a table that’s durable and will stand up to daily use and abuse from the entire family. Opt for a solid wood table with simple, clean lines rather than intricate designs and it’s sure to last you decades.

Hutch or chest of drawers – Or both! Use it in your bedroom as a dresser, in your dining room to hold extra dishes, table cloths and table settings, in your living room as an entertainment center or in your entry way as a catch-all. The wonderful thing about a piece like this is that it can be moved to virtually any room in your house to serve a new purpose just as elegantly as it did in the previous space. Every home needs at least one universal piece like a hutch, chest, bachelor’s chest or credenza.

The unexpected – It may be an antique armoire, an old wardrobe, a small roll top desk or a modern statement piece – invest in that one piece you just can’t quit thinking about. Your home should be an expression of your personality, and a unique, unexpected, versatile piece is just that.

Ready to buy new furniture, but need a new home to furnish first? Contact me today to speak to an experienced Real Estate expert who can help you start the process of buying a new home.

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990

Chris@RisingStarRealty.com

www.RisingStarRealty.com

5 Reasons to Shop at Your Farmer’s Market

The whole foods trend has made a trip to the farmer’s market a regular shopping trip for many. Why should you swap your weekly grocery store trips for market excursions? Read on to find out.

Support small farmers – With large industrial farms monopolizing most of the produce you find in stores, farmer’s markets are one place where small farmers can continue to make a living. Just like you can control what industry you support by the food you put on your fork, you can choose to support small over industrialized by choosing to spend your money at the market.

Support your local economy – Similar to supporting small farms, supporting local farms puts money directly back into your local economy. Helping out small businesses—including local farms—is a great way to do your part and give back to your community.

Gain a sense of community – Even if your farmer’s market produce is a smidge more expensive than what you can get at the grocery store, there is nothing like chatting with the farmer about his corn harvest, or running into familiar faces week after week. Shopping at the local market, the way people did before huge fluorescent-lit grocery stores were the norm, can foster a sense of closeness within the community that is irreplaceable.

Eat seasonally – By planning your meals around your farmer’s market purchases, you’re making most of your meals local. Since we are so accustomed to being able to get anytime of product at anytime of year in our grocery stores, we rarely focus on seasonal produce. Eating seasonally helps reduce your carbon footprint (less fuel used to transport those veggies!) and allows you to appreciate those seasonal gems—hello, garden tomatoes!–when they do make it to your plate.

Eat fresh – Hands down, fresh picked garden produce tastes better because it’s fresher than anything you can purchase in the grocery store which was shipped and stored for who knows how long.

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990

Chris@RisingStarRealty.com

www.RisingStarRealty.com

2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE