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2021 is Here! Check out these January Events & Fun   January 6th to 16th: Blossoms of Light “The Gardens’ signature event for more than three decades, this annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms our York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland. Join us for this family-friendly event that has become a holiday tradition for thousands of Front Range families. Pre-purchased timed tickets and masks covering face and nose required. Available for purchase: Holiday treats, warm drinks and our souvenir reusable mug.” Tickets & More Info!       January 7thto February 28th: Dillon Ice Castles “Ice Castles is an award-winning frozen attraction located in four cities across North America. The experience is built using hundreds of thousands of icicles hand-placed by professional ice artists. The castles include breathtaking LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains and much more.” Tickets & More Info!         January 13thto 15th: Colorado Avalanche V. St. Louis Blues “The Avalanche are set to open the 56-game slate on Wednesday, Jan. 13 against the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena. Due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, the Colorado Avalanche will not host fans at home games at the Ball Arena until further notice. However, this game will be televised on NBCSN at 8:30 p.m. MST.”       January 18th: Martin Luther King Jr March & Parade Celebrate the largest Martin Luther King Jr. march and rally in the United States, this year virtually!   “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” -Martin Luther King Jr.   More Info!               January 28thto February 3rd: Sundance Film Festival “Welcome to the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. A new chapter filled with possibilities. Despite the challenges this year has brought, nothing could stop us from celebrating independent film, visionary artists, unique perspectives, and you, our adventurous audiences. So, for the first time ever, we are bringing the festival to you—both online and in the real world across the US and beyond.” Tickets & More Info!      Stay safe and have a great January!    

Happy New Year! 2020 has finally come to an end. When the year started, few of us expected to live through the worst pandemic in a century. It’s been a mixed year of tragedy, setbacks, and small victories. Many of us have had to totally alter our lifestyles to adapt. Considering how hard this year has been on local families, communities, and our great state of Colorado, all of us at the New Era Group at Your Castle want to thank you for your continued readership and patronage. We are immensely appreciative of each and every one of our clients. As vaccines begin to distribute and we see a glimmer of hope transitioning into 2021, continue to stay safe and be kind to one another. Try to help someone out in their hour of need if you are able. As always, let us know how we can better serve you. Misleading Statistics for 2020 Regarding real estate, many have asked us recently, “What will 2021 bring for our market?” Although we can never predict the future, if we look at trends from the past year it can guide us to a better understanding of what the new year might bring. DMAR (The Denver Metro Association of Realtors) puts out a year-end report detailing various real estate metrics. In November 2020 the number of Active Listings (attached + detached) on the market was just above 3,400. That is about 50% down from where it was in 2019! By comparison, over the past 15-20 years the average was around 14,000 active homes & condos. These extremely low levels of inventory are driving a sense of scarcity in the market, thus average prices are going up. How much are they going up, you ask? Based on the data, home prices are up about 13% on average so far from 2020 (Jan-Nov) vs. the same timeframe in 2019 (Jan-Nov).  

Get outside this December with these fun events!     November 27thto December 31st: Parade of Lights “The Downtown Denver Partnership is transforming the community tradition, 9News Parade of Lights, in 2020! We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Parade will be a multi-week, socially safe extravaganza of activities across downtown. The floats you know and love will be displayed throughout downtown for several weeks beginning Friday, November 27. The Parade floats will span from Denver Pavilions to Denver Union Station, offering multiple chances for our community to relish in the charm and excitement of the holiday season again and again. Can’t make it to the Parade? 9News will be telecasting the event on Friday, December 4 at 8 PM and there will be a mobile app you can download with pictures and event info.” More Info!       December 3rdto 23rd: Denver Christkindl Market “Hosted by the German American Chamber of Commerce- Colorado Chapter (GACC-CO), this outdoor, pop-up cultural event offers guests an opportunity to stroll through a European village festively decorated for the holiday season – no passport required. Adjacent to the colorfully-lit City and County of Denver Building, the Christkindl Market brings the most beloved elements of an authentic German holiday experience to the Mile High City.” More Info!       