March of 2020 saw the new spring market grind to a halt as COVID-related shutdowns and fear swept the country. Subsequently, real estate agents and brokers developed new and innovative ways to serve clients in the process of buying and selling their homes, paving the way for one of the most active and extended market recoveries in recent memory.

Now, as the 2021 spring market gears up, it’s a good time to think through your preparations to ensure that you are ready for what lies ahead. In many areas, activity really never slowed down, so spring seems like an extension of 2020. In other markets, there has been a clear holiday lull, but eager buyers are ready to get back out there and restart the search for their dream homes.

As you prepare, here are the things you need to know to make the most of what promises to be an exciting spring selling season.

Technology is still essential

The adoption of new platforms and processes allowed real estate professionals to continue to serve their clients throughout the darkest days of the pandemic. For many clients, there is still an expectation that virtual tours and contact-free transaction management will be widely available.

While some markets have seen successful vaccine rollouts, others are still limited in the amount of contact they’re allowed. Make sure you are making the most of your online and mobile platforms to simplify and streamline transactions and provide optimal client service.

Low home inventory continues

While some homeowners are motivated by rising home values in their area, others who are looking to sell and then buy are holding on to their current homes and waiting for a more buyer-friendly market. This is a good time to explore new home communities as an option for hopeful buyers while you ramp up your geographic farming to identify potential sellers in your area.

Adjust marketing messaging

If you have been more focused on buyer marketing, this is a good time to reach out to sellers as well. You may want to update your website copy and social media platforms to acknowledge the current market realities and how you are positioned to meet client challenges. In addition, you may want to market your expertise in a particular niche to make your messaging more targeted and effective.

Focus on underserved markets

If downtown areas in your market have taken a beating or multifamily condominium and co-op developments have seen a mass exodus, these may be exactly the areas you need to focus on. As frustrated buyers give up on finding homes in the suburbs, they may be looking for opportunities to purchase elsewhere. Also, as vaccines take effect, many areas that have been struggling may be in demand again.

Prepare for negotiations and multiple offers

Many buyers have hit a wall with scores of rejected offers and the frustration that comes with dashed hopes. In addition, sellers may be reluctant to negotiate even minor points in the face of multiple offers over asking price. Hone your negotiation skills through a program like NAR’s Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) certification to enhance your reputation and improve your track record.

Upgrade offer presentations

This is no time to send a messy handwritten offer in random order to a listing agent who is fielding multiple offers. Make sure that your paperwork is attractively presented with the most important information upfront. Include the highlights of the offer in the email, and don’t forget to attach all the required supporting documents. While buyer letters have gone out of fashion in some areas, they may be a great idea in the current, highly competitive environment.

Find backup for service providers

Everything has to move fast in a hot market and you don’t always have time to wait for your favorite lender, home inspector, or closing officer to call you back. Have a backup service provider for every aspect of the home sale or purchase process. That way, if you need to engage someone quickly, you’ll always have a variety of colleagues to choose from.

Prepare for another extended season

In many areas, the COVID-19 vaccine will not be widely available until summer. With interest rates continuing to stay low, record-high home prices in many markets, and a steady stream of disappointed home buyers left over from 2020, as well as this year’s spring market, we may see another longer than usual real estate season. Continue to market past spring with the expectation that inventory will start to rise as homeowners become more confident in their ability to find their next home.

Help homeowners prepare for the future

Record high home prices have resulted in record levels of equity for the nation’s homeowners. If they are not currently ready to sell, reach out to homeowners in your sphere to discuss updated home valuations and value-added home improvements that can set them up for a successful sale down the road. By keeping up with their long-term plans and goals, you’ll be better positioned to serve them when they are ready to list with you.

Think ahead

The spring market is always an exciting time for real estate agents, and this one promises to be more exciting than most. Ensure more successful outcomes by being proactive and creating systems and processes to streamline marketing, communication, and operations. Don’t put off improvements, training, and new initiatives. The better you use this time, the more prepared you’ll be for the challenges and opportunities waiting for you this spring and beyond.

When spring rolls around, your thoughts might turn to organizing your closets or giving your floors a good, deep clean. But how much thought have you given to cleaning up your finances? If the answer is “not much,” you might want to reconsider.

Spring is a great in-between time of year to take stock of your financial health and to create goals for the rest of the year—or to plan for the years ahead.

But before you dive headfirst into any new financial plan, you need to take a look at the current state of your finances. Are they where you want them to be? Have you had trouble putting enough away to account for the unexpected? The steps below can help you get started.STEP 1: WRITE IT ALL DOWN.
A coffee here, a new pair of shoes there; when you go about your life as usual, you don’t typically think about how much you’re spending. But even small purchases on a frequent basis can add up. Take a month to jot down or create a digital spreadsheet of all your expenses, including mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, groceries, subscription services, and miscellaneous expenditures. When you are able to see a month’s worth of spending in front of you, it becomes easier to determine which are necessary and which areas you can cut back on.

