All posts by Tia

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Checklist: Important Things You Need To Do Before Putting Your Home On The Market

Checklist: Important Things You Need To Do Before Putting Your Home On The Market

If you are planning on selling your home, you should not simply put it on the market as soon as you have decided to sell. There are a number of different things you need to do first. So, let’s take a look…

Make Sure It’s Structurally Sound

There are plenty of key techniques and ideas that you can use to make sure your home is as saleable as possible once you put it on the market. And this means that you need to ensure you focus on the best ways of helping to improve your home and make it structurally sound. One of the best and most effective ways of achieving this is going to be to make sure you improve your roof. This means hiring a quality roofing service company to make sure your roof is as safe and secure as possible, and making repairs if needed as well.

Making sure your home is structurally sound is so important, and you need to try to make sure you carry out the right steps that can be used to help you achieve this. So, it is important to ensure that this is something you work on as much as possible, and checking the foundations and structural integrity of the property is also vital. This ensures that there are no underlying problems that might rear their ugly head when it comes to trying to push through the sale of your home.    

Make low-cost curb appeal improvements

First impressions count! And, the first impression of your home will be made as soon as the buyers step out of their car, which is why your garden is so important! Impress them with these low-cost tips…

  • Wash the front porch light fixture or replace it if necessary.
  • Keep the garden lawn mowed. There is nothing worse than an unkempt garden!
  • Buy some large house numbers! There is no worse way to begin a viewing than by discovering your buyers have spent the last thirty minutes driving around the estate looking for your home.
  • Plant flowers by your front door or along the walk. This will create a welcoming atmosphere. Yellow flowers are a great option, such as marigolds.
  • Purchase a new welcome mat for the front steps to your home. The perfect way of welcoming people into your home!
  • Clean the exterior windows thoroughly. Grubby windows are never a good look!
  • Use the power spray to get rid of all the dirt and dust outside.
  • Re-paint your front door or replace it if necessary. The front door is an extremely important aspect of your home. It is one aspect every single person who comes to your property is assured to notice.

Get rid of family touches

Most homeowners have photographs of their family situated all over the home. It adds a personal element to your property and creates a warm environment. This is what makes a house your home – the keyword being YOUR home!

We all love to have reminders of the ones we care about and to display fun memories we have had together. But, when it comes to a home viewing, it’s time to put them away! Don’t take it personally – but the buyer doesn’t want to see pictures of your daughter getting married or your last family holiday to America. All this does is remind the buyer that the property is someone else’s.

By keeping your photographs out you merely distract viewers and you make it difficult for them to connect with your home. Put yourself in their shoes. Imagine walking into a home you were thinking about buying and seeing photographs of another family at every turn. It would make it extremely difficult to imagine yourself living there.

The same goes for all other personal items – whether it is dance awards, football medals, school certificates, or anything like that! Model your home on a showroom. You wouldn’t see aspects like this whilst at a showroom, so they shouldn’t be on show whilst someone is viewing your home.

Freshen up your bathroom

Many people, especially those with young families, like to view a bathroom as a potential oasis of calm in an otherwise hectic household. To others, it’s a place where they expect high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. Replacing a bathroom is an expensive undertaking, and when marketing your property, showing what you have off to the best effect can make or break a sale.

What most people find inviting is a clean, bright room. The preference is always for a neutral colour scheme – no overwhelming, bright shades here! – and a white bathroom suite. But if replacing the large fixtures and fittings is beyond your budget, a few small changes can cast the most important room in the house in the best possible light.

Use bleach to clean up grotty looking tiles and grout. A mildew remover may also help to remove the worst of the stains. If necessary, re-seal the bath with white sealant. Do the same with the sink and shower area. Invest a small amount of money in replacing cracked tiles. Consider buying a fresh, new shower curtain or screen.

Remove half-empty shower gel and shampoo bottles and, for the duration of viewings at least, replace with quality bath products. Add white, fluffy towels for a final, homely touch.

Clean your home from top to bottom

Picture this… You welcome viewers into your home, they start looking around, and then you realise that you have left a dirty ashtray on the living room table! How did you miss it? We are all guilty of missing the obvious when tidying our home! Use this cleaning checklist to make sure you don’t…

  • Make sure your clean your appliances inside out.
  • Clean your windows and windowsills.
  • Polish all interior woodwork.
  • Clean the inside of all of your cabinets and neatly organise everything that is inside. Make sure they aren’t too cramped; you want to show off how much space the buyer will benefit from.
  • Mop and sweep all of your floors.
  • Make sure you clean the entry thoroughly – this is the first thing buyers will notice when they walk into your home.
  • Clean all of your blinds, drapes, and curtains.
  • Git rid of all odours – especially food and pet smells.
  • Shower curtains and doors should be clean.
  • Keep your corridors and stairways clear.
  • Make sure everything is organised – your bookshelves, closets, wardrobes, entertainment units etc.
  • Empty ashtrays, rubbish bins, and recycling bins.
  • Remove all clutter – store in your car if necessary.
  • Be sure that all of your drawers, cabinets, and doors can be opened fully without any blockage.

