The key to holiday staging tips is to not overdo it according to HGTV FrontDoor.com! Read up on some tips for staging your home during the holidays!

• • Stick to a few simple decorative touches, such as a pine cone centerpiece or an evergreen wreath.
  • Avoid using decorations that might clash with your current color scheme.
  • Use accessories to draw attention to the home's best features by hanging a few tasteful ornaments from the mantel to showcase an elegant fireplace or hang an evergreen garland around the bay window
  • Set the table to showcase holiday entertaining, most buyers look for a home they can easily entertain in!
  • Don't crowd our lawn with your favorite inflatables while your home is on the market. Instead resort to classic string lighting around shrubs and trees in your front yard.
  • Now its time to make your home warm and inviting! Light a fire in the fireplace or use some of the following tricks to make your home smell like the holidays:
    • Boil spices together such as cinnamon, vanilla, clove, allspice, and nutmeg
    • Pick a scented oil and use it with DIY projects to add a holiday scent to decorations!
    • Add dried lemon or orange peels to your fireplace for a nice scent!
  • Think about the size of your space and the size of your Christmas tree! If you have a smaller space think about a tall but skinny tree so it does not overwhelm your floor space.

So to wrap it just remember a few key details when trying to sell your home during the holiday season - light your fireplace, update outdoor lighting, make sure your home has a warm and inviting smell, make your home feel cozy, and make sure your holiday decorations look tasteful and are not overdone!

More details here!

Here are a few apps available to help you in your search for the perfect home!

Redfin - this multiple listing service powered real estate app gives you info on-the-go such as photos, full details, property history and agent notes!

Realtor.com - this app has many useful features as well as accurate information. It uses your location to show you homes in the area for sale. It also makes it easy to contact listing agents!

CalcsFree - this app helps agents show buyers how much their mortgage will be for any given property by plugging in an offer amount, the taxes and insurance payments, and the HOA fees and mortgage insurance.

Trulia - this apps alerts homebuyers, sellers and renters everything from local market info on median sale prices, details on area schools and crime rates on color-coded maps. It also details price-reduction history for different properties.

PictNote - buyers using this app can combine pictures with notes as well as save locations to keep potential properties organized.

Zillow - using this app buyers can search for houses for sale, rent, etc. You can find properties by searching via location, address or voice search. It is easy to share property finds with friends and be notified of new listings.

Sitegeist - an app that has many uses, depending on your location is provides interested data about the surrounding area such as average age of residents, commuting trends, popular nearby places, average temp, etc.

Homesnap - snap a photo of any home to get instant property details for example, home values, if it was recently sold and when, bedroom & bathroom count, taxes, lot boundaries, local amenities, etc! If the home is on the market interior photos even may be available. You can also contact a real estate agent to schedule a home or list your own home via the app!

These phone apps can help in making the home buying process go a little bit smoother!

Learn more here!

• What is Homeowners Insurance?
  • It basically comes down to protecting your valuables! A standard homeowners policy generally covers four categories:
    • The structure of your home: if its damaged or destroyed by fire or most other natural disasters
    • Your belongings: if they're stolen or destroyed by fire or other insured disasters
    • Liability: if you, your family members, or pets cause damage to anyone else's property
    • Additional living expenses: if you have to live away from home due to fire or other insured damage
  • Do We Need It?
    • Not by law, but if you're getting a mortgage, your lender will most likely require it. Even if it's not required, do you want to risk losing the investment you've made in your home?
  • How Do We Get It?
    • Do a room-by-room inventory, taking photos of valuable items or make a video. Note products make, model and serial number, and include receipts and appraisals to the list. Make a copy of your inventory and store it with a relative or in a safe deposit box.
  • How Do We Choose?
    • Shop around; get quotes from at least 3 companies and compare them. The Insurance Information Institute can give you more info about companies, policies and other basics.
  • How Can We Save?
    • Get a higher deductible. The higher the deductible, the lower your rate.
    • See if you can get a lower rate if you buy your homeowners and car insurance from the same company.
    • Ask about discounts (for having home-security devices or for staying with the same company for a long time).
    • Most policies cover personal property even when you're not at home, like if your wallet gets stolen at the mall - make sure your policy is one of them.

Read more here!