How To Stretch Your Home Staging Dollars

<div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWq7czq9H_pZu3-exvAesaPsvGLp9x2paLh_0wTYFUmCUCPaZr2NiL6hGGxtMrS2UwhN125eVVgho_29DrAnsYhzjR9Vds6Zz1gImBTqFUryxOPTRydQhVMCfBr9GP9RjOQA9FqhJxU0/s1600/competition+bhg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWq7czq9H_pZu3-exvAesaPsvGLp9x2paLh_0wTYFUmCUCPaZr2NiL6hGGxtMrS2UwhN125eVVgho_29DrAnsYhzjR9Vds6Zz1gImBTqFUryxOPTRydQhVMCfBr9GP9RjOQA9FqhJxU0/s1600/competition+bhg.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A DIY home stager needs to know her competition. Otherwise she<br />won't know if countertops should be granite and appliances<br />stainless, or whether laminate counters and white appliances<br />are just fine, as in this photo from Better Homes and Gardens. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Are you worried about how much it will cost to stage your home? <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">Do you dislike the thought of putting money into a home that you’ll be leaving?<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">I’ve learned that effective home staging doesn’t have to be expensive. Your home can attract good offers even if you don’t have a big staging budget. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />Or a mother-in-law who will loan you her antiques. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />Or an interior designer friend who will take your hand. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />Or a husband who loves fix-it projects and has the time to tackle them.<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can do your own staging and you can do it inexpensively. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are only two tricks to it.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18pt;">Prioritize: Decide What’s Important</span><o:p></o:p></h3><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe you’ve already made that list of what needs tweaking, cleaning, organizing, or dressing up. My first trick is to separate the Must-Do from the It-Would-Be-Nice-To-Do. Ask yourself:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Left undone, would this task or purchase give me black marks on an <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/02/advice-about-negotiations-and-home.html" target="_blank">official home inspection</a>?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is this something I have wanted to do almost from the time I moved into my home?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Can this be accomplished without a reconfiguring of plumbing or electrical systems?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is this something family members, visitors, and others also think is a good idea?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is it a change I can take with me when I move?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does it offer <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/04/home-improvements-that-deliver-most.html" target="_blank">good return on my investment</a>?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do these changes represent features many buyers want, such as an eat-in kitchen, updated basement, or a modern outdoor living space ?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do other homes in my market, at my price point, offer this kind of feature?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does the improvement expand usable square footage?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does the improvement make the home easier to maintain or conserve energy?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><table 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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFSjA4fJWFVejzAYMaT08jw3QWhKGglfQmJ1LwHJWDKXfT7JHERpQNGfdeuE2eE2JbVjrfutnt0N4p90XHs04Mle2dsJgW91-hB-3K2fd3Gn5Jm9KHg1rBguLkB8jquYglMYrjbpxOto/s1600/narrowhomeoffice_zpsf54084c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFSjA4fJWFVejzAYMaT08jw3QWhKGglfQmJ1LwHJWDKXfT7JHERpQNGfdeuE2eE2JbVjrfutnt0N4p90XHs04Mle2dsJgW91-hB-3K2fd3Gn5Jm9KHg1rBguLkB8jquYglMYrjbpxOto/s1600/narrowhomeoffice_zpsf54084c9.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,sans-serif; line-height: 20.8px;">A home office is something most buyers want. If you can tuck one<br />into</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20.8px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,sans-serif; line-height: 20.8px;">a narrow space, you'll be ahead of the game. If you can do it<br />on budget, you'll get good return on investment. Photo:LampsPlus</span></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, look at your answers. Bump to the top of your prioritized list the tasks you answered “yes” to. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">These are the projects that should take your time and money. Either eliminate or place low on your to-do list those items to which you answered “no.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">   </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But how much money should you spend? Real estate experts suggest spending one to two percent on improvements when you’re planning to sell your home. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s always reassuring to know that statistically you’re within guidelines. That means if you plan to list your home for $250,000, your staging budget should be between $2,500 and 5,000. You’ll want to spend it wisely. That’s where the second trick comes into play.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18.0pt;">Source Right: Make Economical Purchases</span></h3><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b>Get Discounts.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Always inquire about price reductions. Don’t demand, just ask. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ask <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/04/insider-tips-notes-from-blue-collar-gal.html" target="_blank">people who do work for you</a> if they give discounts for paying with cash, or if you pay an invoice within the first week of receiving it. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><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/1-P1070543_zpsb11b9888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1070543_zpsb11b9888.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The rocker is a thrifted deal find I painted white.<br />The side table is an old tv tray stand that <br />I upcycled by DIYing a mosaic top.<br />The planters are dollar store resin pots. <br />And the pansies are Walmart six-packs. <br />It all adds up to thrifty curb appeal. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ask stores if they give discounts to military, ministerial, disability, AAA, students, or seniors if you qualify for those groups. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ask if the item is going to go on sale. Watch for sales. Print or clip and use coupons. Even if you don’t have a coupon for a store, ask the salesperson if you qualify for one. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stores will often discount the last item in a line of bedding, or the end of a bolt of fabric, or a chair that's been a floor sample, or a dishwasher missing a manual, or a lamp with a chip you'll never notice. But only if you ask! </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />Shop where you have a discount or loyalty card, whether online or at brick and mortar stores. Shop discount stores and outlet stores.<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b>Buy Direct.</b> Patronize the local stoneyard for granite. Hire a handyman from your own hometown or neighborhood. Visit the largest area discount nursery for landscape shrubbery. Use online companies like <st1:city w:st="on">Dalton</st1:city> for carpets. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />Sometimes buying direct means buying local, and sometimes it means shopping nationwide for the best deal. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">  <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b>Buy Second Hand.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Don’t turn up your nose at these kinds of outlets. Often you can find second hand places that sell appliances and furniture that look brand new. This could be scratch and dent merchandise, very slightly used, or come from a model home or manufacturer’s closeout.<br /><br />Furniture from places like Salvation Army and ReStore have frequently been donated by people with money and taste. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-every-garage-sale-shopper-needs-to.html" target="_blank">Garage sales</a> are a source of deeply discounted furniture, appliances and accessories for staging because sellers are usually motivated. Your purchases may need minor repairs or just a coat of paint to make them perfect for staging your home.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">    <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><table 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/6af0630d-9de4-4130-94dd-edf2c5405dbe_zps684f67b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/6af0630d-9de4-4130-94dd-edf2c5405dbe_zps684f67b3.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Mike Row has personally spoken to Congress and<br />trade associations about his mission to change<br />perceptions of blue collar work. His foundation<br />awards trade school scholarships to people <br />willing to pursue a trade. Photo:Listal.    </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Do Things Yourself.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Know <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2013/07/lets-get-real-about-diy-projects.html" target="_blank">when to say yes to DIY.</a> If you clean your own home as though you were detailing your car, if you paint your walls like a pro, if you mulch and prune your own landscaping, if you declutter and organize your own closets, you’ve put money in your pocket.<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />When I first began studying real estate, one of my teachers used to tell the class, “If you will do what others are not willing to do, you will have what others do not have.” It was just a new way of saying, “Work hard.” Or as Mike Rowe, one of my heroes, likes to say, “Work smart AND hard.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But there are also times when not hiring a professional or a qualified tradesperson is shortsighted (or illegal according to building codes and local ordinances). If you decide to lay ceramic tile in your bathroom and you’ve never laid tile before, the results could actually detract from the value of your home.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b>Plan Ahead.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most trades and products have a downtime, a period when their cost is lower than usual. Although it may be difficult to plan much in advance when you are staging your home, and you don’t know how long you’ll be living in your home, this scheduling approach is still worth considering. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />For example, buy heating fuel in the summer. Buy patio furniture and grills in October. And hire the heating and cooling guy in the spring or fall.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18pt;">The Lessons</span><o:p></o:p></h3><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember that if you spend $5,000, you can’t expect to raise your asking price $5,000. But you might sell your home faster, so fast that you’ll save more than $5,000 in carrying costs like insurance, mortgage interest, taxes and utilities.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep the big picture in mind, and don’t expect to make a huge profit by selling your home.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-ebook_cover1_zps9cb7beec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-ebook_cover1_zps9cb7beec.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Selling a home is like running a small business, so think like an entrepreneur and make all your staging decisions cost effective ones. Time and money both have to be budgeted if you’re going to stay sane and get the job done. These are the simple techniques I’ve used and I’ve seen others use to make home staging cost effective, and you can do it, too.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />There's more of this kind of sanity-saving advice in my<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html">home staging eBooks</a>. You can download them instantly and begin staging your own home today. They’re only $5 each!     </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Top Photo: BHG</span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>

