Staging Your Home for the Summer Months

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/vintageposterCA-CustomVintageSigns.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/vintageposterCA-CustomVintageSigns.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>When people purchase a home they buy a vision of their future. And most people's vision of summer is a happy one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Now that summertime is here, it's the time to double-check your homestaging. Does it capitalize on the happy vibes of the season?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I've collected a series of photos that I think captures the spirit of summer, one of the busiest home-buying times of the year.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope you'll take inspiration and ideas from these images, and make the most of summer staging so you'll land a purchase offer you love!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Summertime staging can incorporate a little whimsy without looking goofy. Try some humorous or nostalgic touches in small spaces or outdoors. How about some silly sayings on your guest bath towels? Or vintage beach scenes framed in the hallway? Maybe some  whirligigs outside a colorful garden shed? <br /><br />A <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/04/need-some-curb-appeal-dress-up-your.html#.U54ND9gU-M8" target="_blank">summer wreath of fabric,</a> shells, or bright summer flowers on the front door welcomes people touring your home. Pots of blooming plants near your entrance are a must if you're working on boosting your curb appeal. You can <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/05/sell-your-home-and-then-move-your.html" target="_blank">take potted plants with you when you move</a>, so splurge on pretty containers and interesting plants.  <br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Look for props that spell summer fun, especially if you live near a summer destination like a pool, lake or beach. Incorporate fun things like picnic baskets, sand pails and flip flops, seaside relics like coral, rope and shells, or souvenirs like framed art from a vacation destination.</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/outdoorseatsfinegardening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/outdoorseatsfinegardening.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Every outdoor space needs seating, and it doesn't have to be pricey or trendy. Find a shady corner to stage   a relaxing setting. Photo: Fine Gardening.  </span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/backyard-dining-Sunsetmag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/backyard-dining-Sunsetmag.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Turning a <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2013/05/best-tips-for-staging-your-porch.html" target="_blank">porch</a> into an outdoor eating and entertaining area is like adding a room. Photo: Sunset.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>  <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/firepitHGTV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/firepitHGTV.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A backyard fire pit is a plus, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBzHX5Sf1fk" target="_blank">a simple fire ring</a> is a do-able DIY project. Photo: HGTV.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>  </i></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><i>  </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiJmPrXGgCOwP6YUgHxe-9pKhWBmifDyjTpf0jNMbb5GqOOdrRUgTLv6BepOwNQaqG9OJB-Kh152PIggGtBumeZYCk8A9cHphZ8PNBAhyQEsSQTicPa2PFFRqz1V28ixU7JxYzMd2PfF5GxhDMY9AVap6WXbVG-TDO25FYsZcpV1avNfcId6LPmX9KBCsM=" style="left: 184px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 2568px;" width="72" /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1090730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="443" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1090730.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Summer months are gardening time, and everyone wants homegrown tomatoes. Add some pots to the yard, balcony, deck or patio that remind buyers of summer meals. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; 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/collectionofprintsHGTV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/collectionofprintsHGTV.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Indoors, collections can remind buyers of the local sights and pleasures. Photo: HGTV</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></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/rockfireplaceBHG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/rockfireplaceBHG.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Seasonal color schemes focus on cool pastels or crisp blues and white. Photo: BHG</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><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/slipcoversloftandcottageblogspot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/slipcoversloftandcottageblogspot.jpg" width="556" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>White slipcovers and summer are a tight twosome. Easy-care furnishings will give your home a casual. lived-in feeling that is attractive to all home buyers.</i> <i><a href="http://loftandcottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Loft and Cottage BlogSpot.</a></i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></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/driftwoodmirrorcompletelycoastal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/driftwoodmirrorcompletelycoastal.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Even if your home is nowhere near the coast, driftwood and other natural elements add that touch of nature that is part of summer's lifestyle. Photo via <a href="http://www.completely-coastal.com/" target="_blank">Completely Coastal</a>.</i></span><br /><div align="left">   </div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/ShippaintingsHouseBeautiful-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/ShippaintingsHouseBeautiful-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Nautical, beachy or tropical artwork</span></i> <i><span style="font-size: small;">is perfect for summer staging. Photo: House Beautiful. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/keywestarttropicalcoastalliving-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/keywestarttropicalcoastalliving-1.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A master bedroom can suggest an exotic retreat or vacation spot. Photo:</span></i> <span style="font-size: small;"><i>Coastal Living</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/vanessafrancisdesigndiningrm-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/vanessafrancisdesigndiningrm-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Even formal settings benefit in summer from some laid back furnishings like sisal rugs and painted furniture.</span></i> <i><span style="font-size: small;">Photo: Vanessa Francis Design, K West Images</span></i> </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/mantelcentsgirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="527" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/mantelcentsgirl.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A fireplace mantel can reflect the mood of summer even though the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-stage-fireplace-when-its.html#.U54I7dgU-M8" target="_blank">fireplace is "closed for the season."</a> Photo: Centsational  Girl.</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;"></span></i><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;">I hope you'll find small and not-so-small ways to showcase the joys of summer for househunters. No matter where you live or what size, style or age your home is, there's always opportunities to "summarize" it. Doing so will help buyers imagine their summer cookouts, staycations, and celebrations at your house once they've bought it!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">If you are staging your own home (or someone elses!) my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">$5 homestaging eBooks</a> make it easy. I've been there, and I share all my tips for making a house the one buyers want.    </span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Top Photo: <a href="http://www.custom-vintage-signs.com/" target="_blank">Custom Vintage Signs</a></div><br /><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi951.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fad351%2F2painters%2FcollectionofprintsHGTV.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiJmPrXGgCOwP6YUgHxe-9pKhWBmifDyjTpf0jNMbb5GqOOdrRUgTLv6BepOwNQaqG9OJB-Kh152PIggGtBumeZYCk8A9cHphZ8PNBAhyQEsSQTicPa2PFFRqz1V28ixU7JxYzMd2PfF5GxhDMY9AVap6WXbVG-TDO25FYsZcpV1avNfcId6LPmX9KBCsM=" -->

