A Good Go-To Color Scheme for Staging

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/1.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>White milk glass, a white tray, </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>white candles, and some glass globes </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>from a fan light all came out of the closet.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>When in doubt, go with white. That's my motto.<br /><br />Since so many of my draperies, side tables, greenery, artwork and assorted décor tchotchkes are on loan at our for-sale condo, my living room at home has been looking sparse for the past month.<br /><br />Over the weekend I decided to remedy that, and at the same time, give the living room a summery vibe.  <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Easy Solution</span></b><br /><br />My simple approach was to make a sweep of the house, hunting down anything white.  The only white in my living room, besides the trimwork, has been two lamp shades, a painted and distressed tall table, and the painted brick fireplace.<br /><br />Here’s some of what I scrounged to add to the mix and fill in the gaps: <br /><ul><li>Gauzy white curtains from the back of my sewing closet to cover the two windows </li><li>A collection of milk glass pieces I keep meaning to sell on eBay</li><li>A large white plastic serving bowl that from a distance looks like porcelain</li><li>A white urn I tell myself I am going to convert to a lamp someday  </li><li>Three white flower pots from my garden shed</li><li>An off-white tray from up high in the kitchen cabinets  </li><li>One chunky white vase that went immediately onto the mantle</li><li>A white china duck that belonged to my mother</li><li>An eight-inch round whitewashed basket</li><li>A white linen tablecloth and white seat cushions for the dining room table that’s visible from the living room</li><li>Two frosted white globes from a ceiling fan/light we removed years ago</li><li>A stack of white and off-white books from my bookshelves</li><li>Mr. Lucky’s Panama hat  </li></ul>Then I dug out some white upholstery fabric and sewed a cover for animal print seat on a side chair. I needed to replace an end table so I looked in the garage for that old 36-inch round of fiberboard that has screw-on legs, and draped it with a white quilt.  And finally, I made a 14-inch wide white tissue paper flower and set it in a white metal flower holder.  <br /><br />Everything looks nice and fresh.<br /><br />For a simple approach to decorating your staged home, think about a white-on-white color scheme.  It's goof-proof.<br /><br />For other formulas that will work in your staged home, download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>. It's just $5, and comes as an easy to downlad pdf .<br />       <span id="goog_1136604680"></span><span id="goog_1136604681"></span>

A Good Go-To Color Scheme for Staging

White milk glass, a white tray,  white candles, and some glass globes  from a fan light all came out of the closet. When in doubt, go with w...

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Flowers in the Staged House

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/Lantana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/Lantana.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I thought these cheery, scented lantana </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>blossoms would be ideal by the front door,</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i> but, alas, they needed more care than I gave them.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="goog_1430144311"></span><span id="goog_1430144312"></span>Those of you who have read my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">ebook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar</i>, know that I am big on greenery. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I want to talk about outdoor greenery.</div><br />I hate it when I don’t listen to my own advice and it comes back to bite me. I’ve written that in the staged-for-sale home, outside greenery, unless it is part of the maintenance-free landscaping, should be faux. Good quality faux. Not cemetery flowers faux.<br /><br />What can be more inviting that a basket or bucket of colorful blooms by the front door?<br /><br />Or even a convincing silk fern?  Really, they’re made so well today that unless you go the really cheapo route, or leave them in direct sun for months, they look fabulous.  <br /><br />But while staging the front door area and the deck of our condo on the market, I convinced myself that real flowers were the way to go.  <br /><br />They’re fresh, they’re genuine, and they’re even fragrant, I mused as I potted up some geraniums, lantana and petunias. Since we live about two minutes from the property, I told myself that I’d be by daily to water them.<br /><br />Wrong. We’ve had weeks of high heat with scant rainfall, so I’ve already replaced some dead plants, and the ones remaining don’t seem all that happy.  <br /><br />I think I’ll follow my own instructions and go shopping for pretty silk greenery. Where’s that coupon for 50% off any one item priced under $20 at the home décor store?<br /><br />

Flowers in the Staged House

I thought these cheery, scented lantana  blossoms would be ideal by the front door,  but, alas, they needed more care than I gave them. Thos...

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F.S.B.O or Realtor?