How To Stretch Your Home Staging Dollars

A DIY home stager needs to know her competition. Otherwise she won't know if countertops should be granite and appliances stainless, or ...

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Why Hasn't My Home Sold?

<div class="MsoNormal"><table 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/gingerbread-house-detail-3_zps82e8aa47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/gingerbread-house-detail-3_zps82e8aa47.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Delicious house, but no one's biting? </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Are you getting antsy to move? Has your home been on the market and not getting the showings or offers you expected?<br /><br />If so, here are some questions you can ask yourself to test possible reasons. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Money, Honey</span></b></o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Is my price fair?" </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Unrealistic expectations or an over-zealous listing agent can cause poor pricing. Work with your realtor to list your home’s assets and liabilities, then do the comps to see if your price is on target. An inflated price is usually the cause of a home that sits too long.    </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Your Point Person</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Do I have the wrong listing agent?" </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Re-examine your realtor. If FSBO, consider calling a real estate company and discussing the commission and other conditions.<br /><br />Look closely at the way your home is being marketed. The online listing should be tempting and accurate. The <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-not-to-photograph-your-home.html" target="_blank">MLS photos</a> should be clear and complete without being repetitive. Today’s homes need to be marketed in a variety of ways – the front yard sign, yes, but also flyers, Internet sites, open house showings, email blitzes, communications with other realtors.<br /><br /><span id="goog_412716634"></span><a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-not-to-hire-realtor.html" target="_blank">Choosing a realtor</a><span id="goog_412716635"></span> is an important decision. Choose one with whom you have good rapport. Your listing agent has to be well-connected with other agents, not a loner or someone unpopular in the industry. If you have qualms about your agent, talk to the firm’s broker or owner. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Problem Attitude</span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Am I being cooperative enough? "</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Make sure your home is easy to show. There should be a lock box on your property to make showing easy for all area agents. If your realtor has to give unrealistic advance notice to show your property, because you have pets or medical problems, or the house isn’t always tidy enough, then find a way around the problem.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><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/purpledoor_zps16f5b51c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/purpledoor_zps16f5b51c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A lock box won't ruin your curb appeal when your entrance is this pretty.   </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Have a frank talk with your realtor and ask for feedback. You could also solicit advice from a friend with good decorating sense or a home stager. Double check <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/are-you-reason-your-home-isnt-selling.html" target="_blank">your motivation and reasons for selling</a>. Are you a foot-dragging, reluctant seller? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Quirkiness</span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Is there something off-putting about my home?" </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Does it have too much personality, or problems that are a turn-off? Does it smell of untended litter boxes? I’ve seen homes with <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-choose-paint-color-easy-way.html" target="_blank">paint colors</a> only an aging hippie could love and a back yard that only a pack of dogs could love. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When people see a group of homes, yours may be remembered as the one with poor lighting or the pool with stagnant green water or low ceilings or 1970’s shag carpeting. Find solutions to these problems or expect low ball offers or no offers. People want homes ready to move into. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you decide to make major changes to your property, remove it from the market, do the repairs, cleaning and staging, and then relist. New listings get attention.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;">No Temptations</span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Have I done what I can to make the house desirable?"</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Buyers should feel like they are entering a boutique hotel suite when they enter your home. If you haven’t been able to deep clean the house, consider hiring a cleaning service. A house can’t be too clean! Make sure all small and distracting décor items have been replaced with open space or attractive accessories.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><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://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/100556269jpgrenditionlargest1_zps4f63798b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/100556269jpgrenditionlargest1_zps4f63798b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Clean, functional and luxurious -- that's what buyers want in a bath. Photo: BHG</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If necessary, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/10/the-trends-that-can-update-your-home.html" target="_blank">update</a>some of the fixtures like lights, faucets, shower heads, window treatments. Study <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/barbarapilcher/" target="_blank">my Pinterest boards </a>to see what décor trends make sense for home staging.</div><div class="MsoNormal">                                                                                       </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Economy</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Is my market too sluggish?" </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Major metropolitan areas are bouncing back from the recession. Other areas, not so much. If your area has way too many homes for sale and not enough buyers, your response might be patience. wait for a better season ahead. You can always <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-pros-and-cons-of-renting-your-home.html" target="_blank">rent your home</a> until the market improves. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you just want to move on, lower your price to counteract the cold market. Calculate the costs of staying put -- your taxes, mortgage interest, maintenance, and utilities, then factor them into your price considerations. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Buyers often won’t mention price as an obstacle to making an offer because they don’t want to appear cheap, rude or unappreciative. Instead they will say, “The bedrooms are too small,” or “I didn’t like the neighborhood,” something that can’t be changed. A low price compensates for all kinds of things, including obstacles like dated appliances, ugly flooring, poor curb appeal, or a bad view. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, make your home irresistible. You can encourage buyers to make an offer by helping with closing costs, owner financing part of the price, or letting things like window treatments, big televisions, outdoor furniture, and laundry appliances convey with the sale.<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/content_writing_up_an_offer1_zps0dacdf4e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/content_writing_up_an_offer1_zps0dacdf4e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Motivated buyers will find a way to justify your asking price. Photo: reddoor-re.com</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Looking Ahead</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s an introspective time of year, a time when most of us review the hits and misses of the past 365 days and sets some goals for the year ahead. So, it’s a natural time to examine why your house hasn’t sold. Here’s to a prosperous 2014, when your home will sell and you’ll find another home that your love.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Be sure to 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>I've helped hundreds of people stage their own homes to make them sell faster. My book tells you how<i> </i>to ready your home for a quick and profitable sale, no matter where you live or what kind of home you have.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Top Photo: <a href="http://www.theredheadbaker.com/">http://www.theredheadbaker.com</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

Why Hasn't My Home Sold?

Delicious house, but no one's biting?  Are you getting antsy to move? Has your home been on the market and not getting the showings or o...

