6 Tips for Designing an Inviting Guest Bedroom

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Guest bedrooms - they tend to be a somewhat forgotten space that end up with lackluster style. Furnished with bare essentials only, a bed and a nightstand, they rarely look cozy and inviting. And it's no wonder people don't pay much attention to that one extra room they don't use that often. With a bed to sleep on and four walls to protect their privacy, occasional guests have everything they need. However, there is no need to neglect that additional space in your home. Designing an inviting guest bedroom doesn't have to cost a fortune. Moreover, it won't demand any remodeling. All you need is a few ideas, a bit of will, and some time.

With our six tips, the spare guest bedroom that nobody enters unless necessary will quickly transform and be in harmony with the rest of your home. Besides, if you love having guests over, why not show them that? With an inviting guest bedroom, you will make them feel welcome and at home.

Start with the right colors

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Nothing sets the tone better than the overall color scheme in a room. Going with neutral tones is never a wrong choice for any room in your home. Soft cream and champagne colors will add warmth to the room and make it look elegant. Moreover, such tones will not limit the options for the rest of your decor. For example, you can experiment with some cushions and bedding and add accent colors with these elements.

Alternatively, a guest bedroom is the one space where you can let your imagination go wild and experiment. So, instead of simple neutral colors, you can opt for bold, eccentric tones. Of course, this will only work if you don't intend to make this room harmonious with the rest of the house. And if you lack ideas, you can always check what the latest paint color trends are.

Go for a clutter-free design and minimal furniture

Sometimes, people treat the guest bedroom as an extra storage space in their home. Also, because this is the room where they want to spend the least money possible, they don't pay much attention to what they put in it. So, a few old cupboards, ornaments you don't like that much, and other clutter end up there. The result is a messy-looking and tacky room.

Moreover, how can a guest feel welcome in a room filled up with all sorts of clutter? Therefore, get rid of everything you don't like and stick to a minimalist design that is easy to maintain. Still, keep in mind that your guest will need more than just a bed in their room. They will also get ready in there, maybe do some reading, or even work a little. Therefore, you need to include a nightstand, a desk (if there is enough space), a chair or two, and a mirror.

Provide enough storage

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Sometimes, your guests will stay with you longer than a day. Imagine your friend has just moved to New York City but still hasn't managed to find a suitable apartment for rent. And you offer to put them up until they find the right part of the city, which, given how big NYC is, may take a bit. In that case, they will need some space for their clothes and other essentials. Thus, it would be nice to provide them with enough storage space to keep their belongings.

Even if there is not enough space in the guest bedroom for an ample wardrobe or cupboards, you can get creative and go vertical. You can never go wrong with a few shelves and some hangers. Enough storage for your guests to put away their things will make a world of difference regarding how comfortable they feel.

Designing an inviting guest bedroom means including some of the comforts of a home

Besides the necessary storage, an inviting guest bedroom should have a few more luxuries that a place like home can provide. For instance, a comfortable and good-quality mattress is a must. After all, you don't want your guests to wake up sore and tired. As a good host, you want them to relax and have some rest. And if you're going to guarantee a good night's sleep for your guests, make sure you invest in some quality pillows as well. You can also add some decorative curtains to make the room look warm and cozy. And of course, enough soft towels and maybe a bathrobe will add that touch of luxury and make your guest feel like they are in a hotel.

Be careful, though. All that pampering could perhaps make your buddy postpone finding an apartment and picking a moving company on Best Movers NYC to get them out of your hair. 

Never underestimate the power of good lighting

As with everything else in this room, try to keep lighting simple. All you need is a simple pendant light and two bedside lamps. The choice of the lamps, however, is where you can let your creative side shine. They can serve as a statement piece in the room. In general, lamps are always an excellent way to decorate a room, and they add a unique feel to it. They also add to the coziness and warmth of the room. But, whatever you do, steer clear of harsh lighting and colorful bulbs because they can cause discomfort. You want to keep things as simple as possible. Essentially, you want to apply the Danish art of Hygge to the design of your guest bedroom.

Make your guest bedroom a multipurpose room

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There is no need for this extra space to sit empty most of the time. If you can use this room for an additional purpose, it may even provide you with some motivation to invest more time and energy in decorating it. Moreover, your guests may also need to use this room for something other than sleeping. For instance, due to the global pandemic, many people have had to switch to work from home. A home office would be beneficial to have, and you can also assume that some of your guests would need to use it.

So, a desk accompanied by a comfortable chair and a desk lamp would be welcome additions when designing an inviting guest bedroom. Given that we spend most of our time isolated in our homes at the moment, it's nice to have a guest to break the routine and bring some excitement back. Thus, if you provide them with everything they need and make them feel welcome with a room that shows you want them to stay with you, they might decide to prolong their visit.

