LIST Birmingham - June 2022

LIST Birmingham - June 2022

ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S

JUNE 2022

205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM

CRITICAL STEPS TO TAKE BEFORE THE SALE

Right now, your home is worth more than it has ever been. Homes are selling fast. If you are thinking about capitalizing on this opportunity and selling, there are five things you need to do first to make the most of it.

JUST SOLD by Melvin

1. Handle maintenance issues you’ve avoided. Seemingly small items can cost you money on the offer.

2. De-clutter. Throw away or put in storage those items that are piling up.

3. Have curb appeal. Make sure the front yard and front entrance look sharp.

4. Consider updating the kitchen. Even painting the cabinets can help.

Purchased in 2018: $185,000. Sold in 2022: $280,000. Commission Savings: $4,900

5. Clean the windows, change the filters, and replace needed bulbs. Not doing these will stand out.

Remember, it’s a seller’s market right now and perception is reality when buyers are shopping.

Making your home’s appearance the best it can be can increase urgency and desire from the buyer and increase the competitiveness of your bidders. If you’d like a free valuation and offer estimates on your home and options in this market, feel free to reach out by calling, texting, or sending an email.

Looking to sell your house? Call or text 205-223-6192 or email [email protected] to learn how I can help you today!

–Melvin Upchurch

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A Mindful Space Creating a Mental Health Sanctuary in Your Home

LIGHT YOUR HOME The Environmentally Friendly Way

Did you know that if you aren’t using the right bulbs or even the right fixtures to light your home, you could be negatively affecting our environment? Believe it or not, major changes really aren’t necessary to make your home more energy-efficient, especially when it comes to lighting. Every household in America can make a few small adjustments that can have a big impact on the environment as well as your finances. If you want eco-friendly ways to light your house, try out the following ideas. Switch out your lightbulbs. Did you know that the standard incandescent bulb only puts out 5%–10% of the energy it converts as light? The rest goes out as heat. If you’re still using traditional lightbulbs, it’s time to upgrade. Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) cost a little bit more but last for 10,000 hours. CFLs use a fraction of the energy that traditional bulbs use but are often much brighter and safer. You can also make the switch to LED bulbs, which reduce energy consumption by 80%–90% while also lasting for 100,000 hours. Whatever option you choose, dispose of your old bulbs properly. Every city has different stipulations for recycling, so learn how to dispose of them before you recycle.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health Disorders, an estimated 26% of Americans over the age of 18 suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder. With increases in the cost of living, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rising tensions in Eastern Europe, that percentage could increase even more throughout the next few years. If you’re someone who struggles with mental health, you’ve probably tried all of the traditional methods to improve your situation, but have you made any adjustments to your actual home? If you’re unsure where to begin, try out these tips.

Give each room purpose.

One of the biggest interior design mistakes you can make is using a room for more than one thing. This is even more important if you work remotely. Each room should have a dedicated purpose. If you work from home, your office should not be in your bedroom or even in the area where you exercise. Plan out every bit of space that you have and add personal touches to it to remind you of what’s really important in your life.

Get rid of distractions.

Unplug your power strips and keep your lights off. The power strip is one of the most commonly used items in households across America. They’re extremely convenient, especially if your home lacks a sufficient number of outlets. While some power strips turn off when not in use, others consistently pull energy when they’re plugged in. Save energy by unplugging any power strips when not actively in use. Additionally, try and keep your lights off when you’re not home or actively using a room. It doesn’t make sense to keep your lights on when nobody is in the room. If the sun is shining, make use of that sunlight to light your house. You don’t need to depend on electricity for light during the spring and summer months so much. Just open your windows!

Social media, mainstream news, and cellphones as a whole can have disastrous effects on your mental health. When you’re in your home, try to minimize your use of these technologies. If you’re not using the television, keep it off. Also, try to keep your home as clean as possible because clutter and dirt can easily bring you down.

Use natural light and calming colors.

When designing your living space, try to incorporate as much natural light as possible. Regular exposure to sunlight gives you more energy, makes you happier, and even improves your appetite. If you’re painting, avoid any loud colors and use calming neutrals instead. Adding the right colors, natural light, and some plants will help create an aesthetic that will boost your mental health.

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IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF YOUR LAWN

In 3 Easy Steps

Summer has finally arrived, which means the birds are singing, the skies are blue, and the grass is … hopefully green? Maintaining a green lawn is an incredibly difficult task, especially if you don’t get much rain. Your lawn may also have sunspots or issues due to pet waste, but don’t lose hope. You can do a few simple things to turn your brown grass to green, and it shouldn’t take the entire summer to see results. If you’re unsure where to begin, try some of these tips to bring new life to your lawn. Make sure you mow properly. One of the biggest mistakes people make when they mow their own lawn is cutting their grass too short. If your blades aren’t set to the proper height, you can easily cut too much of your grass, leaving it stressed. As it struggles to

recover, your lawn will turn brown, and then weeds will grow more easily. Ideally, you should mow your lawn once a week and sharpen your blades regularly before they get dull. Water in the morning. There’s proven science behind the best time to water your lawn. If you water at night, you’ll see excess humidity, which can lead to turf disease and the destruction of your lawn. If you water in the middle of the day, water will evaporate quickly leaving your lawn dried out. Instead, try watering in the morning so your lawn has the opportunity to absorb the water. Watering for 45–60 minutes twice a week will allow ample time for the water to soak into your lawn. If you live in a drought-affected area, be sure to follow local guidelines for water use. Fertilize for health. Sometimes our lawns need an extra boost to become as green as possible. That’s where fertilizer comes in. Fertilizer contains various mixes of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium — three important nutrients for a healthy lawn. You can find many different fertilizer options, so conduct a soil test to understand which mix is best for your lawn.

TAKE A BREAK

SWEET AND SPICY BBQ CHICKEN SKEWERS Inspired by RecipeRunner.com

Summer is here, and you know what that means: It’s time to break out the barbecue and meat skewers!

Ingredients

Directions

1. In a bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients.

For the Marinade

• 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 3 tbsp honey • Juice of 1 lime • 3/4 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 tsp salt For the Skewers • 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes • 1 small pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes

2. In a reusable freezer bag, combine cubed chicken and all but 1/4 cup of the marinade. 3. Seal bag and massage marinade into the chicken. Chill in the fridge overnight. 4. The following day, preheat the grill to 400 F. Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers, adding two cubes of chicken for each cube of pineapple. 5. Grill the skewers for 3–4 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade in the final minutes. 6. Serve over rice or with your favorite barbecue sides!

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205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

INSIDE

1

5 Critical Things to Do Before Selling

2

How to Create a Mental Health Sanctuary in Your Home Eco-Friendly Ways to Light Your Home

3

Make Your Lawn Healthier!

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers

4

3 Alternate Ways to Utilize Closet Space Re-Invent Your Closet Space

wiring and adequate space for a chair, put a desk inside, set up your computer, and get ready to work in cozy comfort. Dressing Room Our closets are designed to hold our clothes, but where do you try them

on? You can convert any size closet into a dressing room with the right use of mirrors and light. Bar Small closets can easily be turned into bars. Simply put your furniture inside, add your preferred drinks and mixers, and take a sip!

Sometimes it just doesn’t feel like we have enough space in our homes. However, there might be a few spaces hiding in plain sight that you can utilize, like a closet! Not sure how to start? Check out these three closet transformations. Office Space If you have a walk-in closet that isn’t full of clothes or boxes, you may benefit from turning it into a home office. Ensure you’ve got proper

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