December 3rdto January 2nd: Mile High Tree “The Mile High Tree, presenting sponsor Modelo®, is a brilliantly lit, 110-foot-tall immersive art installation, which will be on display in downtown Denver November 20 – January 2. The tree is free and open to the public! During open times, visitors to the Tree will enjoy a selection of festive and diverse holiday songs timed to the Tree’s exciting light displays. The program lasts approximately five minutes and will run approximately every 15 minutes. When the Tree is not open to the public, visitors can still enjoy the Tree’s programmed lights without music safely from the perimeter of the Tree lot on either Welton Street or on the 16th Street Mall.” Schedule & More Info!       December 3rdto January 2nd: Denver Lights & Sights Walking Tour “This holiday season, come embark on a fun-filled 1.5 hour Holiday Lights & Sights walking experience as you take in all of the magic and cheer of this festive time of year in the Mile High City. Come enjoy the unique history, architecture and beauty of Denver’s holiday lights and top sights at night with our Denver Walking Tours team for our limited-run Denver Holiday Lights experience!” Tickets & More Info!       December 4thto 31st: Zoo Lights 30thAnniversary “It’s official: Zoo Lights has been making magic, memories, and even marriages for 30 amazing years! Presented by Your Hometown Toyota Stores, this illuminating annual event transforms Denver Zoo into Colorado’s WILDEST winter wonderland. Don’t miss this year’s historic celebration, with more than a million lights sparkling over 80 acres—plus a host of special measures to keep your family safe and healthy.” Tickets & More Info!       December 18thto 25th: Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker. “Tune in to view this special presentation of Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker on Rocky Mountain PBS. Join Clara and her arm of toy soldiers as they battle the Mouse King and journey to the legendary land of Sweets. Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker premieres on Rocky Mountain PBS on Thanksgiving Day at 7pm. Fri. Dec. 18 – 9pm, Sat. Dec. 19 – 1am, Thurs. Dec. 24 – 7pm, and Fri. Dec. 25 – 12am.” More Info!     Have a great month and enjoy the holidays!

  As we wrap up this turbulent year, there are still so many uncertainties in the world. One thing remains unshakably clear in Colorado, there is no shortage of upward movement in the local real estate market this year. To close out this year in newsletter, here’s a quick summary of what’s happening and what we expect in the three general price sectors – entry-level, mid-range, and luxury, as well as our monthly tips for Buyers & Sellers. We’ve also included a downloadable Home prep Checklist to prepare your home for sale!   Persistent Low Inventory in Entry-Level and Mid-Range Market Entry level homes between $300K-$500K did not see much material change in number of homes sold this year. Despite this fact, people were still consistently buying homes through the economic uncertainty of the pandemic. This remains a positive signal for the strength of the local market. However, as stated in some of our previous publications, the $500K- $900K price range truly led the recovery after the initial shutdown this spring. Flocks of people cashed in on low interest rates and high equity, trading up into that higher price range. The demand for their entry level homes was sky-high and there was plenty of mid-range inventory to choose from. Who wouldn’t take advantage of that situation if given the opportunity?   An Unexpected Luxury Boom Somewhat unexpected, based on data from earlier in 2020, is that luxury home sales (homes over $1MM) saw an increase of 115% over the past year in the Denver metro area. It could be that many people who were planning to buy into the luxury market over the next few years saw that interest rates were exceptionally cheap for mortgages and Jumbo mortgages. This may have prompted them to advance their plans and get deals done sooner. Since so many luxury deals happened in 3Q of this year, next year may see a drop in luxury home sales. This means that the 12% increase in the year-over-year average sales price, seen in 3Q20, will also drop dramatically. There may even be a shift into a negative price appreciation for several months. To some, this will be in stark contrast to the strength of 2020 price gains. Compare this year’s 12% y.o.y. avg. price gain to the 6% historical average! This year seems to have seen twice as much appreciation as the norm. When these averages abruptly reverse it might seem like the market is tanking and Denver homes are devaluing.   What will most likely have happened is: A) The mix of homes available in 2020 was skewed with far more in the upper price points due to a serious lack of entry-level inventory. The mix of inventory is expected to move towards lower priced homes in 2021, which will affect the data. More of those homes are expected to come on the market due to delays from COVID this year. B) So many luxury sales happened on the back end of 2020 that there will be less luxury deals to be made in 2021. This will lower the average price but will not necessarily mean that everyone’s homes are devaluing. Despite any sensational headlines you may see about home prices, real estate activity will most likely just be shifting towards the lower end of the market in 2021. This is still a hot market, and that is unlikely to change based on the past decade of strong real estate sales growth.   