Trim, Aerate, Power Rake - Oh My! Tips for Getting Your Yard Spring Ready

This time of year, we hear a lot about spring cleaning and getting the insides of our homes back in order after winter. Equally important is taking the time to prepare your home's exterior. Here are a few projects to ensure your yard is ready for spring and summer: 

Trim & Prune: All bushes and trees should be trimmed to remove overgrown areas.  Once the overgrowth is removed, it is time to prune to give the bush/tree a particular shape. Both steps help to ensure the bush/tree is receiving enough moisture and light and will have plenty of room to grow.  

Aerate: This is the process of removing small soil plugs/cores out of your lawn.  This is accomplished with a core aerator tool.  Many local yard care businesses perform aeration services this time of year or you can rent a core aerator for an afternoon at your local home improvement store and do it yourself. Aerating helps to increase water, nutrient, and oxygen movement into the soil.

Power Rake: If your lawn has thatch (a tight mat of stems and roots), then it should be power raked. If you noticed last summer that your lawn wasn't looking as green and lush, it may need this process. The one thing to consider with this process is that the soil needs to be dry - wet soil can cause more than what you intended to be pulled up. Much like aeration, local businesses perform this service or you can do it yourself and rent a power rake from your local home improvement store.

Till & Weed: All flower beds should be tilled and the early weeds removed. This will help promote healthy soil for all of your existing and new plantings. 

Fertilize: To help your grass grow healthy and strong all season long, it needs to be fed.  To ensure you are placing the right product on your lawn at the right time, consult with your local garden center. 

Add Mulch/Bark: Adding a new layer of mulch or bark is a quick way to freshen up any garden bed.

Clean Your Gutters: Time to pull out the ladder and bucket and clean out the leaves and debris in your gutters.  A child's sand shovel or a small garden shovel works well for this. Once you have cleared the debris, flush the gutters and downspouts with a garden hose - this will also help you spot any potential leaks that need to be repaired. 

Sweep Porches/Patios/Decks:  Before taking all of your outdoor furniture out of storage, take a few minutes to sweep off and clear any debris from your porch, patio, or deck.  If needed, use a hose or power washer to clean off built up dirt. 

Prepare & Set Up Outdoor Furniture: Remove covers from outdoor furniture and grills and wipe down each piece with a damp cloth. 

Wash Windows & Exterior Surfaces: Cleaning your windows adds a shine to your home and helps the sunlight better filter in.  Click here for a great article on cleaning your windows. Along with your windows, all exterior surfaces should be sprayed down. Depending on the type of exterior material, your garden hose may suffice or you may need to use a power washer.   

Accessory Touch-Ups: Take the time to wipe down all outdoor light fixtures and garden accessories (i.e. bird baths). Replace any outdoor bulbs that are burnt out (don't forget your small garden path lights).  Replace the worn "Welcome" mat and the front door wreath with something bright and cheery.  Make sure your home's numbers, both on the house and on your mailbox, are in good shape and are visible - replace or repair as needed.

By following these tips, not only have you made your yard ready for spring, but you have also added curb appeal! If spring has you feeling like it is time for a new home, give me a call and let me help you find or build your new home! 801-645-6735.


Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/springyardcaretips

Tree trimming service on the other hand is done to remove overgrown bushes which prevents the shrub from receiving enough moisture and light. Tree pruning service involves removal or dead or loose or infected branches so that the shrub can flourish properly. It is also done to give a particular shape to the shrub for aesthetic purposes. -

Easter Egg Hunts Around Town

Hippity Hoppity Easter's on its way....here are a some fun local Easter Egg Hunts going on this week:

Friday, March 25

Weber State University: Egg hunt at Swenson Pool, for kids 1-17 (must be accompanied by an adult), $5 per child, 4:00 - 7:00 pm

Saturday, March 26

Farmington City:  Kids 0-12 at Forbush Park (100 S Main), starts at 10:00 a.m., lots of prizes and candy! Free admission.

Centerville City: This is also a canned food drive, so bring your canned food! Hunt starts at 9:30 a.m. sharp, for kids 10 and under.

Fruit Heights City:  Kids 0-12 at City Hall Park, starts at 9:30 a.m. sharp, free admission.

Kaysville City: Pre-K to Elementary school age, starts at 9:00 a.m. sharp, free admission, at Barnes Memorial Park (900 W 200 N).

Clearfield City: Egg Hunt for kids 0-10 years old at Fisher Park at 10:00 a.m. sharp, this one is free.

Egg Dive for kids 0-12 years old, $5 per child, at Clearfield Aquatic & Fitness Center, choose one of two sessions - 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Layton Surf n' Swim: Kids will be split into age groups and will be able to dive for eggs, everyone goes home with candy and prizes. $5 per child, 10 a.m. to Noon. Open swim after the hunt is over! You must register for this event - either online or in person.

