Burke, VA (PRWEB) November 14, 2013

Preparing the home for the annual onslaught of family and friends takes time and forethought. Pasquali Realty Group, a Northern Virginia real estate company offers the following tips to help prepare for holiday guests.

Prioritize

The day before guests arrive is no time to pull apart junk drawers and clean out linen closets. Declutter guest rooms and public areas foyer, kitchen, living room, den, and dining room. Remove anything unnecessary from countertops, coffee tables, and ottomans; if its out of sight, keep it out of mind, for now. If running short of time, bag up the clutter and store it in car trunks, basements, and out-of-the-way closets. Sort and arrange after your guests depart.

Safety

Light the way: Make sure outside lights are working so guests dont trip on the way to the door. Put motion-activated night lights in hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms to ensure safe passage after the sun sets.

Child Proofing: Ask parents to bring hardware that keeps their small ones safe, such as baby gates and cabinet locks. Transfer toxic cleaners and medicines from base to wall cabinets. Hide matches and lighters.

Fire prevention: Smoke detector batteries should be changed every 6 months. Every time you set your clock for daylight savings time is a good reminder. If the batteries are older than 6 months, change them now. After guests arrive, run a quick fire drill: Make sure they can locate exits and fire extinguishers, and that they know how to open windows and doors.

Entryway upgrades

The homes foyer is the first place guests see, so make a good first impression.

Upgrade exterior entry doors or give old doors a new coat of paint. Polish and tighten door hardware, and oil hinges to prevent squeaks.

Remove scratches from hardwood floors, stairs, and wood railings. Place a small rug or welcome mat at the entrance to protect floors from mud and snow.

Clear out shoes, umbrellas, and other clutter.

Add extra hooks to walls so guests can hang coats and hats.

Add a storage bench where guests can remove boots and shoes.

Kitchen prep

The kitchen is command central during the holidays, so make sure its ready for guests and extra helpers.

To increase storage, install a pot rack to clear cooking items off countertops and ranges.

Move the coffee station into a family room so guests dont crowd the kitchen when trying to fix meals.

Sleeping arrangements

For guest rooms, replace the ceiling fixture with a ceiling fan and light combo, which helps guests customize their room temperature without fiddling with the thermostat for the entire house.

To carve sleeping space out of public areas, buy a folding screen or rolling bookcase, which will provide privacy for sleepers. Fold or roll it away in the morning.

Bathroom storage

Bring toilet paper, towels, and toiletries out of hiding, and place them on open shelves so guests can find them easily.

If not enough wall space for shelves, place these items in open baskets around the bathroom.

Also, outfit each tub with a bath mat (to avoid falls) and each toilet with a plunger (to avoid embarrassment).

Pasquali Realty Group is an incorporated business that is a subsidiary under NBI Realty, and is currently licensed in both Virginia, and Washington, DC. They are a member of the National Board of Realtors(NAR), Virginia Board of Realtors(VAR), and Northern Virginia Board of Realtors(NVAR).

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