7 Things to do Before You Move Into Your New Home

There is a lot to plan, organize, consider], and do when you are moving into a new home. When people think about moving steps, packing and unpacking are the first major items that come to mind. However, there are many more things you need to consider if you want a stress-free move. Here is the list of 7 things to do before you move into your new home. Read on for what you need to know, add these things to your timeline and start crossing things off your before-moving checklist.

1: Transfer Utilities

Before you move into your new home and get comfortable, you'll need to set up your utilities, such as water, gas, electricity, cable, internet, and telephone. Depending on the neighborhood you are moving to, you may be able to choose utility providers, but sometimes you cannot. Even though utility companies are usually timely about activation, make sure to notify them of your move-in date as soon as you can. A few weeks before moving is the best time to do it. If you contact the internet and cable provider 2-3 weeks in advance, you may get the appointment slot that is most convenient for you. Also, make sure to contact your security system provider and schedule an installation date after your move.

2: Update Your Address

Your address is connected to so many aspects of your everyday life. That's why updating your address is one of the essential things to do before you move into your new home, no matter if you are buying or renting. Plan to forward your mail so that you do not miss important bills, letters, or packages. Then, update your subscriptions and loyalty programs, inform banks and credit card providers, your insurance provider, etc. Depending on the location you are moving into, you may need to update your residential address for your driver's license, permit, and vehicle registration. This varies from state to state, so you need to check if updating records is necessary and what the deadline is to do it. Some states will allow you to report your new address online without going to the DMV.

3: Arrange Some Time Off From Work

A pre-move period is stressful, but once you move to your new home, there will be much to do as well. Within the first few days of your relocation, you will need to unpack a ton of boxes. You'll also be waiting on deliveries, some repairs, and installations. Maybe you'll want to add some upgrades right away, invest in smart home technology and decorate your new home per your liking. That's why you should notify your employer that you'll be moving and ask for some days off from work. When you have ample time to coordinate all appointments, everything will be much easier, and once you're back in the office, you'll be more relaxed.

If you can’t take more than 48h off from work for your post-move period, make sure that you plan and schedule everything accordingly. If you organize well, even that can be enough for you to settle down.

To avoid burnout, notify your employer that you’ll be moving and ask for some days off from work. via

4: Declutter Before You Move Into Your New Home

Before you start packing, you should get your home organized and declutter whatever you can. Set aside items you will not need any more in your new home. You can either sell, recycle or donate those items, and surely there will be stuff that you can get rid of right away. Less stuff to move means less stressful and less expensive relocation. Don't bring excess furniture and a sea of boxes with you because you don't want a mess from the start. Then, when you adjust to your new place, you'll decide if you miss anything crucial for a comfortable living, and you will be able to invest in your new home according to your current needs and preferences.

5 Packing

You can take a room-by-room approach when packing your belongings. Remember to label all boxes according to their corresponding rooms and mark those containing "fragile" items. You want to avoid any possible damage in transport, so be careful and patient when packing each box. Pay special attention when packing electronics as well as your glassware, art collections, etc. Don't forget to pack an essentials bag for your first day and night in your new home. Include a few changes of clothes, your pajamas, toiletries, medicine, etc.

If you don't pack everything promptly and with proper care, moving can be excruciating. If you struggle with packing and organizing everything for your NYC move, the best thing would be to contact a professional moving company and choose the services you need. For example, a simple relocation from or to NYC will be much easier if you have the help of reliable movers during the whole process.

Before you move into your new home, you'll need to declutter all rooms and pack the items carefully for transport. via

6: Gather Important Documents

We all have some super important documents. However, they usually sit and collect dust at the bottom of one filing cabinet. When moving away and packing, remember to gather all these documents in one place and keep them close to you during the moving day. If you're moving with your family, collect these for all your family members:

• Birth certificates

• Medical records

• Social security cards

• Insurance policies

• Important contracts

• Warranties

• Anything else of that nature

While preparing these, you’ll probably find many papers that you don’t need any more, so get rid of them and label and organize the rest.

7: Clean the Former Home

Before you move, make sure to do one last deep cleaning of your old home. Once you have everything packed, put some effort into leaving everything sparkling clean. Vacuum all floors, clean out the fridge and all appliances, wash the windows and wipe down surfaces. Pay special attention to the bathroom and kitchen. If you're not keen on cleaning your former home, or you just don't have the time to stick on that task right now, that's totally understandable. However, in that case, you should consider hiring expert cleaners. Professionals can do this quickly and easily while you finish all other tasks related to your move.

When you know all the things to do before you move into your new home, the transition will be easier. If you feel overwhelmed, do not be afraid to ask for help - either from a family member or a friend or from a professional service provider. The sooner you take care of all this, the sooner you will be able to transition to your new home and enjoy it. Good luck!

