ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

How To Attract Buyers When Selling Your Property This Year

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How To Attract Buyers When Selling Your Property This Year

Selling your property in this current market is a challenge. There are some properties and property owners that get lucky and sell quickly. Others will find themselves stuck waiting for the upper chain to complete before they can complete the sale of their own home.

Every property sale is different from the next and often it’s down to timing and luck of the draw. With that being said, to give yourself the best chance of success in finding buyers for your property, here are some helpful tips to make use of for selling this year.

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Improve your curb appeal

When you’re trying to sell your property, the first thing you’ll want to focus on is the curb appeal. After all, what’s the first thing your prospective buyers see when they come to view your property? That’s right – the front of it!

So with that being said, anything you can do to improve your kerb appeal the better. Some suggestions include:

  • Painting your front door
  • Jetwash your exterior walls and pathways
  • Add planters to the front of the property
  • Clear the area of clutter and keep it minimal in appearance

The more you can improve the curb appeal, the better the first impression will be when your buyers come to view it for the first time.

Fix anything that’s broken or tired-looking

Attracting buyers is something that is a challenge even when it comes to getting viewings. Once you have viewings, these may or may not be in short supply depending on the time of year, the popularity of the type of house you have, etc.

Therefore, you want to make sure the home is show standard, meaning it’s as close to perfect as possible from the point of view of the buyer.

Are there any fixtures and fittings that could be replaced or updated? Now is the time to do it before you put your property on the market and have it available for people to see. Again, buyers can be fussy, so it’s important that you’re giving them as few issues as possible when viewing your property.

Competitively price your property

To help with selling the property quickly, how you price it will determine how easily you sell it. Price it up too high and you’ll put buyers off. Price it too low and you’ll offer a bargain to your buyers but perhaps lose out on profit yourself.

To competitively price your property, you’ll want to get a property valuation. It’s worth getting this from a number of estate agents as well as looking at the local area for comparables. Pay attention to similar properties that have sold as close to your own property as possible. This will give you a more accurate price point at which to put your property on the market.

You also want to be aware of not getting this asking price, so consider how low you’re willing to go in order to sell the property.

Choose the right estate agent

Choosing the right estate agent is the next step you’ll need to take when selling your home. Every estate agent operates slightly differently from the next. Some estate agents will be more broad in their offerings, while others are niche in what’s on their range of properties.

With some estate agents, may have set fees, while others will charge a percentage of commission depending on the property price.

It’s worth speaking to a number of estate agents to get an idea of what’s around your local area and who is best for selling your property. It’ll also be helpful when you’re getting a price point for your home’s selling price. 

Do your research online and read the reviews, like the ones for Harper Macleod site for example. Online reviews are a great way of gauging which one is right for you.

Get the best photos and videos to showcase your home

Selling your home requires the best photos and videos that showcase your home when people view it online or see in person at their local estate agents.

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Usually, the estate agent will supply the photographer for taking the photos and/or footage. However, you’re able to give your own suggestions, as well as make comments on the photos or video that’s taken.

You don’t need to settle with what’s been shot either. You may not be happy with the quality or there might be some spots in the home that are missing and should be included. Video tours are very popular nowadays as they provide more insight into the property, so this should be agreed on if offered.

Be fair in your negotiations 

Negotiating is part and parcel of selling a property, therefore you want to be mindful of how good you are at negotiating. Chances are, your estate agent is going to lead the negotiations as you’re selling and not buying. However, you still have plenty of say in what you want to counter-offer when a buyer finally makes an offer on the home.

At the same time, you want to be fair with your negotiations. If a buyer is offering on your property a fairly low-ball offer but you’ve been on the market for a while, you may want to allow them to counter-offer a few times. 

Try not to simply reject an offer and not go back with a response. That’s only going to put the buyer off from potentially offering more and closer to your asking price.

Offer flexibility in your completion dates

Finally, try to be flexible with your completion date. When you’re in a chain, it’s important to try and be as accommodating as possible so that you’re hopefully able to sell your property.

Be flexible with your completion dates and if you’re the one delaying the chain, then you might wish to come out of the chain by renting for a brief period of time instead.

These tips will hopefully attract buyers to your property and ensure a swift and effective sale this year.

Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

How To Sell Your Home From Start To Finish In 2025

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How To Sell Your Home From Start To Finish In 2025

Selling your home is something that you will likely do a number of times within your lifetime. Whether it’s a property you’ve bought for yourself or you’ve bought it for the purpose of renting or doing up and selling.

To help find success in any property you sell, you should know everything that is involved with the process from start to finish. From assessing the property’s market value to the marketing of your property to hopefully sell it as quickly as possible.

Here are some tips on how to sell your home from start to finish in 2025.

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When do you want to sell?

The first question you’ll need to ask yourself when selling a property is when do you want to sell? When would you like to start the process of selling your property? The reason is that right now might not be the best time. 

You may also have commitments at various points throughout the year that would make selling a home, an additional responsibility that’s difficult to take on.

Speak to anyone else who would be involved in the selling of your property. That way, you can both be on the same page about when would be the ideal time to sell. It might be that the market isn’t quite leaning towards sellers and therefore it would be in your best interest financially to hold out until a later point in the year.

Assess your property’s market value

Next up, you’ll want to assess how much your property is worth as this will determine how much you’re putting your property up for sale. It may also influence what type of property you get next and how much property that is.

Assessing your property’s market value is easy enough. Firstly, you can take a look at what the local market looks like on average for your type of property. There’s plenty of information online to see what properties nearby have sold for in the past. Some properties might be more recent than when you bought yours, meaning there might be a more realistic market value available.

Ultimately, you’ll need to speak to an estate agent in order to get a property valuation. It’s worth getting it valued by multiple agents as this will give you an average price point. Regardless of how much it’s meant to be worth, you might have expected more or less. This may influence whether you choose to sell now, or later.

Set a price and know how low you can go

When selling a property, sellers won’t always get the amount that they advertised wanting. That’s why it’s important that you’re setting a price you’re comfortable with and where there might be some wiggle room available for potential buyers.

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On average, 80% of property sales in February 2024, were sold below the asking price. That statistic is likely to remain the same or near due to the rise in interest rates when borrowing money for a mortgage from lenders.

Not only that but there’s been a significant rise in property values which don’t realistically reflect the cost of living and wages that many prospective buyers are able to match.

With that being said, make sure to set a price you’re happy with. From there, you can explore how low you’re willing to go in order to sell the home. At the end of the day, you should only sell your property at a sale price you’re comfortable with.

Choose an estate agent

The estate agent is a crucial part of selling your home. They’ll be taking a commission or cut from the sale of the home, so you’ll want to pick an estate agent with experience in selling homes like yours, as well as getting the best price for them.

Think about who you’d want to choose and it might be worth getting multiple estate agents around to make comparisons. Some estate agents might have better options when it comes to homes for sale, like houses listed by Harper Macleod for example.

Choosing the right estate agent is imperative. You want to be able to work with them alongside the sale of your home, ensuring they fulfil all of your expectations and wants. There’s nothing worse than an estate agent who ends up sabotaging your efforts in securing a buyer for the home.

Be sure to read the reviews as this can often be telling with how good – or bad – the estate agent you’re looking at, is.

Preparing your home for viewings

Once you’ve selected your estate agent, you’ll want to prepare your home before you have the photographs taken. The first time prospective buyers will see your property is online or in-person at the estate agents as they look at the options available.

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Therefore, the photos taken need to not only look professional but show your home in the best light so that prospective buyers will be incentivized to see the property.

To start with, make sure you’ve decluttered the space completely, keeping surfaces clear of anything that’s currently on them. Try to remove any towels, rubbish, and clutter that would otherwise make up the day-to-day appearance of your home.

The more show home you can make it look, the better it’s going to be for your photos. You should also do any fixes where possible so that your home is show-ready for viewing too.

Have both professional photos and video tours taken

Professional photos are something that is part and parcel of marketing your home for sale. However, many homeowners nowadays are agreeing to estate agents who request a video tour of the home.

A video tour or even a 3D walk-through of the property is a great way to see the property in all its glory. It also offers a more insightful walk-through of the home that static photos can’t offer in the same way.

Again, you want to have the photos show off the home in the best way, which might mean you want to review the photos and request changes if needed. After all, you want to be happy with how your property has been conveyed and if those photos or videos don’t show it in the light you desire, there’s nothing stopping you from having new photos or videos taken.