Clinton City: Kids ages 0-12, they will have a special section for kids with special needs. Hunt starts at 9:00 a.m. sharp at 2050 N 1500 W, free admission.

South Ogden City:  Kids ages 1-12 (kids with special needs can exceed age limit), at Friendship Park (655 E 5500 S), at 9:00 a.m. there are contests, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, and more. the hunt starts at 10:00 a.m.

Roy City:  Kids ages 12 and under, at Roy park (2100 W 4400 S), Free, Starts at 10 a.m. sharp.

George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park: For Pre-k to age 12, there are two hunts - 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  $5 for kids and $3 for adults. There are fun Easter activities going on all day at the park too! 

Here's some tips to make sure your Easter Egg Hunt is fun! 

• Make sure to dress warm. 
• Bring your own baskets - grocery sacks work great! 
• Arrive early! Most of these events are free and are known to be crowded. 
• Stay with your little ones and arrange a meeting spot for your older kids after the hunt is over. 
• Buddy Up, if you are going with a group of kids, have them buddy up and help one another collect the eggs. You can divide everything up after, so it's fair. 

Happy Hunting!

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/h96j7f4

Going Green & Saving Some Green

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/hxbh7k5

How do you go green to help save the environment and also save yourself money? Here are a few tips to help you save and go green at the same time:

Don't heat an empty house! Use a programmable thermostat and set it to decrease the temperature when you are not home. We keep our house at a consistent 70 degrees F and decrease to 68 degrees F when we are not at home.  If we decide to open all the windows for some fresh air (especially during the warmer winter/spring days) we make sure to decrease the heat so the furnace isn't competing with the fresh breeze.

Unplug It / Turn it Off. Do you keep your appliances and electronics plugged in when not in use? Don't - they are sucking up energy.  Make sure you turn your home computer off instead of letting it simply go into sleep mode.

Clean Up. Keep your refrigerator coils, dryer, and furnace filters clean.

Switch Out Bulbs. Lighting is one of the easiest and most beneficial places to start saving.  There are literally thousands of ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures available everywhere, as well as ENERGY STAR qualified CFL bulbs.  Now, I’m not saying you need to replace every light fixture in you house, or that you need to replace every bulb, because that would be expensive.  What I am saying is that you should start with the 5 lights in your home that are used more than any other.  If you can buy a new ENERGY STAR fixture, great!  If not just replace the bulbs –  research suggests you can save up to $65 on the year by simply starting with the 5 most commonly used lights.  Imagine what you could save by change all of them.


Cancel Printed Subscriptions. Chances are you are already reading your local news and favorite magazines online, so why not save your home from the added paper clutter and go green at the same time? Some subscriptions may be cheaper or even free for the online version.

Recycle.  Cut down on the garbage in your can by recycling! Create a recycling sorting station in your home/garage. Many local Cities also participate in curbside recycling programs that make getting rid of your recycling as easy as your weekly garbage collection.  Even if your City doesn't participate in a program like this, there are many grocery stores and schools that have newspaper/paper recycling bins in their parking lots.


What ways have you and your family gone green? Share your comments and ideas with us!

Are You Ready to Enjoy More Daylight?

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/springclocks

Moving our clocks forward one hour can be a cause of grumbles over losing an hour of sleep. But here's the thing, we all get used to it and the extra hour of sunshine is worth it! Your evening commute is bright and sunny and there is more daylight to spend outside playing in your yard. Here are a few things to do to help you prepare for Springing Forward on Sunday:

• Replace the batteries in your Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector.  

• Reverse the direction on your ceiling fan.  In the Spring fan blades should rotate counter clockwise to help cool down the rooms.  This measure helps save cost on heating and cooling.

• Flip and rotate your mattress to help promote even wear and tear.  Unless you have a no flip mattress.  Then just rotate it.

• Replace the filters in your heater and air conditioner. This should actually be done several times a year to ensure they run as efficiently as possible.

• If you have a fireplace, take some time to clean up the fireplace and brush down the walls.

• Drain your water heater.  It is recommended that you drain one quart of water from your water heater every three months.  Make sure to check the owner’s manual for your water heater for further recommendations and how to drain the water correctly.

• Go through you medicine cabinet, 72-hour kits, and first aid kits and discard any expired or discolored products.  Dispose of any prescription medication that is expired or no longer needed.  You can search on FDA.gov for how to safely dispose of medications.

• Go through your pantry and dispose of any expired or stale/opened foods.

• Daylight Savings Time is also a good time to start rotating your wardrobe.  Wash your winter clothes and inspect them for damage and wear and tear.  If you have clothes you know longer wear put them aside for a garage sale or donate them.  Pack away clothes for winter and start washing and inspecting your Spring and Summer wardrobe.

