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May 13, 2022
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5 Easy Yard Improvements to Sell Your Home Faster

Did you know? According to Zillow, July is the best time to sell your house to maximize profit. Every home buyer’s first impression is made on the doorstep, and if your home doesn’t have curb appeal, it may never end up on anyone’s must-see list. With a little planning now, you can get your yard ready for sale while enticing potential buyers with summer vibes.

The outdoor appeal of your home is more important than ever. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many buyers have reprioritized what they want out of their next home purchase. People increasingly work from home, lockdowns gave many of us a new appreciation for our yards, and dog ownership (and the need for outside space for these new furry family members to enjoy) has exploded.

Homes with attractive and well-maintained yards can boost the value and even clinch the deal. So, if you’re getting ready to sell your home, here’s our handy guide for making your yard more appealing to potential home buyers.

man mowing a lawn in the sun — *^{A tidy yard ups your home’s curb appeal.}*

1. Declutter your yard

An untidy yard can easily put a buyer off. Dead leaves, unmaintained beds, an unkempt lawn, and unloved fences can make a yard look like a lot of work to home buyers.

Giving your yard a quick tidy doesn’t take long. Pick up litter, remove dead plants, pull up weeds, pressure wash, repaint fences, and feed the lawn. If you have a pool, make sure it’s kept clean and well maintained. This can all be done in an afternoon or two and can make a huge difference.

If you have a lawn that’s beyond hope it may be time to call in a professional, so consider those costs sooner rather than later. They can help create a plan to maximize your outdoor space’s appeal while keeping within an agreed-upon budget.

woman planting a shrub in a pot outdoors — *^{A few well-placed potted plants add natural beauty to outdoor spaces.}*

2. Embrace greenery

Even the tiniest patio, yard or balcony can become an outdoor paradise with a bit of greenery. If you don’t have flower beds, invest in pots or planters — buying a few larger pots is always better as lots of little pots can make a space seem crowded.

Knowing which plants are right for you can take some research and planning. If you’re a beginner, go for low-maintenance plants that you can mostly leave alone and trust will thrive. For example, hardy exotics such as palms and yucca plants can handle everything the weather can throw at them and add a dramatic look to any yard. Don’t worry too much about whether the plants you choose are annuals or perennials — by the time annuals have died back, you’ll have likely already found a buyer.

Oh, and this may seem like a no-brainer, but don’t forget to water!

patio at dusk with attractive furniture, pillows, flowers, rug and lighting — ^{An outdoor living space can give the impression of more square footage while providing an appealing hangout spot.}

3. Add a living space

Potential home buyers want to be able to imagine themselves living in your home, and that includes the yard. By making your yard a comfortable and inviting space, you can increase their interest. This can be as simple as adding a patio with a table and chairs or putting in a fire pit or built-in barbeque. If you want to go whole hog, you could even add a pool/guest house or she shed, but think about cost versus how much value you’re adding to the property.

attractive neighborhood with home and wood privacy fence — ^{An attractive fence adds value to your home that potential buyers can appreciate.}

4. Increase privacy

The yard should be a safe space that allows you to enjoy the outdoors without having to leave the comfort of your home. Being in view of neighbors or passers-by can ruin the ambience. Potential home buyers might not want to put in the work to boost the privacy of the yard, so this is an easy thing you can do to increase interest in your home. You can also increase interest from buyers with pets if your yard is fenced-in and secure.

Add shrubs or hedges to create natural and attractive barriers between your space and the rest of the world. Make sure any existing hedges or fences are in good condition — repair or treat any gaps as required. Think about whether you need to make any fences taller to increase privacy, but make sure you get the necessary permissions to do this.

attractive dark blue house with well kept front yard — *^{The front of your home gives potential buyers their first impression, so make sure it looks great.}*

5. Don’t forget about the front yard

Curb appeal is essential. It gives your potential buyers their first impression of your home, so mess this part up and you could lose the sale. At the very least, make sure your front yard is tidy — remove any litter or debris, sweep the front path, rake up leaves, and pull up any weeds.

Pay attention to the appearance of your house as well — repaint your front door, install new house numbers, clean the windows, and add some lighting and a potted plant or two to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Your yard could be the key to selling your home

Remember, first impressions are made before potential buyers even walk through the front door. So, maximize every asset your property has to offer. Even the most beautiful, modern, and well-staged home can fall short if it doesn’t have an appealing outside space. Size doesn’t matter. Whether you have acres of land to play with or a tiny apartment balcony, you can create a neat and comfortable outdoor haven for your home’s next inhabitants.

Planning to make improvements to your yard to get your home ready to put on the market? Consider storing patio and backyard items both during the process and after to keep everything looking clutter free and irresistible to buyers.

March 18, 2022
by Simply 2 Comments

Moving Home for Summer Break? How to Make Your Life Easier

As if studying for finals wasn’t enough to deal with, with the school year ending many college students find themselves having to pack up a dorm room or apartment for the summer break. You’ve got a lot to juggle already, so we’ve got some compelling reasons why self storage makes your life easier so you can enjoy your summer break more — and maybe even relax a little.

