Home tips

It's officially December, and the Holidays-with-a-capital-H are in full swing! It's the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be quite stressful if you're hosting your family and friends in your home. Especially if your home is on the small side, it can be difficult to find room for everyone. These tips for hosting the holidays in a small home can help make the festivities run smoothly for everyone.

Rearrange the Space

If your guests can't all fit at the dining room table, don't be afraid to clear the living room and host the feast with additional tables and chairs where there's more space. Temporarily store end tables and other fixtures in different rooms of the house. As an added bonus, move the sofa and recliner into the dining room to create a cozy space for guests to gather and chat after dinner.

Use the Patio

Even if it's cold outside, your patio can become part of your party turf. A small fire pit or overhead heaters can draw guests outside to chat or just get some fresh air. Toss some throw blankets over your patio furniture and place a bottle of white wine or other best-when-cold spirits to help your guests stay warm.

Put Your Home to Work

Use common household items to your advantage. Need more counter space or additional room for the buffet? Toss a festive tablecloth over the ironing board. Fill the kitchen sink with ice to keep beverages cool instead of cluttering the room with a hefty cooler. Turn an accent table into a bar area with spirits and mixers.

Keep Decor Simple

An abundance of decor may make the space feel more cluttered and cramped. Keep decor simple and sparse. You'll find the warmth and smiles of your family and friends to be decoration enough.

With these tips, we at Compass Realtors hope you'll enjoy a fun, festive, and merry...

They're coming a little later than normal this year, but the old saying holds true: taxes are still an absolute certainty.

Clark County residents will begin receiving property tax statements in the mail shortly after April 15, with payments due May 10 and November 10. You can find a wealth of information about your property taxes on the Clark County Treasuerer's Office website, including how to pay online, payment installment options, and much more. 

Nobody enjoys paying taxes, but there are some resources to help you save for them. Check out how to keep your property taxes low here. Happy tax season, friends!

Spring is here, which means for many the mountain of snow that has been piling up all winter is a thing of the past. With spring comes fresh, new ideas, and warmth. But it also brings the chance to get your home ready for those brighter, warmer days. Here are seven tips to prepare your home for spring.

1. Have your air conditioner checked now before it starts warming too much. It will cost more to have it serviced the closer you get to summer, so this will save you money and insure that your home is ready to be cooled for those hot summer months.
2. The cold winter can take its toll on windows and doors. Check all of your windows outside for cracks. You can replace weather stripping or caulk as needed.
3. Check your roof for loose shingles or soft patches before the spring storms start. Severe weather can make existing roof problems worse.
4. Switch the direction of your ceiling fans.
5. With spring comes “spring cleaning”. It can be daunting at times, so create a spring cleaning plan. Deep cleaning upholstery and carpets should be a first priority. Dust likes to collect in the stuffiness of winter.
6. Cleaning can sometimes cause toxins to build-up from the cleaners. Open your windows often.
7. Pruning back your bushes before they are overgrown from the spring rain will help protect your other plants from the overgrowth.

With the weather starting...