We have been pleasantly surprised, this season, to hear from Families, transitioning from one home to another, carefully thinking and planning ahead. There are always the exceptions, but so many people are really doing some very smart planning. Comparing pricing; Looking at a time line; lining up family and friends to help; getting ahead of hot weather; getting ahead of next winter's cold weather... its been very interesting to watch. The result is over-all savings. When you make a plan and think ahead, YOU SAVE MONEY!!! When you wait until the last minute, or you are pressured to make decisions quickly, IT COSTS MORE MONEY!!! Be nice to yourselves... plan ahead. Give yourself time. The stress of moving is hard enough. We can help you with your time line. If its a week, a month, a year or more... we can help you all along the way. Plan the work and work the plan. We want you to save money on your move.
- Realtors helping their Clients.
- Sellers suddenly moving because their homes have finally sold.
- Home owners getting ready for the Spring Real Estate Market.
- Home owners that have moved out and are now ready to get their home on the market.
- Seniors moving from apartments to retirement communities.
L E T S G E T B U S Y !!!!
I have a couple of businesses I'd like to recommend:
If you need an Interior Design firm that is truly excellent in all areas call:
INVISION DESIGN PARTNERS, LLC - Don and Naomi Harel 585-244-9141
If you need a Graphic Design firm that will take you to the next level call:
Carrie Colangelo at Studio Cap: 585-406-6229
Both companies are proven professionals and truly WOW beyond belief.
Yesterday, I was helping a family get their house ready to put on the market. I had 2 hours to choose the priorities and make it all happen. It's amazing what can happen when you focus and zero in on a task. One of the final chores on the list was the view from the family room to the back yard. Now remember, it's mid March in Rochester, NY. It's still brown and wet and cold and just generally, blah. But in this case, I was convinced we could do a lot in the short time we had. With 4 able bodied kids and 4 frazzled adults... half an hour produced a little fun, a little exercise, and... you guessed it... the first signs of Spring under the wet leaves. Little tiny sprouts coming out of the ground. For a quick minute, we all stood around and smiled quietly knowing the cold war of winter was coming to an end. (FYI: Rochester recorded 120 inches of snow this winter.)
A New Year brings on all sorts of new ideas and goals. Does it do that for you also? I like to think of new fresh ideas... but they aren't always easy to take to the next step. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. Here are some examples in my life, see if you can relate:
- Last June I decided I wanted a new logo for my business. Easy to say... doing it... that's another thing. I launched it on January 1st. I hope you like the new look.
- I was in Tampa, FL for our national conference. Then, I went to Ft. Lauderdale to visit a friend. While I was there, I checked out a condo that was for sale. I loved it. I could rent it to pay for it. Seems like a good idea. Will I do it? Not so sure.
- My husband and I want to sell our home here in Rochester. Its to big. But its so comfortable. There sure are lots of benefits to selling it. Will we do it? Stay tuned. (Guess that means I have to get organized... yikes!!!)
- My sister is moving here from Alabama, and joining me in my business. It's a dream of mine to have a business with her. It's finally happening after years of talking about it. She'll be here in April.
- I officially launched my Storage Unit Organizing Service. It's been in the works for 2 years. The brochures and business cards are printed.
- I'm thinking about a new office and a new location. Wow... thats a BIG new idea. But, the time is right. (and I found the space. What do you think? should I?)
2011 is going to be a very busy year with all sorts of new changes. These new ideas are born slowly aren't they? Sometimes they happen and sometimes they don't. It takes planning, timing, perseverance and lots of prayer.
If you need help with some new ideas... lets talk. If I can't help... I'll find someone who can.
Here are a couple of people that can help:
(Cleaning Service)
Tina Servis: Maid 4 Time -
Residential cleaning: 585-359-4834
(Senior Consultants and Advocates)
Jennifer Meagher : Senior Life - 585-729-4056
I have a circle of proven professionals to refer to you. We do not exchange any referral fees. We simply refer work to each other and feel secure knowing we are referring the best of the best.