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/forsalegreensign-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/forsalegreensign-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whether you list with a broker, or sell your home yourself, advertising and signage are a must.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>Our realtor, Ms. Speedy, called to say that our property was shown over the weekend and that a woman is in love with our little condo.  <br /><br />But we all know that love comes with complications.<br /><br />The problem is she has to sell her own home first.  Her home is in a nearby town that doesn’t have much to recommend it, so I am not counting on her infatuation turning into an offer any time soon.  It’s encouraging, but that’s all.<br /><br />Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall when people tour the home you have staged?  Being on the scene to answer questions and to point out all the amenities from a personal point of view is one of the reasons people decide to sell their homes direct, without a broker. <br /><br />Although there are advantages --- mostly economic – to going the F.S.B.O route, I think the advantages to working with a realtor outnumber them.  The way I see it, a realtor:<br /><ul><li>Knows the market and can easily research comparable properties to establish a fair and realistic asking price.</li><li>Is in touch with what buyers want and can suggest ways to improve your property.</li><li>Acts as a buffer between you and the buyer so the transaction is less personal and more professional.</li><li>Provides a measure of security because she’s already collected some information about the buyer (no strangers knocking at your door).</li><li>Works with the buyer to assist with financing, home inspections, and the legalities of the transaction.</li><li>Saves you time by working with qualified buyers.</li><li>Has the skills and capital to advertise your property to the target market and to a world wide market.</li><li>Adds credibility that makes buyers feel more comfortable. You have an MLS number and a representative instead of being just Joe Blow selling his house.</li><li>Buyers trust the realtor as a third party, and feel they are being represented. </li></ul>Do I sound like a mouthpiece for the National Association of Realtors?  I don’t have any ties or affiliations with any real estate company. The reason I have a high regard for realtors is that I have worked with some excellent ones.  Finding a good realtor is a topic for another blog post. <br /><br />Also, Mr. Lucky and I once tried to sell a house F.S.B.<span id="goog_1043845719"></span><span id="goog_1043845720"></span>O.  After three months of showing the property to assorted “buyers,” we turned it over to a realtor who had it sold in a week. What we came to understand was that serious and qualified buyers work with a realtor instead of shopping F.S.B.O. listings in hopes of getting a steal (no broker to pay!), or owner financing, or other special considerations.   <br /><br />But that’s just my opinion and my experience.  Hey, it’s my blog. 

F.S.B.O or Realtor?

Whether you list with a broker, or sell your home yourself, advertising and signage are a must. Our realtor, Ms. Speedy, called to say that ...

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Viagra Kind of View

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.usa.gov/roller/govgab/resource/images/pills2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://blog.usa.gov/roller/govgab/resource/images/pills2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You never know when someone who's just fooling around is going to get serious. Be prepared.</td></tr></tbody></table>The broker that works with our realtor, Ms. Speedy, told me that she showed the condo and a few other properties to an older couple last week.  The woman sat on the living room loveseat that faces the waterview, turned to her husband and sighed, “I LOVE it!”  <br /><br />The husband said, “I’d better pick up some little blue pills on the way home.  All the other properties we looked at she only LIKED!”  <br /><br />Unfortunately, they called the broker today to say they can’t qualify for a loan. <br /><br />Why don’t people get pre-qualified for financing before they set out on a house search?  On one hand, it's frustrating for sellers and brokers to have tire kickers waste their time, but on the other hand, you never know when a looker will become a buyer.  The watchword for those of us with real estate to sell is patience.

Viagra Kind of View

You never know when someone who's just fooling around is going to get serious. Be prepared. The broker that works with our realtor, Ms. ...

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Yes, You Can Stage with a Mix of Furniture

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/Dw/0510-wolf-02-dining-table-saarinen-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/Dw/0510-wolf-02-dining-table-saarinen-de.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />You want your home to look beautiful when buyers come looking. <br /><br />Maybe you're staging an empty house on a budget, or you're staging a dining room where your informal family room has been.<br /><br />Instead of investing in an expensive set of dining room furniture, work with what you have or can buy second hand, like odd pairs of chairs, benches, and orphaned seats.  In the photo above, a design by Eric Piasecki for House Beautiful, three different styles of seating make this dining area informal and interesting.<br /><br />You can easily imitate what Eric did. Simply keep it simple, use color and fabric to pull it all together, and your "new" dining room will look fresh, trendy and inviting enough to seduce house hunters.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i40.tinypic.com/2zpoy7k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://i40.tinypic.com/2zpoy7k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Two pairs of chairs around a color-coordinated rectangular table look </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">perfectly at home.Photo: Tinypic.com</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://yourdecoratinghotline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/dining-myhomeideas-pic-TriaGiovan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://yourdecoratinghotline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/dining-myhomeideas-pic-TriaGiovan.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Two distinctly different kinds of chairs keep this room comfortable but airy. </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">Photo:Tria Giovan for MyHomeIdeas.com</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img4.coastalliving.com/i/2009/07/preppyint-11-l.jpg?400:400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://img4.coastalliving.com/i/2009/07/preppyint-11-l.jpg?400:400" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">One of my favorite examples: Colorful, striped upholstery and white paint </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">tie these assorted chairs together. Photo: Coastal Living</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Wrap: </span></b><br /><br />Don't be afraid to mix things up, as long as there are some unifying colors or patterns. Download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i> for more decorating and staging advice! Why go it alone, when I can hold your hand until your home sells?

