1. Decluttering

Untidy environments can often increase stress for most people (WebMD). Take the first step toward crafting a relaxing space by decluttering your home and removing unnecessary furniture, clothing, and décor. Start by assessing each room and parting with items that no longer serve a purpose. This process can be liberating, allowing you to create more space for the things that truly matter.

2. Furniture that Accommodates Your Lifestyle

The furniture in your home should be aesthetically pleasing and cater to your lifestyle and favorite activities. For example, if you enjoy watching movies with family, ensure you have a decent television and plenty of comfy seating to accommodate weekly movie nights. A comfortable and well-arranged living space promotes relaxation and engaging in hobbies you enjoy, positively impacting your overall heart health.

3. Neutral Colors and Thoughtful Décor

Create a visually calming environment by opting for neutral colors and avoiding loud, distracting décor. Soft, muted tones create a serene atmosphere, promoting relaxation and stress reduction. Thoughtful decoration choices, such as soothing artwork or simple ornaments, can enhance the overall ambiance of your home.

4. Make Chores Easier

Simplifying daily chores is a great way to maintain a stress-free environment. Implement organizing hacks to make chores easier and more enjoyable. For example, hang plenty of hooks in key areas like the entryway and bedroom to keep essential items within easy reach. Utilize bins and baskets to organize items neatly, and establish dedicated stations—such as a drink station—to streamline your morning routine.

5. Incorporate Indoor Plants

These aren’t just decorative. Indoor plants are mood lifters and air purifiers rolled into one. Adding a few green friends like spider plants or aloe vera can transform the feel of your home. Greenery is beneficial to reduce stress levels and enhance overall mental health.

6. Maximize Natural Light

Increase the natural light in your home to create a brighter and uplifting atmosphere. Exposure to natural light has numerous health benefits, including improved mood and better sleep. Arrange furniture to maximize sunlight exposure and consider sheer curtains to allow light to filter through while maintaining privacy.

Create a Zen Spot in your home by adding a corner for meditation, reading, or unwinding with a cup of tea. This little spot can be your sanctuary for daily tranquility. You can also display personal mementos and meaningful items you’ve accumulated throughout your life so you can look at them daily.

Our homes are a respite from the rest of the world, so making it as comfortable and cozy as possible is essential. It’s worth investing in comfortable sheets, pillows, and an excellent mattress to guarantee a good night’s sleep, but comfort also goes beyond how things feel physically. Creating a relaxing bedroom or other space with soothing colors that can be somewhere you go to get away from it all and truly feel peaceful can go a long way.

As your real estate guide, The Angelos will help you find the perfect space for a happy and healthy future. From purchasing the perfect space to remodel recommendations, reach out to us for all your homeowner questions and requests.

The holiday season is here! While this is a time for joy and celebration, it’s also important that your home stays safe and secure. Whether you’re planning a holiday getaway or simply enjoying festivities at home, safeguarding your property should be a top priority.

1. Lock All Entry Points

Locking your doors and windows may sound like common sense, but it’s often overlooked during the holiday hustle and bustle. Make sure all entry points are securely locked before leaving your home or heading to bed. Deadbolt locks provide an added layer of security.

2. Invest in Smart Home Security

Modern technology makes securing your home more convenient than ever. Consider installing a smart home security system—complete with cameras, alarms, and doorbell footage—to mitigate porch pirates. You can also monitor your property remotely and receive alerts in case of any suspicious activity. This definitely comes in handy with all that holiday traveling.

3. Don’t Advertise Your Absence

While it’s natural to share your holiday plans with friends and family, avoid publicizing your absence on social media. Burglars often scout for vacant homes online. Save the vacation pics and updates for after your return.

Keep your home well-lit, especially during the evenings. Motion-activated lights on entryways and pathways deter potential intruders. You can also use timers for indoor lights to give the illusion of an occupied home.

5. Secure Your Mail and Deliveries

A pile of mail or packages on your doorstep is a clear sign that no one’s home. Request mail holds from your local post office during your absence or ask a neighbor to collect your packages. Alternatively, you can use a package locker or a parcel drop box for added security.

