Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

What Should You Know about Foreclosure Homes on Anna Maria Island


Credit for this photo goes to EquiFax

A foreclosure on a home is a when a homeowner failed to pay the mortgage. A foreclosure usually takes a while to fully complete and after 3-6 months of not receiving any payment the lender of the home records a public notice with the County Recorder’s Office stating that the homeowner has defaulted on his mortgage. After the homeowner receives the Notice of Default, the homeowner enters pre-foreclosure. During this time frame (which is usually 30-120 days depending on location) the homeowner can work out an agreement with the lender by performing a short sale or pay off the outstanding amount owned. If the amount is paid the foreclosure ends.

   If the deadline ends and the amount is still not paid the lender sets a date for the home to be sold at a foreclosure auction. The notice of the auction is then recorded with the County Recorder’s Office with notifications sent to the homeowner, posted on the property, and printed in the newspaper. If a third party does not purchase the property at the auction the lender takes ownership of the home and it becomes a bank-owned property or REO (real estate owned).

  •           Be cautious of the current owner- if the owner still lives there you now have to worry about evicting the owner and they could possibly vandalize the home before leaving it.
  •          Buy from a bank- look for a home owned by a bank or REO. The bank is usually required to pay off senior liens like back taxes and you can now inspect the home for damage.
  •      Beat the crowds- after the home goes to foreclosure, but before it’s listed you could approach the lender directly and say that you are interested in it. If it’s a local or community bank and the home has been on listing for a while they may be more than happy to get rid of it.
  •          Find a realtor that specializes in foreclosure homes in Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, or Anna Maria- they can help advise you in pricing, local zoning issues or state law constraints, as well as looking in to public records on if the property has any recorded liens; such as, unpaid taxes, repair/ maintenance bills, or homeowner association dues. Once you purchase the home you’re now responsible for those outstanding liens.
I'd be happy to help you start your search for a home for sale on Anna Maria Island. Call me at 941-545-8877 for all your real estate needs! Let's get you started living the Anna Maria Life!

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Sunday, September 25, 2016

How to Sell Your Home with a Good First Impression


Credit for this photo goes to ThisOldHouse

You are finally ready to sell your home. Great! However when showing your home to potential buyers, first impressions are the most lasting and important to its sale. Your main role in selling your home is to make it as attractive as possible for prospective buyers.  Here are some tips to help you make a good first impression when selling your home.

The exterior of your home creates the first impression. Since the exterior of your home is the first and last thing potential buyers see, some effort can make a big difference in the impression your home makes. Make sure to keep up the maintenance on your lawn and driveway. You want to make sure that your lawn is cleanly cut, the shrubs and trees are trimmed, and that your garden is weeded. Another big thing about the front of your house is to make sure all the toys, lawn equipment, and other items are neatly stored away to make everything look great. A few other things to check on the exterior of your home is to make sure the windows are clean, address numbers are polished and in place, fresh paint on the garage and door, and adding some embellishments to make your home look welcoming.

A clean interior will reinforce your home’s good first impression. After the potential buyer walks through the exterior of your home having a clean interior will keep the good impression going. Clear any clutter on your shelves and other furniture. By having a clean and organized home it gives the impression of it being open and airy. Another big thing is to make sure your home is clean. Dust all shelving, polish the door knobs, clean the windows and mirrors, and wax those floors it will make a better impression than having a dusty, dirty home and hoping it will sell like that. One thing that few sellers know to do is to de-personalize your home. By removing those knickknacks and family photos it will help those prospective buyers imagine the home as their own.

Check out the ambiance of your home in the evening. Making sure that your home looks great in the day and evening is a great way to leave a lasting impression. Walk around your home and make sure that the lights outside work and position them to where it looks welcoming and appealing to anyone that may be passing by. Also, make sure your house numbers are visible on the outside by installing a small light fixture beside it or purchase an illuminated one.

Make sure to fix any minor or cosmetic repairs that needs to be done. That wooden fence has been in your yard for years, but the paint is chipping and you’re missing some of the posts. You’d definitely want to repair that and any other minor things around the house. By having freshly painted doors, fences, and other items it gives your home that new feel and makes the house attractive. Make sure all the screens in the windows are good, all cabinets, and doors work as they should. You also should make sure your door bell works too.