These are just a few suggestions of home preparedness tasks that should be done at least twice a year.  Plan to tackle one or two items a day in the days leading up to the time change and you will be ready for the new seasons to start.

Digital or Paper - Create a Reading Space

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/homelibrary

The home library has become something from the past - something you see in TV shows like Downton Abbey or when you play a game of Clue and you guess it was "Colonel Mustard in the library with the rope" or maybe you have fond memories of your childhood home library that contained countless books and encyclopedias.

In today's world, everything is digital.  You may have hundreds of books, but they all fit neatly on your Ipad, smart phone, Kindle, Nook, or other device.  How then do you create a comfortable space that encourages long hours of reading and how do you display the books you do have when you don't have a dedicated library?

Find a Space. Your reading area should be in a quiet area of your home that isn't heavily trafficked (i.e. not the kitchen). The area should be comfortable enough that you will want to sit there and read for more than a few minutes.  Ideally your space should have a lot of natural light and provide calming views. Window seats make great reading spaces.

Make it Comfy. Add pillows/cushions, a light blanket, and a reading light to your space.

Determine the Number of Books. Before you determine how to display your books, you need to determine how many books you have. Do you have multiple copies of the same book? Do you have the same copy electronically and hard copy - do you need both?  Donate those books you don't want to your local charity - many communities have book donation bins.

Utilize Bookshelves.  For the books that you do have to display, use them as decor around your dedicated reading space.  Check out this great idea from This Old House for creating a reading nook with bookshelves.  Make sure your bookshelves are secure - this is especially important if you live in earthquake country!

Add Books to Decor. Books don't have to only live on dedicated bookshelves, they can live on tabletops or bedside tables or on your entertainment center. Be creative with displaying your books - use them to add height, color, and texture to various areas of your home. Books make great conversation starters!

No matter where you create your reading space, make it your own! Happy reading!

Now Trending - Sliding Barn Doors

Thinking of building a new house or remodeling your current home? Why not consider saving space and adding style by using a sliding barn door in place of a traditional door? A sliding door provides a great way to both separate and connect two rooms and we are getting a lot of requests for this in our new homes!

Here are a 3 ways to add style with a sliding door: 

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/reddooridea	Add a Pop of Color.  Rather than painting an entire wall in an accent color, utilize the sliding door to add a pop of color and provide a great accent to blend two spaces together.  The hardware you select can also help create a dramatic effect and serve as an additional accent color.
Time to Reflect.  Use one side of the door as a mirrored surface. Mirrors are a great way to make a space feel larger and add more light to your space.	Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/mirrorerddoor
Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/windowdoor	Add Windows, but Keep Privacy with Frosted Glass.  This is especially great if the rooms you are connecting with a sliding door don't have equal light sources. Let the light shine through the doors from one room to the next.

Dealing with Relationship Issues

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/zcw9fyu

Did this Valentine's Day open your eyes to issues in your relationship with your house?

Here are the signs it is time to break up with your house, based on a personal relationship list from E-Harmony:

• Questions and nagging concerns loom. You wonder if the house will fit your needs much longer and your project list just seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

• Your family and friends have made comments about your home or neighborhood that aren't sitting well with you.  Your parents concerns/comments are only adding to your project list.

• You wonder about your emotional, mental, and financial health - is your environment setting you on edge? 

• You realize you and your house just no longer mesh.  The house is what is is and it is no longer meeting your goals. Your family has grown or your kids have moved out and you need a different space.

• Your home makes you think too much of the past and you don't feel like remodeling. 

• You can't resolve conflicts - it is either add on, remodel, or move out. The kids can no longer all share one bedroom and you are tired of running to the storage unit every time you need holiday decorations, summer/winter clothes, etc.

• You are no longer interested and have started to have a wandering eye.  You have Pinterest boards dedicated to moving,  building a new home, and all of the exciting new features and technology available to add to your home. Every time you see a new house for sale you look. You are jealous of your friends' and family members' new homes. 

• Your pet peeves have piled up. The once simple things that you thought you could just "live with" when you first moved in, have now become daily nuisances.

If you agreed with any of the above statements, it is time to sell your current home and move! Give me a call and let me put my 11+ years of dealing with home relationship issues to work for you - 801-645-6735.

Year of the Monkey & Learning a New Language

The week of Chinese New Year is a way to celebrate the start of a new year and wish for a good harvest, profits, and success.  If you have school-age children, they may have participated in activities at school this week and learned more about the Chinese culture, traditions, and celebrations. Perhaps you have taken the opportunity this week to learn more; even if it was just to read your Chinese zodiac for the year. 