6. Hide Valuables

Stow away your valuable items, like jewelry and electronics, in a secure location. Consider investing in a home safe for added protection, and don’t leave tempting items in plain sight from windows or doors.

7. Ask a Trusted Neighbor for Help

Good neighbors look out for one another. Talk with a trustworthy neighbor about your travel plans. They can keep an eye on your property, collect your mail, and even park their car in your driveway to create the appearance of an occupied home.

8. Keep Your Home and Yard Maintained

An unkept home and yard can signal that nobody is home. Make sure to maintain your property—even in your absence. Arrange for snow removal or lawn care to uphold the façade that someone is home.

By following these tips, you can enjoy the holiday festivities with some peace of mind. Also, reach out to our team for more real estate tips and tricks. The Angelo Group is always happy to be your guide to the Phoenix real estate market. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!

Ah, summer—the season of sandy toes, tan lines, and lazy afternoons. However, it’s time to say farewell to go-with-the-flow schedules now that fall has arrived and school is back in session. While summertime offers a much-needed break, it can be difficult to step back into a productive routine.

1. Reflect on the Good Times

As you reluctantly wave goodbye to your summer schedule, take a moment to reminisce about the amazing memories you’ve made. Remember the family camping trips, neighborhood barbecues, and nostalgic summer moments in between. Cherish these moments—they are the fuel that will light your productivity fire.

2. Create a Mindful Schedule

Now that you’re back to the grind setting yourself up for success is essential. Grab your calendar (or trusty digital assistant) and plan your days. Remember, a well-organized schedule is the key to unlocking your productivity superpowers—but don’t forget to leave some room for spontaneity. Life is too short to be color-coded all the time!

3. Set Realistic Goals

The only thing more refreshing than an ice-cold lemonade on a scorching day is setting achievable goals. While reaching for the stars is tempting, start small and work your way up. You will feel more productive as you stack up accomplishments that eventually add up to that massive goal that used to be intimidating.

4. Embrace the Early Bird Life

We know that dragging yourself out of bed can be a struggle. But trust us, the early bird catches the productivity worm! Wake up a half-hour earlier than usual and savor the quiet moments before the world awakens. Make yourself a cup of coffee, watch the sunrise, and tackle your most important tasks. You’ll feel accomplished by breakfast.

5. Sprinkle Fun Breaks Throughout the Day

Productivity doesn’t mean locking yourself in a room with endless to-do lists. It’s important to establish a work-life balance that suits your needs. If your mind is stuck in the nitty-gritty details of your day’s projects, it will eventually deplete your motivation to return tomorrow morning. So, make sure to pencil in moments of fun and spontaneity to make the most of every day.

6. Avoid the Procrastination Trap

Ah, procrastination—the true thief of time. Everyone battles with procrastination one way or another, but do you know how to combat it? The Angelo Group has a secret weapon for you: the Pomodoro Technique. Set a timer for 25 minutes of focused work, followed by a 5-minute break. Rinse and repeat until your tasks are complete. It’s a productivity game-changer!

Summer may have ended, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. With a pinch of reflection, a dash of planning, and a lot of enthusiasm, you can seamlessly transition into a productive end-of-year routine. If you still have a 2023 real estate goal you want to achieve, make sure to reach out to The Angelo Group. We would be honored to help you tackle your goals and guide you through your next move!

Do you have financial goals but don’t know where to start? Setting a budget is the first step to financial success. However, many people will create a budget and fail to stick to the parameters they’ve put in place.

So much for a budget, right?

If managing money is not your forte, consider these five tips to keep you on track:

1. Budget as a Team

If your budget will affect more than one person, include them in the budgeting process. This keeps you and all involved parties on track to achieve the same financial goals. Make sure to set a dedicated time every month—or even quarterly if you’re a pro—to check in and reassess your spending habits.

