October 2015

Living in a small space poses many challenges from an interior design perspective. Too much furniture and your home feels small and cluttered. Too little and you lack the functionality you need for day-to-day living.

From furniture placement to controlling clutter, maximizing what you have is a must if you want to get more from less space. Here are some tried-and-true tips for maximizing your small abode.

Divide and Conquer -- Instead of breaking up your floor plan into individual rooms, consider an open layout that uses strategically placed furniture to divide the space.

Go for Light and Bright -- Use lighting to create a sense of spaciousness. Start by allowing in as much natural light as possible, keeping window coverings to a minimum and

How to Give Your Offer an Edge

Looking to buy in a hot market? It's possible that you could end up in a bidding war for the property you want. In addition to offering more than the asking price, here are a few tips to give your offer a competitive edge.

Be Ready -- Have everything you need in place. Get pre-approved for financing and set aside your down payment. If you have to sell a home, consider waiting until after your home sells before making any offers.

View and Inspect -- Try to write an offer with as few conditions as possible. One strategy is to have a home inspector accompany you on subsequent viewings of the home you are considering so a home inspection may be excluded from the conditions.

Be Flexible -- Let the sellers know