Bake a batch of cookies or a pie. When prospective buyers are walking around your home and looking around they are looking to see if it feels like home to them. Bake a batch of cookies before they arrive. The scent of the cookies will make the home feel warm and welcoming while giving your guests something to munch on. 


Regardless on if you’re looking to sell your home or even looking for a second one I would be honored to help you. Call me, Billi Gartman, at 941-545-8877 with any questions you have. Having me by your side during your home buying and selling process will help you with questions, concerns, and any stress you may have. 


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Friday, September 23, 2016

Tips on How to Choose a Neighborhood



Credit for the photo goes to Safewise


Finding an apartment or home on Anna Maria Island is more than just finding a place to live. When searching your interests and lifestyle come into play when looking to see if a neighborhood is going to suit what you’re looking for. Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and the city of Anna Maria all are the perfect place to live with a family or singly. 

  •         Consider where you will be in a few years down the road. Are you thinking about having children? Pets? If you are or you already have kids, you should make sure to look at the school systems nearby as well as parks. Definitely check to make sure the neighborhood is kid friendly. If you’re single, checkout the local restaurants on Anna Maria Island and such to see if they fit what you’re looking for.
  •          Test out how you’re going to get around the neighborhood. If you’re like me and you bike to work, I recommend making sure you choose a neighborhood close to your job or maybe look into public transportation options. Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach all have a free public trolley that can help transport you wherever you need to go.
  •        Will you be a match for the neighborhood? Consider what if in the future you’d like to sell- will the area demographics make it easier or more difficult?
  •          Check out what people are saying. It is important to see what people are saying about the neighborhood. Sites like StreetAdvisor are a great way to get real reviews. Also, you can probably ask the locals themselves. Anna Maria Island locals are very friendly and very willing to help out.
  •          Besides checking out how far it is to your job, you should also research how close the neighborhood is to everything else. How close is it to the grocery store, hospital, banking, shopping, etc? A neighborhood that allows easy access to these amenities would be a plus to moving in. On Anna Maria Island you're fairly close to everything, since the whole length of the island is 7 miles.
  •         Finally, make sure to visit the neighborhood at different times of the day. Doing this allows you to determine if this is what you’re looking for in a community. Listen to the noise levels, observe the traffic, checkout the lighting in the neighborhood, etc. 


Regardless on if you’re looking for an apartment or house in Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and Anna Maria  I would be honored to help you. Call me, Billi Gartman, at 941-545-8877 with any questions you have. Having me by your side during your home buying and selling process on Anna Maria Island will help you with questions, concerns, and any stress you may have. 


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Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Checklist & Time Line for a Mortgage Pre-Approval

Credit for the image goes to TaxAct

Pre-approval may be the first step towards getting a mortgage on Anna Maria Island, but you'll want to get some things in order first. By following this list you'll be well on your way to receive the mortgage that you need to buy the home you want in Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, or the city of Anna Maria.
1.       Review your credit report. Make sure you get anything that doesn't look right corrected.
2.       Gather yours and anyone else's tax returns (that are applying for the mortgage) and proof of income.
3.       Have your down payment money and closing money ready in the bank for when the deal closes.
4.       If you've been renting, put together the last 12 months of proof that you have been on time with your payments. Getting a letter from your landlord as a referral will help as well.
5.       Gather any personal government identification documents needed. (ex: divorce papers, if applicable)
6.       Provide proof of regular income including Social Security, Child Support, or any government assistance. Also, provide proof of any IRAs or retirement accounts you may have. Don't forget to tell them of any money you have held in the stock market.
7.       Bring proof of any other property you currently own.
8.       Once you get all the documents together, go to a lender to get pre-approved on Anna Maria Island. They'll give you a GFE, Good Faith Estimate. This is an estimate of what your general  mortgage costs would be if you choose to go with them.
9.       Go to another lender and get pre-approved again. Do this process as many times as needed. You'll want to make sure you get the best deal you can get.


Call me, Billi, at 941-545-8877 for any Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, or Anna Maria real estate inquiries you have. Anna Maria Life is dedicated to helping you find the home of your dreams on Anna Maria Island.