2. Expect Monthly Differences

Let’s be honest, not every month in the year is created equal. To stay on top of your budgeting, try to predict when you will spend larger amounts due to certain life events. Do you have a month that’s a little birthday-heavy? Summer vacations? Don’t forget those new clothes and back-to-school supplies in August! You know your lifestyle better than anyone else, so try to predict the expenses and budget for them ahead of time.

3. Start with the Essentials

When deciding where to funnel your earnings, try to consider life’s top four essentials. Everyone requires food, shelter, utilities, and transportation. These four necessities in life should be prioritized when creating a budget. After these needs are met, then you can get creative about where to distribute the rest of your funds.

4. Don’t Set it and Forget It

Once you create a budget, it’s common for people to set it aside and let it collect dust. However, your budget should adapt to your lifestyle changes. Did you get a promotion? Congrats! You can now adjust your budget to reflect your new financial goals and lifestyle. Did you have an unexpected medical expense? You might need to reflect on your budget and see how to adjust and accommodate.

5. Online Budgeting Tools

Welcome to the 21^st century! While we love a great Excel Sheet as much as the next person, there are helpful apps and software programs that can keep track of your budget for you. Take a look at apps such as Mint, EveryDollar, and Goodbudget to craft a budget in a pinch!

If owning a home plays a part in your financial goals, The Angelo Group would be happy to assist you when the time comes. We believe real estate is an excellent investment and we’re here to help you achieve your financial and homeownership dreams.

You’ve just finished a mighty game of Tetris with the moving boxes, the family waves goodbye to a house once-called home, and you’ve all settled in for a long road (or plane) trip. It’s official! You’re moving out of state.

Moving can be stressful, but relocating from one state to another requires quite a leap of faith. First came packing, then came the journey to your new community—but surprise! Because you switched to a different state, a few things might have slipped your mind.

No need to worry! The Angelo Group is here with 8 things to add to your to-do list when moving out of state:

1. Visit Your Future Destination

It’s always a good idea to get the lay of the land when it comes to your future home. Drive the neighborhood streets and map out the closest schools, parks, grocery stores, and gas stations. These are important features of everyday life, and having a better understanding of your future surroundings will offer an easier transition.

2. Change Your Billing Address

Don’t forget to switch all your bills to the proper address. Not sure where to start? Here are some examples to remember:

• Utilities. Gas, water, electricity, and even garbage pickup! Most of the companies that offer these services vary by state. Tip: Ask your real estate agent for a list of recommended vendors.

• Credit Cards. Most people opt for online billing payments, but if you’re one of the few who prefer paper statements, don’t forget to update your address for your credit cards.

• Insurance. Moving across state lines could be a good opportunity to start shopping for local rates. If you’re looking for a new insurance source, now could be a good time to switch for a more competitive price.

3. Voter Registration

It’s easy to forget about this item on a to-do list, so don’t put it off until it’s too late! A new state means a whole new pool of political candidates.

4. Pet Registration

Yes, pets need to be registered with the state. Each city varies when it comes to how many furry friends (and which types) you can include in your humble abode, so make sure that you are registered and up to date.

5. Forward Your Mail

Don’t let your favorite magazine subscriptions and family Christmas cards get lost in the mail! Make sure to set up a mail forward with the post office before moving away. USPS will forward your mail to your new address for up to a year.

6. Look for New Wi-Fi & Cable Companies

Are you all about Xfinity? Maybe Google Fiber? Look at what your future neighborhood provides and get your home up. Trust us, people will be asking for your Wi-Fi password the minute those neighbors come over for a backyard BBQ.

7. New Driver’s License

Each state’s deadline varies when it comes to switching over your driver’s license. Research what your new state’s requirements are before you officially relocate.

8. New Driver’s License

The boxes are in, the dust has settled—it’s time to get out and meet some people! Introduce yourself to your neighbors or sign-up for the local gym or rec club. One of the easiest ways to meet people is through a mutual activity or hobby. Moving from place to place is exactly what you make of it—so it’s up to you if you choose to plant roots where you’re at or transplant to the next best location. Either way, you got this!