Yes, You Can Stage with a Mix of Furniture

You want your home to look beautiful when buyers come looking.  Maybe you're staging an empty house on a budget, or you're staging a...

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Our Realtors Are Blown Away

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Harborwalk/Mstbathfrombdrm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Harborwalk/Mstbathfrombdrm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The master bath is small but it is private, pretty, </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">and very clean, and the realtors noticed that.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>The realtors who looked at our unit today (the ones from our listing agency, six of them)  liked what we did with the condo.<br /><br />In fact, they LOVED IT! <br /><br />All of then have seen the place sit there, stinking and dirty, for two years. Our own realtor said they were "blown away." <br /><br />She said they had never seen one of the condos in that development looking so good.<br /><br />Condos on the market have unique challenges. They are clustered so that buyers can easily comparison shop.  Typically, condos are compact, and every square foot has to earn its way.<br /><br />We're pleased that the agents are excited about our property because it will mean they're happy to show it. <br /><br />Ask yourself what your realtor thinks about your home on the market. Is there enthusiasm there?  Have you taken whatever advice she's offered so that you can operate as a team, supporting each other?  Your realtor is your representative. Surprise her with outstanding staging. You can do it! My <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">$5 home staging eBook </a>will help you from start to finish and with every step in between.

Our Realtors Are Blown Away

The master bath is small but it is private, pretty,  and very clean, and the realtors noticed that. The realtors who looked at our unit toda...

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DIY Frugal Pillow Talk

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/86/a1/37/86a137a52046f761de99ce2995aed2f9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/86/a1/37/86a137a52046f761de99ce2995aed2f9.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>If I use the word fluffing when I'm talking about home staging, I'm talking about pillows, those soft and beckoning props every staged home needs.<br /><br />Most of us have a running love affair with pillows. It's no mystery why. They're fun. And oh, so  handy.<br /><br />Pillows add a touch of luxury, color, and texture to any room. Perfect for home staging!<br /><br />On beds, benches, chairs or couches, they help coordinate a room that might, just might, have been put together on a budget from assorted furniture finds.<br /><br />But, have you looked at what one can spend on even run-of-the-mill department store pillows?  Twenty five dollars buys you a ho-hum one, and the ones you really want cost over a hundred. Dollars!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Making your own decorator pillows</b></span> is one of the simplest and quickest sewing projects. Even if you have no sewing skills, pillows for staging can be put together with fusible webbing (Stitch Witchery) or glue (either hot glue from a gun, or white paper glue). Here's a list of possible wallet-friendly pillow fabrics to get you in the groove: <br /><ul><li>Placemats or towels from the dollar store</li><li>Recycled blankets, draperies, scarves, sweaters, or skirts from the second hand store</li><li>Felt, upholstery samples, or drapery remnants from the fabric store</li></ul>Take note, all no-sew fans: A pillow can be as simple as two fabric squares glued around the edges.<br /><br />The ideal staging pillows will help create the comfortable look any buyer responds to. They'll do it by coordinating or matching the other colors in the room, not by providing a "pop of color" that detracts from the room itself.<br /><br />Pillows for staging should be large, no smaller than 16 x 16 inches.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/d2/a0/1a/d2a01a62ea364ddf046525a1ff856d70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/d2/a0/1a/d2a01a62ea364ddf046525a1ff856d70.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1060163_zps4fdebde4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1060163_zps4fdebde4.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A fuzzy fringe like this is easy to glue on a pillow. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What will make your DIY pillows special </b></span>is what's known as dressmaker details, those trims that add the look of quality and...well, money. <br /><br />The difference between a plain pillow and one that has piping around the edge is striking.<br /><br />Sewing piping and other trims like tassels, braiding, rick rack, fringes and ruffles into the seam of your pillows can be taxing because you'll be sewing through multiple thicknesses.<br /><br />I have a secret formula for adding trims. <br /><br />I just hand stitch or glue them on after the pillow is assembled and stuffed.<br /><br />I've used rope, cording, braid, felt fringe, and ribbon. Remember that white school glues like Elmer's are water soluble, and and hot glue will melt in the dryer. I have not had much success with washing and drying so-called washable fabric glues. But are you likely to wash these pillow covers? These are pillows for staging, not heirloom projects.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_2480_zpsd0f29a09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_2480_zpsd0f29a09.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I made these two matching pillows from white towels <br />and stitched on the rope trim after I stuffed them.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1060166_zps3e52967a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1060166_zps3e52967a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Braiding from a fabric store puts the finishing<br />decorator touch on a simple, DIY pillow.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />My <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook,</a> <i>DIY Home Staging Tips</i> <i>to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>, has directions for making no-sew and other simple pillows <br /><br />You can fill your pillows with polyester batting (Fiberloft), available at Walmart for about $4. Or you could open up one of your sleeping pillows that has lost its umph, fluff up the batting, and stuff your new pillows.<br /><br />I have even <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/06/easy-way-to-make-your-own-decorator.html" target="_blank">used paper that I put through our paper shredder to stuff pillows.</a> Don't laugh. It's free and it works. These pillows are just props, not designed to become heirlooms! <br /><br />Your own DIY pillows will add pizazz to your staged home. That's house fluffing.<br /><br />Two top photos: Providence Ltd Design