Tips for Buyers Narrow Down the Search to Get Started One method that is extremely effective for narrowing down your house hunt is “The Search Funnel.” A major struggle Buyers face when beginning to look through homes online is that there is almost too much to consider. Depending on your price point, criteria, and desired location, there are literally thousands of possibilities. It’s best to start with what matters the most to you. Focus on your criteria for a home based on your non-negotiables and adjust from there based on what’s available in your budget. It is generally recommended to start your house hunt with your top three homes.  Be wary of trying to see too many homes at once – you may start to get overwhelmed and it might leave you in a tizzy, not sure which house was which. Keeping the showings per day down and focusing on a few homes at a time will help us learn a lot about your likes and dislikes, and how to continue the hunt. Once you hone in on what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to pinpoint what’s right for you and jump on any contenders. To emphasize, adjust these recommendations based on your unique situation. If your budget is tight, you may be able to only get a few of your top wants. If that’s the case, focus on the non-negotiables and whether the issue can be solved with time or money. For example, if the kitchen is outdated, down the road you will be able to upgrade it. However, if you can’t bear the thought of living close to a highway, move on – you’ll never be able to move the home, although, you can always sell it!  😉   Tips for Sellers So Many Steps… How to Prepare Your Home Aside from any major renovations or planned upgrades to your home, there is a lot to consider getting your home up-to-par for successful showings. We recently compiled a checklist that can help you get going on the road to a quick home sale. Many homes sit on the market for longer than they need to, sometimes because of avoidable reasons. Maybe you forgot to clean a crucial area of your home or have hidden your clutter away in a not-so-hidden place. Follow the link below for an interactive checklist that can help you get your home ready for Buyer eyes. Click here to see and download list  

Check out all the fun going on in November!     November 6thto 8th: Denver Arts Week(end) “Experience Denver’s vibrant cultural scene during Denver Arts Week(end), November 6-8! Enjoy 100s of virtual and in-person events – safely – from music and museums, dance, visual arts and more!” More Info!             November 7thto 8th: Urban Holiday Market “This is a holiday shopping spectacular not to be missed, featuring an awesome selection of one of-a-kind seasonal items, high quality handcrafted goods, fabulous holiday gift ideas, delicious specialty foods, and more, made from a diverse collection of local artists and crafters. Enjoy an open air Holiday Festival in the heart of Downtown Denver. This unique holiday shopping experience will include live entertainment and a whole lot of family fun.” More Info!             November 7thto December 23rd: The Polar Express Train Rides “The Colorado Railroad Museum is pleased to announce a revised and updated show for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in 2020! Casting auditions have been held, and a whole host of carefully crafted updates have been made in order to ensure the health and safety of guests, cast and crew. Our revised and updated show will still bring you all your favorite characters and the Magic of THE POLAR EXPRESS™! Put on your pajamas and your most fashionable mask and bring the family to enjoy sharing hot cocoa and cookies together as the “Hot, Hot, Hot—Chocolate” song and dance unfolds before your eyes. Laugh and sing along with our cast as they tell stories and sing Christmas Carols and perform the story of The Polar Express live! Follow your Conductor through our enchanted railyard to meet Smokey and Steamer and learn, in song, how a steam locomotive works.” Tickets & More Info!       November 13thto 22nd: Denver Restaurant Week “Celebrate the local culinary scene during VISIT DENVER’s first fall Denver Restaurant Week EVER, November 13-22, 2020. Top restaurants will offer multi-course dinners for one of three tasty prices: $25, $35 or $45 per person. Dine-in, to-go and delivery options will be available!” More Info!         November 19thto 26th: Mile High United Way Turkey Trot “Our community needs us now more than ever. We hope you will join us this year at the 47th annual *virtual* Mile High United Way Turkey Trot so we can support our community and the critical work of Mile High United Way.” Registration & More Info!           November 20thto January 16th: Blossoms of Light “The Gardens’ signature event for more than three decades, this annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms our York Street location into a twinkling winter wonderland. Join us for this family-friendly event that has become a holiday tradition for thousands of Front Range families. Pre-purchased timed tickets and masks covering face and nose required. Available for purchase: Holiday treats, warm drinks and our souvenir reusable mug.” Tickets & More Info!       November 27th: Grand Illumination “On Friday, November 27, Downtown Denver’s major landmarks will light up for the holidays during the Grand Illumination. Hundreds of thousands of lights will illuminate Denver Union Station, the City and County Building, the 16th Street Mall, Skyline Park, the D&F Clock Tower, 14th Street, Larimer Square, and more.”         Have a great month and stay safe out there!