Staging Your Home for the Summer Months

When people purchase a home they buy a vision of their future. And most people's vision of summer is a happy one.   Now that summertime...

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Questions about Faucet Choices, Paint Colors, and Wicker Furniture

<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1090097.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-P1090097.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> We’re getting ready to sell our home. The faucets in both bathroom sinks match the faucets in the tub and shower stalls.<br /><br />They all work and are in good condition, but they are shiny chrome, and dated. Should I invest in new ones that look more in step with the times? – Sarah H.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A:</span></b> Spend your money somewhere else. There’s no sense removing and replacing this kind of hardware that is functioning just fine.<br /><br />The fact that they are all the same style makes them appear new-ish, more like what you might find in a new house rather than an older one that’s had repairs over the years when things broke. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I would give the same advice to people with “dated” hinges and doorknobs, and even window locks. Working, and matching, keep them! When it comes to hardware like this, unless you want to purchase pricey top of the line stuff, most of what you buy today doesn't compare to the quality commonly available even a few decades ago.   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> I am planning to stage the condo we just moved out of. It’s vacant except for a dining set, some end tables, and lamps. I’d like to add some wicker furniture because that’s easy to find at reasonable prices here in <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>. What do you think of wicker?  -- Erica S. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A: </span></b>As long as it is in good condition and comfortable, I would use wicker. Make sure any cushions look new and that the colors or patterns are not too bright or distracting. You’ll probably need a few pieces of contemporary or vintage upscale furniture (or what looks upscale) as well, so the condo doesn’t look too budget-conscious. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I don't recommend using outdoor wicker indoors. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></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/liz-williams-interiors-amelia-island1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/liz-williams-interiors-amelia-island1.png" width="492" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Wicker doesn't have to be white. But in a staged room it probably <br />shouldn't be neon pink and lime green either. These simple wicker headboards <br />got a style boost from black paint. Photo: Liz Williams Interiors</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> All the rooms in my house are now different colors – mint green in the living room, a burnt orange in the family room, peach in one bedroom and blue in another. I want to paint all the rooms myself, and paint them all the same color. Doing one at a time, I know I can do it. My question is how do I figure out what color that will work with all the rooms?   -- Justine P.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A: </span></b>Good for you for tackling the staging job yourself! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">You need to determine what elements in all your rooms will remain in the house and then find a color that works with these “fixed fixtures.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">These fixtures could be the vinyl or tile in the bath, for example, or the carpet in the bedrooms. I would bring home from the paint store all the brochures that feature shades of neutrals and white, and find one color that has the undertones that harmonize with all your fixed fixtures. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I've blogged about the details of <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-choose-paint-color-easy-way.html" target="_blank">how to choose a paint color</a>. And, yes, white walls are fine for staging!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></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><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/a2c633f4db1a009a2fd9024e17686bef1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/a2c633f4db1a009a2fd9024e17686bef1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">White walls make it easy for you to use the furnishings you already own,<br />and white walls make it easy for the new owner to postpone painting.<br />There's a reason museums and art galleries use white walls.<br />It  makes a great background color.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q: </span></b>Our home is for sale, and we have moved to a nearby town. The house is clean and empty. What can I do to make it sell fast?  Don’t say add furniture because there is no way I can afford that.  -- Keesha M.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A: </span></b>I understand. Although I always recommend <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/02/strategies-for-staging-vacant-house.html" target="_blank">staging an empty home</a>, my experience is that if a house is clean, in good repair, and priced right, you will find a buyer. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Make sure there is no deferred maintenance (a home inspection would help). The walls and possibly the trim should be freshly painted or at least look like they have been recently painted. And if there is carpet, it should be new or appear new. These are investments that pay off with a faster sale. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Good appliances, updated light fixtures, and extra-special curb appeal will sweeten the deal. Here are some other <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/08/staged-and-vacant.html" target="_blank">tips for selling an unoccupied home</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> We are listing our home with a realtor. He took a photo of the house just after it snowed. It looks pretty but I don’t want people to think about problems like snow when they see the photo, which will be the featured photo in our MLS listing. The exterior won’t look great until spring. What can I do meanwhile? -- Rachael and Alex B.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A: </span></b>There isn’t much you can do unless you have another <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-not-to-photograph-your-home.html" target="_blank">photo of your house in</a> another season. Most people don’t, so there is a lesson here for all home owners: Even if you are not thinking of selling your home immediately, having good pictures of your home in different seasons can come in handy in the future. <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/1-bigstock-Middle-Class-House-547336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-bigstock-Middle-Class-House-547336.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A photo of a snow covered property can be charming, but the profile photo <br />of your home on a listing should be current with the season so the home doesn't <br />appear to have been on the market for a long time.   </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When your exterior gets some springtime color, you can substitute another photo. Meanwhile, just be glad your realtor didn’t photograph your house when the snow turned mushy, icy and dirty.   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Don't forget that you can get answers to the most common home staging questions, plus much, much more, in my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">$5 home staging eBook</a>, <i>DIY</i> <i>Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. </i></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

