​Spring is on its way!  Can’t you feel it in the air and see it?  With Spring time comes cleaning time.  Here are some tips for Spring cleaning and getting organized.
It’s sorting time.  That’s the first step in decluttering your place.  This is a job for everyone- spouses and children.  Even the dog can carry something to one of the purge piles.  Don’t be afraid to purge.  If the item is not being used, it’s just taking up space.  If that’s the case, there’s no purpose being served.  Purging might equal trash for the stuff that should never see the light of day or the donation pile for good stuff that’s no longer used or wanted.
Spring cleaning does not have to be overwhelming.  You can work a room at a time. Before you know it, your entire house will be clean.  Just be mindful to maintain, so that you don’t re-clutter your home.  Spring time is the time for a fresh start, so start it with a clean and fresh home.  Spring into it!
-Natasha Hughes Smith

Photo-  “no copyright infringement is intended”
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According to Cheryl Fenton as featured in Select, a special edition of the Sunday Detroit Free Press,  bookshelves are one design feature that is on point for interior design this spring.  Here you can find a quick recap of some of the design features that are predicted to be in fashion this spring.

1. Lights- Neon rooms and lights. My twelve year old great-niece is on trend with her LED string lights lining her bedroom ceiling to wall edges.  If that's a little out of your comfort zone,  you can add wall signage to add color.  This trend is popular with all ages.
2. Minimalism as done by the Japanese known as Japandi.  This style provides comfort and simplicity by using neutral color schemes, sleek lines and unfinished woods or bamboo pieces.
3. Shelves are back.  They could be built-ins, open shelving or floating shelves.
4. Separate spaces- People want defined spaces now instead of open floor plans.  If you have an open floor plan,  you can use creative ways to make separate spaces with furnishings used as dividers or actual room dividers.
5. Trend setter- you can become a trend setter by creating your own unique style by using your imagination.
-Natasha Hughes Smith

“Sometimes one can become lost in a big company and lose sight of how what one does truly helps or impacts the end customer. If you are one of those, think of a fire brigade, a line of people passing buckets of water from one to the other from a source of water to the site of the fire. An individual in the brigade may not be able to see the end result, i.e., the water being thrown on the fire to put it out, but the contribution of the individual is indispensable to the final outcome.” – Grant Bright, Former Project Lead IBM
 
There are lots of services in the atmos now that focus on providing a service void of human interaction.  Profits are generated and given to a few who create the apps and machines used for self-checkout and the like.  But have you considered what is lost?

There’s a clerk who was downsized because he is no longer needed because the machine will check customers out and make them scan their own items and bag their own groceries.  In fact, the customer completes work that the clerk used to do subsequently increases the profit of the shareholders.  All the while, the clerk is unemployed, not able to provide for his family and not able to contribute to his local economy.

The same is true for apps that tout that they can sell homes for the homeowner.  It seems quick or less of a hassle as they are one click, two clicks away from listing the house.  But what is the cost?

The cost, is the lost livelihoods of skilled and licensed professionals who work diligently to protect the interest and the rights of the homeowner.  Remember there is always a cost.   All that seems good isn’t.
 
-Natasha Hughes Smith

​The holiday season is upon us.  May we gather with our household and create memories that will linger long past 2020.  May we take stock of our many blessings despite our circumstances so that we can rejoice.  May 2021 bring greater blessings, joy and hope in the coming months.

People need people.  One part of being a business owner is providing great customer service.  Sometimes customer service can take on a different look other than selling services or products.   It’s connecting to people.  Sometimes a potential customer just needs to feel recognized and seen.  A hello or quick conversation can go a long way; however, the end result may not be immediate.

Businesses are built on relationships and interpersonal skills.  The more we connect the stronger the business relationship will be and the greater the opportunity for expansion through referrals.
 
-Natasha Hughes Smith

The year 2020 has seen families, businesses, schools and health care professionals face unbelievable challenges and fears.  Yet through it all, mankind is showing resilience and determination.   Yet, there are still more challenges facing us as we wrap up the year that was 2020. 

Our nation has seen strife that has not been experienced here in nearly 60 years.  Some Americans feel hopeless about the economy, the health crisis and the election.  We as a nation must remember that when we unit, great things are possible.  We must also remember that as long as we yet have breath in our lungs, there is hope.
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I encourage all to be that hope and change that they want to see in others.  Know that every voice and every action make a difference in our immediate world and that in turn affects the vast world we all call home.  So, let us get out there and allow our voices to be heard.  Vote!
 
-Natasha Hughes Smith

In today’s market we often hear of “off market properties”.  But what does that really mean?  Is it good for the industry?  Is it good for the consumer?  I will try to discuss the pro’s and con’s of this industry trend, but I have to be transparent and say that I am totally against off market real estate.
 
The Pro’s
-Privacy
                Some home owners do not want their neighbors to know that they are moving.  So, realtors won’t place a sign in their yard, but more importantly they will not list their home on the MLS, Multiple Listing Service, which is accessed by licensed realtors.
 