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How Scents are Messing with Your Health

<table 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/1-P1080113_zps19eb8cf7.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/1-P1080113_zps19eb8cf7.jpg" width="490" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Do you know what's in your home fragrances?<br />It's fun, frugal, and healthier to make your own. Try a scented spray, <br />a lime<a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/11/want-some-holiday-scents-make-citrus.html" target="_blank"> pomander</a>, your own diffuser, and my citrus and salt potpourri. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If your home is for sale, it better smell good! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve blogged about how important it is to eliminate smells from <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-to-do-with-your-pet-when-your-home.html" target="_blank">pets</a>, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/07/mildews-deal-breaker-for-home-buyers.html" target="_blank">mold</a>, or cooking. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Sanitation and ventilation usually take care of these problems. But most of us like to add another fragrance, whether it's an air freshener, a room atomizer, or scented candles. Department stores develop their own signature fragrances to get you in the mood for buying, so why not you?    </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The problem is almost all these manufactured scents create health problems. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 8.35pt;">Artificially scented products like the ones I mentioned, as well as soaps, laundry detergents, spray cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, pesticides, preservatives, plastics, and a  host of other ordinary items, contain what’s called endocrine disruptors.<br /><br />An endocrine disruptor is a naturally occurring or man-made chemical that either acts like or blocks the hormones of your internal endocrine system. These false hormones are called xenoestrogens and the list of conditions they create is long: early puberty, lessened female fertility, endometriosis, cancer, and other disturbances to your nervous system, immune system and reproductive system. </div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 8.35pt;">You can see why it’s important to know where you’ll run across these pretender hormones. They can enter our bodies through our skin, the air we breath, and the foods we eat.<br /><br />You may already know about these ingredients and their effects on the body. If so, please help me spread the word. Rather than fostering paranoia, let’s all look for ways to rid our lives of these toxic chemicals. It’s important.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s especially important if you are a woman. And even more so if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><table 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/1-EndocrineDisruptors_zpsbb982a62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="532" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-EndocrineDisruptors_zpsbb982a62.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">On the left -- some of the cleaners that contain <span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">xenoestrogens. Yes, even Mrs. Meyer's <br />stuff contains artificial fragrances. On the right are harmless,economical<br /> substitutes that do the same work -- baking soda, vinegar, microfiber<br />cloths and essential oils (not to be confused with fragrance oils).    </span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Here’s How to Start</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><b>Read labels.</b> Check for fragrance ingredients. Manufacturers are not required to list all chemical additives by name. The only acceptable fragrance should be “essential oil.”</li><li><b>Avoid plastics.</b> Store and cook food in glass or stainless. Avoid non-stick cookware. Microwave in glass or ceramic. Use a fabric instead of a plastic shower curtain. Don't handle new plastic products that have a strong chemical aroma. </li><li><b>Don't touch.</b> Don’t handle the thermal receipt a store gives you. Instead, ask the cashier to place it in your shopping bag. Wash your hands after handling one. </li><li><b>Skip the canned goods.</b> Buy fresh or frozen foods so you can limit exposure to BPA in can linings. Favor organic foods.</li><li><b>Filter water.</b> It’s better than drinking spring water that’s been stored in plastic bottles. </li><li><b>Go natural.</b> Use natural insecticides. Purchase unscented bath, beauty, laundry and cleaning products. Do it yourself. Make your own air fresheners and cleaners.     </li></ul><table 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/1-EndocrineDisruptors_zps240da487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="532" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-EndocrineDisruptors_zps240da487.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">No one loves a deliciously scented soap more than I do. Check those labels. <br />You'll find that almost all supermarket soaps are not really soaps, <br />but "beauty bars" or "deodorant bars," whatever that is!<br />If you buy locally produced soaps,  you'll fare much better. <br />Yardley soaps and Dr. Bronners are good.<br />You can also create your own bath scrubs and skin care products. <br />I wash my face once a week with a teaspoon of sugar for an exfoliant.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Easy Formulas </span></b><br /><b><br /></b>Yes, you can create home remedies to replace the nasty but necessary home care products you count on. Read labels of "green products," and if you still don't like what you see, turn to DIY.    </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Natural air freshener</b>: Cut orange in half. Scoop out pulp (the part you would eat), and reserve the pulp and the remaining half orange for another use. Rub inside of empty orange half with 2 teaspoons salt. Place in pretty bowl and set where it will scent the room. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Natural oil diffuser:</b> Combine 3 parts mineral oil, 2 parts vodka or gin, and 1 part essential oil of your choice. Pour into container with narrow neck (the neck reduces evaporation). Insert reeds and invert the reeds every few days. Use the same formula minus the mineral oil to make an air freshener spray.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It's not true that natural essential oils won't bother chemically sensitive people -- people who might be coming to view your home on the market. To be safe, keep the scents in your home on the light side, never overwhelming.       </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><table 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/1-EndocrineDisruptors_zps031a1bd7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="532" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-EndocrineDisruptors_zps031a1bd7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Fabric softener sheets and liquids are prime offenders. So are the aerosols that claim to <br />"freshen the air." Below I've given you websites that will hook you up to<br />directions for making heavenly and user-friendly aroma sources, including sprays and <br />diffusers.  I love the "candles" that operate on batteries. <br />They don' t have any fragrance,  but they glow and flicker convincingly.   </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Call to Action</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">      </div><div class="MsoNormal">This post is not a go-green-or-die proclamation. Instead it’s a call to increase our awareness of environmental toxins, so that we can make changes to improve and protect our own and our family’s health. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Will I still bring out the Bar Keeper’s Friend to treat a rust spot that nothing else can tackle? And resort to Lime-Away to deal when hard water stains build up?  Probably. But I’ll limit my exposure as much as possible. I’ll ventilate, wear gloves, use sparingly, and continue to search for substitutes</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><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/1-EndocrineDisruptors_zps9e274c98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="532" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-EndocrineDisruptors_zps9e274c98.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Manicures. Will this be the one that's hard to give up? <br />Try the nail buffer for an alternative to chemical polishes and glues. I use one and I love it. <br />Natural, healthy-looking, shiny nails can be sexy, too!   </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Links That Help</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />My research unearthed numerous support sources. We are not alone! Here are some sites that will give you details and encouragement. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you majored in chemistry, check the Wikipedia listing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_disruptor">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_disruptor</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you are a teacher, check <a href="http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/">http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/</a>  </div><div class="MsoNormal">If you’d like a quick overview specifying the dangers of endocrine disruptors and what you can do to avoid them, go to <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/qendoc.asp">http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/qendoc.asp</a></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.15pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">If you are pregnant and want advice from a doctor, try <a href="http://nurtureparenting.com/pregnant-and-pre-polluted-eight-choices-for-a-cleaner-womb/">http://nurtureparenting.com/pregnant-and-pre-polluted-eight-choices-for-a-cleaner-womb/</a></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.15pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">If you want a quick list to the dirty dozen endocrine disruptors check </span><a href="http://www.ewg.org/research/dirty-dozen-list-endocrine-disruptors" style="background-color: transparent;">http://www.ewg.org/research/dirty-dozen-list-endocrine-disruptors</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you need a list of health ratings for common health and beauty products, the best one is <a href="http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/">http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you want concise recipes for making your own cleaning products, visit <a href="http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm">http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you want to read what Glamour Magazine told women to do, read</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://notjustaprettyface.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/glamour.pdf">http://notjustaprettyface.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/glamour.pdf</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you are into making your own bath and beauty products (great as gifts!) you’ll find recipes here <a href="http://wellnessmama.com/5801/7-ingredients-20-diy-beauty-recipes/">http://wellnessmama.com/5801/7-ingredients-20-diy-beauty-recipes/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you like making your own air fresheners, try those at<br /><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2012/11/small-measures-natural-room-spritz.html">http://www.designsponge.com/2012/11/small-measures-natural-room-spritz.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you want to know the post I like best for making diy air fresheners, it’s <a href="http://www.thankyourbody.com/homemade-air-freshener/">http://www.thankyourbody.com/homemade-air-freshener/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you want to buy reed diffuser sticks, you can get them from Yankee Candle  <a href="http://www.yankeecandle.com/flameless/reed-diffuser/reed-sticks">http://www.yankeecandle.com/flameless/reed-diffuser/reed-sticks</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">And from Amazon</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rattan-Reed-Diffuser-Replacement-Sticks/dp/B003YDSTM6/ref=pd_sim_hg_50">http://www.amazon.com/Rattan-Reed-Diffuser-Replacement-Sticks/dp/B003YDSTM6/ref=pd_sim_hg_50</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you want to choose from a major list of quality essential oils, order from <a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/index2.php">http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/index2.php</a><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What's Your Story?   </span></b><br /><br />In today’s world we can’t eliminate all the things that compromise our health, but we can certainly reduce our exposure to them. I’m renewing a pledge to myself to substitute real fragrances and fresh air for chemical derivatives. I hope you’ll join me. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What will be the artificially scented product most difficult for you to give up? And how can you find an acceptable replacement?<br /><br /></div></div>Don't forget to order 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> If you are selling a home, it will take you through the steps that make a difference!<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

