The nest is quiet… too quiet

Have you reached a point in your life where you are shouting in your home and instead of a witty response from your beloved kids all you hear is echo’s?

Then perhaps you have considered downsizing, and you’ve come to the right place. As a matter of fact our team has helped over /link40 families move this year alone!/link

Downsizing is a process that takes a bit of time, and as the old saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, so better now than ever!

The first thing to consider is why you’re downsizing, are you downsizing because the kids moved out, have you gone through a recent life change, or to save money on utilities and maintenance?

Once you have figured out the why, its time to consider the how. How much smaller do you want your next home to be? Do you want a traditional home or a co-op/condo? How do these properties compare? That’s where our team comes in.

We can sit down with you and consider your options, compare prices on homes sold nearby, and plan where you want to go next, if it’s down the street or down on the Bayou, we will work with you to make sure you receive the best service possible.

After deciding where you want to go next, it’s time to take care of the stuff inside! This is generally considered the “hard part” of downsizing. But it can also be one of the most heartwarming. Some of the most common methods of getting rid of the extras are as follows

Give it away: This is especially true for family heirlooms, or if you have a large and bulky piece such as a piano it is possible to give it away to a school or church. Just make sure to call and ask!

Yard/Estate/Moving/Garage Sale: Don’t let the word “Estate” scare you off, you don’t have to be dead to have one! Just make sure that when you are selling that valuables you want to keep are securely locked away or removed from the location entirely, and if possible to have some family come and help with staffing the event to make sure no one walks off with any items unpaid, and reward them with some food and drink afterwards!

Donate it: Lots of organizations take donations and often will have large trucks to pickup the items no one buys, so if that China Cabinet wont budge, someone will take it!

After the stuff has been accounted for its time to coordinate moving the stuff you want to keep, bear in mind that measuring your current items is essential, as with downsizing you are moving to a smaller space, a California-King probably wont fit well in a 800 square foot house, for example. Keep this in mind as you look at new homes with smaller doorways and rooms.

Finally, once your downsized nest has been selected, you can begin moving in and making it feel like home with some of the old items you kept and begin to enjoy the low-to-no maintenance of your new home and the beginning of your golden years!

Article by Noah Bailey

Prepare for winter now with these great tips!

Below are some great tips to keep you up and running flawlessly this winter season! As according to the long-term forecasts, it’s going to be a snowy one! Here are some helpful tips to help you get on the right track

Interior:

1. Checking for drafts

One of the simplest ways to save money! Set a fan behind an exterior doorway and stand outside, feel any breeze? If so it might be time to clean up the trim around the door. Another way to check if a fan is not available is by looking for sunlight peeping through the sides of the door.

2. Clean up home appliances or winterize them if needed

Certain appliances may need winterizing such as summer-only AC units. Covering the condensers outside with tarps or some other type of covering or removing window based AC units entirely and storing them in the basement or garage is another great way to cut on costs in your home.

3. Check your foundation or basement for signs of moisture intrusion

Cracks in an unfinished basement or smelling mold in your finished basement are tell-tale signs water is getting inside! Make sure that you check for these in your basement before winter sets in fully and freezes water inside your home!

4. Cleaning and inspecting your fireplace (if you are lucky enough to have one!)

Hiring a chimney sweep once a year in the fall is a great way to make sure your fireplace is running smoothly. It can also help prevent fires and spot potential problems before they become a huge headache for your family!

5. Bug proofing and pest prevention

When winter comes all of nature will be clamoring away at your warm home. Checking for small gaps near ground of your home will make sure that an unwanted guest does not snuggle up with your pantry throughout the frigid months.

Exterior:

1. Cleaning out the garage

A great thing to start early on in the fall season to make sure you can store all of the summer toys and fun would be a big garage cleanout or garage sale! It makes getting rid of things easy and can yield a slight profit if done correctly.

2. Preparing the lawnmower/weed eater/summer car for spring

Now is the time to turn wrenches or take your machines into a professional to get service done since you will not be using them throughout the winter as well as making sure that they are operating great come next year

3. Checking drainage and terrain erosion

This is a very often overlooked but often most expensive damage done to a home. Surveying the soil around your home as well as gutters and drainage pipes to make sure all water near the home gets expelled as quickly and as efficiently as possible.  

4. Inspecting trees

Another overlooked issue is trees with large branches looming over houses. Paying the tree trimming service a few hundred for removal will save you potentially thousands down the road in roof damage and price hikes to your homeowners insurance.

5. Removing hoses and turning off faucets

This one is probably the most well known but is often forgot in the lieu of things. Making sure that faucets are turned all the way off and hoses are removed from them will make sure everything is ready to go come springtime.

With the tips above, we’re hopeful that you’ll be able to enjoy your home all winter long with little to no hassle. Got real estate questions? Schedule an appointment with Chen today for all your real-estate needs by clicking here.

Building your own house is not as hard as it seems, however it requires a lot of capital up front, it can be very rewarding to receive a house that you want from your own vision! (With an architect’s help, of course!)

Finding a builder

This is by far one of the most important parts of the building process, it is good to pick a reputable builder that will not cut corners or perform any shoddy workmanship to make sure that your house is safe and sound!

Finding the land

Finding the land is the next most important step, because in real estate location matters the most! It is best to pick an area that will grow in a few years unless you really want to be away from neighbors.

Laying the cornerstone

Starting from the bottom up, laying the foundation in a stable spot on your land is the next step the builder will take!

Waiting game

Depending on the contractor, the weather, and a number of other factors, it now all comes down to the waiting game

Move in day

After all is said and done, and everyone is paid by the bank, its time to move in! This is where you can take the time to properly enjoy your home.

Happy 4^th! Honor our nations 243^rd birthday safely, while most importantly having fun!

Here are some helpful tips!

Designate a driver before the alcohol comes out

What’s the 4^th of July without a beer? Make sure before cracking a cold one to make sure you have a designated driver or a place to stay for the night that doesn’t involve driving! Enjoy responsibly!

Keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby!

Accidents happen, and traditionally its best to prepare for them. If a bucket or extinguisher is not available, a garden hose turned on is never a bad idea!

Make sure if you’re grilling that the grill is on stable ground with good spacing from buildings and structures.

And finally, from our family to yours have a great 4^th of July

The Liang Group Team

Interested in buying or selling a house? Call Chen at 7854387874

It’s Hot in Topeka!

During the months of June, July, and August, Kansas is known for its very hot and humid summers. Follow some of the tips below to help beat the summer heat and stay safe outdoors!Drink plenty of fluids (Water and sports drinks work best

Drink plenty of fluids (Water and sports drinks work best)

This might seem like an obvious one, but when working hard it can be easy to forget!

Take frequent breaks

If you start to feel lightheaded, dizzy, or otherwise unwell, STOP and take a rest in the shade!

Wear light loose fit clothing

This tip can make a world of difference, changing from a black shirt to a white one can make you feel cooler in minutes!

These are just a few bits of advice to help you enjoy your summer and make it an enjoyable one without a trip to the emergency room!

Kansas is one of the few states to properly experience all four seasons every year. Considering moving to Kansas? Call Chen at 7854387874