<![CDATA[Amanda Hellman - BLOG/Style Below The Clouds]]>Sun, 01 Jun 2025 09:29:57 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[UGH... My Shower Glass Has Hard Water Spots]]>Sat, 31 Oct 2015 00:59:33 GMThttps://www.amandahellman.com/blogstyle-below-the-clouds/ugh-my-shower-glass-has-hard-water-spotsShort and sweet post!


I continued to battle hard water spots on my shower door.  It drives me crazy.  After many cleaners and methods, I have finally found MY solution!  It’s so easy and I don’t have to deal with the chemical smells that overwhelm you while enclosed in the shower!


Here is my shower… don’t judge… it gross!  I didn't clean the glass for a month, so the pictures would be dramatic for this post!
All you need is a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a Mr Clean Magic Eraser.  I apply the hydrogen peroxide directly to the eraser and scrub away.  Continue to reapply the peroxide til the glass is clean.
Halfway there... it's time to compare!
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It's done and your welcome!
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]]><![CDATA[Preparing Your Home For Market]]>Thu, 01 Oct 2015 01:37:55 GMThttps://www.amandahellman.com/blogstyle-below-the-clouds/preparing-your-home-for-marketSo much goes into preparing a home for the real estate market, as you want to optimize all the features of your home.  It does not take a lot of money, but it does take time and elbow grease. My clients will testify that these steps work to sell a home quickly for PRIME $'s!
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​CURB APPEAL - YOU KNOW THE SAYING... FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE LASTING.  THIS APPLIES TO PROSPECTIVE BUYERS, IT WILL AFFECT HOW THEY VIEW WHAT'S BEHIND THE FRONT DOOR.  FIRST HOUSE WE BOUGHT I REFUSED TO GO IN, THE CURB APPEAL WAS AWFUL.  OUR BROKER "MADE" US COME BACK AND LOOK INSIDE...  WE WROTE AN OFFER ON THE SPOT.  IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, I KNOW FIRST HAND.

  • Make your front door visible from the street
  • Trim overgrown trees and shrubs
  • Clean out flower beds
  • Paint front door and make it POP 
  • De-cobweb the exterior of your home
  • Wipe down the front door and garage door
  • Plant some seasonal flowers in flowers beds or pots
  • Clean or new door mat to welcome potential buyers
  • Mow the lawn
  • Remove any debris or unwanted items in the yard
  • If possible remove any parked cars from the driveway, in order to display the house


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BASIC CLEANING 

  • Start by airing out the house, fresh air bring new life from the outside to the inside  It can also be helpful in eliminating any unwanted odors
  • Clean all windows inside and out
  • Clean carpets 
  • Go room by room and clean them, “q-tip clean” or stated another way “switch plate clean”.
  • Clean out the fireplace, remove all the ash, and stage some logs
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ORGANIZATION - YOU ARE PLANNING ON MOVING, SO LET'S GET PACKING! YOU WANT A MINIMIZED LOOK. THE HOMES FEATURES WILL THEN STANDOUT, NOT YOUR PICTURES, DECOR AND FURNITURE.

  • Clean out closets, cabinets and drawers. By taking out items you give the impression of space, and we all want lots of space and storage in our homes
  • Minimize items on shelves 
  • Make sure rooms are not overcrowded with furniture.  Select some of your pieces, store all the rest.
  • Keep that kitchen sparkling clean - KITCHENS SELL HOMES! Remove all small appliances. By clearing the counter tops, again you give the impression of space.
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BASIC REPAIRS

  • Get that septic pumped, if applicable
  • Repair any broken window seals
  • Make sure all major appliances are in working order
  • Repair any leaking faucets
  • Re-caulk if needed
  • Freshen up paint
  • Repaint rooms - neutral colors are always a safe choice
]]><![CDATA[FROM OFFER TO KEYS]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2015 23:36:25 GMThttps://www.amandahellman.com/blogstyle-below-the-clouds/from-offer-to-keys
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I am a HUGE planner and like to know what is happening… step by step, day to day.  Therefore, I like to provide my clients with a checklist of what they can expect from initial offer to handing over the keys.  This process gets confusing, and Realtors, often use language that is specific to a real estate transaction.  Here is an outline of 26 steps in a typical transaction for you planners out there like me! 


  1. Write up Offer
  2. Negotiate contract
  3. Contract accepted, “mutual acceptance"
  4. Send contract to Lender and Escrow
  5. Buyer starts the loan process
  6. Earnest Money Deposit
  7. Buyer inspection - Broker will be present for this appointment
  8. Negotiate the inspection results
  9. Appraisal ordered
  10. Receive escrow package-return immediately
  11. Appraisal occurs - Broker will be present for this appointment
  12. Appraisal reviewed - possibility you will need to re-negotiate the contract
  13. Documents go to Lender for Underwriting
  14. Lender may request additional documentation
  15. Final conditions from Underwriter (additional bank statements, proof of employment)
  16. Final walk through/re-inspection
  17. Final Approval from Underwriting-maybe more conditions (#14)
  18. Documents from Lender sent to Escrow
  19. Escrow draws documents 
  20. Signing appointment scheduled with sellers then buyers
  21. Sign Escrow documents
  22. Escrow sends Lender final signed documents
  23. Lender releases (wires) funds - “loan is funded"
  24. Escrow records the new owner at the County
  25. Transfer of title from Seller to Buyer “recording numbers"
  26. Keys are given to BUYER



]]><![CDATA[  Make A Bold Statement With a Fresh POP of Color]]>Sun, 19 Jul 2015 00:02:14 GMThttps://www.amandahellman.com/blogstyle-below-the-clouds/-make-a-bold-statement-with-a-fresh-pop-of-color
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A great way to spruce up the front of your home.... paint the front door a cheerful pop color! I am always searching for ways to change a look without BIG out of pocket expense. This is one way to do just that.  

Go big or go home. I like to take decorating risks (not jumping out of a plane risks - completely different).  During the decorating "risk process" I might spend lot of time sanding, priming and painting.  If I don't like the finished product NO problem, just start again.  If I didn't take the "risk" I would look back and say (to myself and not to my husband--he would just roll his eyes) I wish I went with a bolder color. We recently did just this... painted our front door blue, and not for the faint of heart blue, I mean BLUE.
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Love the result!  Take some time and add a pop of color to your home you won't regret taking that decorating "risk"!
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