How Scents are Messing with Your Health

Do you know what's in your home fragrances? It's fun, frugal, and healthier to make your own. Try a scented spray, a lime pomander ...

Read more »

Should You Stage Your Own Home? Or Hire a Pro?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table 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/1-selfstagefrontdoor_zps2e19e9de.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/1-selfstagefrontdoor_zps2e19e9de.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">An inviting front entrance like this colorful one -- so important <br />for curb appeal --  is easy to stage by basic staging principles. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>So I was reading on this online forum for professional home stagers, when I stumbled across a comment that annoyed me at first and then amused me.<br /><br />Here's the quote:<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">“One can certainly tell the difference between real staging and self-staged. The latter range from bad to appalling. Anyone looking at self-staged listings has to look past the fuchsia/avocado green walls and swagged drapes and dark green wall-to-wall carpeting and flowered sofa and chair that don't match -- indeed, they don't match anything in the room.”<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">That’s pretty harsh. But not true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I maintain that most homeowners can stage their own homes. </span></span><br /><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Many of them will need to bring themselves up to speed, but that process can be an enjoyable learning experience. And most certainly a smart financial experience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">  <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">It’s no secret that most of us stage our own homes to stretch our budget. </span></span><br /><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Hiring a professional stager will cost some money, understandably. A trained and accredited stager is an entrepreneur in business to make money, and cranking up and running a home staging business demands capital investment. She’ll have to pay for her training, for furnishings and warehousing, insurance, website, cell phone, laptop, camera, transportation, day laborers, tradespeople, office expenses, and advertising. She has to </span></span>calculate these costs into the estimate she gives you. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Why Do It Yourself</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Besides the obvious economic advantages of staging your own home, let’s look at some other benefits.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><b>Pace.</b> You have the flexibility to do it on your schedule. Unless you have a tight deadline for moving, you can afford to make some mistakes and then fine tune things with time. Perhaps family and friends will give you feedback for what looks best. You’ll be educating your eye. You might even be making purchases for your next home and using them for staging this one. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><b>Safety.</b> Most people have a horror story about movers or other workers in their home. Something was broken or stolen. Private information was taken. Do you know the “helpers” a stager might bring in to move your antiques around? Only you know exactly what you have that is valuable, delicate, or private, and how things are packed, labeled, and stored. Staging your own home could mean no surprises down the road. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><b>Familiarity</b>. If you’ll be living in your home while it is listed, you have an understanding of exactly what you and your family can tolerate in the name of an uncluttered home. It’s unrealistic to stage a playroom all cutesy and expect it to stay that way when you have three boys who prefer the room with wall to wall Legos. Can you keep your countertops free of small appliances? (I can’t!) Put away hair styling equipment and cosmetics every day? You might as well stage your home so you can still function comfortably.  <o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><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/1-MC8014454_4_0_zps6b997006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-MC8014454_4_0_zps6b997006.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Julie, a reader of this blog, staged her home herself. This is her <br />dining area. I think she did everything right!</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">On the Other Hand</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A professional brings advantages of her own to the home staging process. Here’s my list of the advantages I see, along with some tips for you if you are considering hiring one.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">She’s been schooled as a professional and knows what the market insists on, what the trends are in your area. You should ask to see her credentials and view her portfolio.  You can ask your real estate agent to recommend a stager. </div><div class="MsoNormal">    </div><div class="MsoNormal">She has the furnishings and manpower necessary for staging. Ask if she pays any furniture rental fees or if you do. How about the cost of tradespeople like an electrician or a plumber?  Ask about the total cost for staging, how it is determined, and how it might vary. </div><div class="MsoNormal">     </div><div class="MsoNormal">Professional staging can be done relatively quickly. Depending on the extent of the job, the stager will probably be in and out and have you photo-ready in less time than if you had to do everything yourself. Ask how long the work will take. Ask what your responsibilities will be during the project.  </div><div class="MsoNormal">     </div><div class="MsoNormal">A stager has an unbiased viewpoint and can evaluate what should stay and what should go in your home for showings. She’ll see problems and solutions you haven’t thought of because she has the fresh eye.  Do you sense a <i>sympatico</i> with the stager you’re interviewing, so that communications are likely to go smoothly?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><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/1-MC8014454_18_0_zps5781a37b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-MC8014454_18_0_zps5781a37b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Here's the bedroom Julie staged. Would a professional have done better? I don't think so. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">You Could Flip a Coin</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">What’s a homeowner to do when it’s time to sell? It’s possible that a compromise might deliver the best of all worlds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">You could pay for a plan, and do the labor yourself.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">Many stagers will work as consultants, touring your house and offering suggestions on how best to present it. For a fee that varies according to where you live and how experienced the stager is, she will tour the property completely and then present you with a printed report.  A more casual, more economical arrangement might be a walk-through when you can take notes or record or video what she suggests. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Some stagers will offer an initial consultation and a follow-up visit to make suggestions about <span id="goog_469709624"></span><a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/finishing-touches-department-where-to.html" target="_blank">finishing touches<span id="goog_469709625"></span> </a>or tweaks. </div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">A cooperative arrangement like this means that you do the cleaning, the decluttering, and make the necessary trips to Goodwill, the landfill, or storage facility. </div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><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/1-selfstsagekintyrelivingroom_zps66f87e9f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-selfstsagekintyrelivingroom_zps66f87e9f.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Celeste, another blog reader, sent me this photo of the living room she staged herself <br />after reading my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>.  Her house sold for close to asking price in two weeks, <br />and I think it was because she did such a good staging job.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Whether you hire a pro or not depends on -- </div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><ul><li><b>Schedule</b>. How much time you have to do the work yourself. </li><li><b>Market.</b> What the competition is like in your local real estate market, how other homes go to market. In larger cities, it’s more likely that staging is expected. </li><li><b>Specifics.</b> The price, size, and age of your home. More expensive homes, larger homes, newer homes benefit more from a professional’s touch. Even if you have had your home professionally decorated, a home stager has a different set of priorities than a decorator. </li><li><b>Nostalgia.</b> How much emotional detachment you can muster. An outsider will be more objective, and help you understand typical consumer reactions to your décor and belongings. You may adore your cherry red dining room walls, but a stager may see that they make the room look smaller and older. </li><li><b>Imagination</b>. How much vision you have. If you’ve never been one to pay much attention to home décor, if you haven’t redecorated in a couple decades, if home improvement bores you, and if you can’t even imagine alternative colors or furniture arrangements for your home, perhaps you need outside advice. </li><li><b>Money</b>. How much money you are able and willing to spend on staging. If you are underwater with your home, it’s understandable that investing more money is painful. But an investment is what it is. Done correctly, staging pays for itself, because staged houses sell faster and for more money. </li><li><b>Desire</b>. How motivated you are to sell. If you want to sell quickly and move on, staging with a pro can speed things up.  </li><li><b>Stress.</b> How able you are to cope with stress. Some people seem to thrive on chaos, drama, and deadlines. Others are easily overwhelmed. Even a simple <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/tips-for-cleaning-and-organizing-closet.html" target="_blank">closet cleaning</a> can be stressful for some, while someone else can take a complete kitchen remodel i<span style="color: #333333;">n stride.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span></li></ul><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Whether you do all your own staging, turn it over to an accredited home stager, or go with some combination, only you can decide. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">If you stage your own home and use 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>, as a guide, I guarantee your results won’t look anything like the way the online poster described self staging. You’ll be on our way to staging like a pro. I’ll give you your money back if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Avocado walls and swagged drapes, indeed! </span></span><br /><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Top photo: Better Homes and Gardens</span></span><br /></div></div>

