• Make a daily schedule
  Plan out time for reading, play, screen time and everything in between.
• Try playing different board games
• Cook together
• Tidy and organize together
  Once the quarantine is over, we anticipate the market will be red hot and if you are thinking of selling you don’t want to miss this opportunity, so use this time to prepare now.
• Garden together
• Exercise
• Allocate responsibilities (and rewards)
  Create a list of chores that go above your child’s normal responsibilities and offer rewards for completing them.
• Play/ care for pets
• Wash dishes
• Clean up toys
• Try a craft
  Make jewelry, tye dye or make something new out of recycled materials.
• Create daily journals for writing/ drawing
• Write thank you notes to local heroes
• Listen to podcasts
• Create an at home spa
  Bonus: let them run the spa and you can be the client
• Invent a game together
  Indoor bowling made out of recycled things, board game, etc)
• Set time for children to socialize with their friends on the phone or via video conference

1. Test your smoke alarms (because why not). You should also make sure your furnace is inspected annually and change the filter regularly.
2. If you have a basement or crawlspace with a sump pump check that it has a backup battery and make sure to have it inspected annually by a qualified plumber.
3. Made any major improvements to your home lately? Contact your insurance company and make sure that they are aware; they may send an assessor out to document the changes. Just make sure it is noted on your policy because if not, the updates may not be covered.
4. Take a video of the inventory in your home once a year. Go slowly and open every closet and drawer so that everything possible is documented.
5. As you buy new things for your home, take a picture of the receipt and create a digital file of the images. Bonus points if you create a spreadsheet with all of the information.
6. Invest in a waterproof/ fireproof safe that can hold your valuable documents, passports, memorabilia and other items that would be impossible or difficult to replace.

While hopefully just taking the necessary precautions is enough, in taking these simple steps you will gain peace of mind and save yourself from potential frustration later on. As always contact us if you have questions and we would be more than happy to help.

A quick list of tips to keep the cold out.

YOUR FAMILY

Check On Elderly Friends And Neighbors

– Drain and cover outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems.

– Organize and clean gardening supplies.

– Have chimney swept and clean out fireplace.

– Clear the gutters.

– Have furnace serviced.

– Clean windows and blinds.

– Check the batteries in smoke alarms.

– Clean out dryer vent.

– Change the direction of ceiling fans.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you need some recommended companies to assist with maintenance around your home

1. U.S. Postal Service. As soon as your move is confirmed, make this update on the USPS website and you can set the date in advance for when you would like your mail to be sent to your new address.

2. Utilities. Electric, water, sewer, gas, trash, internet, TV and phone all need to be notified or you could end up paying someone else’s bill.

3. Employer. Updating your address ensures that you will receive all important tax documents and other notifications from your employer at the correct address.

4. Bank. Documents from your bank, credit cards or other financial institutions could contain personal information, make sure these documents end up in your hands.

5. Insurance. Health, dental, car, life and home. Make sure your address is accurate so you don’t have any issues filing a claim.

6. Doctor and Dentist. Make sure your medical providers are sending your bills to the correct address or you could accidentally fall behind on payments.

7. DMV. In Indiana you must change your mailing address with the DMV within 30 days of moving.

8. Voter registration. Accurate information means that you won’t have any issues when it’s time to vote.

9. Social Security and the IRS. Two very important institutions that need to have correct contact information for you.

10. TSA Precheck/Global Entry. This change could be easily overlooked but inaccurate information could jeopardize your membership. Update it by calling 855-347-8371 or submitting an update request online.

If you just built or moved into a new house, your cabinets may not have handles. Or if your home is older, a new set of handles can update the look of your entire kitchen. Adding handles is an easy project that only takes a couple hours and adds a finished touch to your cabinets and protects them from wear and tear. Here are the steps on how to get started:

Determine style of handles

Want a clean modern feel? Try a straight simple handle in brushed nickel or chrome. For a more traditional style, a handle with an oil rubbed bronze or black finish looks great. If the hinges on your cabinets are visible, you will want to keep that in mind when selecting a color (unless you plan on replacing those as well). Also make sure to count how many handles you will need.

Determine placement of handles

The best $6 you can spend for this project is on a template tool. This easy guide allows you to mark and drill holes and will save you a lot of time and frustration. While the tool provides several standard measurements to use as a starting point, depending on how your cabinet doors are shaped, you may want to adjust where you put your handles.

