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Issue: #40May 2010
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In This Issue
Less Is More...Simplify Your Life
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Testimonial

"Hi Jessica,

 

Good to hear from you! We received an offer and the property is now contingent on financing and inspections. I cannot tell you how many positive comments the property received, largely as a result of your suggestions. You really helped the Smith's take it to the next level and I'm sure that the improvements helped bring the offer.

 

Thank you again for your help. I look forward to recommending you again in the future."

 

Best Regards,

Vivian, Realtor 

 
Name above was changed to provide seller confidentialty
Motivation
Whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it.  Because you'll find that when you're free...your true self comes out."
 
 
-Tina Turner
Quick Links
Helpful Links to Turn Your Clutter Into Cash!
 
 
Locally Recycle Your Items on Freecycle Centre County (no selling here though, just free give away)
 
For Your Sellers

If you have a seller looking to update their current home for future sale or getting ready to put their home on the market soon, please contact Room to Breathe Home Staging to ensure they get started on the right path.

 

Too often do we see sellers going the wrong way, only to end up redoing things and paying more than necessary. It's also never too early to start thinking and planning for future sale. We also see sellers wait too long before preparing for sale and this is incredibly overwhelming for them. 

 

Encourage your sellers to start sooner rather than later...selling and moving doesn't have to be a stressful and frustrating process for them.

Greetings!   
Ahhhh, what a great day!  Just want to say how thankful I am to so many local realtors (you know who you are)...because of you, I've enjoy the busiest Spring staging in over 5 years of business! 
 
I'm taking a little break from staging in this e-newsletter...hope you don't mind.  Enjoy!  
 
Simply,
Jessica
Bringer of Order
 
P. S.  Don't forget to scroll all the way to the bottom...great coupon offers every month!
  
Less Is More...Simplify Your Life
Simplify
The society in which we live is all too often obsessed with how much we have. We spend a lot of time accumulating things and have a hard time giving things up. All the extras can add up and stress us out. Below is a list of 15 things that we can do with less of in order to help simplify our lives and free up our time.  Not to mention have a house ready for sale much more quickly and easily. 

1. Limit commitments

Many of us have a hard time saying no. Even when we're overworked and overbooked, many of us feel guilty telling people no. It's time to learn that it's okay to say no and not feel guilty. When you have too many commitments, you aren't able to fulfill them to the best of your ability and you add unnecessary stress to your life, not to mention all the time that those commitments eat up. Next time you're already committed and asked to take on more, gracefully apologize and say no--remembering that next time the need arises you may not be so busy.

2. Shorten To Do lists

Get rid of all the post-it notes and scraps of paper on which you've jotted down things to get done. Consolidate everything into 2 lists. One list should be your to do list for work and the other one for home. Each list should only contain the most important things in order to keep your lists short.

3. Control wasteful actions

Think about your typical day. How much of that time is spent doing things that don't really have a purpose? Things like watching hours of TV and pointless Internet surfing often draw us in and waste more of our time than expected. Gain back some of this time by making such activities more difficult to do or by avoiding them altogether.

4. Reduce clothing

Many Americans have closets and drawers full of clothes, much of which they haven't worn in months or even years. Look through your clothes. Take out anything that doesn't fit, is out of style, or hasn't been worn in over six months. Donate these items to a local charity, sell them at a garage sale, or give them to a friend who could use them.

5. Donate books

Books that aren't useful anymore and ones that you do not intend on reading again are just creating clutter. Go through your books and weed out all of your clutter books, including college textbooks, reference and self-help books you don't use any more, and books you'll never read again. Either sell these items at a garage sale or donate them to a friend or charity.

6. Consolidate email accounts

If you have multiple email accounts, consolidate them. Send out that mass email to let people know you're changing your email address. Keeping track of more than 2 email accounts is a great waste of time. Keep 1 personal account and 1 work account.

7. Focus on fewer goals

Having goals is a great thing, don't get me wrong. Everyone should have goals, but working toward too many at one time can be detrimental to your success. Focus on only 2 or 3 goals at a time and you will find it much less stressful and much more enjoyable as you achieve more success.


8. Curb credit cards

Credit card debt is a major problem for many Americans. One way to avoid this problem and stress is to limit credit card use by limiting the number available to you. Scale back to only 1 credit card and 1 backup. If this just won't do for you, try scaling back the number of cards you keep with you in your purse or wallet.

9. Reduce banking institutions

Let one bank supply all of your banking needs. Some banking institutions consolidate all of your accounts onto one statement each month, reducing the number of papers to sort through and file. It will also reduce the number of websites you have to login to each time you want to check balances and activity online.

10. Reduce bills to mail

There are many recurring payments that we make each month, from cable bills to car and mortgage payments and even utilities. Sign up with the companies or your financial institution to have these charges automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account. Other than saving you time and the hassle of mailing in your payments, it also saves you any late fees you may otherwise incur in the process.

11. Eliminate car clutter

Get rid of the trash and anything else that doesn't belong in your vehicle. Keep a small bag in your vehicle for any garbage that may accumulate while you're driving. Make sure everything that belongs in your car has a place. Most commuters find that they do some of their best thinking while they're on the road. It's rather hard to think and keep your mind clear when the space around you is a mess. It's also not a very good environment in which to decompress after a long day at work.

12. Control communication

Email, IM, cell phones, paper mail, Skype, Twitter, Facebook, and forums can all rob us of our precious time if we're not careful. Allow yourself a reasonable amount of time to communicate with friends and family, but don't let it overwhelm your day. Schedule certain times during the day for such communication, but only allow a certain number of minutes and stick to your schedule.

13. Plan dinner choices

Create a weekly dinner menu. It can be something as simple as 10-day rotation of chicken dish, pasta dish, veggie dish, etc. Need more variety? Combine your favorite recipes into one binder and make weekly dinners from that one recipe book.

14. Quit multi-tasking

Stop multi-tasking! Generally people are less productive when they multi-task. It adds more stress and makes things more complicated. Stick with a single task until you can cross it off your to do list and then move on to the next thing.

15. End gossip

Gossip creates drama whether it's at work or in your personal life. Eliminate the majority of this drama by not repeating any of the gossip you hear. It'll make you a more enjoyable person to be around and a better friend. This is especially good advice in small towns with interconnected communities. :)

 
More from Room to Breathe:

EWE 
Registration Now Open!
 
(Entrepreneurial Women's Expo)
 
 
What can Room to Breathe do to help?
 
Room to Breathe Home Organizing & Staging can:
  
  • Prepare your home for quicker listing using our laser focused, high energy team of stagers, cleaners, painters, movers,  landscapers, decluttter pro's,  appraisers, and a network of other reliable service professionals.

  • Assist in choosing the correct color and/or style for paint, carpet, flooring, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, furniture, art, appliances, and anything else you may need to make your house appealing to buyers.

  • Shop for decorative accessories on any budget

  • Pack and label boxes for an easy, stress free move

  • Help get rid of unwanted items either for cash or charitable donation

  • Assist in the further marketing of your house once it's been staged

  • Prepare the house each time there is a showing so you can be sure the house makes its best first impression on buyers

  • And so, so, so much more....!
Welcome Home!
Schedule your staging or organizing session, and get a FREE Welcome Mat for your sellers!  
 
Invite those buyers in and give thema great first impresion!
 
Make sure to mention the WELCOME HOME coupon.
 
Call or email Room to Breathe today at 814.360.1063
Offer Expires: 5/31/2010  Minimum 2 hour session