DIY Frugal Pillow Talk

If I use the word fluffing when I'm talking about home staging, I'm talking about pillows, those soft and beckoning props every sta...

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Pruning: Insider Secrets to Getting Shubbery in Shape

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_2932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_2932.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">People judge a home on the market by its curb<br />appeal, and tidy shrubs make for good curb appeal.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>If you take a step back and look at the house you are selling do you see anything like this --   <br /><ul><li>A front door that's not obvious at first glance. The path to it is narrow, uninviting, or obstructed.</li><li>Foundation plantings that have grown taller than the front windows.  </li><li>Weed vines and other invasives that  climb through  hedges or other shrubbery </li><li>A fence or outbuilding covered with things you didn’t plant, can’t identify, and aren’t even attractive.</li><li>Shrubs that are leggy, sprawling, shapeless, or crowding out more desirable plants.</li><li>Shrubs or small trees that have dead branches.  </li><li>Greenery that's finding its way behind shutters and vinyl siding, into gutters and eaves, or under decks and porches.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Why Pruning's a must</span></b><br />Househunters will judge your home’s interior even before they see it, by its exterior.<br /><br />Pruning makes the difference. It will give your home that cared-for look that buyers want. Let's call pruning exterior decluttering.<br /><br />The first step is to get your wardrobe right, not to make a fashion statement, but to protect you from scratches, bugs, snakes, poison ivy, nasty weather, and other unpleasantries.     <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Dressing the Part</span></b><br />Long sleeves are a must, no matter what the temperature.<br /><br />I am always amazed when I see people mowing the lawn in flip flops, weeding flower beds on their knees in shorts, and pruning prickly evergreens in halter tops.<br /><br />Get your vitamin D later, and cover up for pruning. Wear a hat if you have hair that can get in the way.  <br /><br />I’m also suggesting long pants with a back pocket. More on why the pocket in a moment. Jeans are ideal. <br /><br />Don’t forget your closed-toe, lace-up shoes, and socks. If ticks are a problem in your area, tuck pants into socks or wear boots.      <br /><br />I always don some kind of eye wear, the bigger the better, because even innocent-looking branches and vines can surprise you by springing back in your face. I suppose safety goggles would be best, but let’s not get crazy. Your old pair of wrap-around shades should work fine.<br /><br />Gloves. Okay, I have a glove fetish. Ask my husband how a display of gardening gloves in any store stops me in my tracks. “Well,” I always explain as I gingerly toss a cute polka-dot pair into our shopping cart, “they wear out!”<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/Bpruning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="544" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/Bpruning.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>My Hedge Hog cordless electric trimmer makes the job of improving </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>curb appeal go quickly and easily.  </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Equip Yourself</span></b><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/goodphotoeg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/goodphotoeg2.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Even homes with small yards need regular yard <br />maintenance. Maybe more so than large yards.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Next, the right equipment. Hand pruners, called by-pass pruners, will take care of single branches up to one inch across. Keep the pruners handy in your back pocket.<br /><br />And never set them on the ground, because, trust me, you will lose them under vegetation or mulch. Ask me how I know. <br /><br />Long handled loppers deal with anything larger, up to about three inches. Pruning sheers will trim up little-leaved shrubbery like privets and boxwoods.   <br /><br />Any homeowner, especially one with a home to sell, who has any leafy landscaping, should own these basic tools.You folks with cactus, rock, and sand landscapes can go back to bed. <br /><br />If you anticipate more hedge trimming in your future, consider something like what I have, the Hedge Hog. I bought it at Sears for about $60 and never looked back. <br /><br />I just came from spending four hours pruning the front and back yards at one of my investment properties.<br /><br />I am not selling my house, but I want to keep my tenants happy, and I had not done any serious yard work there in two years, the kinds of things you can’t expect tenants to do.<br /><br />I mean, they’re even older than I am!<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Best Tips I Know</span></b><br />As I pruned today, I thought of your, my reader. Here are my tips to getting this work done with the least amount of effort.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/lawn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/lawn2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">When shrubbery is groomed, it gives people the message that<br />the people who live here take good care of  their entire property.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Decide if you want a particular shrub to have its natural shape or a more manicured look. If your open house is tomorrow, just cut enough to make it tidy.   <br /><br />To attack vines, try finding the lowest point, like where it comes from the ground, and cut there.  Then, a good tug might be all you need to reel it in. Pruning from the top down creates more work for yourself. <br /><br />Prune back foundation shrubs so there are at least two feet between them and the house. Siding on a house needs room to breathe. In fire prone areas, keep vegetation even further away.    <br /><br />Throw trimmings into an open area as you work. You can rake or sweep them up when the pruning is done.<br /><br />If your house is not going to be listed for sale in the immediate future, be more bold with your pruning.  Cutting back overgrown shrubs causes them to put out new growth. But different plants respond differently to being cut back, so identify the plant and research how pruning affects it.<br /><br />A good place for this kind of information is your local County Extension Service, Master Gardening Program, or gardening center.<br /><br />This kind of yard work can have you working up a sweat. If it's cold out, dress in layers; if it's hot out, remember to stay hydrated.<br /><br />Get rid of the prunings. Don’t make a brush pile or leave large bags of debris for home buyers to see. You don’t want to give the impression that owning your home involves work. <br /><br />Finally, check yourself for ticks when you are all done working.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Get More Info and Motivation</span></b><br />The home you are staging to sell deserves to look good from every angle, inside and out. Start with curb appeal, and don't be hesitant about pruning for a tidy appearance. My $5 <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>, tells you how to stage your own home, inside and out. The easy and economical way. And it includes one entire chapter on staging your home's exterior.<br /><br /><br />