Should You Stage Your Own Home? Or Hire a Pro?

An inviting front entrance like this colorful one -- so important for curb appeal --  is easy to stage by basic staging principles.  So I wa...

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Checklist: A Dozen Must-Have Cleaning Tools

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1040688_zps76d21b51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1040688_zps76d21b51.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">You’re staged to sell. Are you cleaned to sell?<br /><br />Clean houses sell faster than less-than-sparkling ones, because buyers love a property that looks like the professional cleaning crew just left. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I know that deep cleaning is hard work. Keeping the essential tools and equipment at hand makes the tasks easier, faster, and more thorough.   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s a run-down of cleaning tools that will help you sell your home. I compiled this list based on my own experience and the advice I’ve researched from professionals and other neat-freaks. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Caddy.</span></b> An equipment caddy is like your purse. Get one you like to look at, and stock it with your favorite cleaning solutions. Keep it clean, organized, and handy.<br /><br />Some people like to store a caddy on each floor of the home, or in each bathroom. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Microfiber cloths.</span></b> Who isn’t a fan! These miracle cloths are so effective at capturing and holding dust and dirt that they make harsh cleaning products unnecessary for many of your ordinary cleaning jobs. For wiping down doors and trim, give me a bucket of plain water and a microfiber cloth, and let the games begin! Easy. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For big, reusable microfiber cloths at the best price, look in the automotive section of Wal-Mart.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Rags.</span></b> I use rags for spot cleaning carpets, sopping up major spills, and tackling nasty jobs like wiping down porch railings or the undersides of a range hood. Disposable paper towels are temptingly easy but can get very expensive.<br /><br />Did you know that paper towels can actually scratch some surfaces, like Plexiglas and other plastics? And paper towels are no friend of the environment. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Got orphan socks? Cut them in half lengthwise, and use them for cleaning. They’re soft, absorbent, and reusable. Old T-shirts, diapers, and towels make good cleaning rags, too. Recycling feels good! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Plastic Buckets.</span></b> My preference is a roomy one for floor mopping jobs, plus a couple of smaller ones to soak items or dilute solutions. Spray cleaners can build up after time, so once in a while a cleaning with clear water, rinsing as you go, calls for a handled bucket.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><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/1-P1040712_zps27c8cbcb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1040712_zps27c8cbcb.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">          I like equipment that I can wash and disinfect, like my little dustpan and broom.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">Brooms.</span></b> Many homeowners have tossed their brooms in favor of Swiffer-style sweepers, but nothing matches what a broom can do for floor corners, edges of carpeted rooms, exterior doors and steps, and other places where most vacuum cleaners won’t pick up.<br /><br />Soft, synthetic bristle brooms are easier to use and grab dust better than stiff brooms. For garage floors, driveways and sidewalks, a stiff push broom is best.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />A broom's kissing cousin is the dust broom, and a dust pan. They're a necessity unless you're sweeping debris under a rug, and I know you wouldn't! Well, maybe if your realtor is knocking at the door with clients in tow.   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Mops.</span></b> A mop’s essential for a thorough cleaning on washable flooring. A large-headed wet mop with a swivel base and removable microcloth takes care of maintenance cleaning. For deeper cleaning, use a traditional sponge mop, one with a sturdy replaceable head that will squeeze out excess water and lets you rinse floors as well as wash. The more money you spend, the better the mop. Read the reviews and pick your weapon.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Brushes.</span></b> They’re indispensable for embedded dirt, textured surfaces, and hard to reach places. I prefer a brush or a cloth to a sponge, which starts out looking all perky and then gets stinky if you don’t disinfect it regularly and then dry it quickly.<br /><br />I like Oxo brushes because they are designed well and last a long time. My dentist has forgotten that he recommended a Sonic toothbrush, so when I get free toothbrushes with each visit, they become part of my cleaning arsenal, perfect for getting into those tough spots. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><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/1-P1040701_zps7f98cd2f.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/1-P1040701_zps7f98cd2f.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This little, long handled, low-tech carpet sweeper could be your answer <br />to those short notice showings when your carpets need a quick once over.   </span></i> </td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">Magic Erasers.</span></b> Like any addict, I make sure I never run out of these. They are the only approach for some otherwise unsolvable cleaning problems. We’re talking glass shower doors, fiberglass shower stalls, stoves, porcelain and stainless sinks, and stains on vinyl and laminates. The post I wrote about <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/the-truth-about-magic-erasers-are-they.html" target="_blank">how Magic Erasers work their magic</a> is one of my most popular posts.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Vacuum Cleaner. </span></b>Nothing sexy about it, but people have love/hate relationships with their vacuums. I love my Rainbow. I’ll never go back to using a vacuum that blows air over dirt and then out its exhaust. My Rainbow is a little heavy and a little awkward, but I don’t care. It makes the whole house smell great because I can scent the water that cleans the air. I don’t get paid to say these things.    </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A vac is your most important tool. If you’re in an unfulfilling relationship with yours, now’s a good time to invest in your future. Whether you prefer an upright or a canister type, I urge you to spend a little more money and get one that you can stay married to for a long time.<br /><br />Or does your present vac just need a thorough overhaul and cleaning? <br /><br />It's not a vacuum cleaner, but it's the ancestor of vacs -- the humble carpet sweeper. It could be included on this dirty dozen tool list as #13. Compact, lightweight, inexpensive, quiet, it will perform your hurry-up-tidy-ups between regular vacuuming dates.     </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Long Handled Duster.</span></b> A microfiber duster on an extendable handle is the way to handle ceilings and walls on a maintenance schedule. Swooshing over these surfaces regularly gets rid of dust and cobwebs before they become visible.<br /><br />The telescoping handle is your friend if you have high ceilings. Use your handled duster for ceiling fans because they are a magnet for whatever is in the air. Knock the dirt down before you vacuum.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><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/1-P1040704_zps5d643691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1040704_zps5d643691.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">My favorite scents. If you've read my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">home staging eBook</a>, you know that I like to avoid </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">   strong chemical scents, and prefer essential oils for adding fragrance to a room.   </span></i><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">You can download the book now and and learn all my tips to clean like a pro.</span></i> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Plastic Watering Can.</span></b> A real time-saver. If you have to use caustic solutions, like Lime-A-Way or CLR, to clean shower walls and doors, use a small plastic watering can with a spout to rinse them away. Tuck it away in the vanity.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Nitrile Gloves.</span></b> Protect your hands and your health. Slip on some pretty gloves for all your wet cleaning tasks. Even pure water dries your skin, and cleaners in solution are absorbed by your skin. If you won't drink it, don't put it on your skin.     </div><div class="MsoNormal"><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/1-P1040720_zpsd30173b7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1040720_zpsd30173b7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">What? A girl can't have too many pairs of gloves. I have other glove collections <br />for painting and gardening. This is the watering can I use for rinsing shower walls.   </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Depending on your home, you’ll have favorites to add to this list --  a steamer, roller to remove pet hair, carpet shampooer, robot cleaner, hand-held rechargeable vac, pumice stone, special dry mop, a squeegee, your favorite dance music. What do you do to make the most of your housecleaning time?  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Getting your home to shine is one of the most important ways you stage your home. When a person buys a home, she envisions herself starting fresh, and moving up in the world. Cleanliness is part of that picture, part of what sells homes. You can't clean your home on the market too much, but you deserve the tools that let you do a better job, faster and easier. </div>

