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Three Tips & Three Tools for the Pantry

No matter what size pantry you have, it can be hard to organize. There are some tools that can help. I will also share three tips to help keep it organized.
The lazy Susan or the turntable comes in different sizes; I would look for the small to medium size so you can place more than one on the top shelf. This is good for smaller items that tend to get lost when things start to pile up. You can purchase one single-level or tiered. They also come in many colors and materials. Choose something to match your kitchen or pantry style.
The over-the-door organizer is going to give you the added space you’ve been looking for. I suggest putting commonplace items here, things your reach for everyday. Not only are they easy to reach, you will easily keep an eye on when you are getting low and can add those to your shopping list.
A rolling cart for the bottom of the pantry is my last tool suggestion. You can make a cleaning cart, a baking cart, a coffee cart, etc. Pull it out to use, and roll it back in when you’re finished. You can now use that space for more than those rarely-used kitchen appliances (although you could make a cart for that, too!). Again, choose a style to complement those lazy Susans from above.
The first tip may sound simple but will greatly improve your organization and ability to find things. Organize your panty by zones. Put like items and items frequently used together in the same zone. If you are just getting started, start with one shelf and go from there. There are no rules, group in a way that makes sense to you.
Next, place your items with the closest expiration date near the front. When you purchase new items, place them behind those already on the shelf. This is common practice in restaurants and grocery stores. It is a good practice and, not only keeps food fresh, but also limits waste (i.e. saves you money).
My third tip is a big one. Work your pantry organization and cleaning into your weekly cleaning schedule. You’ve worked hard to organize your items, so lets keep it that way. Take 10 minutes once a week to make sure items are grouped and organized by date. Throw away any expired foods and donate any not likely to be consumed.
Your pantry is now organized and ready to use . You can decide how to group and what shelves to use for different groupings. No more searching for the paprika while the chili is simmering!
Car or House?

You want a new car AND a new house. Which one should you tackle first, and which is the better investment?
If your heart says “car,” but your head says, “home,” here are a few investment points that may give your heart the nudge it needs to catch up with your head.
Cars depreciate around 20% after the first year then continue depreciating by 10% every year after that. A home is expected to go up in value by about 4% year after year. Currently, the appreciation rate is a whopping 14.5%! Translation? Buying a home is always the better investment.
Lastly, ask yourself this: What will benefit you most 5 years from now? Driving around a 5-year-old car or resting your head each night in a home you call your very own? Choose wisely.
Fireplace Mantle Decor

You finally have the fireplace you’ve always wanted. Now, how do you stage the mantle? I have some simple suggestions to get you started.
First, let’s find an anchor. This is the large decorative piece for the center of your space. Large means 1/2 up to 3/4 the width of your mantle. The ceiling height will determine the height of your piece. For a lower ceiling, look for a horizontal or oval object. For vaulted ceilings, go more vertical. You can choose a large clock, mirror or picture. Make it something you love and don’t be afraid to switch it out or try a few different options.
Next, we want to balance the ends. You can do this a few ways; you can match your ends or mix. This is also a personal choice, just keep the weight of your objects balanced. A vase or lantern on one side with two or three candle sticks of varying height on the other, or a large candle opposite two or three stacked hardback books are some examples.
Finally, let’s talk about depth. This is where you will find your fillers and where you will stack, overlap, or layer objects. Vary your heights, weights, and materials here to make it your own. With your anchor and ends in place, you can play around until you have the look you are happy with. My fillers are switched out with the seasons, while my centerpiece and ends typically stay the same.
There you go. Mantle decorating made easy! Anchor, balance and then fill for visual satisfaction.
Fire Alarm Safety

Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside of every sleeping area, in the garage, and on each level of the home.
There are two types of smoke alarm technology. One is called ionization; the other is photo electric. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the ionization alarms seem to be more responsive to flames. The photo electric alarms are more responsive to smoldering fires.
The best time to replace alarm batteries is when we change to or from Daylight Savings Time, which is in both fall and spring.
The newer alarms have a 10 year lithium battery, which will eliminate the need for new batteries once a year, but the whole unit will need to be replaced when the battery dies.
If the alarms are hard-wired to the homes electrical system, make sure they are interconnected for maximum effectiveness. In other words, if one of the alarms go off, they all go off at the same time.
Your Ultimate Relocation Guide