Check The Roof

If someone wants to come and view your home, it goes well and then they request a survey, you have got to make sure that there is nothing bad for them to find. Often, people think that they can get away with not sorting out their roof because it’s generally something you can’t see from the ground. You need to hire professionals and make sure things like ice dam removals are sorted, any leaks are patched up and whatever other problem there is up there is taken care of. If you don’t, then you could lose a sale.

Find a good estate agent

Finding a good estate agent is obviously an important ingredient in selling your home! You should never just go for the first one you lay your eyes on, nor you should ever go for the cheapest agent! – Recipe for disaster.

You need to compare different estate agents against one and other in order to find the best one for you. But, what sort of things should you be looking for? Here is a checklist of things you should take into account…

  • Can you contact them via mobile phone and email?
  • How far away is their office from your home?
  • Will they provide you with a detailed marketing plan? What ideas have they got for advertising your home?
  • Do they seem enthusiastic about selling your home?
  • What is their track record? How many homes did they sell in the past year? Have they sold properties similar to yours?
  • Are they available on evenings and weekends?
  • Can they provide you with some references and/or reviews?

You have probably realised that one key factor is missing – how much they charge! So many homeowners make the mistake of looking for the cheapest agent. This is not an area to cut costs. If an agent charges more, it’s usually because they are worth it.

Some final home improvement tips to follow before you sell your home

  • Replace light bulbs – Bright rooms look inviting and fresh. Dark rooms look dingy, depressing and cramped. Just remember, safety first!
  • Fresh paint – Paint is the easiest way to make a huge difference to your property. Neutral colours are best!
  • Clean windows – Windows are often forgotten about, yet grubby glass is never attractive.
  • Deal with anything that needs to be repaired – Whether your kitchen light needs repaired or your require water pump repairs, deal with it before your property goes onto the market!
  • Clean your closets – Buyers often want to see how much storage space they are going to benefit from.
  • Play music – Soft music can be a great tactic to use when showing someone your home. Note the word ‘soft’ – no heavy metal, please!
  • Remove pet bowls – Not only are they distracting, but a buyer might not want to be reminded that you have pets running around the home every day.
  • Fresh glass and plants – Often a garden can be the first thing people notice. Make a good impression by creating a space that looks beautiful and inviting.
  • Clean the carpet – Nothing looks worse than a mucky carpet. If yours is beyond saving, consider getting rid of it and showcasing your hardwood floor.
  • Open curtains and blinds – Let as much natural light in as possible! It will open up the space.
  • Fresh flowers – Buy some fresh flowers and place them around the home. They create a welcoming feel.

So there you have it: the complete checklist of everything you need to do before selling your home. Good luck!

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is 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 or Instagram.

BEAUTY, FOR THE GUYS

So, Your Man Can Keep You Alive In the Bush? Help Him Look The Part (And Keep Safe)

So, Your Man Can Keep You Alive In the Bush? Help Him Look The Part (And Keep Safe)

Now, who doesn’t love their outdoor, rugged-man type?  We’re all for our metrosexual brethren but there is still something to be said for kind of guy that can build your shelter and hunt for your food.  Ok, so those are extremes but if you are one of those lucky girls that have the quintessential “Marlboro Man†in real life, we’re breaking down some of the best outdoor-ready, and did we say über-sexy man vs. wild inspired items. So, even as his chopping his way through the forest for you, he’ll look really good doing it.

Image By Elizabeth Zernetska

#1 ANYTHING BY “PATAGONIAâ€

“Patagonia†is the kind of brand that just ticks all of the boxes.  They will get your man ready to take on just about any outdoor challenge and their products are ethically sourced and manufactured besides.  Definitely look at getting him an insulated fleece for those treks across Antarctica. (Or Alaska, or the Rockies).

#2  HIKING BOOTS

The “can’t-do-without†staple of any outdoor man (or woman’s) closet.  You want to make sure that you invest a decent amount of cash here.  Having a good boot that’s weatherproof, can take a beating, and is made from top-quality material could literally be the difference between surviving…or not.  In extreme situations, something as (seemingly simple) as dry feet can make a massive difference.  Ankle height boots provide further support and provide some coverage against snakes and other bugs.

