Does This Work or Am I Crazy?

Something surprising has come to my attention. Apparently, there are LT readers out there who yearn for more of a challenge. Whoa, can I get a what-what!

In response, I'm launching a new, once-in-a-while feature highlighting organizing ideas (Advanced Organizing Skills II on your syllabus) that step a shade closer to the obsessive-compulsive line. I will try to contain my glee as much as possible.

(Hopefully in my quest to satisfy the more advanced organizer, I won't scare off any loyal, more normal readers. And I want to remind everyone that truly only a small percentage of organized people are rigid, non-spontaneous freakshows. I swear.)

OK, so does this work or am I crazy? When you're loading the dishwasher, separate your dirty forks, knives and spoons into their own compartments. Then when you're putting them away, you can just grab each grouping and toss them back in the silverware drawer.

It must have saved me at least three minutes this morning. I used the time wisely, actually sitting at the breakfast table with my daughter, drinking my coffee while she ate. It was pleasant and I was laughingly pleased with myself. (FYI: I fight most of my compulsions to over-organize, but this one was just too easy. Don't think the craziness escapes me. I do get it.)

If you're an organized person, don't feel put off by our more remedial tips. Your OCD is in good company here. Email your inspirations to linearthoughts@comcast.net

And for the less organized of you, don't forget: Small changes can really add up.

Wishing you a productive, organized week -

LT

Make Money off Your Clutter

It's yard sale season! I love it like few other to-do's. What could be better than getting rid of the items underfoot and putting some extra money in your account? It's a terrific motivator -- setting a date for clearing out your space, gathering your junk and getting it out into your driveway for sale.




What I've often found is that people are far less likely to hold onto something they don't need when given the choice between making money on it or keeping it.



So here's the process:



1. Set a date and a time frame. Don't choose a holiday weekend and pray for nice weather. Make big posters that clearly include your address, hang them in high-traffic areas around your town. Take out ads in your local paper (*the deadline for ads are usually a week or two before the print date, so give yourself plenty of time to meet the requirement). You also can post a free ad on craigslist.com under your locality. Describe your items for sale with some specifics and a few adjectives that will grab attention. Don't forget to say NO EARLY BIRDS. Otherwise, you'll have bargain hunters on your lawn at sunrise. I'm not exaggerating.



2. Gather your items for sale. This means everything from big-ticket items such as furniture, bikes and appliances to outgrown clothing and toys. If you have any pieces that could be worth more to antiques dealers, do your research before you tag them. At a recent sale, a woman realized she was about to sell more than a yard of gorgeous handmade Spanish lace that was nearly 100 years old. We pulled it before anyone made an offer, thankfully!

3. Gather the supplies you'll need. This will include tables for display (you can borrow them or rent them but make sure if they are tables you want to sell that you don't cover them with other items for sale. Buyers are reluctant to even ask because they won't want to bother you to clear it off). You'll also need tarps (in case it rains); bins for organizing books and other small items; adhesive tags in different sizes and sharpie markers (make sure you can write prices clearly on each item); and clothing racks (borrow or rent) and hangers for clothing.

4. Sort in similar groups. When organizing clothing for sale, hang items by size and mark them clearly. Pieces sell faster and for a lot more money if they're washed, hung and appear to be in good shape. Toss anything that's stained or ripped. Leaving those out for viewing makes the whole lot seem less desirable. Organize other items in groups of the same, like housewares, linens, CDs and DVDs, etc.


5. Start by pricing your biggest item. This will give you a framework for pricing everything of lesser value. Go from highest price to a free table (items you will throw in to sweeten a sale).


6. Enlist helpers. Assign your helpers specific tasks like managing the crowds, answering questions, making sales, taking payments and providing laughter and fun.



7. Make sure you have adequate change. Before the day of the sale, get plenty of 20s, 10s and ones as well as pocket change. Give everyone on your team a fanny pack to hold money so it is easily accessible.


8. Be helpful. Have an extension cord handy so people can check electric items. Have shopping bags and boxes handy to help people collect and carry goods away.

9. Watch for early birds. The day of the sale, expect early birds (even though you clearly said no) and those looking for dirt-cheap bargains. Be willing to dicker, because, don't forget, the whole idea is to make money.



10. Above all, keep your sense of humor. Your good attitude will make the day more enjoyable for all. Encourage people to haggle and make a game of it. You'll sell more stuff and have fun. When the sale is over, anything that's left can be donated to charity. There are a bunch that will even come and collect your items for free.



For a free pricing guide or a list of charities that pick up in your town, please contact LT at linearthoughts@comcast.net.



Now get clearing out that garage!

$tage Your Property and $ell

Have you been paying attention to the housing market lately? It seems potential sellers are shying away, hoping and waiting for the market to improve. I'm not very patient, though. I'm more of a "right now" kind of girl, no matter what the circumstances. So from my perspective, here are two major reasons to go for it:

1. When there isn't much competition, it's easy to be the most popular kid on the block.

2. Buyers are out there looking for a deal now, but instead of lowering your price, you can give them more value (and the illusion of a deal -- shhhh).

Before you call a real estate agent, consider the true status of your home. Get some perspective and be as objective as possible. Bring in friends and make them tell you what they see, what they smell, what they like and don't like. Does the carpet reek like wet dog? Is the bathroom floor gross? Are your window treatments obscuring too much light? Get as much feedback as you can from outsiders (because you've obviously learned to live with and overlook some issues), and then start working on the to-do list. Making the majority of these changes before a realtor steps in serves two purposes:

1. Marketing strategy: The agent you hire is going to assign an immediate value to your home, so don't underestimate the importance of this first impression. A professional will know right away if your home is special and will work hard to generate buzz about it if you put some work in ahead of time. You want the agent to come away so impressed, he or she shouts about it to every friend and client till you sell.

2. Pure convenience: You won't have to retake listing sheet photos after the transformation from living to selling is complete.

Many real estate offices either contract with or recommend stagers to prepare homes for sale. A stager will accentuate the money features of the property while minimizing the not-so-awesome. You should expect the total cost for staging (including work and purchases) to equal approximately 1% to 3% of the home's asking price. The silver lining is that staged houses usually reap an 8% to 10% return on the investment and sell in significantly less time.

Staging isn't interior decorating, it's the difference between real life and bringing a catalog image to life. Full disclosure: It may not be comfortable to live in a staged house. In fact, at times the inconvenience will drive you crazy. But the goal is to sell quickly (for the highest bid), so you won't have to put up with it for very long. Decluttering and packing up will save time when it's actually time to move, too.

The process is very simple: You want potential buyers to love your home enough from the outside to go in and see the rest. After sprucing up the outside (landscaping, clean porch, little details like a mailbox, a new welcome mat, etc.), you want the first-floor spaces to sell the home, so that by the time they reach the upstairs, buyers are already convinced they would be comfortable and satisfied there forever. Staging sells the idea of living happily ever after -- minus the detritus of reality.

So clear those surfaces, clean till you see your reflection, call in a stager and let the best features of your home speak for themselves. They'll talk buyers right into signing on the dotted line.

LT offers a full complement of staging and organizing services. Call 781-632-4313 for your free consultation.