STEP 2: ESTABLISH A BUDGET.
Once you have an estimate of how much you are spending each month, set up a budget that fits your lifestyle and goals. You can break your budget into areas such as housing and utilities, food and personal care items, childcare, memberships, and miscellaneous. If you’ve tried budgeting in the past to no avail, start small. You don’t have to create a budget for all areas of your life at one time. Try setting up a budget for just one or two areas. Perhaps you want to spend less on subscriptions and memberships that you don’t use. A $30 gym membership might not sound like a lot of money to shell out each month, but that adds up to $360 a year! Be realistic about how much you are willing to spend on nonessentials, and consider looking for less expensive alternatives.

• STEP 3: EVALUATE AND PAY DOWN.
  Credit is a necessary evil, but it doesn’t have to be nearly as big a headache as it is made out to be. Of course, some credit is good. Showcasing your ability to make timely payments to creditors is imperative for everything from buying a house to starting a business, but it’s easy to get in over your head. If you have multiple lines of credit, look carefully at the interest rates and amount borrowed on each. Start by paying down the cards with the highest amount of interest, which can quickly accrue and leave you even more in the hole.
  
  Be realistic with your time frame for paying off debt. If you attempt to bite off more than you can chew, you can end up in worse shape than when you began. Do some research into your credit companies’ policies and see if they will work with you toward a lower interest rate or a reasonable payment plan. Once you’ve made progress in paying off any outstanding balances, make sure you remain in the black by setting up limits for yourself. Compare your credit limit, which is oftentimes far higher than what you can reasonably afford to pay off each month, with your monthly income and make sure you do not break the threshold you establish. If this sounds easier said than done, try to leave your credit cards at home unless you absolutely need them, or use them for smaller purchases that you can pay off more easily.

Take Advantage of Apps

There truly is an app for everything these days, including managing your finances. While apps cannot replace the expertise of a professional, they are a great way to plan, budget, and keep track of your savings on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

• MINT
  If you’re tired of having to look through multiple accounts to keep track of your spending, the Mint app is perfect for you. The app logs everything: the total amount of money you have across all your accounts, your credit score, and your debt. Its calendar function can show you when your bills are due and how much you owe and lets you check off payments once they’re made. The best part? Mint is totally free.

• SPENDEE
  Visual learners, look no further than Spendee for your financial-planning needs. This app provides a visual breakdown of your spending, allowing you to more easily see the areas you might want to cut back on. It connects to your bank account to provide a list view of your payments, and it can even show the average of your expenses as well as the day of the week you tend to spend the most.

Whether you want to save a few extra dollars each month or plan for a life-changing purchase like a new home, a little cleanup of your finances can go a long way. Just be sure to consult a professional for your specific financial needs.

Share this financial spring-cleaning guide with friends and family

Crafting your ideal interior space no longer requires multiple trips to the home decor store. Instead, decorating can be a hassle-free process achieved completely online. That doesn’t mean it can’t still be overwhelming, which is why this guide is here to help as you turn to the World Wide Web for interior design inspiration, products, and resources.

Get Inspired

When it comes to designing a room or refreshing your entire home, homing in on the aesthetic, color palette, and style you want to go with is an important step before purchasing anything. But where should you look?

• PINTEREST
  It may sound obvious, but it’s worth noting that Pinterest is a vital resource when it comes to interior design. If you search ‘modern interior design,’ you’re met with hundreds of images that can help you curate a board of what modern means to you. Your home page will automatically populate similar images based on what you previously saved, which can come in handy. Saving images can also be helpful when it comes to narrowing down specific brands and eventually purchasing items!

• APARTMENT THERAPY
  No, you don’t need an apartment to enjoy the content this blog provides in spades—although if you do live in a smaller space, it will be easier to find home ideas suited to your lifestyle. Either way, a visit to Apartment Therapy’s website offers everything from what to buy at Bed Bath & Beyond right now to what’s trending in home decor according to Instagram. Peruse its shop section, organized by style and room, or do virtual house tours in cities across the US.
  
  

• DOMINO
  If you really want to dive into details, Domino takes more of a storytelling approach to its articles. You’ll find home tours from all over the world, interior designer features, and renovation stories that will motivate you to create your own oasis. Plus, Domino’s verticals are separated by room type, which makes it easy to navigate if you’re only looking for dining room inspiration, for example.