Checklist: A Dozen Must-Have Cleaning Tools

You’re staged to sell. Are you cleaned to sell? Clean houses sell faster than less-than-sparkling ones, because buyers love a property that ...

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Review: Bissell Deluxe Deep Cleaner

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2qzQTx0xOnwMXOFAxgEYjqA8vUl7pDkVz5DjWtq4bsPC9SiETSfro9U_x4b__1BNOhVCHRgyqA3_MOzowymxwpi-THGUDwP5FeO_-gKVAvh05X0lpaaPJf1my668QVH_J-AU3K2a4s_4/s1600/bissel_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2qzQTx0xOnwMXOFAxgEYjqA8vUl7pDkVz5DjWtq4bsPC9SiETSfro9U_x4b__1BNOhVCHRgyqA3_MOzowymxwpi-THGUDwP5FeO_-gKVAvh05X0lpaaPJf1my668QVH_J-AU3K2a4s_4/s1600/bissel_1.jpg" /></a></div>During the demolition of the kitchen, rooms that we hadn't intended on getting dirty still got dirty. Dust & dirt seemed to find its way into the smallest spaces even with the greatest preparation. As we got closer to the move back date I decided a thorough cleaning of the house was in needed prior to moving back. First, I'm a neat freak but the second more import reason it was important was Oscar. I was especially concerned about the dirt and dust that had gotten into our bedroom carpets. Oscar lies on them, plays, and his mattress is right on the floor. I didn't want anything left in those carpets that could be harmful to the little guy. <br /><div style="border: currentColor;"><div style="border: currentColor;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>In comes a carpet deep cleaner. <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2010/12/for-all-those-that-love-to-clean.html" target="_blank">I had previously rented one</a> so I knew I loved them but because of the size, and the pain in renting one for a single day, I decided to research consumer products meant for the home. In comes the <a href="http://canada.bissell.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Bissell</a>  <a href="http://canada.bissell.com/Products/c/UprightDeepCleaner/p/73h5/Product.aspx" target="_blank">Lift Off Deluxe Deep Cleaner</a>.  Bissell shipped this gorgeous machine to me and it was like Christmas the day it arrived. If you're like me, and kind of have a itch to clean, or are contemplating whether a carpet cleaner is right for you, you may get equally excited at what I'm about to show you. <br /><a name="more"></a></div></div><div style="border: currentColor;"><br /><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYmnuvnr9kp53GOHY18kAB91qi38hkarxneiH3ue18z46H6CAdsM06BFDsCJ7pY9qAlcfh_EbRV6KHGzGnv2SkTobmPsuSsPgJLk_yDbyOzrcOuiMzyDc5v5qFyjiR8OG-qP4GLM4SCWn/s1600/bissell_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYmnuvnr9kp53GOHY18kAB91qi38hkarxneiH3ue18z46H6CAdsM06BFDsCJ7pY9qAlcfh_EbRV6KHGzGnv2SkTobmPsuSsPgJLk_yDbyOzrcOuiMzyDc5v5qFyjiR8OG-qP4GLM4SCWn/s1600/bissell_3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border: currentColor;">First of all here is the main unit. It comes built and ready to use with the exception of having to install a handle. I was nervous that this would require a lot of prep work - Thankfully it didn't. You simply take off the water tank (on the front of the unit) fill it with hot water, and put a capful in of their cleaning solution (shown below) and it's ready to use. Easy as pie. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV97-AgeIbwB9ZC_iTONRdEDhyGVe7nP8ztpKUWur6eEwrimxSnY69JNhhGOk5bx7q_lvBFHScFeMItfp-lHDd_FazxS9_rZo5TbbSXp3P2ugxiszem8W7BeMW30AXiyep7hP2HS7GmLKM/s1600/bissel_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV97-AgeIbwB9ZC_iTONRdEDhyGVe7nP8ztpKUWur6eEwrimxSnY69JNhhGOk5bx7q_lvBFHScFeMItfp-lHDd_FazxS9_rZo5TbbSXp3P2ugxiszem8W7BeMW30AXiyep7hP2HS7GmLKM/s1600/bissel_4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border: currentColor;">I need to address the cleaning solution that they send you. The solution is really nice- it has a slight aroma but isn't too powerful. I'm very sensitive to scent (I get headaches at too much "aroma") but this was really, really nice.<br /><br />To use the machine, once you've filled the tank with water and the solution you put it back on the cleaner and you're ready to roll. To spray your carpet with the water, you simply pull the lever on the handle and it sprays the hot water with the detergent. When you release the handle, the water stops spraying and the suction of the water begins. You go over your carpet a few times and in the end you see this....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4L8hP6xvlTP_Wg-uQgWsVcOa5I7bZcLLBcN0UXJTe4eR-hbK9zPPA2XN5kw65g68K19MsYvhksleRTdnt2A-FiOjd73SKbqmrrt1paPw_LdUcFwBpB1_Xn5SnIAVSwlVB3GuWiJWYrYN7/s1600/bissell_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4L8hP6xvlTP_Wg-uQgWsVcOa5I7bZcLLBcN0UXJTe4eR-hbK9zPPA2XN5kw65g68K19MsYvhksleRTdnt2A-FiOjd73SKbqmrrt1paPw_LdUcFwBpB1_Xn5SnIAVSwlVB3GuWiJWYrYN7/s1600/bissell_5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border: currentColor;">Isn't that gross? But isn't it awesome to see? In the end our carpets looked obviously cleaner and also regained some "plushness". It was so nice to walk on the carpet after it had dried (which didn't take that long)<br /><br />A few days later I decided to try the detachable unit that this model includes. It just pops off the main cleaner part with a click of a button. Truthfully I was originally more interested in the stand up unit that I used in our bedroom but I tried the detachable unit on our kitchen bench that had a LOT of stains from Oscar learning how to eat ....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zzyhaIDlNiqXM9Jor1BuVLyXtJqhAeIcPp-APsnlnPNOaM8k3qxYviGYlEEZiNCzRTCAaIGY-mg8ZL52sxs3xp97KHaLOTBezW7IgFS0oLxtaKoC4GqD7ST-BahKVmIgThL_-ulfyDi1/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zzyhaIDlNiqXM9Jor1BuVLyXtJqhAeIcPp-APsnlnPNOaM8k3qxYviGYlEEZiNCzRTCAaIGY-mg8ZL52sxs3xp97KHaLOTBezW7IgFS0oLxtaKoC4GqD7ST-BahKVmIgThL_-ulfyDi1/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border: currentColor;">And it was <em>AMAZING</em>. To be completely honest, this was my <em>favourite thing</em>. It made our bench look like new and I started doing other areas in my house like our stair runner, and next week I'm making a date to do the inside of the car. <br /><br />Personally, I think if you have the space to store a standup unit like the one we got to use, I would say invest in the full kit-and-kaboodle. And I actually REALLY loved <a href="http://canada.bissell.com/Products/c/UprightDeepCleaner/p/73h5/Product.aspx" target="_blank">this model</a>. At $299 I think it's worth every penny. Having the standup floor cleaner AND the detachable unit is amazing. I'll likely use the portable part more - as it allows me to get small stains and go around the house, but having the larger unit to do full cleaning of our white carpets on the 2nd floor is SO NICE. <br /><br />And there is now a waiting list of family & friends that are borrowing it. My Mom is especially excited to get her hands on it. Do you have a cleaner? Would you invest in one? Are you as nutty as I am for cleaning gadgets?<br /><br />Thank you to Bissell for letting me use this awesome cleaner. I REALLY love it and it will be getting a ton of use. xo Lindsay<br /><br /><em>The </em><a href="http://canada.bissell.com/Products/c/UprightDeepCleaner/p/73h5/Product.aspx" target="_blank"><em>Bissell Lift-Off® Deluxe Pet Deep Cleaner</em></a><em> was provided to me via Bissell. Review photos, words and of course opinions are my own. </em></div></div>

