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Laura Ray Organizing, LLC  ◊  Organizeatlanta.com  ◊  April 2011

  

Balloons 

  Celebrating  

  Laura Ray Organizing's  

  5-Year Anniversary

  and Introducing  

  my new web site:  

  Organizeatlanta.com  

 

 

In this issue
Before & After photos: 5 steps to parking in the garage
5 tips to sell a house
Winning behaviors: 5 keys to shine
Top 5 places to organize in your home

 

Gain the most peace and benefit from organizing at least these 5 spaces in your home:   

1.) Kitchen
2.) Home Office
3.) Master Closet
4.) Master Bedroom
5.) Garage  

 Why? Read more in my new blog.

What people are saying...

     "I hired Laura Ray to analyze my workflow and reorganize my home-based business office. She is very pleasant to work with and has a good sense of humor.   
     Laura is also patient with detailed, analytical people who have a "reason" for everything. I felt better about my office after just one appointment. I give Laura my highest recommendation as a professional organizer and would readily hire her again."
Michael Wilkes,
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Organizing
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- Take back control of your home.
- Get your car in the garage. 
- Conquer the mountains of paper in your office.

Get the help you need by contacting Laura Ray.
Forward to friends if you like.
Good for new projects totaling 10 hours or more.  
Expiration:  Schedule by April 30, 2011, and use appointments by August 2011.

Hello!

I am pleased to celebrate with you the 5-year anniversary of Laura Ray Organizing! In this issue we feature 5 Steps to parking in the garage, 5 Tips to sell your home, 5 Keys to achieving your goals and dreams, and a 5 percent discount on organizing services.
     As part of the celebration, I'm launching my new web site,  http://organizeatlanta.com (search-engine friendly name). I am so excited for you to see it and share it with your friends. Thank you for 5 amazing years, and I look forward to helping you organize your home or office over the next 5 wonderful years!

    
                                                Laura
Ray
                                                [email protected] (NEW) 
Before & After: 5 Steps to parking in the garage


Garage Before Feb 11 

BEFORE Laura Ray Organizing 

  
Garage Photo After 

AFTER Laura Ray Organizing  

  

Here's the situation: After 15 years in their home, this couple decided it was time to relieve the burden that had accumulated below them in their drive-under garage. Like many garages and basements, it became the graveyard of indecision. They were also storing a few large items for friends and family.    

  

Top 5 steps to solving the problem:

  1. Grouped like items to assess what was there. In one instance, we found they were storing 10 coolers (they let some go.) 
  2. Used The Bagster(R), which is a "dumpster in a bag", to get rid of the trash. It took two Bagster's to finish the garage. See Laura's step-by-step videos on The Bagster's Web site. 
  3. Filled a U-Haul truck with donate items. 
  4. Gave everything a home. They had old existing wall cabinets that did not meet their current storage needs. Removed the old and brought in new large adjustable shelving. (Tip: Don't just use what's already installed. Assess your needs and get the proper storage.)
  5. Labeled the homes and containers. 

   

How to organize your storage space: Create zones for like items, including sports equipment, holiday decorations, outdoor/camping, and auto supplies.

 

Fast fact: The U.S. Department of Energy reports that 25 percent of people with two-car garages don't park any cars in there, and that 32 percent parked only one.  

5 tips to sell a house: De-cluttering is key   
by Barbara Malm and Ken Cluett, of Harry Norman, Realtors(R)

Barbara Malm/Ken Cluett 

Making plans to sell your home? You must first take these necessary steps in order to maximize your selling price BEFORE listing your home for sale. Successful completion of these important steps will also ensure that your time on the market is limited and the move to your new home is not delayed.

     1. Remember you said, "I want to SELL my home." Your emotional commitment to your home must end, so that you can make good business decisions about the sale. Then prepare your home for market that will appeal to potential buyers.

     2. Don't get caught in the "I love my house" trap. So many sellers love their home just the way it is, because they created it to meet their needs. You must de-personalize it now, so that it appeals to the largest number of potential buyers.House for sale

     3. Clutter is your enemy...Get the clutter out of your house. Potential buyers want to see a spotless house, period. Most buyers are not good at visualizing what their furniture and accessories will look like in a house...with clutter it will be impossible.

     4. The inside of your home must be problem free. Address any issues that are in need of repair or replacement. Put yourself in the Buyer's shoes. You wouldn't buy a house that had problems, would you? Ask your real estate agent to help you identify the areas that are "must do's".

     5. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. You must entice a potential buyer out of their car to see your house. You can't sell it if they don't get inside. Everything on the outside is just as important as the inside. So get to work and make the outside shine.           

Winning behaviors for change  
Life-giving Light: 5 keys to shineSandy Lawrence
by Sandy Lawrence, REALinTouch Coaching and Facilitation 

  

Light is cheerful and comforting, and it even helps ensure our physical and mental health. What if you had 5 keys to "shine the light" on how to achieve a dream, learn a new habit, or complete a huge task?  Recall the power of L-I-G-H-T and apply these 5 keys to success to achieve the results you hope for:

      1. List what you want to change -- describe in writing the vision of your preferred future (how will your situation improve after you've taken action in the present). Most people believe Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb -- not true! He envisioned a day when even ordinary people could enjoy safe, long-lasting light. Then he labored for years to make that dream possible.

      2. Investigate options and obstacles, perceived or real. This awareness can get you unstuck and help you make wise decisions. In the case of Edison, he was aware of several hurdles to overcome, such as the need for delivering safer and more stable electricity to neighborhoods in order for electric lights to be practical for everyday use. He then focused his attention and ... Read entire article


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   Laura Ray 
   Laura Ray Organizing, LLC
   404-630-7212
   [email protected]  (NEW BUSINESS E-MAIL)
   http://organizeatlanta.com   (NEW WEB SITE!)
   Helping busy people organize their homes and offices

                                                  � 2011 Laura Ray Organizing, LLC
                               Member of the National Association of Professional Organizers