A Surge of Foreclosures and Short Sales? Unlikely. With all of the turbulence in the country right now, many are asking if we will experience a surge of foreclosures and short sales due to the COVID-19 recession. People have seen the number of mortgage delinquencies this year; they assume we are on the brink of a foreclosure crisis like back in 2008-2009 when people were losing their homes at an alarming rate. However, based on the available data, things are very different this time around. Forbearances in 2020 factor heavily into mortgage delinquency counts. These are people who voluntarily put their payments on pause and plan to catch up in 90 days, 6 months or even 12 months down the road once shutdowns have ended and things become closer to normal at work. These forbearances look to be 90+ days delinquent in the data. However, they are different than true delinquencies because these homeowners plan to, or have already, modified their loans to catch up over the long term. Of all the people that took a forbearance nationally, only 4% have had their payment holiday expire, could not re-start payments, and are now actively delinquent. Due to strong home appreciation in Colorado over the past decade, 95%+ of the locals of that 4% will have plenty of equity and should be able to sell their home without distress.   BUYERS Low Entry-Level Inventory Expected to Stay at Least Through Q1 of 2021 Despite a “V-shaped” recovery in the national markets since the COVID-19 crisis began in March, many are calling the current pattern more of a “K-shaped” recovery. This is because of the divergence in the strength of the recovery between people of different socioeconomic backgrounds. People with less education and income have been disproportionately affected by the latest recession, which has set back the home buying goals of many. If you are on the hunt for an entry-level home, condo, or townhome and qualify for financing, now may be the best time to act. The 2021 spring season is expected to be red hot as many people who had originally postponed the sale of their homes are expected to bring them to market after the election and winter. This should also put more buyers on the move who were trying to wait out the COVID-19 crisis. If you find a home you’re interested in, act quickly. Make strong offers and don’t expect sellers to give many concessions. In this market, sellers have most of the power in terms of negotiations. You don’t want to lose out in a bidding war because of petty details like paint colors or finishes. If you do get into a home, there should be plenty of time to paint and finish the home as you like. Focus more on big ticket health and safety concerns, as that’s most likely what other buyers will be limiting their requests to. If you are looking for a trade-up or more expensive home, now may be a great time to make the switch. Conforming mortgage interest rates (under $510K) are at record lows, and jumbo loan rates have also dropped a lot. Despite an expected 0.5% increase after the election (based on historical trends) the cards are still in your favor. The demand for your current home is probably sky-high, and there is generally more to choose from in the higher price points. This could be your golden opportunity!     SELLERS Fewer Sellers Are Willing to Drop Prices As the demand for homes continues to skyrocket and inventory continues to shrink in 2020, few sellers are accepting negotiations on price – and why would they? The main answer is overpricing. Be sure to do your research and rely on your agent to help you accurately price your home based on comparable homes in your neighborhood. The biggest reason people end up having to reduce the price of their home or have to accept lower-priced offers is because they get excited, ignore all of their agent’s warnings, list their home at a higher price than the market value, and then the home sits on the market too long. This is when price reductions begin. Buyers may begin to wonder, “What’s wrong with that house?” among other things. With such a strong market, don’t fall into this classic trap and potentially lose out on thousands of dollars because you wanted to push market value. Based on the current market trends in the Denver metro, you are likely to receive strong offers on your home if it’s priced at a fair value from the start. Average home prices are up again this year, and bidding wars may increase the sales price of your home up to where you wanted to price it anyway.  