In a few of the local school districts, children are participating in Chinese language immersion programs. These programs provide young students the opportunity to become bi-lingual, bi-literate, and bi-cultural by blending academic learning with language acquisition.  Students work with two teachers - English speaking to learn reading, writing, and spelling and Chinese speaking to learn math, social studies, Chinese literacy, and health.  This is a fun way for kids to learn a new language.

Children are not limited to Chinese immersion programs, there are also programs that offer immersion in Spanish and French.  If you have young children and you are interested in being part of an immersion program at your local school:

• Check with your local school to see if this program is offered. If it is not offered at your school, look into the possibility of attending a new school. 

• Contact your local school district to find out where immersion programs are offered and any important dates. For example, in Davis County, a parent orientation meeting is held in Feb/March and applications are given out at the meeting. 

• Talk to other parents. Take the time to ask questions of other parents who already have students participating in these programs. Make sure you are comfortable with the level of commitment, experiences shared, etc. Would they do it again? Do anything differently? You certainly don't have to base your decision on someone else's experiences, but it is good to get an idea of what you are potentially getting you and your child into. 

• Turn in required application/paperwork. Be prepared that your application may be one of many and the school and/or district may hold a lottery to select new students. 

• Be prepared to learn and work with your student. If your student is selected, it is not something to be taken lightly, you will be learning a new language too! 

• Thinking of moving and want to relocate to a school or district that offers an immersion program? Give me a call, I can help you find a home within your desired school boundary. 

Here's to a prosperous Year of the Monkey! 

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/zf4ol5u

Building Lot Spotlight: Tuscany Grove

Tuscany Grove offers exceptional mountain views in one of the last east side Farmington communities.  Located just minutes from Lagoon, Station Park shopping, restaurants, and a very short commute to Salt Lake via 1-15 or Legacy Parkway.  With parks, good schools, and tons of recreation just minutes away, this community is perfect for families!

• 1/3 Acre Lots
• Builder: Elite Craft Homes 
• Home with building lot starting in the $380’s 
• Various home plans available OR customize your own!
• Local Schools:
  Reading Elementary
  Centerville Jr. High
  Viewmont High School

Give me a call today for more info! Only 7 lots left! 801-645-6735

Tripping on Dumbells

Exercising is an important part of everyone's lives, but when you are selling your home how do you ensure your home gym equipment isn't a distraction? Here are three quick questions and tips to help:

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/gobvxob

Do you have a dedicated room? 

Yes. Keep the space clean and organized. Smaller pieces of equipment should be stored on shelves or in bins. Decorate the room tastefully with color coordinated towels, motivational words framed and hung on the wall, etc. Keep the room aired out and smelling fresh - you don't want your entire house to smell like a locker room!

No. Can you create a dedicated space in an existing room? For example, can you move the treadmill down to the basement and create a corner gym? Or can you move equipment to the garage and create a space there? Check out this week's Facebook  posts for additional tips to create your home gym.

Are you using the equipment? 

Yes. See tips above.

No. If you are using the equipment to hang clean laundry or just not using it at all, consider moving the equipment to storage while your home is on the market. You are going to have to move it eventually, why not move it now and help create extra space for Buyers to see? You might also consider selling or getting rid of the unused equipment altogether - why take what you don't use to your new home?

Is your home gym safe?  

Yes. This means your equipment is put away and everything is stored in its proper place. While Buyers won't be using your equipment to burn calories while they tour your home, it is important that they can walk through the room where your equipment is without worrying about tripping over anything.

No. Make sure all of your equipment is put away and everything stored in its proper place.

Finger Paintings on Display

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/artdisplay

If you have small children, most likely your home is sprinkled with brightly colored plastic toys of various shapes and colors and coloring pages and artwork of various degrees. This week our Facebook posts have focused on helping you organize and clean the sea of toys, but what about all of the cute pictures that your kids or grandkids paint, draw, or color? How do you display those without making your home feel like a classroom?

Designate a Spot. Find a wall in your home to display the artwork – all the masterpieces should go here and not be scattered around the house. Make the spot special by adding frames or a fun sign above the display - “Family Gallery”. Hallways and playrooms make great display locations. 

Frame Them. Use the artwork to decorate your home by placing the art in frames. You can switch out the art each time a new piece is completed and save the previous piece in the frame behind the new one.  

Create with Purpose. Thinking of buying a new painting? Why not create your own and have the kids or grandkids help? Start by selecting the canvas size and paint colors from your local craft or art store. If you want a specific pattern in the painting, use painter’s tape to create the design, then let the kids go to work. This not only can be a money saving idea, but it also gives you a one-of-a-kind piece to display. Don’t forget to have the artists sign the back and date it.