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Saturday, September 17, 2016

Information on First-Time Homebuyer Programs


Credit for this photo goes to Express

You've found that perfect first home you've always been looking for on Anna Maria Island- big swimming pool, fenced in backyard, spacious kitchen, and tons of room to have friends and family over. Being a first time homebuyer, I'm sure you searched the internet for options. You may have been one of many getting overwhelmed by all the information available. Don't worry! I've don't some research myself in order to help you get started with what you need.
First, what is a first time home buyer program and what does it do? It's a program that was set up to help make purchasing a home more affordable for low-to-moderate income families and individuals by offering fixed, low-interest rate mortgage loans.
Now, if you're unfamiliar with what a mortgage loan is, it's a loan that is given to you by using your home/property in exchange for funds that you agree to pay back in a certain time frame for a certain cost.
After looking at Florida Housing's website, I found a wizard that may be able to help provide you with more information regarding the first time home buyer programs. Using this tool it gave a little bit of insight for what you may be eligible for as well as more information regarding income limits, purchase price limits, down payment assistance, and more.

Example List of Available Florida First Time Homebuyer Programs:
  •          Florida First (FHA, VA, & RD only) with an interest rate of 4.5000% this program is available to all first time homebuyers by reducing the cost of your first mortgage.
  •        Florida Military Heroes (FHA, VA, & RD only) with an interest rate of 4.2500% this program is a 30 year fixed rate mortage loan program that was designed to help veterans and active duty personnel. It reduces the first mortgage interest rate and veterans don't have to be first time homebuyers.
  •          Both the FL HFA Preferred Conventional Loan Program and the HFA Preferred Plus Conventional Loan Program have an interest rate of 4.2500%. They both offer reduced first mortgage interest rates.



The programs listed above are just a few of many. You're never in the search alone. Check my website out at Anna Maria Life. I would be honored to help you search for your first, second, or any home you're looking to move into. Call me, Billi, at 941-545-8877 for any of your Anna Maria Island real estate needs.

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Sunday, September 11, 2016

Market Statistics for 2015-2016 Anna Maria Island


To schedule a tour of this home (shown in the picture above), call me at 941-545-8877. If you're ready to start your search for the perfect home for sale on Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, or Bradenton Beach reach out to me with any real estate questions you have. Are you ready to experience the Anna Maria Island Life?


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Friday, September 9, 2016

Places to Check Out on Anna Maria island!



Credit for the photo goes to Flicker

Anna Maria Island is home to many historical buildings and landmarks, many of which have been restored to their former selves. When visiting the island it's always great to check out the restaurants, souvenir shops, parks, etc. But don't forget to check out these historical beauties. We've chosen a few to get you started.

Rosedale Cottage
In 1913, Captain Mitch Davis (1st mayor of Anna Maria) built the Rosedale Cottage. It was originally built for George "Will" Wihelm Bean, son of Emerson Bean. In the early 1940s the J. Hartley Blackburn family lived in the house. The house was known as the Cozy Corner because when Betty and Hartley were school teachers they used the house as a location to teach children. Norman and Kay Rosedale moved into the hosue in 1951, thus naming the house Rosedale Cottage. They renovated the house in a way; so, it could keep it's original look.

Credit for this photo goes to Pineapple Fish.

Belle Haven


Originally built as an ice house on the end of the pier in 1920 by Captain Mitch Davis, the house eventually became a fish packing plant. The house sat on the end of the pier til the weather and the worms caused it to fall into the Tampa Bay in 1926. Lyman Christy paid $125 and relocated the house to the northern tip of the island to Palmetto Avenue. Lyman and his wife lived in the house for 50 years until it became a rental cottage. The house was donated to the Anna Maria Island Historical Society in 2001. It took a while, but Belle Haven was finally restored to it's former glory in 2006.
 Credit for the photo goes to AMIHS
.
Thelma by the Sea

Mr. & Mrs. R.J. Wood named the home after their daughter, Thelma. In 1944, the home was sold to Emma Williams. She added more rooms to the home and after it was completed, she named it the Angler's Lodge. In 1956, she sold the home to Mathilde Hasulauer who then sold it to the Scott family in 1972. The Scott family used the home as a get-away home until 1992 and then they sold it to Agie Hebebrand of Chevy Chase, Mtd. who rented the home to vacationers. In 2011 the home was sold to Pineapplefish, LLP, owned by Lizzie and Miek Vann Thrasher who moved the house to the Green Village on Pine Avenue for restoration. 
Credit for this photo goes to Pineapple Fish.