#3  THE BACKPACK

Clearly, you want a backpack that’s made of the best possible, durable, and strong material but you also want to make sure that it has various pockets for different storage purposes and if you’re splurging, you could spring for backpacks that not only carry water and look good (yep) but, they also charge devices while they’re at it.  This is a no-brainer and especially important if you and your guy regularly take on wilderness-type hikes, camp missions, or travels.  

#4  WATER PURIFICATION

Technically, more gadget-ish than fashion but nothing is more fashion-forward than staying alive, and with a wide range of portable water purification devices from the “life straw†to more sophisticated larger quantity recyclers, you should definitely look into this.  Don’t worry – they are still seriously cool to look at.

#5  UNDERWEAR

You could be forgiven for thinking that we just added this one in here somewhat gratuitously, but you’d (only be a little bit) wrong.  Sure, your guy looks great in his threads but the type of underwear he’d be wearing for city life does not translate well in the jungle.  You’re looking for material that dries quickly, is superlight, and keeps uh….â€it†where it needs to be for long distances.  Cotton does not dry quickly when wet and so is not the ideal material for hiking or outdoorsy kind of stuff and if he is planning on “going commandoâ€, there are a few things he should be aware of.

You also want to check out cargos made from great material and durable items like this mens tactical belt to keep everything together.

This is by no means an exhaustive list but it’s a good place to start and as tempting as it may be to get the coolest looking gear, comfort in this instance, must marry substance.  We’re all for accentuating what you have naturally, so keep this in mind for him too.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is 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 or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

4 Important Tips to Help You Prepare Your Home for Winter

4 Important Tips to Help You Prepare Your Home for Winter

Photo by NATHAN MULLET on Unsplash

Most people are in the habit of putting off their winter preparation until it is too late. This is not surprising seeing as we all prefer to relax in the summer and enjoy the unique beauty of the fall season. 

However, now is the best time to start preparing for winter. This way you can save some money as all associated maintenance and repair costs of your heating system and insulation are usually lower. So, don’t delay. Start thinking of winterizing your homes now. Here is how to do that. 

Inspect your Heating and Cooling System

During the winter nothing is more important than your heating system. This is what will keep you warm. Without it, you will probably freeze to death very quickly. Now that we’re no longer sure of the climate’s temperament –the Texas snowstorm early this year is a good example–it’s always better to be prepared. 

So have a professional come. This is particularly important if you feel like the heating has been inadequate in previous years. Sometimes this inadequacy is caused by a smaller heating furnace. 

One of the questions you want to ask the heating technician is “what size of furnace do I need for my house to be adequately and comfortably warm during the winter� After a thorough assessment, the heating technician will be able to tell you if your system is inadequate or okay for the house and your heating needs.

Read: 4 REASONS WHY YOUR HOME IS SO COLD

Check Your Insulation

Sometimes the problem isn’t your heating system. If your home feels like it’s inadequately warm during the winter, it’s possible that you may have poor insulation. If there are any air leaks through your windows or your doors, it will cause your heating system to work extra hard to try and keep the house warm. 

This is why you need to properly weatherproof your home and ensure that there are no drafts in your home. You probably don’t know this, but drafts can lead to a 20% increase in energy costs every year. So to insulate the house look for cracks particularly around windows, spaces around your doors, and gaps in your floorboards. Then fill them with caulk to seal up the openings and cracks. 

Check the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Devices

Carbon monoxide is known as a silent killer. And since you will be indoors a lot during the winter, you need to make sure that your heating furnace or fireplace is not producing carbon monoxide. 

Because carbon monoxide is odorless, the best thing you can do is to install carbon monoxide detectors –if you haven’t already. And if you have, check their state to make sure they’re in good condition. The same applies to your smoke detector. Make sure that they are both in tip-top condition so that you and your loved ones don’t end up inhaling toxic fumes.

Check Your Roof for Leakages

You need to make sure that there are no loose shingles or leaks coming from your roof. An early roof inspection can save you a lot of heartaches and physical discomfort during the winter. The easiest way to do this is to go on top of the roof and check for these. 

Look for blistering, curling, or buckling shingles. If there are missing or broken shingles, you will need to replace them. And if you’re scared of heights your best bet is to have a handyman or, even better, an expert from Owens Corning Roofing, come to the house and check out your roof for you. 