Shrink Them. Don’t want a ton of pictures hanging on the wall? Scan in each piece, making a digital copy. Then, create a retrospective gallery poster showing all of the child’s artwork for the year or just your select favorites.  Add the child’s name and the year to the bottom of the poster. You can then switch out the poster each year or create a wall gallery of posters.

Go Digital. Scan in each piece and make the images your computer’s screensaver or wallpaper. Plus, you will have digital copies of the work to use in other projects for years to come!

Bonus Tip: Selling Your Home? Take this time to start packing up and organizing all of the artwork. While you love all of the artwork, potential Buyer’s may find it distracting. Keep the kid’s artwork displays to a minimum. Remember, you are selling your home, so it’s time to de-personalize as much as possible.

Brown Snow & Curb Appeal

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/nm93zor

Curb appeal just seems easier in the warm sunshiny weather where things are naturally full of color. In the winter months we have days of beautiful white snow blanketing the ground and making the trees sparkle, but then these days fade and everything seems to take on a more dreary tone.  The palette of colors goes from clean white to gray and brown with the occasional blue sky.  

Don't let winter get you down, here are some tips to create curb appeal to keep your home feeling sunny: 

Put Christmas Away. The holidays are over & it's past time to put all signs of the holidays away.

Wash Your Windows. Wait for a warmer day and wash your windows inside and out. Not only will this make your windows sparkle, it will also allow more light shine through.

Add a Welcome Mat. Find a colorful welcome rug to add to your front porch. Look for one that you can easily shake the snow off of.

Add a Wreath to Your Door. Add a colorful wreath or decorative sign to your door. It can be winter themed or holiday themed - Valentine's Day is right around the corner.

Keep it Clear. Keep your driveway, sidewalks, porches, and walkways clear of snow and ice. Add some salt or snow melt to make sure your walkways stay free of ice.

Keep the Lights On. It gets dark early, so most Buyers will be looking at your home when it's dark out. Don't forget to turn on the lights (inside and out).

Winter Plants. Add colorful pots to your porch filled with winter-hearty flowers such as pansies and primroses or small evergreen trees.

Add a Snowman. Give your home a sense of family fun by adding a freshly built snowman to the front yard.

Did You Resolve to Buy?

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/buynewhouse

As you made your 2016 New Year’s Resolutions or Goal List, did you include buying a new home? If so, here are three important things to keep in mind to help you through the process:

1. Know Your Financial Numbers: Before you start the process of realistically looking for a new home, you need to know what you can afford based on your current income.  One of the first steps you should take is to meet with a Loan Officer and get pre-approval.  Once you get pre-approval, this will give you an idea of what your monthly payments could be – can you realistically afford the top of your budget with your income today? Do you need to look at the lower or middle end of your pre-approved amount? Don’t forget, you also need to take into account other costs of owning a home - such as home owner’s insurance each month, private mortgage insurance, HOA fees (if applicable), etc.  It’s important to not base your decision on “future income” as we all know too well that things can quickly change.

2. Assess Your Needs & Don’t Forget Your Wants: How many bedrooms do you need or want? How many bathrooms? What is the minimum/maximum size house you want? What features do you want in the house? Make a list and star the items that are must-haves. As you look for a house, this list can be your guide – if it doesn’t meet your must-have criteria, don’t take the time to go and see it.

3. Work with a Professional. Take the time to hire a Realtor to help you through the process. Not only can a Realtor help you search for a home, but can also schedule appointments to see homes. Once you have found a home to buy, your Realtor can assist you in negotiating the entire purchase process, including making an offer, getting a loan, and completing all the paperwork.  Your Realtor is there to provide expertise and help protect you during the process. The best part is, in the majority of cases, the Seller pays all of the Realtor costs. (Note: It’s a good idea to ask your potential Realtor if he/she charges any Buyer fees.)

If you are planning to buy a new home in 2016, let me put my expertise to work for you! We don’t charge any Buyer fees and will work to find the home that meets your must-have criteria. Call us today 801-645-6735.

New Year, New Trends

Happy New Year from Bastian Real Estate Group! We hope that the onset of 2016 finds you looking towards the next 12 months with optimism, confidence, and a determination to make it a year full of success, goal setting and achieving. 

With the start of each new year, we look towards what the possibilities will be, what changes will take place, and where we will go from here. It can be a fresh new start in so many aspects of our lives. 

If your goal for the year is to become a first time home buyer or expand your living space for your growing family by purchasing a new home, we hope you consider us for all of your Real Estate needs. We have a long history of helping people sell their homes and find or build a new one. 

We hope during the coming year that you will continue to check in with our blog and find things here that will give you creative ideas for your home decor, organizing, home life, and more! If there is ever a topic that you would like us to focus on, please don't hesitate to leave us a comment or email. We'd be happy to oblige. 