-Unknown length of time on the market
                Potential buyers will not assume that there are issues with the home due to the length of time on the market.  Additionally, a potential buyer won’t offer less knowing that the property has been on the market for a while.
 
-Real Estate Brokers keep the sell “in house”
                The properties are not listed on the MLS and only listed internally; the broker has a higher chance of double dipping which is listing and selling the same property. 
 
The Con’s
-Selective showings
                When properties are not listed on the MLS, the listing realtor controls who sees the property.  This can lead to discriminatory practices where the realtor only shows the property to select groups based on numerous factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation.
-Inaccurate Industry sales data
                There is no concrete or reported data on the number of days the house was on the market before selling.  Additionally, often the agent/buyer/investor has a self-serving purpose for not conducting a market analysis to assist in setting the listing price.   A self-serving realtor may set the price low to get a quick sell for his/her profit inconsiderate of the seller.  The goal of a realtor should be to get the best possible price for the seller.  Additionally, investors that offer homeowners a purchase price, often offer far less than the market value to individuals in need of cash.  Unfortunately, this occurs in urban areas and especially to the elderly where income levels are lower and owners might have a great need for cash.
 
                Well, those are my thoughts.  Although this type of real estate is popular right now with so many people having access to social media such as Facebook and applications specializing in sale by owner, it is not necessarily good for the industry and the people who are protected by the proper protocols but in place by a regulated industry.  The more people try to work outside of those parameters, the more people can be cheated, discriminated against and blocked from financial reward.
-Natasha Hughes Smith

Part 4
​Research

Now that we have completed our task and can pinpoint our strengths and areas requiring improvement, we are ready to take on the hefty task of re-inventing or fortifying ourselves to set and accomplish new career/life goals or blow the dusk off some old ones that we once sat aside.

If you have changed gears and are focused on a new career venture, then research is required to make sure you set realistic goals and have clear and accurate plan to accomplish that objective.

Research, research and more research; that is the key regardless of our plans; we much research.  We have to make sure we educate ourselves on the available options and the market for our plan.

Implementation

Now that we are fortified with the knowledge of who we truly are and the talents, interest and skills we possess, we can now begin the life we always wanted to live.  Now is the time to surround ourselves with individuals who support us and provide constructive and helpful criticism; not those who tear us down and use jealousy as a foundation for their friendship.  But that is another article!

Authored by Natasha Hughes Smith

“I sustain myself with the love of family.  Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs: the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.”
                             -Maya Angelou

September 13, 2020 is Grandparents day.  Sometimes grandparents are often discounted or isolated by families.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 has forced isolation for many seniors and grandparents who live alone or in assisted living homes.  And COVID-19 has revealed to children and families the value of elders and that they continue to have purpose.  People often miss what they cannot have. 

So, as the world continues to deal with the challenges caused by COVID-19, people have found creative ways to show that they care and to remain connected.  I encourage all of us to challenge ourselves to reach out to love ones, not just in this season but after the world conquers COVID-19, to spend more time with the elders, friends and extended family in the days, months and years to come.

Written by Natasha Hughes Smith

Part 3
​Self Evaluation
            
        Here comes the third step; the most valuable and difficult one: self-evaluation.  Pull out your self-examination list and grab some Band-Aids because you are about to be cut up!  That’s if you are honest with yourself.  Separate your list into three categories: interests, strengths and areas of required growth.
 
            Let’s look at the first category: interests.  Think of all of the things that interests you; things that you may do for amusement, good or bad.  For example: church, social clubs, dining out, partying, drinking, etc.  We’ll evaluate them later.  This category requires two subcategories: keep it and trash it.  If we are honest with ourselves, we do have some interests that lead to self-destructive behavior; be it over-eating, over-drinking or any other abusive habits.  Obviously, we need to trash those items without a doubt. 
 
            The next category is strengths; again, honesty is required here.  We all would love to believe that we are good at anything and everything that we do, but we shouldn’t fool ourselves.  It just isn’t so!  I have encountered so many people who are delusional in this regard.  Again, honesty is your best tool here.  At what are you good?  What skills do you possess?  What things have provided you some measure of success?  This list can encompass tangible skills- things you can create or do with your hands or soft-skills, those non-tangible people skills, for example: communication, customer service, listening, etc.  
 
            Finally, the third self-evaluation category: areas of growth; these areas are usually related to personality issues, psychological or physical deficiencies.  Often times as adults, we are still dealing with issues and pain from childhood.  We need to address those issues within ourselves.  And some cases with the aid of counselors and/or religious leaders. We need to release our childhood baggage that is holding us back from accomplishing our dreams and goals.  One, a thirty year old, should not have the same mentality that one did as a twenty year old.
 
Additionally, as we conduct this evaluation in light of our economic environment, we should also consider tangible and non-tangible skills related to employment.  For example: lack of computer skills or skills that would foster on-the-job growth.  More meditation and prayer just might be needed again at this point in the process.  

Authored by Natasha Hughes Smith