6 Signs You're Working with the Wrong Real Estate Agent

Buying or selling a home is likely the largest financial decision you will make in your life. It is undeniable that the search for the perfect home can be a daunting process. However, you should be aware that sometimes you might be dealing with an unqualified agent rather than a demanding real estate market.

With the historically busy Spring market right around the corner, whether you are Selling your home or looking to Buy, it is important you are partnering with the right agent to get the job done.

Has your listing been lingering on the market, or your home search lasting longer than you would like? We have listed six signs you're working with the wrong real estate agent so that you can assess if the professional you've chosen might be slowing down your progress towards purchasing or selling a property.

1. The real estate agent you hired is rarely present at showings

Attending and organizing showings is extremely important, especially if you are looking to buy or invest in a highly competitive real estate market like Manhattan. If your real estate agent cannot attend them, especially on the weekends, which are typically considered the primetime days for showings, you might be facing an issue. No matter how well-informed you may be when it comes to real estate, the very purpose of hiring a real estate agent is always to have access to an experienced and reliable advisor that can guide and inform your decisions.  

Some red flags include agents who:

• do not return your calls in good time

• are frequently unavailable or out of town

• cannot dedicate enough time to show your home to potential buyers

• cannot give you relevant advice on which property listings you should take into consideration

A good Real Estate Agent should be present and involved at all times

2. The real estate agent lacks a cohesive marketing strategy

In real estate, marketing is everything. Having an agent with a solid online presence, know-how about current real estate trends and visibility on an array of online platforms is vital for reaching buyers or sellers. If your real estate agent does not seem to be experienced in this regard, this may very well hurt your property value.

The days of relying on a simple MLS listing or a sign in your yard are long behind us, which means you need a real estate agent who will proactively search for customers beyond these obsolete marketing methods, especially if you are considering selling or buying a home during a recession. Before hiring a real estate agent, check if they use social media platforms, whether they send out mailers, or if they market or locate showings online.

Additionally, be sure to ask for the agent's marketing portfolio, which includes examples of property listings with photographs. This will allow you to assess if their marketing skills and strategies are professional enough to keep up with the ever-evolving real estate market trends in NYC. So, photos taken on an iPhone simply will not do.

3. You’re working with the wrong real estate agent if their negotiation skills are lacking

Marketing or finding a property is just one part of a real estate agent's job. When it comes down to the crunch and your agent is too passive, inexperienced, or disinterested in negotiating in your stead, you might want to consider hiring someone else.

Once the offers start to arrive, you must have someone by your side who can communicate your wishes and needs and maintain a professional and successful negotiation with all interested parties. Be on the lookout for red flags and potential oversights on the part of your real estate agent.

Once you seal the deal, you should be equally vigilant when it comes to hiring movers for your relocation to NYC. Buying or selling a home is just the start of your real estate journey, which means you have to be careful and choose the best option possible for your relocation. 

4. The agent lacks experience in market

Hiring a real estate agent who is new to the business is not necessarily a faux pas. In fact, sometimes, younger real estate agents might be even more skillful and knowledgeable when it comes to marketing on social media and other media outlets. Furthermore, they might bring an entirely new perspective to the table compared to their older counterparts that work within the same real estate agency.

However, if you notice that the real estate agent does not have the necessary information or expertise when it comes to current real estate trends in the local housing market, you might want to look for someone else. Moreover, as we have mentioned, your real estate agent should be a consummate negotiator in order to meet the grade, which in some cases comes only after a few years of working as a real estate agent.

5. The real estate agent is not familiar with the local housing market

Even if you hire a real estate agent with an extensive portfolio, this is no guarantee they are the perfect person for the job in the given real estate market. They have to be well-versed in property values in the area; otherwise, they are merely shooting blanks anytime they make an offer to a potential buyer or seller of the property.

In a city such as New York, real estate is hyper-local where it can even matter if the agent is familiar with a particular building. At minimum, working with a neighborhood expert is important, but always partner with the agent that has the most experience with your neighborhood and property type when possible.

Additionally, they should be in the know when it comes to other vital aspects that influence the value of the property. So, for instance, there are a few home features New Yorkers will pay extra for, and awareness of these and similar influencing factors can significantly impact the property's final price.

There are many factors that influence property prices in the NYC real estate market.

6. The real estate agent is too pushy

So, you have found a real estate agent who is an engaged, communicative, and skillful negotiator and marketing expert. They are also experienced enough to know all the trends and factors that influence property values in the area. You might be thinking that you are finally on the safe side and that you can now focus on your relocation and start thinking of an unpacking plan once you settle into your new NYC home.

Your agent should advise you, providing their expert insight and arm you with facts to make an informed decision

However, if the agent is too eager to seal the deal and finish the job as soon as possible, this is one of the telltale signs you're working with the wrong real estate agent. Do not let their confidence or reputation influence your decision.