To kick off 2016, let's talk about some decorating trends that will be taking center stage this year. Remember these trends can be added, even in small amounts, to your home to keep things fresh and up-to-date: 

Texture Contrasts: Add depths of texture to your home to make it feel cozy and comfortable. Don't be afraid to mix textures together. However, the faux treatments on the walls are not longer trendy, so stick with solid paint. 

Color Drama: You can add some drama to your rooms with a dramatic wall color or backsplash. Create bold, statement-color combination to create fluid movement from room to room. Don't limit yourself to just paint - think of adding dramatic colors through the use of metals or patterned wallpaper. Use your chosen dramatic color throughout your home to create visual harmony and bind it all together. For example, you can have that same bold color as accessories in other rooms. 

Go-Green: While not a new trend, this one is still a keeper! Continue to think of and use your existing items in new ways. 

Pattern Your Stairs: Make your staircase a focal point by adding a fun pattern carpet. The key here is to pick something that you can live with for a few years. 

Master Bath Without a Tub: You can still have a spa-like master bath without the giant tub. If you are building a new home or remodeling, consider installing a larger shower with seating and additional shower heads. 

Hide the Microwave: With open concept living still a plus, consider moving your microwave from boave the stove to a microwave drawer underneath the counter top. 

Here's to a prosperous, healthy, and positive new year! Cheers!

Some Trend Inspiration and Ideas from: 

DesignLike.com

CBS.com

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

This time of year is the perfect time to reflect and show appreciation. Christmas is a time of giving. We are truly grateful for all of our clients, co-workers, readers of our blog, family, and friends. 

Take some time this holiday season to be appreciative of those who work when they should be with family and friends, those who are away from those they love, and those who sacrifice for our needs.

May this Christmas find you surrounded by those you love, filled with a lot of fun and cheer! 

Build a House Even the Witch from Hansel & Gretel from Would be Proud Of -

A Gingerbread House that is!

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/oknzrps

The time honored tradition of constructing a house out of edible confections is one that can be accomplished many ways - some easy and some that take a lot of skill and patience. 

Whether you are looking for fun and easy or fancy and time consuming, here are some ideas to help you build your Gingerbread House:

Make it From Scratch: The Food Network provides step-by-step instructions and a recipe for making your house from scratch. The recipe only makes one house, so if you are planning to do this for a party, keep this in mind - otherwise you will not have enough dough to make your walls. 

Miniaturize It:  This blog walks you step-by-step through the process (with pictures) to make tiny houses.

Easy & Kid-Friendly: This site is designed around cooking with kids. Using graham crackers and candy, your kids are sure to love the process of building their houses.

Keeping the Form: Do you remember making gingerbread houses in Elementary school using a milk carton as your form? This site provides instructions for building around a milk carton. 

Buy a Kit: When in doubt, buy a pre-made kit from the local grocery store. One tip - pick up some extra frosting and candy, there never seems to be enough in the kits.

If all of this construction makes you want to build a new home to live in - give me a call!  I specialize in new construction and can help you through the entire process.

Don't Get Grinched!

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/grinchimage

While it is not likely that Dr. Suess's Grinch will come and steal away your Christmas tree this season, it is likely that a Grinch may try to steal your packages right off your porch or from inside your vehicles. 

Here are a few tips for a Grinch-Free Season:

Add Signature Required. While this is not ideal, it will ensure that someone at your house has to sign for the package in order for it to be left at your home. This eliminates the ability to leave it on the doorstep.

Re-Route It. Consider having the package delivered to your office (since most packages are delivered during the day). You can also check with your local post office to see if they will accept the package, notify you via text/email when it arrives, and then hold it for you. Another idea - leave instructions in the delivery method that state to leave the package with a neighbor.

Delegate. Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up the package and hold it for you until you get home.

Track It. Knowing when your package is expected to arrive means you can make sure you are home to receive it! Take advantage of the tracking services offered.

Hide It. Keep packages out of sight - take the time to put things in your trunk and hidden out of view. When it doubt, don't leave things in your vehicle.

Pay Attention.  Take notice of your neighbors - if you see a package has been sitting on the porch for too long, give them a call and tell them. If you see something suspicious, let your local Police Department know.

If you Do Get Grinched. File a report with your local Police Department immediately! Call  your credit card company and see if you qualify for theft protection.

Put it on the Shelf

If you have kids you are probably familiar with the Elf on the Shelf®. If not, click here to learn more about it.

This fun family tradition gives literal meaning to "Santa's elves are watching!" (Who doesn't remember being told this at least once during the holidays as a kid?)

As a Parent, it is your job to move your family's Elf around the house. Which can often mean, you are laying in bed, almost asleep and bam! you remember you forgot to move the Elf! Now you are scrambling to think of a clever place to put your Elf, when really all you want is to be back in your comfy bed.