Happy February! Theresa
... about the National Association Of Senior Move Managers (NASMM.org). This is a national group of wonderful women and men who help different people, in every stage of life, transition themselves or the people they care about, to new locations and homes.
Every year I have the priviledge to meet with this outstanding group to talk about the industry. We are educated by the top people in our field, and collectively learn to gain a deeper understanding of the growth and relivance of what we are doing for our Clients.
This year we are meeting in sunny, St. Pete Beach, Florida from January 13-16th. Over 300 people will be attending. We have 30 cutting-edge education sessions to choose from and lots of exhibitors educating us and giving us deals to pass on to you.
... and we also have some fun social events. These events bring us closer to our colleauges and fill us with so many ideas and ways to improve our own businesses which of course, trickels down to you our Clients.
I hope to come back refreshed and even more enthusiastic about the new year. This will be my 4th conference and every year I see how many new people are finding us and finding their way in this challenging and rewarding field.
If you or someone you know are looking for a move manger, make sure they are part of this organization. If they are, then you can feel confident knowing that we are trained and backed up by the best.
Happy New Year!!!
HOW!!!
It's the season silly!!! The love of family. Creating memories. Knowing that we are taking lots of pictures... Realizing the kids are only kids for just a few years. That's what keeps us going.
UH OH..
Everyone is gone and the house looks like a hurricane went through.
So... NOW where does the energy come from? YOU just spent it making the holiday happen. Making everyone happy. Oh... no. Now YOU have to clean it up? Here are some ideas so you don't feel abandoned.
- Delegate. To anyone that shows up. Even if its something small. You know like: Take out the garbage; stack the magazines; make a bed; collect the laundry; empty the dishwasher... there are many things to do.
- One room at a time. Start with the rooms the guests were in.
- One floor at a time. Try to save your energy on the stairs.
- Don't do it all at once. Who cares if it takes a few days? Make New Years Day your goal.
- Make small piles: Stuff to go upstairs; stuff to go downstairs; garbage; laundry; shoes; leftovers; stuff to go outside.
- Don't clean up in a grumpy mood. Put a smile on your face and remember a few laughable moments as you pick up the remnants.
- Take before and after pics. Just for the heck of it.
- If you can, close the doors if you're not ready to attack the mess yet. Now... that only means for a little while. A DAY OR SO.
The Holidays really do go by so fast.
Lets appreciate a lingering mess and enjoy the season a little longer. Pass it on.
I can hear a collective:
"Easy for you to say, you have no idea what's going on!!!!"
You're right... I don't... however, because I've been down this dark road with so many people I can confidently say... Help is Here... without hesitation.
The panic: ... it's the end of the year... it's December... and the holidays take time.
Don't worry... I've got a large crew of people ready, willing and able to work to get your project done on time... Call me and we'll figure it out... 585-797-9321.
Here are some projects we are working on right now:
- A house has sold... a new one is being built... 1/2 the size. We are downsizing to sell in an estate sale on 12/17 and then move the rest to the new house in the Spring. (by the way... after staging this home... it sold to the first person that looked at it.)
- A house is filled with too many things. We are downsizing to put in an estate sale across town. (The sale is 12/17) This home will be ready for Christmas.
- We've been downsizing and organizing a VERY LARGE home to put on the market in Spring. How nice that most of it will be done for the Holidays.
- A lake house has sold, and the new owners want possession by January 1st. Our job is to sort, downsize, donate, sell items to new owners and the rest goes to storage for a sale in the spring.
- Downsizing and staging a home to sell for a couple to move to a retirement community in the Spring.
- Mom passed away... apartment needs to be organized and packed. Items transported to Son's house so family can store items for kids to come of age in their own homes. Deadline is Dec. 15th.
If your situation is similar or, something else... we are able to help you come up with a strategy to get it done. Can't wait to hear what problems we can fix.
It's not to late... even for this year.
Holiday Blessings... Theresa D.
