Real Estate Information Archive

Cleaning and organizing books are everywhere these days. And if we're being honest, a lot of them are pretty similar. But The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, a book by Marie Kondo, stands out from the pack. Marie adds a fresh perspective to the age-old clutter struggle by incorporating a decidedly Japanese outlook on the problem.

If your current clutter solutions just aren’t working, we definitely recommend picking up Marie’s book. But in the meantime, we pulled some quick tips from Kondo’s book that you can start doing today.

Start with a Small, Unsentimental Category

When you embark on the ultimate organization session, don’t start somewhere bound to spark memories or tough decisions like your photos or clothes.

Take your first steps by discarding a manageable grouping like your Tupperware or toiletries. Although it may be intuitive to start in an area that you use every day, it could stunt your progression.

Discard Every Time You Tidy

Try getting rid of at least one item every time you set out to de-clutter a space. Ideally, you want to do a full audit of what you own every time you tidy, but realistically, one item is a good start.

Remember, putting everything away only avoids the clutter problem – it doesn’t solve it.

Tidy by Item, Not by Space

The idea here is to organize based on the item and not by the room. For example, audit and organize all your clothes at the same time. That means you’ll have to go through your dressers, closets, coat closets, the outdoor gear in the basement. Do it all!

This way you have a clear vision of what you have and what you really need. You’ll feel more comfortable paring down to the necessities.

Understand Why We Let Things Go

Kondo argues that by having piles of things, we are neglecting the items we love. Learning to let go stems from understanding each item’s purpose and honoring it – whether you are choosing to keep it or to leave it behind. Either way, understanding your relationship with every item will help you know what to keep, and what to toss. 

If you want to continue the Japanese de-cluttering journey, you can grab The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up on Amazon right here.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

All finished binging on Friends? Yeah, us too. And now we’re ready for something a little more...practical. Care to join us? You’ll get all of the chill-factor with none of the guilt. (Because you’re being “productive,” get it?)

So don your sweatpants, ditch your bra (if you wear one) and chill out to these shows that’ll help make your home awesome:

If You’re Thinking About Going Minimalist...

Tiny: A Story About Living Small

Have you ever felt the urge to sell your stuff and downsize your life? These people actually did just that. Live vicariously and take away some minimalist tips.

If HGTV is Your Jam...

House Hunters Collection  + House Hunters International

It’s the home buying classic you know and love! Follow intrepid couples as they pair up with a realtor and try to find their dream home out in the world.

Flea Market Flip

Do you get a little tingle of excitement every time you pass a yard sale sign or a flea market? Then you’ll dig this show! Laura Spencer and her team scour flea markets looking for furniture and decor they can reinvent.

Property Brothers

This show is all about transforming fixer-uppers into dream homes. It’s fun to watch a family start with a wish list for their home, and watch (some) of it come to fruition.

If You Want to Improve Your Mood...

Happy

Happiness can be elusive, but the director of the award winning film Happy is determined to find out what gives people the feels. Being happier at home is just a click away.

If You Like History, Palaces and Castles...

Secrets of Henry VIII’s Palace

If it’s been awhile since you took a history class, Henry VIII is the one that had six wives beheaded. Do we have your attention now? While this documentary is full of juicy secrets, it’s also full of royal design tips.  

Secrets of Highclair Castle

Downtown Abbey is a real place called Highclair Castle, and it holds more than secrets. In fact, it holds centuries-old Egyptian relics - get this - in its walls. A previous owner bankrolled the expedition that found King Tut’s tomb, and the castle is full of long-forgotten relics and other interesting treasures.

If You Want to Improve Your Cooking...

The Mind of a Chef

Have you ever wanted to get inside the head of the food-obsessed? Here’s your chance. Throw in the fact that this documentary is narrated by our boy Anthony Bourdain, and it is basically gold for the foodies out there.

Somm

What’s harder to pass than the Bar, the GMAT and the PRAXIS rolled into one? It’s called the Master Sommelier exam, it’s about wine, and it’s the toughest test to pass in the world. Follow along as three sommeliers try their luck on the test and learn some wine knowledge along the way.

Spinning Plates

Good food can only take a restaurant so far. Success is really made by the people within the restaurant. A kitchen works the same way - think organization and cleaning regimes - so take a page out of these three amazing restaurant owners’ book.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

From important checkups of major systems to repairing your front door, sometimes it can feel like your to-do list is more of a cash drain than anything else. Give your wallet a break and try these free ways to improve and maintain your home.

1. Inspect important areas of your home. Regularly inspecting parts of your home that are prone to damage or infestation is one of the easiest ways to prevent expensive repairs. If it’s been awhile, start with your attic and your basement.

2. Relocate a spare dresser. Is there a dresser in your guest bedroom that’s never been used? Move it into your kitchen or dining room! Spare dressers are perfect for storing things like plates and cookware, plus it’s a great opportunity to freshen up a room.
3. Block drafts. A leaky door might not seem like a big deal, but drafts can consume up to 30 percent of your home’s energy usage. For a quick, no-cost solution, roll up an old bath towel and place it at the base of drafty doors or windows. (For a more permanent fix, reach into your wallet and purchase a $4 tube of caulk.)
    
4. Go minimalist. Nothing costs less than getting rid of stuff. If you’re feeling industrious, you could even try to sell unused items on Ebay or at an old-fashioned garage sale. If you’re not sure where to start, brush up on the minimalist lifestyle with these tips: Save Money and Space: Furniture You Don’t Really Need.
    
5. Clean your dryer ducts. This is an important, free task that a lot of people forget! Dryer lint can ignite if it’s allowed to build up in the exhaust duct. Clean your dryer ducts twice a year to prevent this fire hazard.
    
6. Test for hard water. It’s harmless to drink, but hard water (which contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium) can damage your boiler and clog your pipes. Those issues can be expensive to repair – like, $10,000 expensive – but testing for hard water is free! All you need is a plastic water bottle and a little bit of dish soap.

We are pumped for spring cleaning! What better time to clear out all of that winter dust and bring the fresh feel of spring into your home? If you’re geared up and ready to go, here are ten “must-clean” areas of your home. Let this checklist be your guide as you spruce things up!.

Ready to rock your cleaning socks off? Tackle these ten things!

Want some spring cleaning extra credit? Take care of these areas, too!

Doorknobs. All that hand-traffic opens the door to tons of germs!

Washing machine. Your washing machine cleans your clothes, but who cleans your washing machine?

Garage. It’s normal for a garage to turn into a glorified storage closet, but with a clean garage you can utilize the space to its fullest potential.

Refrigerator coils. Letting your refrigerator’s coils get dirty is kind of like pinching someone’s nose shut and telling them to do jumping jacks – not nice!

Toys. Batman and Barbie deserve a little spa treatment, too! Depending on the type, you may be able to wash your kid’s toys in the dishwasher!

Clothes Iron. Over time, the soleplate of your iron gets covered in a yellowish film that can be transferred onto your clothes!

Coffee maker. Remove old coffee grounds, oils and hard water deposits that are ruining the taste of your coffee!

Plant leaves. Dust off the leaves of your houseplants so that they can soak up the sunlight and make your home a healthier place.

Shower curtain. Put a stop to mold, mildew and that nasty layer of soap scum that’s cramping your shower curtain’s style!

Remote control. All that couch surfing can lead to a gunky remote control. Take yours apart and clean all of the individual parts, including the plastic buttons.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.