• MYDOMAINE
  Keeping up with interior trends and trying to maintain an image-worthy home at all times can be tough, but MyDomaine makes it easy. Its content is curated by professionals who’ve worked in the design space for years and who often consult with other experts in the field to bring you the best interior advice possible.

Shop

Now that you’re ready to start shopping, here are some off-the-beaten-path shops to peruse for both big-ticket items and quirky coffee-table accents.

• JUNGALOW
  Justina Blakeney founded Jungalow in 2009, and what started as a design blog has morphed into an extensive home brand featuring a rotation of colorful and bohemian international goods. Maximalists, this online shop is the one for you.

• KATE ZAREMBA COMPANY
  It’s no secret that wallpaper is having its moment in the spotlight, and there’s no sign of that ending. Check out these custom-printed options for artistic designs that will make your bathroom the coolest room in the house.

• CHAIRISH
  This online marketplace will bring out the creative spirit in anyone. You can find vintage wall art, velvet accent chairs, and unique lighting options you didn’t know you needed. Chairish specializes in antique and vintage finds, but you can sort through new and custom products as well.

• PERIGOLD
  As its slogan, “An Undiscovered World of Luxury Design,” indicates, Perigold offers some of the most carefully curated furniture, decor, and home products around. The brand’s Instagram is also a great place for inspiration.

• SPARTAN SHOP
  If you’re on the hunt for finishing touches, Spartan Shop has you covered. The objects are beautiful, yet functional, and will give any room a ‘wow’ factor. The store carries everything from eye-catching candleholders to ceramic vases.

• CB2
  Modern decor enthusiasts, rejoice! CB2 offers a plethora of options for the homeowner who favors muted tones, angular shapes, and an overall sleek design. Plus, there’s always a hefty sale going on, so you’re sure to score a deal.

• LULU AND GEORGIA
  Lulu and Georgia carries products for a variety of home decor styles—from mid-century options to farmhouse chic pieces. In addition, the site is as user-friendly as it gets, with a ‘Shop by Room’ category that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for.

Consult a Professional

There are a lot of benefits to hiring an interior designer, but the virtual options below can also help you discover your style.

• MODSY
  Once you sign up for Modsy’s interior design service, you can send photos of your project, receive a 3D design of your room, and have access to the actual pieces selected for you to shop for as you please. The company has multiple packages depending on your budget and project size.

• HAVENLY
  Do you dream of your home makeover while drifting off to sleep but don’t have the budget to make it come true? Havenly prides itself on a collaborative process that keeps budget—and your Pinterest-worthy ideas—top of mind. It matches you with a designer based on your style and vision, so your creative direction is always the number one priority.
  
  

• DECORIST
  Decorist has a long list of experienced designers who range from high-profile experts to budget-friendly newcomers. You can purchase a package to design a room or consult its ‘Ask a Designer’ option for fast advice on specific questions.

Share this online decorating guide with loved ones.

A garbage disposal can be a great addition to your kitchen. If it isn’t taken care of correctly, though, the blades can dull or rust over time, and the overall effectiveness of the disposal will drop significantly. With proper care and maintenance, you can add years to the effective life of your garbage disposal. Perhaps more importantly, the care that you put into your disposal now will pay off in the long term by helping to prevent costly repairs and the premature replacement of your disposal unit.

Home security is important. As smart technologies continue to grow in popularity, an increasing number of homeowners are turning to higher-tech solutions to meet their home security needs. While options like smart cameras and connected doorbells are becoming much more common, not as many homeowners realize that it’s possible to upgrade their doors with smart locks as well. These locks come in a variety of designs, offering some pretty interesting options to those who want to take their home security to the next level.

What Are Smart Locks?

Now that it’s March, many of us eagerly welcome the positive changes that arrive with it, most notably extended daylight, the changeover from winter to spring, and warmer weather. Such new beginnings also inspire us to freshen up our homes.

Sure, getting out the vacuum and dustcloths to remove months’ worth of grime can make a big difference to your indoor air quality, your health, and your overall peace of mind. But did you know you’re probably overlooking many areas of your home? These places can be stealth breeding grounds for dust, dirt, and mold—so make sure to target them to get your home truly clean. Use the handy checklist below to help organize your offensive!

Kitchen

You may be saying “The kitchen? I clean that every day!” And this is true of most households; after all, it’s where everyone gathers the most and where they eat, so kitchen cleanliness is paramount.

However, there are items in a kitchen that may not be given a second thought. Take the dishwasher, for example. It uses powerful soap and hot water to clean dishes, pots, and pans, so it’s naturally clean, right?

