No doubt about it, family life can be messy!

With you working all week, the kids going to school, and the dog, well, doing dog things, it doesn’t take long for the house to end up a mess. You manage to finish the dinner dishes but when you take a look around at everything else you just want to curl up on the sofa for the evening. Or, you look at the stack of decorator magazines on, or under, the coffee table and wonder how other people get it all done while you feel like a first-class failure (at housekeeping, that is).

Here’s the dirty little secret …

Nobody gets it all done by themselves. Comparing yourself to glossy magazines or social media is downright debilitating. And it’s unproductive because what you see on those pages isn’t real. Entire teams of designers, decorators, movers, and cleaners set up those spaces.

Getting real …

So, create a system that is real for you and your household. Don’t strive for perfection, do work at consistency instead. And first up … get everyone in the house on board.

Pick one simple thing and start there. Make that one thing the only thing you worry about getting done at the end of the day. Give everyone a part in the one thing. So … if every family member has a bin, basket, or plastic tub, their one thing is to collect all of their belongings from the living areas in their container and take it to their room each evening as they head for bed.

Kids can grab their toys, jackets, and shoes. Once the container reaches their room, don't worry too much about getting everything put away at first. You're creating a new habit, so working on the "removal from the living areas" first. After a couple of weeks of consistent follow-through, add just one more step. Try something simple like, put hang up your jacket on the hook, or put your shoes in the closet.

As each one thing becomes habitual, add one more. But don't add too many or something too difficult because that can backfire on you.

Make décor work for you …

Dripping pots of hydrangeas on artfully stacked books don’t work in a household of children, one living area where the coffee table holds cups and glasses, several electronics remote controllers, and today’s homework.

If what works for you is adding a flat basket to hold the controllers and gathering up the glasses at the end of the evening, don't complicate it by adding dust-catching décor that makes life more difficult, or gets in the way of your second grader's homework getting done.

Your home is about living life. Your life.

If you find your home no longer works for you, share your needs with a real estate professional that can help you decide if a new home is in your future.

Getting ready to buy a home is one of the most exciting times in life. The purchase of a home is one of the biggest financial decisions that you will ever make in your lifetime. When you make the decision to buy a home. There are a few key things that you need to do to be prepared for the process of a property purchase. It can be simple if you have the right preparation and knowledge.

Find The Right Realtor

A good realtor will steer you in the right direction when it comes to finding the home of your dreams. Your real estate agent also will help you each step of the way on the road to buying that home. There’s a lot of paperwork that must be done in a timely manner throughout the buying process. The right realtor can even help you to get the offer in for the right home in on time. In a competitive market, having a realtor who is on top of things can mean the difference between purchasing the home you want and letting it fall through the cracks.

Know That You’re Signing A Lot Of Legal Paperwork

The purchase of a home does involve a contract. If you need more time for anything such as reviewing your home inspection or waving certain contingencies, you’ll need to state that. Every piece of the transaction is important and needs to be formally processed when it comes to purchasing a home. Your realtor will be there to help you through all of these complicated processes. 

Think Of The Future

When you’re choosing a home, you’re not just buying for your life as it stands right now. Are you hoping to have a big family? Do you need a home office? How much entertaining are you planning on doing? All of these things are important when it comes to the type of home that you’ll buy. If you don’t plan for the future, you’ll outgrow the home that you’re in quite quickly. 

Look For Potential

See what potential the homes that you’re looking at have for you. Some homes may have major cosmetic issues that can easily be fixed. Perhaps The walls just need some fresh coast of paint. Maybe the deck needs to be stained. If you go into the house search with an open mind, it will be a lot easier for you to find the right home. You don’t need a home that is absolutely move-in-ready unless of course, you’re building a brand new home from scratch.

Know Your Finances

One of the most important things about buying a home is knowing your finances. Don’t buy a home that you can‘t afford. From looking at your own budget to getting pre-approved, you’ll be able to have a better understanding of your own financial situation and how much house you can afford.