Your Agent should have your best interest at heart – if that means the perfect property comes along in 1 month or 1 year, they should not be pushing the first property you see just to get a deal completed.

Thinking of Buying, Selling, or Renting? Our Team is comprised of industry leaders that execute across all the critical touchpoints of a successful transaction. Find out how we can help you

The Victoria Shtainer Team provides industry leading Real Estate services in New York City, Miami, and The Hamptons

Baccarat Hotel & Residences Coming to Miami's Brickell Neighborhood

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Baccarat is the latest luxury brand slated to be associated with luxury condos in Miami. The Related Company announced that it is partnering with Baccarat at its project at 444 Brickell Avenue in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood. The site at 444 Brickell was previously known as One Brickell.

This will be Baccarat’s first residences in Miami. In a competitive market, Developers are always seeking for differentiators, and partnering with Luxury brands has been an avenue for achieving just that.

The project will be comprised of 3 stories rising 57, 77, and 82 stories. Related Company has tapped Arquitectonica to lead architectural design and Enzo Enea to design landscaping. Plans include a mix of residential, hotel, office, and retail components.  According to plans filed with the Miami Planning department, there will be:

• 1,400 residential units

• 249 hotel units

• 41,272 square feet of office space

• 24,263 square feet of retail space

• 1,993 parking spaces

Details are still emerging on what to expect inside the residences, however, we do know they will range in size from 1-4 bedrooms. Given the project’s location, homes on higher floors should offer sweeping views of Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay.

Amenities will include a business center, fitness center, pool, and riverfront promenade.

How To Bring The Danish Art of Hygge Into Your Home

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Hygge is taking the world by storm, so one needs to ask: what is it in this Danish art of living that we have been missing all this time in the rest of the world? In essence, hygge is a philosophy of simple, happy, relaxed, and comfortable living. Today, it is a list of things, recipes, or arts and crafts that should make you happier. If you genuinely want to bring the Danish art of hygge into your home, go beyond the superficial. You might discover that you already live by the hygge model without even knowing it.

The idea of hygge in your home

The concept isn't new, nor is it truly unknown to most. It just involves a collection of different things for each one of us. With that in mind, what is hygge for the Danish may not apply to you or your home. Take, for instance, a fireplace. Northern Europeans might find it invaluable and a frequently utilized home asset.

On the other hand, it doesn't make sense in a year-round warm Florida home. Instead, a Floridian who wishes to unwind next to the calming firelight will more likely enjoy a relaxing soak in a candle-lit bathroom. And this idea of contrast is precisely at the core of hygge. There is no rest without work nor hygge without effort.

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Embracing the personal touch

It doesn't surprise that hygge incorporates mostly minimalistic design ideas as they imply lightness and purity. However, it adds to this basis, warming the home and making it more personal. In this sense, it distances slightly from the minimalistic design. Hygge is not about less but simple.

While it may seem that pieces of furniture should serve solely a practical purpose, it is not the case. Hygge welcomes the vintage, the memories, the story behind an object, and emotional investment. In principle, hygge is nourishing the spirit of well-being and living the best possible life. That life is quite often not led alone but in harmony with others and oneself.

Let go of the purposeless

Taking pleasure in your living quarters requires you to actually spend time in your home. It is not unusual that people spend endless hours and funds decorating and redecorating following current trends, but never sit back and enjoy their work. It is this moment when people get comfortable after a long day and relax in their sanctuary that is at the core of hygge. But to make your surroundings relaxing, you need to clear away the surplus. As advised by New Leaf Moving Group experts, self-storage becomes an ally in the efforts of making a home more hyggelig.

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Taking the clutter out is the first step toward making your living space truly livable. Shopping temptations are everywhere and often difficult to resist. They eventually lead to homes turned into warehouses, ones that keep people focused on meaningless things instead of nourishing experiences, especially the hygge feelings of calmness, satisfaction, coziness, and safety. The best way to live the art of hygge is to let go of things that don't have any practical, aesthetic, or emotional value.

Colors and lights that inspire wellness

Even though hygge promotes warm and cozy tones, the colors you choose shouldn't be generic. Once again, the accent is on the colors that naturally bring you comfort and invite you to relax. It doesn't come as a surprise that precisely hues found in nature best stimulate the hygge lifestyle. Consider the warm, natural color trends for 2021, as one of these palettes may be exactly what makes you feel comfortable in your surroundings.

Another important home asset hygge relies upon is lighting. On the one hand, there is the need to bring in as much natural light as possible; it is imperative in a cold and dark Danish landscape. In other parts of the world, it is more about balance and providing the just right amount of light, one that improves your mood.

On the other hand, in the evening, the emphasis should be on the soothing lights. Dim the ambient lighting to set the atmosphere that makes you feel cozy. Use accent lighting to put the focus on paintings or heirlooms that are important to you, or enjoy a favorite book with warm task lighting. It is vital that you feel comfortable; the price of the lamp is irrelevant.

