Smart Moves from Brace and Ryan
December 2015
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 Brace Helgeson
Ryan Platzke

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Happy Holidays
 
From our family to yours, we'd like to wish you a very happy and safe holiday season.  We'd also like to take the time to thank you again, for your friendship and support of our real estate business. We are  truly grateful to consider you a friend, and wish you a holiday season filled with endless joy.

If you're considering buying or selling your home, even during the holidays, please remember  we're always here to assist with your needs, regardless of time of year.  We also want to remind you that if you're thinking of selling a home, there are always buyers looking to purchase a home, no matter what time of year.  Those looking to buy a home during the holiday season are probably even more determined to purchase a home, given that they are devoted to finding the home they want even during this busy time of year!

If you're looking to buy a home this holiday season, remember too, that there are generally fewer buyers actively looking for a new home during the holidays, so you may have the advantage of less competition.

We're fortunate and thankful to be here to assist with all of your real estate needs all year long.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season,
 
Sincerely,

Brace & Ryan


How To Ditch The Red and Green For Modern Holiday Décor

Still rocking red and green everything and a tinsel-covered tree for Christmas? Might be time for a holiday décor upgrade. You do regular updates to your home's everyday décor, right? Why stick with the same 'ole stuff when it comes to the holiday season.

Need some inspiration to modernize or glamorize your holiday home?  
Christmas in black and white

Who says you need to go all red and green to show your holiday spirit?
"Let a black-and-white palette be the antidote to tinsel and flashing colored lights," said Sunset. "Spray-paint inexpensive nutcrackers white, then place them at attention beneath a paper-loop wreath. If you happen to have dark walls, this look can be especially pleasing."

Sticking with the black-and-white theme, how 'bout upgrading your old Christmas tree blanket this year? This geometric Christmas Tree Blanket, Triangle from Ferm Living, will bring in a little style under your tree.

Dressing the mantel
Decorating the mantel is one of the easiest ways to pump up the holiday flavor in your home. But what's not always so easy is getting the look right. This DIY version uses a framed, chalkboard-painted backdrop to showcase a simple green wreath, with a combination of greenery and twinkling lights below.
    
Incredible 2 story with 4000+ finished square feet!


11144 Bluestem Ln
Eden PrairieMN
 
5 Beds - 4 Baths





All the updating is done so you can move right in!
B
10332 Franlo Rd
Eden Prairie, MN

5 Beds - 4 Baths







How To Keep Your Home Clean And Refreshed 24-7

Keeping your home spic and span can sometimes feel like too tough a challenge. No matter how often you clean, the house seems to get dirty again before the floors have even dried. For those who don't have hours to spend cleaning, worry not! There are simple, effective ways to keep your home clean on a daily basis. Here are some tips to consider:

Invest in doormats. Placing doormats at your back and front doors helps cut the amount of dirt and debris trailing into your home. Placing additional mats outside can help cut even more.

Groom pets daily. Pet hair -- especially cat and short-haired dog hair -- can invade your home in an instant. Brushing your pets every day -- and giving your dogs a bath every now and again -- can do a lot to help.

Keep ducts and fans clean. Air vents and ceiling fans build up dust over time. When they're turned on, that dust is then transferred to your floors and furniture. Cleaning them regularly will reduce the amount of dirt flowing throughout your home. If you need professional help, you can generally get your ducts and vents cleaned for about $330 (the national cost average).

Replace air filters. If the air feels stale or musty, there's a chance you need to replace your air filter. Do so frequently to avoid too much debris entering into the air. You can also hire a pro to do this for you.

No more window screens. Window screens don't really prevent dirt and debris from entering your home -- just bugs, really. Unless you have small children, it's better to remove them; removing the screens will keep your windows cleaner.

Keep storage handy. Storage boxes are always good to have on hand. Keep some broken down in your closet or under the bed for easy access. You can also build shelves for a relatively inexpensive cost.

Organize the coffee table. Coffee tables get cluttered quickly. Make sure you keep only the bare essentials on the table -- and clean the table's surface often.

Make sure your floor is showing. If you have kids or pets, there's a good chance that your floor is littered with toys. You can teach kids how to pick up after themselves, depending on their age. But with pets, you may need to keep another storage box handy.

What Our Clients Are Saying
"Ryan helped us sell our home in early 2015. We were under a tight timeline and he helped us price our home appropriately so that we were able to get good traffic in the winter months. He also actively marketed the home to Realtors and maintained consistent dialogue with (potentially) interested parties. We ended up with multiple offers on our home within 2 months of listing and w/Ryan's negotiation skills we are confident that we received the best price for our home. We closed within 3 months of listing. Overall, very positive experience working with Ryan and would recommend him to other homeowners looking to sell!" - Abby