Feeling like you don't have enough time to enjoy all the beautiful landmarks, buildings, beaches, food, and more- check out Anna Maria Life. We're all about helping people find what they're searching for in a second home, investment opportunities, and relocations. Anna Maria Island has tons of condos, townhouses, waterfront homes, and more available. If you have any questions on how to get started, call me, Billi, at 941-545-8877, I would be honored to help you, your friend, or family member find what you're looking for in a home.


Don't forget to check out the Historic City Pier and the Historic City Jail.


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Sunday, August 21, 2016

Are You Relocating to a New Area?



Relocating to a New Area, Questions You Should Ask Yourself


Picking up and moving to Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, or Bradenton Beach has a nice share of headaches to give. Will I be able to continue my current job? Should I move my own stuff or should I hire professional movers? Will I be able to continue my degree in the new area? Many Americans wish they could move to a Anna Maria Island, but they are not sure how to begin. Chances are, you are one of them. Before you being packing your belongings and hiring professional movers, consider these questions to make moving easier.


Can I afford it?
   This probably sound pretty obvious, but you can never plan enough when you are thinking of moving to Anna Maria Island. For some you may only be moving to a new city, but for others you may be moving to a different state entirely. Based on my experience last minute expenses come up as well as unexpected problems you may never predict that could happen. I always kept hoping for that ray of light that will guide me through the new unknown, living in a new area on my own. By having your expenses calculated and even some extra set on the side, you’ll be set for whatever comes your way. 

Moving for Your Job
   If you’re relocating for your job check with your company to see what they may cover. It’s very important to know what they may or may not help you with. Some employers may cover travel expenses for trying to find your new home on Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, or Bradenton Beach, and may also cover shipping and packing services. You’ll save yourself some time and money by asking your company.

Decide on What You’re Moving
    Everyone has that favorite Lazyboy or that 50” Box TV, but is it really cost-effective to move them to your new home? Look at everything you have- especially furniture and electronics. Decide if it would make more sense to sell those items before moving and reinvesting in them once you arrive.

How Long do You Want to Stay There?
    Are you only wanting to stay for a year? Or do you see yourself raising your family and your grandchildren? You don’t have to necessarily have an answer to this, but it is good to think about. It will give you a better idea of where you’re wanting to go or aim for.

What About Your Vices?
Everyone has their vices. Their favorite skating rink, nail salon, boutique, fast food, etc. The thing that I loved, country ham biscuits and Cracker Barrel were the things I hoped would be near my new home. I reached my new house off of Anna Maria Island and began exploring restaurants hoping to find my two favorites. I did luckily find Cracker Barrel, but unfortunately still no luck for the country ham. However, I did find some new favorites like fish tacos, salmon, and more. If you’ve got those favorites you can’t do without, I suggest stocking up on them. 

What Are You Gaining By Moving to a New Area?
   This is a pretty cool question to play with. Think of what you can learn, do, and experience in Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and Anna Maria.  My favorite part about moving was that I moved from a very small town to a larger one. I have tons new restaurants, stores, and more to explore.



No matter where you’re going you’ve got tons of resources you can use: Internet, Papers, Real Estate Agents, and other people around you. Utilize all of those sources to help you make the best decision you can when you’re ready to relocate to a new area.

I really recommend checking out Lifehacker.com for more tips and such for relocating to a new area. To begin your search for that perfect home for sale on Anna Maria Island or any other real estate questions you may have please call me at 941-545-8877. Are you ready to be a part of the Anna Maria Life.




Check out available listings on Anna Maria Island here.