October 1st– 31st: Boo at the Zoo “Join us DAILY October 1–31 for Boo at the Zoo: Storybook Safari—a modified, masked version of Denver’s family favorite! Throughout our 84-acre campus, classic animal stories and fairy tales come to life with costumed characters, mythical creatures, unforgettable animal experiences and food fit for a king or queen! And don’t forget: Nature Connects®, Art with LEGO® Bricks will still be up for your enjoyment, too! So, get the whole family suited up in costume, and come celebrate Halloween in a way that’s safe, socially distanced and candy-free…but still VERY sweet.” Tickets & More Info! October 1st– 31st: Corn Maze “Wind your way through seven acres of corn. The maze can be viewed from two 15-foot tall illuminated bridges. Visitors under the age of 10 can explore the corn mini-maze. In October, pick the perfect pumpkin from the 10-acre pumpkin patch. Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays.” Tickets & More Info! October 2nd– 31st: Fritzler Farm Park                                                   “Since 2000, The Fritzler Family has welcomed young and old to their farm park! Their iconic Corn Maze designs only touch the top of the mountain as Fritzler Farm Park offers over 25 attractions during their Fall Season! Pumpkin Patch, Pedal Go-Carts, Barrel Train, and Pumpkin Cannons, only to name a few.” More Info! October 16th– 17th: Great American Beer Festival                                         “The Great American Beer Festival® was founded in 1982, and has been growing and evolving along with the American craft brewing industry ever since. GABF® was voted the No.1 beer festival in the country by 10Best and is listed as one of the top 1,000 places in the U.S. to visit before you die.Due to COVID-19, the country’s preeminent beer festival and competition will pivot this year’s event to an online experience, October 16–17, 2020 and a national passport program.Between October 1-18, GABF passport holders will have exclusive access to onsite and online deals at more than 800 participating breweries nationwide.” More Info! October 16th– 30th: Ghosts in the Gardens“Denver Botanic Gardens dares you to join us after dark with haunting stories of the Gardens’ 100 years of history and points of interest in what used to be called The Boneyard. Visitors strolling through the Gardens will encounter socially distanced storytellers sharing real staff ghost stories, actual overnight security staff ghost encounters and intriguing history. Conjure your courage and capture your fear as you walk our dimly lit paths after hours and dare to have your own ghostly encounter, here at Denver Botanic Gardens.” Tickets & More Info! October 22nd– November 8th: Denver Film Fest                                       “Best seat in the house.Welcome to the 43rd Denver Film Festival. This year we are hosting the Festival on our new virtual platform, which will allow us to bring Official Selections, exclusive filmmaker conversations, bonus content, special guests and more, to all of Colorado.” Tickets & More Info! October 28th– November 2nd: Día de los Muertos Celebration“Celebrate Day of the Dead with virtual offerings this year! Since we all can’t gather in person on the actual day, we invite you to join us in a virtual celebration of Denver Botanic Gardens’ observance of Día de los Muertos. This traditional Mexican “Day of the Dead” celebration offers at-home fun for the whole family. Download coloring pages, learn how to make sugar skulls and shop our virtual mercado.” More Info! Have a great October and stay safe and healthy!

The Election And What It Means For Home Sales As summer transitions into fall, the presidential election looms. In an already surreal year plagued by a pandemic, social disruptions, and a plethora of divisive issues, many people are wondering how the upcoming election will affect home sales. It has been reported that the average home price in Denver has increased to over $600,000. What will happen with the election on the horizon? As stated in our last publication, this $600,000+ average price in the news was misleading. The inventory of homes from $0-$500K was already very low due to a pre-existing housing shortage only to be exacerbated by Coronavirus fears; thus causing the average home price to be skewed towards higher priced listings as those were more available. Simply put, it was not so much that home values skyrocketed through the recession as reported. Rather, the mix of what was available shifted upwards in price. Since the shutdown back in March and April, some of the listings that did not come to market those months were eventually sold more recently, aligning us closer to normal seasonal trends. Homes from $500K-$900K drove the recovery in Denver. People seized on low interest rates and the opportunity to trade up to larger homes. It is expected that in spring of 2021, an even greater number of homes will be brought to market that were not listed this year. This should somewhat lessen the shortage of entry-level homes we have been experiencing. During non-election years, home salestypically dip about 10% in the six weeks prior to November. Pricesare not usually impacted. This is the normal seasonality. In election years, the number of sales drops 15% for the six weeks leading up to the election. This is election-year seasonality. Most likely, the media will not know how to reconcile this sudden drop in home sales with the inflated price averages from this spring. It will probably be reported as impending doom for the real estate market. Don’t believe the hype. Seasonal trends still affect our industry, regardless of who wins an election. In fact, based on historical data, which political party gains control does not change these stats from election-year to election-year. Buyers Moving Quickly May Help You Get Ahead Dependent upon your circumstances, you may be well poised to take advantage of a dip in homes sales in the next month or so. The election will most likely slow some people down on their home searches while they await the outcome, and average home sales may drop by as much as 15% nationwide. That, coupled with historically low interest rates, could help you get a sweet deal that has eluded many in the more recent competitive summer months. In the six weeks after the election, home sales should swing upwards again based on historical trends. Interest rates should increase by at least half a percent —as they do after every presidential election. If it’s in the cards for you financially to act fast, know that these low rates will not last forever. If you are unable to move quickly, spring should at least bring more inventory for you to choose from. It is difficult, if not foolish, to try to time the market. So always remember to act in yourbest interest and do what is right for your season in life. Sellers ACT STRATEGICALLY TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS SELLER’S MARKET It has been a seller’s market for years, and there is nothing to signal that will change any time soon in Denver. Depending on your situation, you may want to consider jumping in now before the winter sets in and the market cools off. Interest rates always go up by at least half a percentage point after any presidential election, so if you act fast you may lock in a better rate on your next home and/or catch the influx of buyers taking advantage of current rates. Perhaps you want to hold off on selling until after the presidential election when home sales are expected to increase again after the pre-election dip. Some sellers may even wait until spring when the market typically gets red hot and more buyers are expected to start shopping. No matter which way you spin it, sellers are still in the driver’s seat in our local real estate market. As stated above, it’s important to do what’s right for you and your timeline. Give me a call so we can figure out the best plan tailored to achieve your real estate goals!