Mark holes and drill

Mark where you are going to put your handles. Make sure to use the same positioning on every door and drawer consistently and don’t forget to measure twice, drill once!

Install new handle

Use screws to fasten handles and keep in mind that you may need longer screws for the drawers as the wood is typically thicker than the doors.

For more advice and easy upgrades to improve the look and value of your home, contact us today.

Josh Monteith

The new year is a great time to step back and reassess what is important. It is also the perfect time to tidy up and get organized. As a busy wife, mother, grandmother and professional, getting organized helps me stay on track and saves time. Here’s some ideas to get you started:

Clean Up Closets

Closets are often overlooked during regular cleanings because but some of the best advice we tell our clients before listing their home is to organize and declutter their closets. Adequate closet space is important to many buyers and even if you don’t have plans to sell in 2018, a clean closet will make finding things easier. Plus, this is a great opportunity to get rid of mismatched and broken hangers as well as donate the clothes and items you never use or wear.

Try A Memo Board

Do you have a spot on the counter that always seems to pile up with discarded mail, bills or other items that aren’t ready to be recycled? Try installing a memo board in your pantry, coat closet or entry. This way you can save what is important in one easy spot and keep clutter off your counters.

Use A Family Calendar

Does your family use a shared calendar yet? A paper calendar in a central location in your home is a simple way to stay organized, however you may also want to try an electronic shared calendar. Calendar tools such as Apple Calendar, Google Calendar and Cozi are a great way

Clean Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers

Another task that is well worth the extra effort is to clean out the cabinets and drawers in your kitchen. Get rid of anything that is broken or that you never use and wipe out and sanitize the shelves and inside of drawers. If you are feeling ambitious, try to organize and declutter the junk drawer.

For more tips and tricks on how to get organized, or advice on staging or preparing your home for sale, contact us and we would be happy to help.

Smiles~ Marji

We all know that winter is the most wonderful time of the year; however it can also be the hardest time of year on your home. That’s why it’s so important to protect your asset by keeping these top 5 home winterization tips top of mind.

1. Keep your Gutters Clean
Unchecked gutters can lead to the formation of ice dams, which prevent your necessary drainage systems from functioning properly. When this happens, you run the risk of water seeping into your home; leading to costly repairs down the road.

2. Furnace Maintenance
Have a licensed HVAC contractor inspect your system and perform any cleaning or necessary maintenance to maintain efficiency and life expectancy. Be sure to switch out filters regularly and have your ductwork cleaned at least once per year.

3. Check your Smoke Detectors
The winter months always bring an increased risk of fire. Make sure all smoke alarms are functioning with full batteries. Replace any smoke alarms older than ten years old.

4. Check your Flue
Winter is a fantastic time to have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned. Make sure your flue is in working order and if necessary, have a chimney sweep remove any built up creosote in the chimney.

5. Trim your Tree(s)
As snow and ice settle in, be sure any and all tree limbs are trimmed and moved away from your home, garage and vehicles.

If you have any questions or are looking for some local contractors to assist you with home maintenance or repairs, give us a call!

– Chris Ripperger

If you purchased a new home, refinanced or changed how title is held this year, you need to verify that your homestead and mortgage tax exemptions were filed or your taxes may INCREASE!

To verify the status of your exemptions, please call your county Auditor’s office

Boone County: 765-482-0140

Hamilton County: 317-776-8400

Hancock County: 317-477-1179

Hendricks County: 317-745-9300

Johnson County: 317-346-4310

Marion County: 317-327-4646

Shelby County: 317-392-6310

Have questions, contact us and we would be happy to assist!

1. Clean the guest bedroom and bathroom
   This is so important to making your guest’s feel comfortable while they are staying with you. I always vacuum, put fresh sheets on the bed and clean the bathroom (don’t forget to set fresh towels out). For an extra cozy feel, light a candle or put out fresh flowers.
2. Create a welcome basket
   A welcome basket is my favorite thing to prepare for guests and I think it goes a long way to making your house feel like home. I like to include a couple chocolates, lint roller, some fresh fruit along with the Wi-Fi login information.
3. Create a menu
   Especially when things get busy, it’s always good to plan (and prep if possible) your meals in advance. I like to type up a menu with the meals I have planned and leave a printout in the guest room. That way guests know what to look forward to during their stay.

Happy hosting!

Smiles~ Marji