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Living by the art of hygge

Why is it essential to understand hygge as a concept instead of a checklist for a happy lifestyle? If you're, for example, making a significant change and leaving Florida and starting over in New York, you won't need to stress about your new habits, new home, new acquaintances, and most likely new furniture and way of life. Live by the hygge philosophy, and you won't overburden yourself with the unimportant.

Your once favorite pastime may change in the new surroundings. Hobbies you used to enjoy or found comfortable are likely to evolve. And that is alright with hygge. It is not about the rigidity in home style or habits, but the opposite. Simply, once you overgrow your shell, find another you'll feel happy, cozy, and safe within. While the concept is not focused on self-discovery, knowing what you like and enjoy doing at home helps you achieve it more easily. Finding time to relax may be challenging, but it is attainable.

Nurture nature in your hyggelig home

Add air purifying indoor plants to your space, not only to accent your interior decor but also to improve your home's air quality. The benefits to your lifestyle will be apparent soon. What better way to lead a healthy and happy hygge life than improving your sleep, removing allergens, and reducing anxiety.

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2021 Outlook: What to Expect for the New York City Real Estate Market

With the arrival of 2021 comes new predictions for the year ahead. It goes without saying, New York City faced a very tough 2020 as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The real estate market came to a near halt of in-person showings and activity was ceased from March-late June. 

While many Media Outlets wrote of the mass exodus to the Suburbs and a bleak state of the Luxury Market in New York, the market actually turned a corner once in-person activity resumed in late June. In fact, some weeks of 2020 had higher contract activity in luxury properties than 2019. 

People will always need a place to call home, and we saw the power of that throughout much of 2020.

We are all entering 2021 with  guarded, yet hopeful optimism that we will turn a corner towards normalcy. We expect the market to continue its Pandemic recovery, barring any unforeseen circumstances of a large resurgence of cases, etc. The arrival of the vaccine which is expected to become more widely available as we progress into 2021 should help curb another lockdown.

What Do We Expect for 2021? We largely expect persistent demand from Buyers as the narrative shifts away from “New York is Gone” to a narrative of opportunity and recovery. We’ve already seen that the story the Media tried to paint of NYC in a post-pandemic world was not the reality. Some folks that originally left the city have already returned or have plans to return in the near future. New Yorkers and those in the surrounding areas are betting on New York Real estate and taking advantage of discounts in a big way.

Fight of the Boroughs:

We anticipate the battle between top Borough in the city to remain heated in 2021. As a result of the Pandemic features like  more space,  outdoor space, and  in-unit laundry became priorities. All of these features could be found in Brooklyn which help contribute to the borough’s post pandemic spike in activity, however, reduce pricing has made Manhattan more affordable to more people…which will win?

Buyers Will Continue their Return:

Buyers have been entering the market since the lockdown was lifted. We saw a strong uptick in market activity in June 2020 when in-person showings resumed. The year finished on a strong note, and we expect Buyers that  are serious and  know they are staying in  New York  City to take advantage. There are many factors that are driving Buyers including low interest  rates  as well as increased wealth. Many New Yorkers of means actually saw an increase in wealth during 2020 thanks to a sharp rise in Tech Stocks as well as the ability to retain employment remotely.

Low Rates Here to Stay:

We expect Mortgage Rates to stay low in 2021. Will they may inch up slightly throughout the course of 2021 (we saw numerous record lows set in 2020!), rates will remain historically at low levels. Low Rates have drastically been increasing purchasing power of both new Buyers and Homeowners looking to roll their equity into a larger home.

Deals on New Development:

The Manhattan  Luxury Condo market has been overburdened with Supply for the past few years. While some Developers have been rolling out discounts and incentives in 2019/2020, we expect discounts on new inventory to uptick. Developers are at the mercy of project financing - they need to get units sold and move onto the next project so they can pay their lenders. This means great opportunities for Buyers of New Development.

Shifting Preferences:

What ranks as important to Buyers will likely shift as Consumers continue  to  evolve their needs and wants coming out of the pandemic. We know that the multi-functional homes are a must and people now prefer outdoor space to the latest appliances, but we expect that these preferences will continue to be refined heading into  2021. In New York, there is likely to be a resurgence with  Boutique buildings with  minimal amounts of units compared to  large buildings with hundreds of homes.

6 Things That Can Hurt Your Property Value

When you want to sell your property, you hope that everyone will see its value, just as you do. You might believe that all you need is some home fragrance to make your home smell fresh and lovely and a bit of tidying up. However, you should know that certain things can hurt your property’s value, or at minimum, not help to show its full value to prospective Buyers. While you might not even be aware of them, they can have a significant impact on the price of your property. To get the best deal when the time for sale comes, make sure you are familiar with the things that can bring down your home's price tag, and work to minimize them in your home.