A Little Remodeling Or Furniture Update May Be In Order Home organization can be difficult, but there are things you can do which are simple, and make getting your home in order a lot less strenuous. First, consider the furniture paradigm you’ve got. Do you have proper storage throughout your house? How are things looking in the basement? How are things looking in the living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen? If you’ve got existing storage, is it adequate for your needs? Sometimes home organization has less to do with available storage, and more to do with how that storage is used. However, there are often situations where the problem lies in the storage options available. Buying New Storage Solutions When you’ve taken stock of all home areas and come to the conclusion you need more, one of your best moves in terms of an organization is to simply acquire that new furniture. This is easier to say than to do. Furniture can be expensive, oftentimes it isn’t built with your specific home in mind. This means you need to conduct a careful search to find the right options. You’re not only looking at storage capacity, you’re looking at coloration, materials, installation, shipping, and overall size. Sometimes what you want to do is find furniture that has a vertical construction behind it, sometimes you want to build out, or find some option that’s very wide and deep. The RTA Cabinetry Angle Additionally, it depends on the specific storage needs you determine after you’ve carefully examined what’s available. What is most ideal is finding furniture options that can be designed to match your specific needs. Along that line of reasoning, there are some considerable options in the areas of RTA cabinetry. RTA stands for “Ready To Assemble”. Essentially, these sorts of cabinets are designed to be shipped and assembled on your property. There is a similarity to “Ikea”, but the difference lies in the overall design. With RTA options, you can determine the exact specifications of your cabinetry before payment. So you’ll have a greater likelihood of an exact match for your needs. There are several different RTA options available, and from the right providers, you can get a combination of RTA cabinetry and traditional cabinetry. White shaker cabinets are well-known for their stylistic efficiency and storage capacity. As an example, take a look at this product at Best Online Cabinets, a business that additionally provides RTA options. Getting Rid Of The Things You Don’t Really Need Something else that makes space for storage maximization is the elimination of unnecessary clutter. Over time, everybody accumulates possessions that are either out of style, out of value, out of use, or broken beyond functionality. This furniture, appliance, entertainment, and artistic things build up over time and take away space from your home. Every year or so, you should spend a week going through your house from top to bottom, identifying the clutter, and either donating it, trashing it, or organizing it for a garage sale when the weather is amenable to such an undertaking. Certainly, you could throw everything in the garage or attic, but that just eliminates such spaces from use even while debris gathers dust. Vertical Storage Options Provide A Lot Of Space Another good strategy here is to store “vertically”. This was briefly touched on earlier, here’s the idea: most cabinets and storage options tend to be either waist-high or stretch down from the ceiling. However, a wardrobe can be floor-to-ceiling, take up approximately the same space, and have two to three times the available storage potential. Have You Considered Rearranging The Furniture? Beyond cleaning house, utilizing better cabinetry storage options, and incorporating vertical solutions, another thing you can do is rearrange the furniture. Sometimes you’re having storage issues owing to a poor layout in varying rooms of your home. “Flush” furniture makes more space available than “diagonal” furniture—for most situations. Consciously Downsizing Your Home In Terms Of Possessions It’s also considerable that beyond getting rid of things you no longer use, you might consciously downsize. Oftentimes there are possessions people cling to dearly which ultimately aren’t serving much of a purpose outside sentimental value. That’s certainly a very real and valuable thing. However, if things are very cluttered, it’s something “expendable”. How many people live in your home, and how often do you host gatherings? If you’ve got a house of five in a home with a basement, main level, bedroom level, and attic, why do you need fifty chairs and fifteen couches? Some of those may not have been used for years—especially when furniture rotation banishes a sofa to the basement, where dust and spiders predominate. Incorporating Multiple Strategies So downsize, eliminate clutter, get new cabinets, reorganize furniture, and try to find vertical storage options that provide greater storage capacity for the same footprint as regards available space. Storage strategies of this kind can facilitate more harmonious living arrangements that maximize your use of possessions without tending toward clutter.