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Sunday, February 7, 2016

Beautiful Snead Island Home for Sale in Palmetto


ANNA MARIA REAL ESTATE
exclusively presents

1760 Amberwynd Circle W.

Just put on the market on Snead Island, Palmetto. This stunning waterfront property for sale will be your dream home. Enjoy majestic views of the bay in this 4 bedroom and 3 bath house. The aquarium style windows gives you a wondrous view of your multi-tiered lanai and screened in heated swimming pool.

Made up of many small neighborhoods, Snead Island is counted as one of the most sought out areas in the county. Classified as a waterfront and boating community, Amberwynd is a small community that holds special group activities. Enjoy docking your boat at the newly renovated Trex deck dock with a 10,000 lb. boat lift. Another plus about this newly added real estate property is the enormous backyard and the spacious kitchen.











To schedule a tour, gather further information on this property and to find similar listings, please contact Billi at 941-545-8877
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Saturday, January 23, 2016

Check out these 7 tips for new real estate investors!




So you’ve decided that you want to start investing in real estate. Great! Check out these tips on how to get started on investing.

  • Check your credit score to determine if you’re able to finance a investment property.
  • Consider multiple sources for looking at and buying properties. A lot of new investors thing they only have the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) site or by knocking on doors looking for the opportunity to buy. Don’t forget to check out other real estate sites, auctions, and your local papers.
  • Find a good bank or mortgage broker in the area you are financing your investment properties at.
  • Get in the mindset that real estate investing is a business. Develop a good business plan that will detail starting and running your business with realistic goals.
  • Pick a good neighborhood. You’re going to want to know that you’ll be able to make a profit off of the investment.
  • Buy the investment property at a good price. If you can buy a property for 12 times the amount of it’s annual rent- then that’s a good deal.
  • Don’t get overexcited. People forget to not invest too much in the beginning. Start small and work. That way you won’t have to magically recoup quickly.


Friday, December 11, 2015

Is Your House Ready for Santa?

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.


You’ve got your stockings hung and you’ve even put out some cookies to tide him over. But is your house really ready for Santa? He passed a message along that he really likes visiting homes that are safe. We’ve made you a list to be ready for St. Nick when he gets here.

  • Holiday dinners: Every family reheats and passes the food around the table all the time; however, it is surprising that so many people don’t be come ill. Make sure to reheat your leftovers to at least 165 degrees F to get rid of harmful bacteria. If you’re saving a plate, make sure to wrap it up and stick it in the fridge to keep it safe.
  • Winter Essentials: Make sure to grab all the winter essentials you may need such as salt and a shovel. By having these items you can make sure your family and visiting relative can make it to your front door safely.
  • Watch out for the pets and kids: Make sure to keep small snacks like nuts and popcorn, decorative plants, and potentially poisonous foods out of reach of the kids and pets. Also, don’t forget that decorations and other things can pose a hazard for infants. Check out our blog, "How to Childproof Your Home for the Holiday Season", for more tips.
  • Secure your home and belongings: Don’t forget to secure your garage, lock the doors, and arm your home security systems. This will keep out the people who will want to take advantage of the holidays. Don’t worry about Santa. He has magic to get the gifts inside homes for the good boys and girls.
  • Don’t forget to water your Christmas tree. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the holiday season is the worst time of the year for home fires. Make sure you water your tree daily and keep it at least three feet away from any heat source.
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Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Winter is right around the corner. Is your house ready?

Winter is right around the corner for many people and I know they’re probably dreading it too. We’ve created a small checklist for you to use to prepare your home for the upcoming winter season. 