Unpleasant smells can hurt your property value

Offensive smells leave a lasting impression and can decrease the value of your property. It might be the pet odor, mold, or cigarette smoke. Keep in mind that strong home fragrances might mask the odor, but they might also signal that something is wrong with the home. The safest way is to remove the source of the smell and thoroughly clean your house. Dusting and vacuuming regularly will help, as well as wiping down and disinfecting the bathroom and kitchen. You can consider hiring professional cleaning services to take care of your home before you decide to open your door to potential buyers.

Renovations not executed properly

Many homeowners decide to do significant renovations for the purpose of increasing property value. They might choose to build a deck or remodel a kitchen, but it might not have the desired effect. The first reason for this is that they're not really skilled enough to undertake a major DIY remodeling project. Another reason is that the repairs are, although executed properly, maybe too personalized or unappealing.

The way to avoid this is to hire professionals to undertake this kind of project. But before that, check out what real estate agents recommend. After you find a trustworthy advisor, you might realize that some of your ideas wouldn't really increase the value of your NYC property, as you initially thought.

Contact a real estate agent and ask for their opinion. They can offer you a lot of help during the process of selling your property. With their knowledge of the NYC market, they can provide invaluable information on what is currently hot on the market. If you take the agents' advice, you have a better chance of getting a higher price for your property.

Excessive clutter

Excessive clutter can hurt property value, and every home has accumulated unnecessary items
throughout the years. While you stop noticing them after a while, a potential buyer might get the
impression that your home is cluttered.

Decluttering is not hard; it just takes some of your time. A professional decorator or organizer
can take care of this, and as a result, you will add value to your home. You can donate, sell, or
throw away any unnecessary items.

Kitsch design

The minimalist design is perhaps, the best way to go. Avoid personalized decoration and quirky wallpapers. You want the buyers to be able to picture themselves living there, which might be challenging if your style is present in every room. An excellent way to deal with all those sentimental and personal mementos would be to rent a temporary storage unit and place them there until you have sold your home.

Poor maintenance of the exterior

Remember that the exterior is the first thing on your home that potential buyers see. If the paint is peeling, cracked, or faded, the buyers will not get a good impression. It's also a bad idea to paint your home in bold colors; stick with neutral and more popular colors, such as white, gray, cream, or beige.

An unattractive yard

It makes sense that an unattractive yard is one of the things that can hurt your property value. While a yard that's in bad condition might repel buyers, landscaping can prevent this. However, keep in mind that trees that are too close to the house can negatively affect your property's price as well, as they might present a potential danger in the buyers' eyes.

Take care of the things you can

Prices of property fluctuate as a result of many different factors, and it's essential to know the things that can devalue it. Some of these things will be absolutely out of control, like the neighborhood, interest rates, market conditions, and the economy. However, some of the factors are absolutely in your control, so there's no reason not to take care of them.

We Can Help You Bring Your Home to Market with Our Exclusive Compass Concierge Service

Compass Concierge will assist you with the execution of a tailored plan for updating and staging your home for prospective buyers. We will front the costs associated with home-selling improvements and collect a fee for the services rendered at the time of the property’s closing. House preparation services include staging, painting, deep cleaning, landscaping, and decluttering.

 How It Works

• Our team will develop a tailored project plan with suggested home improvements and updates to prepare your home for the market.

• You will contract directly with home improvement service providers.

• Compass Concierge will pay the associated cost for home improvement work performed subject to your agreements with home service providers.

• At the closing of the property, Compass Concierge will collect a fee that covers the cost of the work performed.

 This is just scratching the surface of what this exclusive service can offer our clients. Additionally, while Compass Concierge helps Sellers, there are also ways that this program can help Buyers as well.

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2020 Holiday Tipping Guide

The Holiday Season has officially kicked off. With Black Friday and Thanksgiving over, holiday decorations are going up across town. With the arrival of the Holiday Season comes the question on the mind of many - “How Much Should I Tip?”

While some traditions will be put on hold, other traditions synonymous with the Holiday Season will continue, one of which is Holiday Tipping. 

One could argue that Tipping is even more important this year than ever before - it has been a challenging year for all, and for those that are fortunate and have the ability to tip those that have helped throughout the Pandemic, this is the year to do so.

Building staff in Residential New York City buildings have been essential to all residents through the COVID-19 pandemic. Building Staff have been responsible for increased cleaning protocols, receiving and managing an exponential increase in deliveries, and checking in on vacant apartments for residents that have escaped to second homes.

We’ve adjusted our annual tipping guide to account for 2020 - some of the individuals that are key in a typical year such as your Manicurist may not have played a role in 2020 because of the Pandemic. Additionally, if you are considering giving more this year to your valued Building Staff and are concerned they will expect this amount in future years, consider stating in your note with the tip how grateful you are for all they’ve done during this challenging year to set expectations. 