The combination of low cost living, the great outdoors, and a stable economy contribute to making Knoxville an attractive place to live, raise a family, and own a business. Buying a home is not only affordable, but buying a brand new build can cost you as little as $300,000.
Stop struggling, and start living the life you always dreamed.
As a real estate agent, out-of-state buyers not only trust me to guide them through the homebuying process but to also act as their eyes and ears. You may be pleasantly and equally surprised by Knoxville’s rich history, education level, athletic programs, and affordable prices.
To get your hands on my curated ULTIMATE RELOCATION GUIDE:
Email me at aimee@southlandrealtors.com
Call/text at 818.472.4481
Follow for tips on Instagram @aimeeleelucas.
Modern Farmhouse Style

Modern farmhouse is a very inviting style. If we look at your home from room to room, simple changes can garnish oohs and ahs and compliments galore. This decorating style is about muted colors and rustic decor, but also about minimalism. Removing things will be as important as the things we add.
Let’s look at your living room first. Because the color scheme here is pale grays and whites, you need to take away all bold colors. Rugs, art, and lampshades can be removed and replaced in those farmhouse colors giving the room the muted look. Because these colors can work with almost any sofa, we are eliminating the need to purchase new furniture. Replacing decorative pillows with larger throw pillows with stripes, tassels, or arrows gives the room a feel of comfort. Everything is taken from the shelves and mantle, and fewer items take their place. The focus here is mixed wood and metal, distressed and farmhouse items like wood candlesticks, a windowpane mirror, and a small plant (real or faux).
Moving into the dining room, you will again remove all bold colors. If you have a wooden table, you can leave it or paint it black or white. If you need a wooden table, buy secondhand. Chairs need to be different from the table. You can easily add slipcovers or thick chair pads; either work. Just keep those colors muted or striped. If you want to purchase a dining bench or 2 chairs for the ends, you can accomplish the look without the expense of buying all new chairs. Sheer curtains and a single large print with a scripture, hymn, or song lyric finish the room.
Remove all the clutter from your countertops in the kitchen. You can leave your wooden or metal spoon rest, cutting boards, and cookbook stand. Add a tiered serving tray for the finishing touch. The curtains and area rug are, again, in the pale colors, leaving the emphasis on those few rustic décor items.
The bedroom will have two options. For the first, you will change to a tall padded headboard or a metal bed. This will be the focal point of the room so go for cream or gray, just go for the opposite color with the bedding. A wood bench will be added at the foot of bed. Option two is to paint your wooden bed, white, black or gray with the contrasting bedding. Keep the muted, simple colors going and the minimalist décor. Remember the large throw pillows and framed quote from the living room? Do the same here. Add a corner chair if there is room or a large basket for smaller spaces.
You now have a modern farmhouse feel. Just remember to keep those bright, bold colors put away. Minimize the number of items on shelves and countertops. Rustic simplicity without the shiplap!
Could Waiting a Year Cost You?

Do you have the desire to be a homeowner, or have you outgrown the space you currently own? I understand buying in a peak housing market can be intimidating. Truthfully, the unknown is what hinders most from taking their next steps in purchasing. What will home prices be like in 2022? Where will mortgage rates be by the end of 2022? What I can tell you is the demand for East Tennessee continues to grow. You likely have read or seen on the news that the local job opportunity growth as well as desirable taxes, alluring activities, and four distinct seasons has buyers relocating by the masses. Considering all of these known factors – waiting WILL cost you. Simple supply demand will drive that conversation every time without weighing in material cost, pandemic labor shortages, and the many more hurdles the housing market faces. Bottom line, if you want to buy a home for the financial benefits as well as your comfort needs. Go talk to real estate professional now! Every minute wasted is money you could be putting into yourself through home-ownership.
Four Must Fall Home Repairs