Pruning: Insider Secrets to Getting Shubbery in Shape

People judge a home on the market by its curb appeal, and tidy shrubs make for good curb appeal.   If you take a step back and look at the h...

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Pressure Wash for Better Curb Appeal

A home on the market has to sparkle.  An easy – and even fun – way to bring a home’s exterior to life is to pressure wash it.  Siding, foundation, patio, walkways, driveways, stairs, decks, porch, they all benefit from this kind of fast and thorough cleaning. <br /><br />When I’m pressure washing I feel like I am holding a magic wand in my hands.  The 2700 pounds of pressure a power washer puts behind a stream of water blasts away grime, stains, mildew, bubblegum, bird poop, you name it.  Gone.  <br /><br />Today I spent the an hour and a half washing the vinyl siding on the two-bedroom investment property we own and rent to the world’s nicest couple.  It’s a powerful feeling to see dirt disappear with hardly any effort.  Just point and squeeze the handle of the washer’s gun.    <br /><br />For the first pass I use a solution of half bleach, half water, to kill mildew.  Then I switch to straight water and a smaller tip that delivers much more pressure.   Mildew grows on dirt, so removing dirt is key to keeping mildew at bay.          <br /><br />We bought our Graco washer because we use it often to prep house exteriors prior to painting them.  We also use it to clean any surfaces that are hard enough to withstand the pressure. <br /><br />If you are staging a home to sell, and some of these areas need cleaning, pressure washing might be the way to go.  But please don’t think you have to spend hundreds of dollars.  Just rent one for the day.  The cost might be $50, possibly less for half a day.<br /><br />Whatever renting a pressure washer costs, it’ll be well worth every penny.  It's preferable to buying a rinky-dink, low-pressure "homeowner" version that will waste your time and not do that great a job.  The machine we bought cost about $700, to give you an idea of what something that delivers results costs.  <br /><br />Use a pressure washer if you want to make your home the one that sparkles the most when buyers take a tour of houses for sale.

Pressure Wash for Better Curb Appeal

A home on the market has to sparkle.  An easy – and even fun – way to bring a home’s exterior to life is to pressure wash it.  Siding, found...

Read more »