Posts by Demetri Stakias

Maybe you’re relocating and have already gone over budget on first and last month’s rent because you absolutely fell in love with the place (no regrets, the view is perfect). Perhaps you’ve gone through the process of buying your first home and putting down a downpayment and want to cut costs where you can to afford that bathroom remodel sooner. Or you’re simply a thrifty person who is always looking for ways to optimize their budget and save where it makes sense.

Moving is often a source of unnecessary annoyances and hidden costs. Between hiring movers, buying packing supplies, and transferring utilities, the costs of moving can quickly add up.

If you’re looking for ways to save on your next move, read on for Real Estate Relief’s 8 Ways to Save Money When You’re Moving.

When we talk about restoring communities, rather than simply “improving” communities, we emphasize the importance of restoration and contributing to something where our efforts are needed, and a significant impact can be made.

The core value of Restoring Communities also establishes our purpose to serve -- to give beyond ourselves.

While there is room for improvement and growth and upgrades to already great things, I think we owe it to our communities to do what we can to create impactful, meaningful change.

Attending local events is not only a great opportunity to get off the couch and stop doom-scrolling or binge-watching Netflix, but an opportunity to connect with your community. Community is crucial to the Real Estate Relief team, and we are guided by our core value of Restoring Communities. When we participate in an event locally, it’s an incredible opportunity to connect with new members of our community and to support local businesses.

After welcoming the beautiful cherry blossom blooms this April, spring is officially in full swing and Philly is abuzz, enjoying the lovely outdoor spaces that our city has to offer. With street festival season approaching, there are countless opportunities for fun in the Philadelphia area this coming May. The Real Estate Relief team will definitely be doubling up on our festival attendance to make sure we can check out all of these amazing events!

Buying your first home is an exciting and life-changing endeavor, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful. With so many options available and a substantial financial commitment involved, it's essential to make an informed decision and get all the facts before committing to your new home.

The Real Estate Relief team has more than a decade of experience in the real estate space, both from the buyer and seller point of view, and we wanted to share a quick overview of things to consider as you take this exciting next step in your life.

Here are some tips on what to look for when buying your first home.

One of the core values at Real Estate Relief is to restore communities.

I believe one way we can do so is to establish environmentally-conscious habits that scale. Maybe you see your neighbor reusing and recycling materials and decide to try it out. Before you know it, the whole neighborhood is exchanging and repurposing materials.

Maybe there’s a community garden on your block with youth programs teaching young people how to garden and cultivate their own food. This will have intergenerational impact. You can start small, with something like wrapping a gift in a recycled cloth, instead of purchasing wrapping paper (this practice, known as Furoshiki, is the ancient Japanese tradition of wrapping gifts in cloth, as well as the name of the fabric used).

In a field like real estate, especially if you are doing flips and significant remodeling or construction, you can have even more of an impact due to the sheer volume of resources being used. This is an amazing opportunity to educate yourself on new eco-conscious solutions and stay ahead of the curve.

Successfully staging and decorating your home can make or break a sale. With more than a decade of real estate experience, Real Estate Relief founder, Demetri Stakias, weighs in on some home decorating and staging tips to set your home apart.

Design decisions have a deep impact on human psychology, and it's extrememly important to set the scene in a way that optimizes the experience of someone touring your home. We must consider not only how something looks, but how it makes someone feel.

Spring has sprung and the Real Estate Relief team is so excited to go out and take in the sights and sounds of the City of Brotherly Love.

There is an abundance of historic homes and buildings that provide a glimpse into the fascinating stories of Philadelphians who preceded us.

The team at Real Estate Relief wanted to honor our city’s magnificent history by featuring some of its unique historic homes and properties across Philly. Some of these locations are well-known, others less so, but all worth exploring!

This graphic of the Real Estate Relief was initially created for internal use -- a way to check in with ourselves and ensure we practice what we preach.

I thought I'd also share it here as a way for you to get to know us better. 

Maybe these values will resonate with you, too.

Are you looking for the best way to sell your home? These days, there are more options than the simple real estate contract we’ve all come to know. Let's compare Real Estate Relief versus traditional agent listings.

Are you looking to sell your house or property fast, and you're tired of waiting on the real estate market to work in your favor?  Real Estate Relief offers a number of different options for home and property owners. Traditional home buyers and local real estate agents can only offer limited (and often near-sighted) options to sell your house.  Real Estate Relief is different.

Real Estate Relief's mission has always been to take the deception our of the quick-sale home and property market.  At each step of the process, Real Estate Relief works with you to correctly value your property, to carefully review all your options, and ultimately to sell on your terms.