Our friends at Brick Underground publish a go-to holiday tipping guide, which has been circulating since 2013. We condensed it, and put our take on what is appropriate as you budget for your holiday tipping. Remember, these are simply guidelines. There are many factors that can influence the tipping decision such as the size of the building (a larger staff equates to smaller individual tips), level of service, seniority, and time in building. Additionally, owning versus renting in a building can play a big factor as well.

Of course, if you live in a building with a part-time doorman, virtual doorman, or no staff at all, the below levels could be adjusted downward.

Renters: Tips do not have to equate to the dollar amount you are paying each month for rent. If you receive a lot of packages, have a stroller that is carried in and out of the building, etc., factor this into your tip. 

It is recommended that you tip in cash. Doorman, Concierge, Supers, etc. all of bills to pay like you and I- they are not looking for fruit cakes, cookies, or homemade gifts at the holidays!

Many buildings have organized drop off locations for your tips so you can safely give to your Building Staff rather than direct contact due to public health guidelines.

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Tipping Guidelines

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Super: $150-$200
Doorman/Concierge: $100-$150
Package Room: $50-$75 per individual*
Housekeeper: 1 Week Salary
Dog Walker: 1 Week Salary
Garage Attendant: $50-$100
Personal Trainer: $100*
Personal Assistant: 1 Week Salary
Hairdresser: $75-100*

*In the era of Coronavirus, it is important to remember the people fielding all those orders you are placing and the sheer volume of orders they are now receiving, just for you alone. We recommend tipping Package Room staff more than previous years. In most buildings it will be the package room employees, however, Doormen/Concierge are likely fielding these requests after hours.

Additionally, if someone such as a Trainer has moved to a Virtual Model and you continued to use their service, we recommend continuing to tip these individuals.

When: Most building staff will prefer to receive their tips in early December so they can plan their own holiday spending accordingly. Tips account for a large part of building staff’s anticipated income at this time of year.

This guide was presented in 2018 and has been re-shared to include updated information

Green Living Tips You Can Practice at Home

If you have decided to shift toward an environmentally friendly lifestyle, you are on the right path to improving your health and overall quality of life. Green living protects our environment and ecosystem, and it's also a significant boost to the world around you. Now it's the right time to not only incorporate fall décor in your home but also to start thinking green in the long run. You can apply the following green living tips anywhere in the world. They're easily achievable and don't break the bank.

Save Energy

One of the first steps you may take to reduce your lifestyle's impact on the planet is to reduce the amount of energy usage in your home. Besides making your home greener, saving energy has real and tangible benefits in your life, and it can save you a lot of money. Whether you own or rent your home, these improvements are cost-effective and wise to make.

Follow these energy-saving green living tips

Energy-saving home improvements you should consider will include the following:

• Use only low energy light bulbs- they use ¼ electricity compared to traditional bulbs while they last approximately ten times longer.

• Turn off your appliances when they are not in use (computers, audio, and video equipment, and kitchen appliances use electricity even on standby mode, so better switch them off completely).

• Unplug your charger when your phone, tablet, or laptop is fully charged to conserve power (and extend your battery life!).

• Lower your thermostats- reduce the temperature on your heating systems thermostats by a few degrees to reduce the amount of energy and money spent on heating.

• Wash your clothes at low temperatures- most of the energy used in laundry washing is used to heat the water, so opt for lower temperatures whenever possible.

• Air dry your laundry instead of tumble dry. Dry them naturally on the washing line or drying rack to avoid using a large amount of electricity.

Save Water

Fresh and clean water doesn't miraculously appear out of your faucet when you turn on the tap. It takes infrastructure and electricity to get to you, meaning it's a resource you should consume carefully. You can reduce your water consumption in myriad ways, such as:

• Use short cycles for washing clothes - choose the "eco wash" option on modern washing machines.

• Ensure there are no leaks in your plumbing system - it prevents unnecessary water wastage.

• Take shorter showers - don't take long hot showers because they are a real luxury.

• When brushing your teeth, don't leave the eater running - it's a habit that can save gallons of water.

Reducing the amount of water usage in your home is one of the main green living tips

Avoid bottled water

Avoid bottled water when possible. It's not only expensive and inefficient, but it also produces large amounts of plastic waste. Use a refillable water bottle and tap water instead. You can use a water filter to purify tap water.

Ditch plastic

Plastic bags are harmful to the environment. A vast amount of plastic waste ends up outside of landfills - in our fields, forests, rivers, and oceans. One of the most critical green living tips is to use eco-friendly bags, such as paper bags. Recycle any old plastic bags that you find at your home.