Read: SOLAR POWER: THE PROS, CONS, AND MYTHS

​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

Moving To A New House? Here’s What You Need To Remember

Moving To A New House? Here’s What You Need To Remember

Statistics indicate that about 13% of people move annually. And in the last five years, a little over forty million of the population moved from one house to another. The numbers indicate that most people need to move houses for one reason or the other. Admittedly, moving houses can be quite a daunting task, and it doesn’t matter if it is your first time or not. The trick to getting it right is effective planning, and that is what you should be aiming for. In the meantime, how possible is it to move hassle-free? Again, what must you do differently to avoid the hassle that comes with moving houses? Please read further to find out.

1. Have an inventory

Image Credit

Taking records of the things you are moving is an excellent way to keep track of your items. One of the worse things that can happen to you during the moving process is losing some of your belongings or packed valuables. Moreover, it makes it easier to know which of your packed belongings should be placed in specific rooms of the new house. One cumbersome activity most people find unnerving is distinguishing their packed items when they arrive at the new home.

As you take records, do not forget to indicate on the boxes which rooms they should go to. For example, after packing your kitchen items into respective boxes, indicate legibly on each one as ‘for kitchen.’ Be deliberate about labeling the various rooms in the new house. It makes it easier for the movers to operate efficiently. Sometimes, though, there is a great need to find a convenient storage facility to keep the bulk of your items before moving. In a scenario like that, you need a reliable storage facility to provide you with peace of mind. You can check out websites like https://www.mystorey.com.sg/woodlands-storage/ for more details.

2. Never pack all items in a day

The reason for this is to avoid the stress associated with one-day packing. Unless your items are minimal and do not require too much attention, you can do this. On the other hand, when you have a lot to pack and take a record of, the best thing to do is begin a few weeks before the actual moving day. According to house moving statistics, 52% of people start packing in the week leading to the moving day. A report on these statistics also indicated that 35% of these people end up with even more house moving problems on the moving day. Without much explanation, it’s easy to know that the better option is to prepare weeks before.

3. Hire the right movers in advance

The idea behind finding and hiring the most suitable moving company is to settle on one that meets your expectations. Most importantly, doing it ahead of time will save you from emergency fees that come with late or delayed booking. Moving companies tend to have several appointments in a day. Therefore, hiring them at least two weeks before the final day of moving is highly recommended. Additionally, it gives you ample time to discuss your expectations. Even better, the moving company has time to plan the route to take. Fortunately, several booking companies offer online booking, therefore simplifying the process. 

4. Get rid of junk

Image Credit 

Most people who have moved houses a few times admit not knowing the amount of junk they owned. Sometimes, what you consider as junk may be valuable to another if you had a yard sale. Again, getting rid of junk allows you to pack only the essential items you need for your new house. Perhaps, you should also look at it from a cost angle. The more items you must pack, the higher you will pay as moving charges. On the flip side, fewer items mean lower charges. Indeed, it will depend on the moving company involved, which confirms why you need to contact them in advance. Hopefully, you picked up a few pointers to help you make your next house moving a less daunting task.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is 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 or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Transform Your Home Into A Green Wonder

Transform Your Home Into A Green Wonder

Are you looking for ways to go green in life? If so, then you should definitely focus on improving and changing your home. Your home likely represents the most significant part of your carbon footprints. Here are some of the key changes that you should definitely focus on making. 

Pexels Source CCO License

New Technology

You might think that introducing new technology into your home is going to be counter productive if you are trying to make your property greener. But don’t be so sure. There’s lots of tech that could help you accomplish this goal. For instance, you can think about using a smart home control. As the name suggests, this is always going to give you a lot more control over your energy usage. So, you’ll be able to reduce wastage considerably. You could also think about upgrading your tech such as your TV for a model that does have a triple A status. 

Solar Panels

The reason for this is that the latest solar panel tech will allow you to store energy to use when you need it the most. This could include during the coldest months of the year when there isn’t much sun light. 

Extra Insulation

Finally, if you want to ensure that heat remains trapped in your home rather than escaping through the walls, then you might want to consider adding additional levels of insulation. Foam insulation could work wonders as part of your property and ensure that you don’t have to worry about issues with heat escaping through your attic or your basement. Foam insulation is particularly recommended if your home has a crawl space as this is a common way that cold air can flow into your home. 

Fix The Windows

It is possible that the main problem in your home is currently the windows. You might have a few windows in your home that are blown. If this is the case, then they will be letting cold air escape into your home. To deal with this issue you need to look into the right window repair service. They will upgrade your windows and ensure that your home is no longer freezing cold in the winter to the point where you need to put the thermostat on full blast. Thicker curtains can also help here and ensure that your home remains warm through the night. 


We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you can take to ensure that your home is far more green friendly. If you explore the right options here, then you’ll be able to guarantee that you save money in your home and help save the planet at the same time. 

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is 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 or Instagram.