Review: Bissell Deluxe Deep Cleaner

During the demolition of the kitchen, rooms that we hadn't intended on getting dirty still got dirty. Dust & dirt seemed to find its...

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News: This Blog Wins a Spot on the Top 100 List

<br /><table 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://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2011/01/550_101414857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2011/01/550_101414857.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Home Decorating and Staging, a site for DIY fanatics, writes about <br />easy ways to declutter, so you can end up with a look like this, <br />from Better Homes and Gardens.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Don’t you love receiving an email that starts out, “We are pleased to inform you …”<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I mean one that’s not from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Nigeria</st1:country-region>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I won an award. An organization that’s a clearing house of information for people in the construction management field, named this blog one of the “Top 100 DIY Sites for Home Improvement Fanatics.” <br /><br />Fanatics? Whatever!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It's always a perk to be given some recognition, and in this case, especially so. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m very flattered, because it’s obvious that the association <a href="http://www.constructionmanagementdegree.com/top-100/" target="_blank">Construction Management Degree </a>did exhaustive research for the benefit of their readers. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Not only</span></b> does the published list name the best sites, but it also gives a brief profile of the 100 prize-winners. Some sites will be familiar, but many will be eye-opening ones new to you! You’ll find listed the specialty of each, the author, how to connect through social media, and links to two notable posts. Sweet! Someone did all your homework for you!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Badge_ATop100DIYSite_small.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Badge_ATop100DIYSite_small.png" width="301" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The list is in no particular order, but there are six categories: general remodeling; interior decorating; kitchens and baths; office and work spaces; landscaping and exterior (where I ended up for some reason); and basements, storage and closets.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What this means</span></b> to you is that by visiting Construction Management Degree.com you can jump to all kinds of really instructive and inspiring sites for DIY projects.  You’ll find nuts-and-bolts-type advice and money-saving tips.   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The site is designed to guide people towards the best schools offering degrees in construction management. The database includes both campus colleges and online schools. The site also steers folks in the direction of forums, message boards, organizations, websites, and blogs packed with helpful info for anyone in the construction business. I know you’ll find something special that hits the proverbial nail on the proverbial head! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I love a website </span></b>that is loaded with links to fascinating sources, but is still easy to read and navigate. This one does just that. Whether you are a DIYer, a decorator, a renovator or remodeler, a builder or a homeseller, you're bound to found numerous links to bookmark.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here is a typical blog post about <a href="http://www.home-decorating-and-staging.com/home-organization-tips-declutter-drawers.html" target="_blank">decluttering </a> from a site called Home Decorating and Staging. You'll discover a wealth of posts bound to educate you on Alex Hinst's site. </div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Another site that site that stood out for me, about décor and remodeling, is this one about a <a href="http://www.diywithadd.com/2010/07/27/a-bathroom-love-affair/" target="_blank">bath makeover</a>. Plenty of inspiration and ideas on this site.<br /><br />You can easily jump to a video of Danny Lipford showing <a href="http://www.dannylipford.com/video/how-to-remove-mold-on-the-outside-of-a-house/" target="_blank">how to remove mold </a>from a home's exterior. Or learn how to <a href="http://www.ikeahackers.net/" target="_blank">turn affordable IKEA furniture into genuine home improvements </a>that look custom.<br /><br />I'm a big fan of Family Handyman, the magazine, and I'm not surprised that the website made the list. It's a goldmine of well-illustrated step-by-steps that walk you through projects like how to <a href="http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Indoor-Projects/Bathrooms/Bathroom-Remodeling/how-to-remodel-your-bathroom-without-destroying-it" target="_blank">remodel a bath on a shoestring</a>, and the right way to <a href="http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Lighting/Wall-Lights/how-to-add-a-light" target="_blank">add a wall sconce</a>.<br /><br />You can fill up on eye candy at <a href="http://www.mixandchic.com/" target="_blank">Mix and Chic</a>, learn what to plant where at <a href="http://www.finegardening.com/" target="_blank">Fine Gardening</a>, and research a host of DIY tutorials for stylish decor projects at <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/" target="_blank">The House of Smiths.</a>  See, I've done even more of your homework for you!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">You don't have to</span></b> be a fanatic to have as much fun as I did learning about some new places to bring you up to speed on what’s new and clever in the world of DIY home improvement.<br /><br />And you don't have to be a fanatic to download your copy of 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>Just someone who wants to make a home more marketable.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">   </div>

News: This Blog Wins a Spot on the Top 100 List

Home Decorating and Staging, a site for DIY fanatics, writes about easy ways to declutter, so you can end up with a look like this, from Bet...

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Got Kids? Got a Home for Sale? Here's Seven Tips Especially for You.