Don't stop at bags. Bring your coffee mug to your favorite coffee place, bring a reusable metal straw instead of plastic ones, store your food in glass containers instead of plastic ones, etc.When you start paying attention, you'll begin to see how dependent we've become on plastic, but also in what ways we can get rid of it.

Eco-friendly solution to declutter your home

There is an eco-friendly solution for almost everything in your home and your life. If you are moving to another place or just want to get rid of the clutter that minimizes your free space, this can easily be done in an eco-friendly way - consider green storage solutions. Act smart and invest in recyclable moving boxes and reuse your cardboard boxes. There are many ways to pack your items in a green way. One of the new ones is using seaweed packaging. Ask your green storage provider about them.

Grow your food and herbs

There are so many reasons to grow plants in your home. Some indoor plants can improve your air quality. Other plants have decorative and aesthetic value, but why stop there? You can also grow food in your kitchen or garden. It will save you money, give you a great understanding of food production, and put you in touch with nature. If you have a garden, you have the opportunity to plant and nurture a whole vegetable patch.

If you don't have a lot of time or a backyard, try something simpler, such as potted herbs. Transform your outdoor space into a green oasis with a little bit of imagination and creativity.

Try to grow potted herbs in your home; it doesn't take a lot of time.

Homemade cleaning products

Many modern household cleaning products are expensive, and they are very often harmful to the environment. As a great green alternative - try making some yourself. Homemade cleaning products are environmentally friendly and safe. You’ll need ingredients such as baking soda, lemon, vinegar, soap flakes, and cornstarch to make them. You can find a bunch of tutorials online.

If you don't have spare time to make cleaning products, switch to environmentally friendly options instead. Find products that are natural and sustainable with plant-based ingredients. They will not leave chemical residue behind, and they are biodegradable.

Educate others about green living

If you live with a roommate, you can easily apply all of the techniques mentioned above together, with a little time, effort, and not too many costs. It's important to live with someone who shares the same values. If your roommate doesn't know enough about green living, try to educate them, help them recycle, and live an environmentally conscious life. Help them start with small steps and then increase the inclusion of green tips in their lifestyle.

Every small step matters

There are many more ways to incorporate green living tips into your everyday life. For example, remember to cut down on fuel whenever you can. Instead of driving a car, be active- walk or ride a bicycle (or use public transport for further travel) when possible. Whenever you can choose organic products, use second-hand clothes, use recycled paper, share and borrow things instead of compulsive buying. Try to repurpose your household items, collect rainwater, and use it to water your plants. Reuse things, donate them… the list is endless. Every small step counts. If we all make a small change for a better, healthier, and greener planet today, it adds up and makes a massive difference on our way forward to a better future.

5 Easy Ways to Incorporate Fall in Your Home Decor

Transitioning your home from season to season and adding decorative touches that pay homage to the season throughout your home does not have to be hard. We’re sharing 5 easy tips to add hints of Fall throughout your home.

The Fall season is all about warmth and natural elements. The best part about the latter is it does not have to be expensive! Adding fall to your home is easier than you may think.

Use Seasonal Flowers

Just because Spring is gone does not mean you cannot have fresh flowers in the home for the season. In fact, gorgeous arrangements can be made for your home as you decorate this fall.

Consider antique hydrangeas - their neutral and warm colors are the perfect compliment to your fall tables capes and decor. 

If you are a fan of some brighter tones, the unofficial flower of the fall season is the Mum! They come in a variety of colors from white to bright orange, and are the perfect compliment next to pumpkins and gourds.

Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

An easy way to give your home a touch of fall is to use seasonal fruits and vegetables you will likely have in your kitchen any way. Place seasonal items like apples, gourds, and figs in a decorative serving bowl on your table or credenza. It is an inexpensive way to bring the Fall season inside.

Natural Elements are Key

Via

The Fall season is about rustic, warm elements, most of which pay homage to nature. Similar to incorporating seasonal fruits and vegetables into your decor, add in natural elements such as branches and leaves to your decor. These are great items to mix into to a fall tablescape. If the real thing is not for you, consider using faux branches and leaf decor to add the must-have fall touch.

Scatter Pumpkins Throughout the Home

Via

Nothing says Fall quite like pumpkins! Pumpkins come in a variety of sizes and hues and will add a fall touch to nearly any room in your home. For a more luxe, monochromatic look, considering using white and pale pumpkins in your fall decorating. Place pumpkins in your tables cape, on your mantel, countertops, and end tables…they are so versatile!

Decorative Throws in Fall Hues

Via

When of the most refreshing things about the Fall season in the chill in the air that begins to creep in by late October and November. Who does not love curling up by the fire place and binge watching your favorite show? Throws are the perfect decorative accessory to add in your living room, den, and places of relaxation! Look for seasonal color palettes such as burnt oranges, red, and maroons, Patterns such as Plaid and Tartan are perfect to transition into the winter season.