       Outside:
  • Clean out your gutters- Wait till the last leaf falls around your home and get your gutters cleaned out. If you’re able to do it yourself or even get someone else to help, cleaning your gutters out will prevent blockage during the winter storms.
  • Put away your outdoor items- We’ve all thought the same thing “I don’t want to clean or move the furniture”. I know. I felt the same way myself. However, it’s best to clean off all your outdoor items and store them or at least cover them for the season.
  • Clean out your fireplace or wood stove if you love having a warm fire or if that’s your primary source of heat. Also have your chimney professionally cleaned and checked out.
  • Buy the winter essentials before season hits; so that way you’re not fighting over stuff in the store.
  • Check your roof- Grab a ladder or a pair of binoculars and check for damaged, loose, or missing shingles that may possibly leak during storms. Don’t forget to check your seals around the vent stacks and chimneys too. (If your roof is flat and surfaced with asphalt and pebbles, rake or blow off leaves and pine needles. Don’t remove the pebbles though. It will expose the asphalt to sunlight.)
  • Water your outdoor plants- not a lot of people know to water their plants even up to the first frost. This will keep your plants from drying out.
  • Drain your sprinkler and/or irrigation systems- If there is still water in these it could cause them to bust.
       Inside:
  • Order a home energy audit- This is great, because the person performing the audit has a tool that shows areas that are loosing heat.
  • Tune up your heating system- hire a technician and have them inspect your heating system to make sure it’s clean and in good repair. By having a technician check it out it also measures carbon-monoxide leakage.
  • Reverse your ceiling fans- The fan will produce an updraft and push down into the room heated air.
  • Swap out your bedding- Clean and store your summer bedding and get the down comforter or heavy blankets out instead. You’ll sleep much better and stay warmer.
  • Swap out the clothing in your closet- Bring out your winter clothing and store your warmer clothing (unless you’re in those warmer states- Florida).
  • Recaulk around your windows and doors- Check the space between the walls at the door frames and windows. If there is a space bigger than the width of a nickel you should reapply caulk. Check your weather stripping too.

If you click this link, it will take you to a pdf version of this article and you can print it as a checklist for you and your family/friends.



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Saturday, December 5, 2015

Checklist: Who to Inform That You're Moving


Once you’ve decided on moving you should start planning on who you’re going to notify. It’s very important to let business know such as your insurance, internet, etc so that way you’ll still keep your product/service. The best way to tell who you need to inform of your move is to make a list. We’ve made a list that may be of some help; however, you may not need all of these.

  • Friends and family
  • Banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions
  • Insurance companies
  • Local government authorities as appropriate
  • Tax authorities
  • Utility companies (i.e. gas, electric, water as appropriate – in these cases you may need to talk to them direct to arrange disconnection/connection of services, account opening/closure etc)
  • Phone companies – both fixed and mobile
  • Satellite/cable TV providers
  • Internet service providers
  • Doctor, optician and dentist
  • Veterinarian
  • Schools
  • Employers
  • Regional driving license offices
  • Magazine or newspaper subscriptions
  • Clubs, professional associations, motoring organizations etc
  • Rental companies
  • Mail order companies
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Friday, December 4, 2015

How to Decorate Your Small Space Without a Christmas Tree






You may have run into the same problem that quite a few people have as well- you don’t have enough space in your home or apartment for a Christmas tree. I’ve looked around and found some easy ideas you can use to have a Christmas tree with any amount of space.


  • Choose a section of your wall that you won’t mind painting and turn it into a canvas of wonder. Use a can of chalkboard paint on the wall and draw your tree, fireplace, and other holiday related themes on it. It’s great for the kids too. You can purchase a can of the paint online at Michaels’ for $7.99.   
  • If you have loose branches lying around in your yard pick them up and use them to create a tree on your wall. Tie some string around them and mount them on your wall in the shape of a tree. You can even add ornaments to make it more like a Christmas tree.

  • Choose your favorite picture of a Christmas tree (make sure it’s not copyrighted) or even a regular tree, take it to your local print shop, and have it enlarged to the size similar to a tapestry. Hang the print out on a dowel rod and place it anywhere you’d like. Check out Staples for a printout or even a local FedEx/Kinko’s store. 
  • Add strips of crepe paper to your wall in the shape of a tree. Have the kids help out too. It makes a fun and creative craft for them.
  • Make a tree out of Evergreen branches laying around or even go to your local craft store and attach them to dowel rods. This makes it more like a realistic tree and adds the wonderful scent of the outdoors to your home.
  • If you don’t have the time to find some branches, cut paper, or paint check out your home for stuff you already have. If you have some shelves turn them into a festive display. Grab those old holiday greeting cards, mismatched gloves, and scarves.  

  • Another great thing to try is the washi tape. They have many different colors and designs it makes it fun and interesting to try different combinations.
  • Construction paper makes a neat crafting project for the whole family. Just cut some shapes out or even just a plain shape, tape them to the wall, and add cutout ornaments to it.


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