What To Do When You Move In

Moving into your new home should be a fun-filled time for you and your loved ones, not a time of stress. Purchasing a new home is a chance to start fresh and build new memories, in a beautiful new space. Follow my below tips and you'll enjoy this time to its fullest, and not get bogged down by minor stressors that can easily be ignored! An easy transition awaits...

Clean up
Before you start unpacking, take a small amount of time to clean your new property while it's still empty. It is infinitely easier to clean a blank slate than to have to lift rugs, move furniture, and clean around things. When you're finished and start to unload, don't forget to dust and wipe down furniture.

Assemble your furniture
Before you unpack anything like dishes, linens, and clothing, put all of your furniture back together. This means the legs on your dining room table, unwrapping your couches, and getting your bed sleep-ready. It's better to be able to sleep in your bed the first night and only have a few clothes unpacked, than to have your entire closet ready for you with nowhere to sleep.

Pack an overnight bag
This requires a little bit of planning ahead of time, but it's well worth it! Pack a small bag or box that would resemble a weekend or overnight bag when going on a short trip. Whether you'd like to take unpacking slower or just aren't able to get to everything within the first day, a bag full of your daily essentials including toiletries and a few changes of clothes will be a delight to find at the end of the day. Paper plates, napkins, and plastic utensils are also terrific to have on hand.

Meet & greet
After a few hours of unpacking, take a break and grab your kids, put a leash on your dog, and go for a stroll around the neighborhood. Introduce yourself to your neighbors while grabbing some fresh air and taking a much-deserved break. The sooner you get to know those around you, the quicker your new house will start to feel like your home.

Table for 5
On your first night, take note of the restaurants around your area. Fresh groceries are probably far down on your moving day to-do list, so you probably didn’t bring your favorite foods to stock your fridge right away, or perhaps a new refrigerator is being delivered soon. Either way, when it comes time for dinner, order out or go out! After a quick trip to a restaurant, you'll fall peacefully asleep and have energy for the next day.

As my client, I will make your move as seamless as possible... I'm right by your side long after the paperwork is signed and will happily help with anything you need. 

-- Melanie Hane

310 528 5164

mmhane@gmail.com

May Newsletter

The Best in DIY Home Organization

It’s Spring 2016 — making your home feel clean, comfortable, and organized is the key to stress-free living. Your home — whether you just moved in, are happily nesting, or are looking to sell, should be a place of relaxation. I’ve compiled a few of my favorite tips that will keep your home super organized and will simplify your life at the same time. Gone are the days of missing items and cluttered rooms... a light spring cleaning is only the beginning of your new streamlined lifestyle.

1. A home for every item...

Start by decluttering — sift through clothes, linens, and other items that you may no longer need and donate them. Once they’re gone, you’ll realize you have infinitely more space, which will make it much easier to organize. It is important that you pick a designated place where each different item or kind of item should go. For instance, you may have young children with toys – have a specific place where these toys should be put away everyday.

2. Use storage containers & baskets...

Storage bins and baskets can be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping an organized closet or pantry; everything is hidden and tucked away nicely. Use baskets in the linen closet to keep towels and toiletries neatly available for your guests. Keep grains and pasta in glass containers to avoid stacks of packaged boxes and bags and to create a more uniform look.

3. Label everything... 

Now that you have found a home for everything and have placed specific items in baskets and bins, it’s time to start labeling... it will make cooking faster and life easier. By placing a label on your storage containers or shelves, you can easily see what you have without having to rummage through everything. Or, maybe it’s as simple as identifying and distinguishing between two similar items. Either way, labeling makes organization simpler.

4. Make it work for you... 

The most important thing to remember about organizing is making your system work for you and your family. Maybe color-coding is what will stick for you, or organizing your closets by seasons. Don’t buy extra supplies if you’re not going to use them — make sure whatever you decide to do to help you stay organized will make things easier for you, not harder! 

The Best in Southern CA Interior Design

A Southern California home is more than just a house. In addition to being a living space, it’s a place to entertain—to house the most intimate of dinner parties, the most elegant soirees, to raise a family and to relax in your personal sanctuary. While you may know yourself best, you may not be certain of the best way of putting together your dream home. Not only will I find you the absolute best property for your family’s needs, as well as negotiate the best possible price, my concierge services expertly fill in the gaps long after the paperwork is signed.

I promise an incredibly effortless move-in experience for you, complete with my selective recommendations for the top home improvement talent in your area. Whether it be for interior designers, painters, plumbers or electricians, your needs are my top priority. Through my many years as a realtor, I’ve handpicked a select group of Southern California businesses to assist you in creating a home you’ll love for years to come. The following designers, all based in Southern California, are guaranteed to help design your perfect home.

Jeff Andrews, a celebrated celebrity designer, combines luxury, sophistication and livability when it comes to decorating his clients’ homes. Working primarily in the Beverly Hills area, Andrews has a “natural talent for taking bold design concepts and infusing them with warmth, sophistication, and most importantly, a sense of home.” His homes feature a traditional elegance with geometric, visually interesting touches. Andrews’ celebrity client list is extensive, with him having worked with the likes of Ryan Seacrest, America Ferrera and Kris Jenner, to name a few.

Kate Lester operates her beachside namesake business in the South Bay. Garnering inspiration from “classic architecture, great designs and her clients’ passions”, Lester seeks to create spaces that are “luxurious, livable and unique.” Lester’s designs are the epitome of oceanfront luxury. Her projects cater to the South Bay’s coastal location, with lots of white themed rooms, expansive floor to ceiling windows and open spaces, all put together with a classic aesthetic

Trip Haenisch works his California-cool magic on the homes of some lucky Malibu residents. An award-winning designer, Haenisch’s design aesthetic “consists of sophisticated, collected spaces with a laid-back twist that embodies quintessential California living.” His homes are rustic, but comfortable and artistic without being pretentious. An avid art collector, his eye for detail and style is apparent in his work. His celebrity clientele include, but is not limited to, the homes of David Arquette, Courtney Cox and celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan

Joni Koenig, an expert in all things design, has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. After working for Sony Pictures Entertainment for nine years, she started her own company with clients such as Rupert Murdoch, Vivica A. Fox, and Magic Johnson. Working out of Santa Monica, Joni’s design aesthetic gravitates toward Classic Spanish. However, Joni prefers more contemporary furnishings to balance the divide between traditional and modern. From the initial consultation to the final installation, Joni uses her extensive network of resources to meet any budget, time frame, and design sensibility.

Your home is inarguably the location that most reflects you. When I help to coordinate the best interior designer for you, you’ll soon feel right at home in your newly purchased dream house.

If you have any questions or are interested in selling your home, call me!

310 528 5164

-- Melanie Hane

 

April Newsletter