You’ve probably accumulated all kinds of items during the school year, including books and school supplies, clothes, sporting equipment, electronics — maybe even some furniture. Instead of hauling all that stuff back home, consider storing where you study this summer so it will be close to your college or university when you return in the fall.

Does summer storage make sense for me?

Self storage is a smart, cost-effective solution for college students living in residence halls, dorm rooms and short term off campus housing to safely and easily store any items that won’t be needed until school starts again next semester. It makes sense to store where you study if you:

Are a first time student wanting to simplify your college life
Attend school out of state and plan to go home between semesters
Want to avoid the hassle of driving a rental truck a long distance
Want to save your parents the worry about where to store your items at home

What size storage unit do I need?

Self storage facilities have a variety of storage unit sizes to accommodate every budget. For students, we usually recommend one of the following:

5’ x 5’ Storage Unit (25 Sq. Ft.) – This size can typically hold the contents of one room or a large closet: book shelf, bicycle, coffee table, nightstand, boxes/bins and other small items.

5’ x 10’ Storage Unit (50 Sq. Ft.) – This size can typically hold the contents of a small one-bedroom apartment: mattress, sofa, kitchen table, boxes and other similar items.

What are some things to look for when choosing a storage facility for summer storage?

Climate controlled units, which stay at a consistent temperature range, protecting your electronics and other items from the summer heat
Convenient, time-saving options like contactless online storage rental and autopay
A safe, secure location
Positive online ratings and reviews
Availability of packing and moving supplies
Other features like drive-up vs interior access for your storage unit
Any special promotions or incentives available to save money

Any other advice?

As the college campus crowds thin out, storage units may start booking up in your area. We recommend thinking about storing your stuff ahead of time so you’ll have a better idea what size unit you’ll need — that way you can focus on finding the best storage unit deals before moving day approaches. It’s also useful to know that you can complete a reservation online with no deposit required, which will temporarily hold a unit for you until you complete your rental and sign your lease — which you can also do online.

Simply Self Storage offers self storage options for college students near many US campuses. We have convenient locations near Johns Hopkins University, Purdue University, The Ohio State University, Texas Southern University, University of Houston, University of Texas at Dallas, Florida Tech, University of Oklahoma, and other colleges and universities.

February 14, 2022
by Simply 0 Comments

Moving in With Your Soulmate? 5 Tips to Keep the Love Alive When Combining Households

So, you’re moving in together — congrats! Moving in with someone you love is an exciting time, but it’s not without its stressors. Make a few key decisions up front about how to blend your households (and your possessions) and you and your partner will be in good shape to manage any issues that arise and settle into a happy new life together in your shared space. We’ve put together a few tips to help start you off right.

1. Your place or mine…or neither?

Deciding where to live can feel challenging. Sometimes there are memories attached to the place we live, or practical considerations like square footage or the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Maybe you’re thinking of making a long-distance move. If one or both of you has a lease or a mortgage, there may be an option that makes more financial sense. Many couples choose to move into a new space together, rather than trying to merge into someone’s existing home. Regardless of where you and your significant other choose to live, you’ll have to figure out how to deal with your collective stuff.

2. Assess your shared space.

Once you’ve decided where to live, it’s helpful to know how much space you have to work with. Measure your rooms, closets and furniture so you have some idea of what will fit where. If you want to plan furniture arrangements, you can find online tools from Wayfair, West Elm and more with a simple web search.

3. Take inventory.

Is one bed bigger or more comfortable than the other? Who has the newer tv? Can you really justify owning two air fryers? Make a home inventory to see where you have duplicate items and get a better idea of any home goods you may be missing. If you’re planning to get married, you can add those needed items to your registry.

4. Think about downsizing.

Combining households usually means that some things will have to go. We recommend you both start by sorting through your own possessions to see where you might be able to pare down. Then get together and discuss what you each think will fit in your shared space, and agree on what stays and what goes. Be willing to compromise. Saying goodbye to some of your stuff can be emotionally taxing, so go easy on yourself and your partner.

Before your move-in date, discard or donate anything you know you don’t need. Store items that you’d like to keep but you don’t require everyday access to in a basement, attic, garage or storage unit. Things you don’t currently have room for like furniture, artwork, electronics, antiques or collectibles can be stored in a climate-controlled unit, which may make sense for you if your life plan includes buying or renting a larger home together down the road.

5. Most importantly, set a good foundation.

It’s normal to experience an adjustment period when you first move in with a partner. You’re spending more time together and getting used to the ways each of you does things around the house, so there’s a possibility that disagreements may arise.

“What matters less is if you and your partner experience friction. What matters more is how you handle it. How do you handle the smothered feeling that rises in you when you see the dish towel in the “wrong” place? How do you respond when your partner makes a snarky comment at the end of a long day? How do you repair after tempers have flared?”
– Dr Alexandra H. Solomon, Professor, Therapist, Speaker, Author, Retreat leader, and Media Personality

Dr. Solomon has some good advice on addressing the challenges of cohabitating. One thing to remember: Communication is key. Having conversations about things like home maintenance, chores, parenting, pets, finances, meals, and how much time you each need alone can help stop potential arguments before they happen.

We hope these tips will save you a few headaches, and we wish you the best in your new life together!