Learn how to negotiate

Learning how to negotiate is important when you’re selling your home. Chances are, you’re not going to get exactly what you ask for and if you do, you’re one of few that do. The chances of you getting your asking price are dependent on how accurate the valuation price is, the current state of the market, and whether you’re in a seller market or not.

Therefore, you’ll want to know how to negotiate in order to get yourself the best price for your home. You may get some buyers who lowball an offer and you’ll have to go back and forth in order to get the desired price. You may get lucky and have multiple interested buyers who therefore all compete with one another to get the property. That could work in your favour!

Be wary of the timeline for selling a home

It’s always good to be mindful of the timeline that you have in selling your home. While some might hope for a quick sale, on average it can take 3-6 months to complete a sale from the point at which you’ve had an offer accepted.

It also depends on how long the chain is which will determine how long it takes to get from your current property to a new one.

Be mindful of this timeline and have patience that there may be delays or alternatively, it may be a quick process so you’ll want to put in plans quickly so that you’re ready to move when the time comes.

Find your next property

In order to make the process of selling your home as easy as possible, you’ll want to find your next property in good time. Ideally, when you put your property up for sale, you’ll then want to start looking yourself. 

Of course, you might not get an offer on your property so quickly but it might be useful to have a property in mind to offer on or at least visit a few in order to get an idea of what you want.

Every chain is different, so it’s important that you’re only offering when you’re absolutely sure of wanting to sell. Again, you’ll need to be prepared that some sales can fall through if you don’t sell your home in time.

Selling your home can be stressful but knowing the ins and outs can be helpful to have as smooth a process as possible. If you’re looking to sell your home in 2025, follow these tips so that you can navigate the sale of your home from start to finish. Hopefully, you’ll find yourself in your new home in no time at all.

Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.

SEX & LIFE

Ways To Make Your Life Easier On Yourself

Ways To Make Your Life Easier On Yourself

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There’s a lot to think about and get done on any given day. You want to make sure that you work hard and also give yourself the best chance of finding success with your endeavors. 

Your daily habits and way of life impact how you feel each day and what you’re able to accomplish. Your goal is to avoid creating more obstacles and always feeling like you’re fighting an uphill battle. You’ll be much happier and feel better when you make some changes that will have a positive impact on you. Here you can review some ways to make your life easier on yourself.

Declutter & Get Organized

A good place to start is to declutter your spaces at home and at work. Go through your belongings and get rid of or donate what you no longer need or use. This will give you the opportunity to get better organized. This way you can make more room for what’s necessary and find what you need in a hurry. You’ll also discover that you can boost your mental health and feel less stressed when you live a minimalist lifestyle.

Reach Out for Help

There may be a variety of challenges you’re facing daily. This can cause you to feel anxious and out of sorts. When you’re struggling it’s never a bad idea to reach out and ask for help if you want to make life easier on yourself. For example, it may be that your adult child is living with you because they have a disability. In this case, you can seek and take advantage of day services for adults with I/DD. This will give you peace of mind knowing your child is being cared for while also freeing up more time in your schedule to go to your job or tackle other responsibilities.

Learn to Say No

Make your life easier on yourself by learning to say no without feeling guilty. This will help ensure that you avoid spreading yourself too thin and experiencing burnout. If you don’t have the time and energy to give then make sure you speak up and decline the invitation. You’ll find that you have more time in your day and schedule to focus on your needs and to participate in activities that make you feel happy.

Prioritize Self-Care

It’s also important to take good care of yourself and practice self-care. You want to make sure that you’re making time for hobbies and activities that you enjoy and relax you. For example, you may want to engage in daily exercising and meditation. Your life will feel easier when you have more natural energy and feel your best. You’ll also find that you’re a better caretaker and friend when you make yourself a priority. Engaging in healthy habits such as getting quality sleep, managing stress, and eating a healthy diet will go a long way in helping to reduce anxiety and boost your mental health.

Conclusion

Life is full of ups and downs and challenges. It’s wise to find ways to make your life easier for yourself so you can enjoy your days. These are some tips and pieces of advice that can help get you started down a more rewarding path.

Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Making Your Home Warmer This Winter

Making Your Home Warmer This Winter

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Once winter’s in full force, you’ll start to feel a bit of a chill. While that’s tolerable when you’re out and about, you wouldn’t want to deal with that at home. Most people want the exact opposite. You’ll want it to be warm and cozy. That usually means making your home warmer this winter.

This doesn’t need to be as complicated as you could think. Quite the opposite. There are more than a few ways you can try that don’t take a lot of time or effort.

You’ll just need to know what you’re doing, and you shouldn’t have to deal with the cold when you’re getting comfortable at home. A few strategies help a lot more than others. It’s worth diving into some of the more practical and effective. Five of these could help more than you’d think.

Seal Windows & Doors

One of the main reasons your home could feel cold is because you’re losing heat to the outside. By addressing this, you could keep your home naturally warmer than you would’ve before. It’s just a matter of figuring out where you’re losing the heat. Around your windows and doors could be the most notable.

There could be more than a few holes or cracks around these, which heat escapes through. Sealing these off means you wouldn’t have to worry about that, or any kind of draft. It doesn’t take much time to do, so you’ve no excuse not to seal off these cracks and holes.

Upgrade Your Furnace or Heating System

You’ll naturally end up needing to heat up your home at some point or another. When you do, you wouldn’t want this to be incredibly expensive. It could be worth investing in a furnace or heating upgrade to make it more affordable. While that means paying a bit now, it’ll save on your bills.

Even a new heating system or furnace installation could be more than enough to cut down on your bills. At the same time, you’ll end up heating up your home much better, and even faster. There’s no reason to at least consider going with an upgrade.

Heat Rooms the Smart Way

Speaking of heating, it’s worth being smart when you have your heating system on. By just heating up your entire home, you could be wasting a lot of heat and money. This isn’t exactly a smart approach to make. Thankfully, it’s not the only approach to take, and you could be more strategic with it.

Depending on the heating system you have, you could set up zones that heat up instead of the whole house. Alternatively, you could close off unused rooms so you’re not losing heat to them. There’s no reason not to take a smart approach with your heating.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Smart thermostats, also known as programmable thermostats, have become more and more popular in recent years. It’s easy to see why, as they’re great at making your home warmer without a lot of time and effort. These kinds of thermostats can “learn” your preferences in time, so you don’t need to go back and forth with them.

That way, the thermostat will heat up your house, or even specific rooms, without you needing to change any settings. It could be a more eco-friendly and smarter approach to keeping your home warm without any time or effort.

Insulate Your Home

One of the most obvious ways to keep your home warm is to make sure it’s well-insulated. While you should have a certain amount of insulation already, it’s possible your home isn’t as insulated as it should be. It’s worth taking a look to see if you need to add any more.

If you do, take the time to add more insulation. This doesn’t need to take too much time or effort, and it could even be more affordable than you’d think. Add in the savings you’ll see in bills, and it virtually pays for itself while making your home warmer.

Nobody wants to feel cold constantly, especially when they’re at home. It’s supposed to be where they’re most comfortable. That could mean making your home warmer this winter. You don’t need to have the heating on full-blast all the time to make that happen.

It could be easier and less expensive than that. Using a few particular strategies could be more than enough to help with this. You’ll end up with a warm, comfortable home before you know it. You’ve no reason not to try a few of them.

Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

How a Dumpster Rental Can Simplify Your Home Warranty Repairs

How a Dumpster Rental Can Simplify Your Home Warranty Repairs

Dealing with home warranty repairs is rarely anyone’s idea of a good time. Between coordinating contractors, clearing out work areas, and managing debris, it can feel like an endless cycle of stress. If you’ve got a major repair on your hands, the last thing you want to worry about is the mess it leaves behind. That’s where a dumpster rental comes in—it’s not just a container; it’s a game-changer for streamlining the repair process. Have you considered how one small step could make the entire ordeal so much smoother?

The Hidden Chaos of Home Repairs

Let’s be real—home warranty repairs can be messy. Whether it’s a leaky roof, a busted water heater, or a kitchen overhaul, repairs often mean old materials need to go, fast. Broken tiles, chunks of drywall, packaging from new installations—it all adds up. You might think, “I’ll handle the cleanup later,” but that debris pile grows quicker than you expect. And if you’re relying on garbage bags or curbside bins, you could run into limits on how much they’ll take, or even hefty fines for improper disposal.