Not so fast. Most dishwashers can build up residue and leftover food over time. To keep your dishwasher spick-and-span, empty any debris from its drain monthly. To clean it, fill a container with a cup of white vinegar, put it in the top rack in an empty machine, and set it to hot; you can follow the same process with baking soda in the bottom of your dishwasher. Similarly, to freshen up your garbage disposal, add a half cup of baking soda and a half cup of vinegar, wait several minutes, and then rinse with hot water.

You likely wipe down tables and countertops regularly as well, but these aren’t your only surfaces. For example, you may be surprised by how dirty your dish strainer tray gets. And, while you’re at it, don’t forget to take a gander at out-of-sight upper surfaces—such as your microwave ceiling and the oven exhaust. Doing so will quickly remind you that, yes, you occasionally need to clean them. In addition, now’s also a great time to empty out your fridge, pantry, and cabinets, and give them a thorough cleaning.

Bedrooms

Your bedroom is where you seek rest and relaxation every night. Keep your oasis clean by washing your sheets and pillowcases every one to two weeks, your comforters and blankets every three to four months, and your pillows every four months or so. And don’t forget your mattress, which should get a good vacuuming twice a year.

Underneath your bedroom’s heavy furniture is another story—and an entirely different ecosystem. First, this seems to be where we tend to accumulate things, either intentionally (such as hand weights or kids’ artwork) or unintentionally (that missing sock or dozens of hair ties). So clear out the junk first. Then, once a month, remove as much debris as you can with a vacuum extension. Better yet, move the bed and dressers to achieve a more thorough cleaning. Lastly, make sure to dust behind the bed and dressers; places that have tight proximities to walls can trap a lot of dust and dirt.

Bathrooms

In American homes, the raging debate of bathroom etiquette is usually about whether the toilet paper roll goes over or under. Forget the toilet paper: a more important question is whether you close the lid before flushing the toilet. The accompanying spray, also known as toilet plume, can travel up to three feet—meaning that every flush is potentially contaminating your bathroom, the air, and other people. So put a lid on it! Also, make sure to clean the toilet inside and out at least once a week.

You can easily tell when the shower needs a scrubbing, but beyond the shower itself, pay particular attention to the shower curtain, its liner, and the bath mat. Shower curtains and especially liners tend to get quite dirty. They can be thrown in the washer gently, with a towel or two, every month; just don’t use the dryer. Perhaps just as bad is the bath mat, which gets soaked with water every day and thus should be washed once a week and replaced every six months.

Ventilation Units

Your HVAC unit is the heart of your home’s air quality. As such, it should be properly maintained by having a professional do a tune-up every six months, and spring is an ideal time after a winter’s worth of wear and tear on your unit. You should also change or clean the filter—the system’s barrier defense against dust, dander, and mold particles—every month, and the one you choose should fit your situation (such as if you have allergies or pets).

After considering the unit itself, you need to take care of the vents in each room. Cleaning vent covers is relatively simple: you unscrew them from the wall, wash them front and back with warm, soapy water, and dry before replacing. Before you put them back, though, you might want to vacuum the openings, which tend to accumulate dust, especially after winter.

Finally, another type of vent needs your attention: your dryer’s. You probably clean the trap regularly, but the hose and ductwork that take the hot air out of your home should be closely inspected as well, especially after winter—the buildup of lint is a common fire hazard when combined with the dryer’s heat. To unclog the vent, you can purchase a handheld cleaning unit that extends upward of thirty to forty feet, or you can have a pro take care of it for a relatively inexpensive price.

Every Room

Dusting, mopping, and vacuuming are the go-to chores throughout a home, but oftentimes they are actually not done everywhere, so you end up leaving areas that keep accumulating dust and dirt. Places to target (from top to bottom) for dusting include the ceilings and ceiling fans, corners, and the top of molding and frames.

Don’t forget commonly used items, either. For example, virtually every room has a light switch and some sort of knobs or handles. These conveniences get touched all the time, so they should be targeted for frequent cleanings. Do you watch TV? Then make sure you sanitize that germ-infested remote.

And speaking of expensive electronics, a surefire way to shorten the life of your television, computer, refrigerator, etc., is to ignore the fact that, even though they’re largely front-facing, they actually do have backs. (Again: out of sight, out of mind.) These areas are great at attracting dust rather quickly, which can damage their vital interior components. Monitor such devices, and use compressed-air cans to clear out the debris, making sure to read the instructions first.

As you can see, there may be many more places of your home to focus on before you deem it totally cleaned. It doesn’t take much time or effort, and it will make all the difference in the world to your health and happiness.

Today’s homebuyers are faced with a strong sellers’ market, which means there are a lot of active buyers competing for a relatively low number of available homes. As a result, it’s essential to understand how to make a confident and competitive offer on your dream home. Here are five tips for success in this critical stage of the homebuying process.