Your home is among your biggest investments and the place you spend the most physical time each week. In fact, we spend so much time in our homes that we actually start to un-see our spaces. Most of us typically only re-see our homes when we get ready to sell (or have company coming over!). However, you don’t have to sell your home to give it a good once over. You can get a fresh start right where you are just by taking a closer look and investing time and energy into your existing space. Grab your notebook and we will guide you through.
1. START AT THE FRONT DOOR The best place to start evaluating your home is at the front door. Look at the door, trim, and the threshold. Does it need repair, staining, painting, adjusting, or replacing? Does the doorbell work? Does the light by the front door work? Do you like the entry chandelier, or have you been
meaning to change it for ages? Does the lock still work, and do you have a key? Is the entry visually pleasing? What are your impressions walking up to the door? Really studying the front door in detail will prepare you for how to evaluate the rest of your home. We promise you will learn a lot about the space you call home.
2. RATE EACH ROOM When we first move into a home, we typically define the space and then live within that vision until we move out. However, our lives change so our spaces need to change, too. In our house, we have a front room that started as a formal living room 20 years ago and then morphed into a music room. When our son went to high school, the piano left, and in came a pool table and dart board. The pool table became an Amazon package table until the pandemic came along and required that we have a second home office for Zoom calls.
The point is we viewed that room as a flex space that could change with our lifestyle. When you sit in each room in your house note what you like about it and what you don’t. Have you always hated the paint color? Does the wobbling fan bother you? Does the room feel crowded or uninviting? Or perhaps it is your favorite room in the house, and it is where you want to spend all your time. Take notes on each space and write down the good and the bad so you can figure out how to maximize the function of your home.
3. AUDIT YOUR MECHANICALS Did you know you can order a home inspection of your home even if you aren’t moving? We have one every few years just so we have an idea of what needs to get fixed. You probably don’t know if you have broken roof tiles or corrosion starting under a sink. You may not know that there are issues in the attic or with your water heater. Take the time to audit your ACs, roof, water heater, toilets, appliances, etc. so you can get ahead of issues. A little prevention goes a long way and will give you peace of mind.
4. ASSESS YOUR EXTERIORS Evaluate your exterior lighting, plants, hose bibs, pool equipment, screens, windows, stucco, fascia, exterior paint, and watering systems. Our exteriors take a beating from the Arizona sun, so they are the first things to get shabby. Also, think about how you use your outdoor spaces. For years we had a big grassy area we struggled to keep green. We disliked our backyard so much that we never went outside, and it really made us want to move. Last year we turned that grassy area into three raised bed gardens that we absolutely love. Changing the space has completely changed the way we feel about our home and now we spend time in our yard every day.
5. CLOSE YOUR EYES Stand at the entrance of each room and close your eyes for at least 10 seconds and then open your eyes. What is the first thing you see in each room? What is the focal point? How does the room make you feel? Is the space aesthetically pleasing? Consider your daily views and then stage your house not to sell, but rather for your own enjoyment.
6. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE ENOUGH STORAGE The greatest misconception is that more storage will solve our problems. The more storage you have the more stuff you will have. All our clients who get ready to move do a pre-move purge. But you don’t have to move to get organized — you just need to create your motivation. Once you start purging it becomes liberating and even a little addictive. Editing your possessions creates space and peace
7. LIVE AUTHENTICALLY If you have a dedicated home office but do all your work in the kitchen, own that. If you have always wanted a home gym, make it happen by getting rid of the guest room. You are not obligated to have a formal living room because your parents did — make it a game room if that is what brings you joy. Create the spaces you want and need from the spaces you have in your home.
8. MAKE A PLAN Once you have collected all the information about your home, start making a list of priorities. Categorize them and then work your way through the list. A good handyman can probably help with half the things on your list and then prioritize the rest over time.
Because we see so many houses, attend so many home inspections, and live fully immersed in the real estate world, we do this for our clients and ourselves on a regular basis. Our lists are always long, but what may seem overwhelming can usually be achieved quickly. In fact, everyone always says, “Why didn’t we take care of these things sooner!”
So, consider this a friendly reminder to take stock of your home this summer. It will reduce stress and make you fall in love with your home all over again. If you need a service referral, just give us a call. We are here to help.
John Karadsheh
John and Natascha Karadsheh are co-owners of KOR Properties, a boutique real estate brokerage serving the Valley of the Sun.
John is the Designated Broker of KOR Properties and has been a Multi-Million Dollar producing agent for over 20 years. He is an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and serves on the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) Rules & Policies Committee, ARMLS Appeals Committee, and the West and Southeast Realtors of the Valley Professional Standards Committee.
Natascha is a Multi-Million Dollar Producer and Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR). She is the Founder of Mesa Food Truck Fridays, a Member and Past-Chair of the City of Mesa Economic Development Advisory Board, and on the Board of Directors of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.