The weather outside is frighening... so why is your car suffering the elements on the driveway, while your junk sits protected and cozy inside your garage?  don't wait for spring cleaning-pull on some gloves, crank up your playlist and head into the garage to toss what you don't need, organize what you do need, and clear the way for a protected envioronment for your vehicle.

Garages tend to be a catch-all of all the clutter that nobody wants to trip over inside the house.  So step one is to sort all like-items together to get a handle on what the heck you have in that garage, anyway.  Chances are you have lots of duplicates of things you don't even need one of, things that you might be able to donate or even sell online to someone who actualy does need it.

Once you purge and can see the light (and the floor), then it's time to organize the remaining items.

Install shelving as needed, and take advantage of all vertical space to store frequently used items; if you can see them, you can find them.  A pegboard is ideal for hanging tools; draw an outline around each tool so you know exactly where it belongs.  Rakes, hoses, even bikes and other large items can also be hung on hooks and clasps designed just for this purpose, keeping such items off the garage floor.

Once the warmer weather comes, you may be inspired to paint your garage and organize even more, but in the meantime, clearing the way for a vehicle is a great start!

IS THIS "THE ONE"

Whether you're ready to commit to a place because it actually has most of the "must haves" on your list, or whether it's the realization that there's not a lot of suitable inventory on the market that has made you a little impulsive, before you sign the purchase agreement, take a moment-and a deep breath-to remind yourself of the following buying parameters:

1)  DON'T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW.  Your monthly housing costs-including mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, heating costs etc.-shouldn't take up more than a third of your gross monthly income.  Work with your mortgage representative to figure out what you can afford, and stick to that budget.

2) LOOK BEYONE THE FOUR WALLS.  In addition to the home itself, make sure the area will work for you and your family.  Check out transportation, amenities, schools, shopping, safety issues, distance from work and family, and if the style of the neighbourhood is one you can see yourself assimilating into.

3) INSPECT, REFLECT.  It's easy to get excited about finding what is possibly your "perfect" new home, but to make sure it's more than just a pretty presentation, have a home inspection done before you sign on the final dotted line.

4) WORK WITH A GOOD REAL ESTATE REPRESENTATIVE.  Let your real estate professional guide you through the home buying process.  This is likely the largest purchase you'll ever make-your representative will make sure you follow all the right steps to a successful transaction!

The Antrobus Team

Services & Benefits

Our staging and design team are on hand to facilitate your needs when it comes to preparing your home for sale.

Staged homes sell faster and for more money when compared with homes that have not been staged.

We offer FREE staging consultation, this includes advice on updating your home for the best return. Providing you with a detailed list of recommendations.

Staged homes sell on average 15 to 18 percent higher than a home that is not staged.

Our Team can coordinate any necessary repairs, and assist you with any de-cluttering, updating, painting and storage needs.

Staged homes spend less time on the market than non-staged homes.

Professionally staged homes stand out in the prospective buyers' minds.