Questions about Faucet Choices, Paint Colors, and Wicker Furniture

Q: We’re getting ready to sell our home. The faucets in both bathroom sinks match the faucets in the tub and shower stalls. They all work a...

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Quick and Dirty Tips for Plant Containers

<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/P1050964_zps803c99ab.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/P1050964_zps803c99ab.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">It's not a rule that plants have to go in traditional planters. </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">I found this basket for my zinnias at Salvation Army for 59 cents.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />Let’s bust up some myths about container planting. Let’s make the containers themselves interesting and fun. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I know I’m forever telling you home sellers to stifle your decorating personality when you’re staging your home. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">But I’m loosening the rules for <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/08/does-your-outdoor-space-help-sell-your.html" target="_blank">outside decor.</a> Outside, the colors can be brighter, the mood a little quirkier, the message more personal. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m not suggesting you plant a toilet with petunias for the front yard, but containers for <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-ten-favorite-foliage-plants-for.html" target="_blank">summer plants and flowers</a> can be attention-getting in a good way – the way that helps sell your home. Here are some examples.<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/P1050914_zps1ef0d460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1050914_zps1ef0d460.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The basket above will be good for a season or two, but these metal planters will give you <br />years of service. If they aren't originally designed for plants, you'll need to punch holes <br />for drainage, or insert plastic pots and then make sure the pots don't sit in water. <br />These plants sit near my front door under the eves, where they won't get waterlogged. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1050948_zps353be17b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1050948_zps353be17b.jpg" width="554" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Here is another of my favorite metal planters -- an old copper tea pot. <br />If you use metal containers for plants, it's best to keep them out of <br />direct sun so the roots don't overheat and cook your plants.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1050891_zps27761172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1050891_zps27761172.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">An old wheelbarrow with a leaky tub makes a perfect planter. <br />I keep mine in the middle of my Scent Garden, where I can move it<br />when the man comes to fill the propane tank that I don't like looking at.<br />Do you have an eyesore that a planter can disguise?  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Workbootplanter_zps0064900f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="588" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Workbootplanter_zps0064900f.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Upcycled boots are roomy enough for different plants. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-favorite-fake-plant-for-home-staging.html" target="_blank">Succulents </a>are a good choice <br />because they have shallow roots and are not demanding. Drainage is usually sufficient, and<br />just look at all the personality they can give a small garden space! Photo: <a href="http://www.lushome.com/20-ways-recycle-shoes-planters-cheap-decorations-backyard-ideas/73780" target="_blank">Lushome</a>. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1050880_zps50040f35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1050880_zps50040f35.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">If the boot you are planting is rubber like this one, add holes to the sole.<br />Details like this in the garden are like your accessories indoors.<br />They can cause people to slow down and appreciate your home. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1050041_zps2b2243e8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1050041_zps2b2243e8.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Although technically not a container, this hanging basket stuffed with<br />Spanish moss is as good as a container of flowers for all the<br />interest it adds to my friend's garden . <br />Yes, she lives in an old church.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/PlanterBikebasketflowers_zpsf911d957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/PlanterBikebasketflowers_zpsf911d957.jpg" width="640" /></a><i>You don't need an old, rusty, clunker bike to stage it as a planter.</i><br /><i>Any bike, any size, any style will do as long as it has a roomy basket,</i><br /><i>which you can line with landscape fabric or cocoa fiber matting. </i><br /><i>Make sure the bike is secured so no one pedals it away.</i><br /><i>because it will be irresistible. Photo: <a href="http://blogs.sj-r.com/behindthecurtain/index.php/author/davidspencer/" target="_blank">David Spencer</a>.</i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Container plants offer so many <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-container-plantings-can-help-you.html" target="_blank">advantages </a>to the home seller that they can't be ignored or omitted if you want to get smart about selling your home.   </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope I have sparked some ideas that will have you hunting for original planters for your summer</div><div style="text-align: left;">flowers. If you look around you will see other possibilities suitable for your locale and your </div><div style="text-align: left;">home -- shells, wooden buckets, watering cans, or chairs with missing seats. Please pass on the</div><div style="text-align: left;">bed frames, old tires, bath tubs, and Volkswagons. I'm not kidding. <a href="http://theverybesttop10.com/2013/04/16/images-of-volkswagen-beetles-in-gardens/" target="_blank">Volkswagons</a>.    </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For more ideas on how to stage your home, download my $5 <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar.  </i></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>