Here are some tips to help keep your Elf on the move and eliminate those last minute scrambles:

Put a reminder in your phone's calendar.  This only takes a minute - set it for Dec 1- Dec 25 for a time after the kids are in bed.

Make a Plan. Take a moment to plan out your Elf's locations for each day. You can take it one step further and put the plan in your phone's calendar.

Gather the Props. Some of the ideas require props (toys, toilet paper, marshmallows, etc.). Get an empty sack or basket and place the props altogether (it may not be possible to do this if a prop is one of your child's favorite toys, but you get the idea).  Make a list of the ones you don't have on hand and pick them all up at the store at the same time. Keep the props hidden in your closet.

Ideas to Help with Planning. There are lots and lots of ideas online for what to do with your Elf, here are a few we found (with pictures) to help you get started:

• 25+ Ideas from Elf on the Shelf.com
• 43 Ideas from Buzz Feed
• 50 Ideas from IHeartNapTime

Just want a calendar? Here's some that are already done - all you have to do is make it happen!

• Calendar from AGrandeLife
• Calendar from ALittleMooreBlog
• Calendar from MomEndeavors 

We would love to see your Elf on the Shelf® and all of your clever ideas, share them with us on our Facebook page! 

We are Thankful

Thanksgiving really is a special time to be thankful for great families, fortunate events, caring friends, amazing communities, and all the gifts of life we're all lucky to have.

At Bastian Real Estate, we're especially thankful for all the wonderful friends, coworkers, clients, community members, and readers like you.

We wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings and hope you enjoy this great holiday season!

Don't Wait Until After the Holidays

With the holiday season under way, it may be tempting to put off the decision to sell your home. Here are some great reasons not to wait:

Motivated Buyers. People looking for a new home during this time of year are often extremely motivated and serious about buying. Buyers also have more time to shop for a home.

Taxes. Some Buyers may need or want to get into a new house before the end of the year for tax purposes.

Holiday Decorations. Your holiday decorations can help to create a sense of "home and family" and play on the emotions of potential Buyers. For example, just think how beautiful your home looks with the Christmas lights on outside shining against the snow as compared to no lights. Just make sure your decorations (inside and out) enhance the home's features rather than distract.

You Stay in Control. It is still your home and you are still in control of when your home is shown. Have a holiday party, don't stress, let us know and we can coordinate with our scheduling desk so you won't even be disturbed with appointment requests.

Reduced Inventory. This time of year, inventory tends to be lower - giving you the advantage over your competition. The longer you wait, the more competition you are likely to have.

If you have thought about selling your home, and pushed the idea out of your head because you think it's the wrong time of the year... think again, it may just be the perfect time!

Give me a call and let me help sell your home, 801-645-6735.

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/pxu25yq
Some ideas from http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/blog/

Laundry...A Dirty Word

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/pkgxlcs

When it comes to household chores, laundry (albeit important) is often one of the least favorite on the list.  It is an endless cycle of wash, dry, wear, repeat.  To help make your laundry experience a little more pleasant, easier, and more efficient, here are some tips and tricks:

SORTING. Use hampers or laundry baskets to sort your laundry. This will keep the clothes up off the floor and make the piles easier to maneuver until it is time to toss a full load in the washer.

ADD A NOTE.  Use a dry erase marker to write on the lid of your washer reminders of any item(s) that needs to be hung up instead of tossed in the dryer.

ORGANIZE YOUR SPACE. Get a rolling cart and place in between your machines to store soaps, stain removers, button jars, dryer sheets, and more. Add shelving to the space above your machines or even consider placing your machines on shelves (you can opt for creating your own shelves or purchase the pedestals that go with your machine).

PUT IT IN A JAR.  Use an empty jar/bottle/cup for found items and buttons.

HANGING RODS. Not every laundry room has space for permanent drying lines. Use the back of your door or small corner of the room to install a valet rod OR install a hanging rod that has retractable lines OR install a curtain rod along the width of your room.

CLEAN YOUR MACHINE. Add 2 cups of vinegar to the basin filled with warm water. Let that sit for an hour, then run it through a regular cycle (no clothes inside). 

SWITCH IT UP. Soaps build up in your clothes over time, switch up the soap you buy and you will notice the difference. 

GIVE IT A BOOST. You can boost your detergent by adding 1/2 cup of white vinegar. This will help brighten your clothes plus the vinegar will help deodorize and get rid of static in the dryer. If you don't have vinegar, you can add a cup of baking soda to a load to help brighten colors and make whites more vibrant.

TREAT IT. Use a stain remover on those stubborn stains. Spray both the exterior and the interior of the item to ensure the entire stain will come out.  For tough grease stains rub the area with white chalk or baby powder.