<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_2268.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/IMG_2268.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Do your children really need a closet full of toys all the time? </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>The only thing more difficult than <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/you-know-your-home-is-staged-when.html" target="_blank">living in a home that's for sale</a> is living in a home that's for sale when you have young children.<br /><br />If that's your situation, I feel your pain.<br /><br />I know how stressful it can be when you've just touched up your wall paint, and discover two days later small handprints all up and down the stairwell.<br /><br />I know how stressful it can be when your realtor calls from down the street, wanting to show your home in a few minutes, and the living room is draped in blanket forts that cover an intricate complex of  Lego villages and train tracks.<br /><br />With these things in mind, I've collected my favorite tips learned from PWHOM -- parents with a home on the market. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Systematize.</span></b> Have routines. Do the same procedures daily. For example, everyone makes his or her own bed as soon as he or she gets out of it, one child puts away dishes after every meal, and another sweeps the front steps each evening. Soon, you'll have these habits down pat. Life is simpler with simple rituals, and young ones learn new tasks faster when the tasks are repeated at short intervals, like daily, or even twice daily.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Simplify.</span></b> Put away the toys and games that are not essential. Most children will not miss the majority of their books, toys, games, dolls and stuffed animals. If storing all but their favorites creates a problem, rotate toys in and out of storage, and explain that the situation is just temporary. It's important for your own sanity that children understand -- as best they can -- the importance of all you are doing to help sell your home.   <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Squirrel-ize.</span></b> That's right, think like a squirrel, and <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/where-to-stash-un-sexy-stuff-in-staged.html" target="_blank">hide things</a>. People on a tour of your home don't need to see your basket of diaper changing essentials, the science project your son is in the middle of, the pile of sports equipment near the back door, or your daughter's doll collection. Think accessible, but still out of sight and in a place where home buyers don't look. Here are some hiding places I like for temporary stashing:<br /><ul><li>under the bed, in sliding boxes</li><li>an emptied, designated dresser drawer </li><li>pretty shoeboxes, hatboxes, or these <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/make-your-own-decorative-vases-for-free.html" target="_blank">DIY cardboard vases </a></li><li>an ottoman or bench with a storage compartment built in </li><li>the washer or dryer  </li><li>the trunk of your car </li><li>a vintage piece of luggage or wicker basket</li></ul><br /><table 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/photo.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/photo.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Delegate tasks on your <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/01/do-you-have-pre-showing-checklist.html" target="_blank">pre-showing checklist</a> to everyone in the household.<br />This is my #3 grandson, and he actually likes to vacuum.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Supervise.</span></b> Once infrequently used rooms are decluttered and clean, don't let them become catch-all areas for stuff that has no home. If you can close off rooms like the guest room or powder room, placing them off-limits to family members, that's another possibility. Remind them that it's just temporary.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Schedule.</span></b> Make a checklist of what touchups need to be done just prior to a short-notice showing. If you leave the house for work in the morning, never knowing if a realtor will bring people through during the day, having a touchup checklist is even more important. I know it's asking a lot, but selling a home is like running a business. Children, even young ones, should have a designated role in touchups.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Secret-ize.</span></b> Put away things like schedules and calendars that show when you won't be home or where your children will be, any paperwork and decorations that show your children's names, or photographs of your children. You do not know who is coming into your home or what they want to know about you. I don't think I have to go into the details. It's all about keeping kids safe.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Synchronize.</span></b> Work with <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-help-your-realtor-sell-your-home.html" target="_blank">your realtor</a> on timing so that showings are not a problem. Most parents prefer showings during school hours. Ideally, you should never have to refuse a showing. Some buyers breeze into town for the day and don't have much scheduling flexibility. It's more important to let your home be shown with some toys scattered about, and some wet towels on the rods, than to let a possible buyer escape. Many buyers interpret a demand for 24-hour notice as "not serious sellers." Be show-ready! I know it can be a hassle, but stay focused on the prize.<br /><br />You'll drive yourself mad if you expect <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-get-it-all-done-and-still-stay.html" target="_blank">organized perfection.</a> It's a balancing act. On one hand, buyers know you don't live in a model home, but on the other hand, buyers watch HGTV and they know the market now is a buyers' market. Whatever leverage you can gain by making your home the one that looks better than the rest, gives you a clear advantage.<br /><br />I give other tips to help you navigate the waters toward a sale of your home in 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>For just $5, it will pay for itself over and over and over. Or I'll give you your money back.<br /><br />

Got Kids? Got a Home for Sale? Here's Seven Tips Especially for You.

Do your children really need a closet full of toys all the time?  The only thing more difficult than living in a home that's for sale i...

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How to Get Buyers to Fall in Love with Your Home

<table 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://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Romeo_and_juliet_brown.jpg/220px-Romeo_and_juliet_brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Romeo_and_juliet_brown.jpg/220px-Romeo_and_juliet_brown.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Romeo and  Juliet couldn't resist each other. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Love happens. Literature, poetry, songs, and movies insist that you can't get someone to love you, that the magic is there, or not.<br /><br />But when it comes to convincing home buyers that your house is the one that will make them happy, the story is different.<br /><br />There's lots you can do to get them interested, and even excited enough to make a commitment, which in real estate terms means to make an offer. Here are the most enticing ways to create that magic.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Seduce from a distance.</span></b> Your home has to look good -- very good -- even from afar. Yes, we're talking <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/10/guest-post-going-beyond-curb-appeal-to.html">curb appeal</a>. Again.<br /><br />Is your landscaping tidy and appropriate for the season? Is the area around your front entrance unobstructed, clean, and colorful? Do your siding and roof look problem-free? Have you removed all distractions, like bikes, garbage cans, and gardening equipment, from the front of your home?<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Wow them from the start.</span></b> Make buyers feel that they have just opened a delightful Valentine's card when they open your front door. First impressions count, and most buyers make a judgement about a home during the first few minutes of a home tour.<br /><br />Is the first sensation one of being crowded into a foyer, or is it one of being welcomed to a spacious home? Are the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/finally-simple-formula-to-help-you.html">paint colors</a> neutral enough that anyone could love them? Are your home's best features noticeable? Are its flaws de-emphasized? <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Appeal to the senses.</span></b> Buyers make decisions based on sensory input. No matter how perfect the floor plan or how new the cabinets, if your home smells like <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/01/cats-dont-have-to-stink.html">pets</a> or <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/07/mildews-deal-breaker-for-home-buyers.html">mildew</a>, you're in trouble.<br /><br />Is the temperature right? Does your home smell good in every room -- closets and storage spaces included? Do doorknobs, countertops and other surfaces that will be felt, feel smooth and <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-clean-like-professional.html">clean</a>? Is the clutter gone? Is the artwork non-offensive? <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Create desire.</span></b> People like to believe the house they are buying is a step up the social ladder. Make them feel like winners by looking like a winner yourself.<br /><br />Are there some status touches, like thick towels, contemporary electronics, bedding that is <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/10/trends-that-can-update-your-home.html">on-trend</a>, and even name brand foods in a pantry? Buyers buy the lifestyle, so don't underestimate the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/is-your-bathroom-staged-to-impress.html">details that make your the home look luxurious.</a><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Don't them them forget you</span></b>. Prepare a takeaway. Work with your <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-not-to-hire-realtor.html">realtor</a> to have a printed single sheet that points out your home's best features. If your home is a larger one, consider a more extensive printout. Include at least one photo.<br /><br />Buyers might tour a handful of homes on one day, so make your home the one they'll remember. Have something memorable, like a big bouquet of bright flowers by the front door, a humorous sign by the back door, or mints on the kitchen island, to leave a friendly, lasting impression.<br /><br />I give specific advice for staging your own home in my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">$5 eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar</i>. If your home is on the market, or you are thinking about selling, I'll walk you through the important steps to help you stage to sell. It's easy when you know all the subtle but powerful tricks of the trade! Download now and start staging today. <br /><br />

How to Get Buyers to Fall in Love with Your Home

Romeo and  Juliet couldn't resist each other.  Love happens. Literature, poetry, songs, and movies insist that you can't get someone...

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