Sandy & Andrew - part 2

When Sandy and Andrew first hired me, he was skeptical and she wanted all new things. After

helping them downsize into a new space, Andrew was adamant that not only should they use

me again, but also said it was a condition of the new move. Sandy was also excited to see her

existing pieces used in a new way. I happily stepped in to help them once again.

This new, second project was different from the first, but one thing remained constant: making

sure their art was the star in this new space as I’d done in their previous house. We hit a few

logistical snags, like needing a new dining room table because their previous one simply

wouldn’t fit, but I sourced one that was perfect for the new space and all was well.

Working with a couple, it’s important that both parties feel seen and heard. I become part

designer, part referee. Getting buy-in from husband and wife helps to ensure their home is a

reflection of them both, something I love to be a part of. If I wasn’t sure they’d love what we’d

created in the first space, being hired for their second removed all doubt.

At Styling and Staging with Kristine, I love bringing together things you already own in new and

creative ways. I’m always happy to help you pick out practical, functional and stylish pieces if

you want or need new items, but your home should be a reflection of you. Your office should be

a place that feels welcoming, but helps you be productive. I customize my design ideas to your

tastes and personality; after all, you’ll be the one spending hours in your space.

With the brain of an engineer and the flair of an artist, I come at projects differently than many

interior designers. To book a consultation, just call 847-815-6167, or email: Kristine@stylingandstaging.com

Downsizing for Seniors: Deciding What to Do with the Family Home

There are several wonderful reasons to consider downsizing in retirement. From lower utility bills to fewer maintenance obligations, downsizing is a great way to simplify your senior years. But the downsizing process is a lot of hard work. Among the many tough decisions that you will have to make, deciding what to do with your current home may be the most difficult. Here are some things to consider as you weigh your options.

Schedule an in-home consultation with Styling and Staging for all your home staging, design, and styling needs. Call 847-815-6167 or complete this form!

Do You Need Regular Income?

Renting out your current home is a good way to fund your new, downsized life. Renting it out will create a steady cash flow to help pay off your new mortgage. Then you can sell your home whenever the housing market is in your favor. This will also help you save money thanks to rental property tax deductions!

If you’re downsizing into an assisted living community, renting out your home can help you pay for your care costs. If you’re planning to buy a home, you might need the equity you’ve built in your current home.

Do You Want to Be a Landlord?

Whether it’s for vacationers or long-term tenants, renting out a home is a lot like running a business. It’s a hands-on endeavor that can take a lot of time and mental stamina. As a landlord, you would be responsible for a wide variety of tasks, from marketing your home and coordinating maintenance to tracking down missed payments and keeping an eye on your tenants. Not everyone is willing to take on these responsibilities, especially when they’re moving far away or transitioning into assisted living.

Working with a property manager can lessen your workload but will also reduce your rental profits. If you decide to hire help, HGTV recommends selecting property managers based on referrals from friends or real estate agents and then interviewing your top picks. Look for a property manager that offers local hospitality through housekeeping services and on-site support. Some managers also promise high-level tenant screening so that your home is less likely to be damaged.

Would You Make More Money Selling Your Home?

Of course, selling your home is another way to cover the costs of a new house or a move into assisted living. To decide whether to sell or rent your house, MoneyCrashers recommends calculating all the costs of renting out your home. For example, you’ll have to cover ongoing mortgage payments, property taxes, regular maintenance, emergency repairs, and any property management fees. If you won’t be able to make a profit after deducting these expenses, you may want to consider selling instead.

However, selling your home isn’t without expenses, either. You’ll lose about 10 percent of your home sale price in real estate agent commissions, closing fees, moving costs, and other related expenses. Another downside to selling is that you won’t be able to keep your home in the family.

Are You Emotionally Attached to Your Home?

Selling the family home can be very emotional. If you’re not ready to give it up just yet, consider having a family member care for it. This can also be a good option for people who don’t want to be landlords or feel uncertain about allowing strangers into their homes. If you need to secure a regular income, consider charging your family members rent for staying there—just make sure you follow the tax rules when renting to a relative.

Even if you don't need the money, having someone stay in your home can give you peace of mind that your property won't fall victim to squatters, vandalism, and out-of-hand maintenance problems. You can even gift your home to your family members as an early inheritance and let them decide what to do with it!

Deciding what to do with your home can take some time. Don’t feel like you have to make this big decision based on financial factors alone. If you cherish your home and hate the thought of selling or renting it out to someone else, you always have other options. It’s important to do whatever feels right to you!

For more information on helping seniors, check out Elderaction.org.

2020 Coming to An End

Many of us are feeling sad and lonely in our homes. What have you done to make a creative change? There are ways to use what you already own, and redesign in a fresh, new way, but it’s often “impossible” to do that without outside help/ideas.

Before I redesign a room, I talk with the homeowner about how they want that room to FEEL and to FUNCTION. What is the FLOW of the space? Who is the FAMILY that uses the room? What do they do for FUN in the room? Then I send the owners off, and begin the redesign by emptying the room … I’m left with a blank canvas to rebuild the space, and incorporate all the FEATURES that are important to the people who live there.

If you’re looking for a REDESIGN in the New Year … and want something fresh & new … begin by asking yourself the above questions, and then start with a clean room!

Home Staging, Interior Redesign and One-Day Decorating Class

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