SPEED UP DRYING. Toss in a couple of tennis balls with your load of wet clothes. Not only does this help the air to circulate, but it also makes items such as towels, blankets, and down-filled items fluffier.

CUT DOWN IRONING.  While there will still be items that need to be ironed/pressed, if you pull items from the dryer while they are still warm and hang them up, they shouldn't require an iron.  

Listing Spotlight

Build Your Dream Home Here & Enjoy the View! 

This 2.54 acre building lot in Weber County is a rare find! Located at 2577 E 5700 S, in a quiet cul-de-sac neighborhood, the lot has unobstructed views of the valley.  Build your dream home with the Builder of your choice - or I can help you find a Builder. Click here to take a virtual aerial tour of the property.  

The property is priced at $275,000. More info and additional photos at www.utahrealestate.com/1314015 

Not quite what you are looking for, but do want to build a new house? Give me a call, I can help you find a building lot to meet your needs! 801-645-6735

Turning Back & Saving Daylight

Time to change the clocks back one hour! Daylight savings time officially starts at 2:00 am on Sunday, November 1.  As you turn your clocks back Saturday night, make time for this short safety checklist to ensure your home is prepared for the upcoming winter months:

Change the Batteries: Change all of the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Don’t forget to give them a test “beep” to make sure they are working properly. 

Check the First Aid Kit & 72 Hour Kits: Restock and update your first aid kit & 72 Hour Kits.

Review and Update Your Family’s Emergency Plan: What will your family do in the event of an emergency? How will you stay connected? Where will you meet? If you don’t have a plan yet, now is a great time to create one. More info at www.bereadyutah.gov.

Update Your Phone Contacts: Update phone number lists both in your phone and your printed phone lists (i.e. in case of emergency list for the babysitter).

Organize & Update Medicine Cabinet: Go through your medicine cabinet and get rid of expired medication. Make sure you are disposing of medication properly, by taking it to a local drop-off site. Find a local site at: http://www.awarerx.org/disposal-sites

Replace Filters in Kitchen and Furnace.

Clean out the dryer filter and hoses. 

*Photo: http://www.maguzz.com/daylight-savings-ends.html

Don't be Afraid of the Dark

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/nwatsfw

The fall and winter months bring shorter daylight hours, but our homes don’t have to be dark and dreary. With a few simple changes, you can brighten any dark room:

Change your light bulbs.  You can opt for more energy efficient bulbs OR you can select a brighter bulb. Not sure which lightbulb is right for you? Check out this blog post from Elite Craft Homes about the different types of bulbs available.

 Diffuse the light. Place lamps so they shine on your walls and ceilings, acting as reflectors to help maximize the light. 

 Add a mirror. To reflect the light, add a mirror. Be creative, mirrors don’t just have to be hung on the wall, you can place them on the table to help reflect the light up or you can look for mirrored accent furniture pieces. 

Add lighting to your artwork and/or photo galleries. 

Add up-lights to highlight decorative accents. These are small plug-in lights that sit on the floor and shine up on your feature object. 

Add mood lighting with battery powered candles. 

Add sensor nightlights to your hallway, bathroom, and stairway. Look for a nightlight that is flush against the wall and is something that will blend into the wall during the day. 

Bonus Tip: If you are selling your home, even in the daylight hours, make sure to turn on your lights to show off all the great details of your home! 

Light It Up!

Trick-or-Treaters will be at our doors before we know it. Is the path to your front door properly lit? Here are some fun ideas for spooky and functional lighting this Halloween: 

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/nanzr9r

Paper Luminaries. Get your kids involved and create some inexpensive paper bag luminaries. All you need is paper bags, stencils/imagination, candles, and a little time. Click here for a how-to from Martha Stewart.

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/9dvwz77

Milk Jug Luminaries. Empty milk jug, draw a ghost face on the jug with a black permanent marker, cut hole in the bottom, add white lights - leave enough lights out so you can string some in the next jug.

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/nnuflwp

Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere! Add pumpkins to your porch, along the driveway, in the yard, and more! Turn your front yard into your own spooky pumpkin patch.

Photo; http://www.brit.co/halloween-soiree/

Get the Trees Involved

Add spooky lights to your trees using old nylons, water balloons, and glow sticks. Just fill the water balloon, insert into nylon, add glow stick (don't activate yet) and hang from tree. On Halloween, go out and activate the glow stick. Click here to learn more.

  

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/p8dsv9n

OR  String lights on your trees to give them a spooky, but inviting effect with purple, orange, or green light.

  

No matter how you light your home this Halloween, one of the simplest ways to let Trick-or-Treaters know you are home is to turn on your porch light. The general rule is that if the light is out, the house is skipped.