First, clean the gutters. Channeling gallons of water a year away from your home, gutters can become clogged with fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris. Be sure you are inspecting as you clean, or hire a professional company to do both. Gutter guards or added mesh can help keep them clear. If your home needs new gutters, now is a great time to protect your home and enhance the curb appeal.
Next, you want to check all doors and windows in your home. By replacing caulk and weather stripping, you can lower your energy bill. An easy way to look for drafts is to hold a candle close to the frames and look for the flame to flicker. This is a simple, cost efficient repair all homeowners can do.
As you prepare for cooler weather, your home’s furnace should be checked. You should change your filter; this not only helps your unit run efficiently but also keeps the air quality in your home high. Keep in mind, all homes are different, and filters need to be changed frequently based on your individual home. You will also want to hire a professional to service your system to keep it running smoothly through fall, winter, and spring.
The final suggestion is to prep your fireplace. Your wood burning fireplace should be cleaned once a year by a professional chimney sweep. Ask them to check the chimney masonry, cap, damper, and firebricks, and do those repairs now. Electric or gas fireplaces need cleaned and fired up to make sure they are working correctly. Service companies will be easier to schedule now rather than in colder months when they are busy with heating emergencies. Don’t forget to check your smoke and CO₂ detectors as well as the fire extinguisher.
Now, it’s time to grab a cup of coffee or cocoa. Let’s light the fire. You can sit back and relax in your warm home!
To Renovate or Not to Renovate?!

Thinking about selling AND wondering if it’s worth it to renovate? You have come to the right place. An inside perspective from the people who have skin in the game.
- There are not enough homes on the market right now. Statistically speaking, we are sitting at 1.9 month supply of homes available vs the market normal of 6 months supply. Additionally, houses are, on average, only on the market for 21 days while getting slammed with multiple offers. It is simple—people are happy to take what they can get.
- I know your house is a home, but importantly, it is an investment. Maximizing the return on your investment should be a high topic of conversation when preparing to list. Question to ask yourself—will this help me sell my house for more money than it cost me to install? If the answer is no, don’t bother.
- Time is money, and the best time to list is right now! If your proposed renovations are going to put you off a significant amount of time, evaluate the chance of losing money during time lost.
- Lastly, but most importantly, appeal to the masses. Buyers immediately see things they would change when searching for their home. In order to envision themselves in the property, they need a clean slate. Fresh paint is always helpful in a neutral color. Kitchens and bathrooms cleaned and freshened up always make a statement when selling.
Ultimately, every home is different, and a conversation with your agent is mission-critical to make sure you make the right choice when selling!
Autumn Porch

It is the first of September, and you can feel it in the air—fall! With all the joys it brings, it also means fall cleaning if you are a homeowner. I enjoy cleaning my front porch, so I can put out my autumn décor. It’s such an easy way to celebrate the changing of the seasons.
To start, remove everything from the porch and door and sweep them down. This includes the ceiling, walls, windows, railings, floor, and door. You will want to include front windows and garage doors. Remove the window screens and scrub those down before cleaning the windows and replacing them. The last cleaning step is to pressure wash or wipe down all surfaces. Now, you have a clean, fresh space to decorate.
Now, it’s time to choose a color scheme. This is a personal choice and can be the classic orange and black, but cream and purple, green and yellow, or white and blue can all work too. You can start with what you have and build on that or pick your colors and purchase new supplies. I have a large cream pumpkin that says “welcome” I hang on my door every year; I can mix and match my colors with it.
Some items to include are a large striped or solid outdoor rug, your smaller themed door mat, a door hanger of autumn colors or pumpkin theme, and one or two larger decorative pieces–maybe a large planter with mums, a stack or group of artificial pumpkins, or a porch sign. You should see it all coming together and can add or take away pieces until you have your desired look.
There you go, a fall themed porch. I love pulling up to my home every day with my pumpkins greeting me. Plus, with my cleaning done, it will be an easy transition after Thanksgiving to my Christmas porch!