Here’s the thing: cleanup can be easy if you plan ahead. A dumpster rental offers a simple, convenient solution, giving you one less headache while contractors focus on the repairs themselves.

Why a Dumpster Rental is Worth It

You might be wondering, “Do I really need a dumpster? Can’t I just manage with a few trash bags?” Sure, you could try that—but let’s think about why a dumpster from Waste Removal USA makes a lot more sense:

1. Save Time – Instead of running back and forth to the curb or the dump, you have one central spot for all the waste. Contractors can toss debris straight in, speeding up the whole process.

2. Handle Large Volumes – Repairs often generate more waste than you expect. A single dumpster can handle everything from flooring scraps to outdated fixtures without any worry about overflow.

3. Stay Organized – A dumpster rental keeps everything contained and out of the way. This means less clutter around your home, fewer safety hazards, and a more streamlined process.

4. Meet Disposal Rules – Did you know certain materials can’t just go in your household bins? A dumpster rental ensures proper disposal of construction debris, keeping you compliant with local regulations.

5. Reduce Stress – Knowing the cleanup is covered gives you peace of mind. No more worrying about whether the waste will be taken care of—you’ve got it handled.

When Should You Rent a Dumpster for Repairs?

Not every repair requires a dumpster, but some situations make it an obvious choice. If your repair involves tearing out large fixtures, replacing multiple appliances, or tackling structural issues like walls or floors, you’re likely looking at significant debris. A dumpster rental becomes essential for repairs like:

  • Roof replacements – Shingles, nails, and wood add up fast.
  • Water damage repairs – Wet drywall, flooring, and insulation need to go.
  • Kitchen or bathroom overhauls – Old cabinets, countertops, and plumbing fixtures create bulk waste.
  • HVAC or appliance upgrades – Large, outdated equipment is heavy and cumbersome to dispose of.
  • Garage or basement cleanouts – If repairs require clearing these spaces, you’ll generate plenty of waste along the way.

Even if your repair seems smaller, renting a dumpster can still save you time and effort by eliminating the hassle of multiple disposal trips.

Choosing the Right Dumpster for Your Needs

Not all dumpsters are the same. Picking the right size and type is key to getting the most out of your rental. If you’re unsure what size to get, consider these general guidelines:

  • 10-yard dumpsters – Great for small-scale repairs or one-room projects.
  • 20-yard dumpsters – Ideal for larger home repairs like kitchens or bathrooms.
  • 30-yard dumpsters – Best for major renovations, structural repairs, or extensive debris removal.

Talk to your rental provider about what you’ll be disposing of—they can guide you toward the best fit. Plus, many services offer flexible rental periods, so you can keep the dumpster for as long as you need without feeling rushed.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Rental

Once your dumpster arrives, it’s all about using it efficiently. Here are a few tips to maximize its value:

  • Plan placement carefully – Choose a location that’s accessible to contractors but doesn’t block driveways or walkways.
  • Organize waste – Flatten boxes and stack debris to maximize space.
  • Avoid prohibited items – Check with the rental provider for a list of restricted materials, like hazardous waste or electronics.
  • Communicate with contractors – Let them know the dumpster is available and where it’s located to keep everything running smoothly.

More Than Just Cleanup

Here’s the bonus: renting a dumpster doesn’t just make cleanup easier—it can also save you money. How? By reducing labor time. When contractors spend less time hauling debris, they can focus on completing the actual repair work faster. That could mean fewer billable hours and a quicker path to getting your home back to normal. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

A Small Step for Big Repairs

Home warranty repairs don’t have to feel overwhelming. By incorporating a dumpster rental into your plan, you simplify the process from start to finish. No more stressing over where to put debris, no more chaos cluttering your space—just a straightforward solution that keeps everything under control.

Whether it’s a one-room fix or a house-wide overhaul, a dumpster rental gives you the breathing room to focus on what matters: getting your home back in shape. So, why make things harder than they need to be? Next time you’re tackling a repair, consider how much smoother it could be with this simple but effective tool by your side.

Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.

Everyday Tips from Tia