Quick and Dirty Tips for Plant Containers

It's not a rule that plants have to go in traditional planters.  I found this basket for my zinnias at Salvation Army for 59 cents.   Le...

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front landscaping

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsOTxoT4RoyxYDCaE4ZNf6i1bOk_HPEe0FS3-5fxRIhi6nTZgVKcMz7V6P89K7-cyOy11g7JTBdlz8CNQrRm6y7Quy6PvL6_xVAOw4FQGbKQtTrzb58vnp4ptcHSvQnveItRfyKcqPbo/s1600/Untitled-4.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/AVvXsEiDsOTxoT4RoyxYDCaE4ZNf6i1bOk_HPEe0FS3-5fxRIhi6nTZgVKcMz7V6P89K7-cyOy11g7JTBdlz8CNQrRm6y7Quy6PvL6_xVAOw4FQGbKQtTrzb58vnp4ptcHSvQnveItRfyKcqPbo/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a></div><br />Our front porch planters that I've blogger about <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2009/08/front-door-changing-of-seasons.html" target="_blank">here </a>and <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2009/09/nothing-little-spray-wont-fix.html" target="_blank">here</a> didn't make it through this season. So sad. :( The metal rusted and dirt started spilling out the bottom earlier this week.  When I was at Lowes this week <a href="http://www.lowes.ca/planters/mayne-5825-b-fairfield-20in-x-20in-square-patio-planter_g619053.html?isku=5641653&linkloc=cataLogProductItemsImage" target="_blank"> I spotted these plastic planters that were gooooorgeous</a>. They don't look like plastic at all. They were $88 each - which depending on how you look at it could be ridiculously expensive, or, a great deal. As I told Aubrey - similar styled planters would run a few hundred at places like <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/collections.jsp?cm_sp=global_top_nav_store-_-dynamic_menu_item-_-NA&categoryId=cat320036" target="_blank">Restoration Hardware.</a> Granted - you may be able to find <em>less</em> expensive ones elsewhere but I have yet to see any that looked this good and were of this quality for any less than what we spent. <br /><br />In other landscaping news, I've put on hold <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/04/i-hate-our-grass-landscaping-plans.html" target="_blank">my intentions to tear up my front lawn.</a> Truthfully - I don't really have it in me to do the labour, and I'm not overly confident that my initial design idea was right. I'm now considering maybe 1 tall tree and a boulder of some sort. But I think on the list of priorities this is pretty low. <br /><br />And lastly - Our <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/10/evolution-of-exterior-of-house.html" target="_blank">front deck needs replacing</a> .... badly. As you can see above <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/10/evolution-of-exterior-of-house.html" target="_blank">it is carpeted and also has no railings.</a> It's a bit of a safety concern for me with Oscar - as I worry he'll fall off. But design wise, I think our home would look beautiful with a railing. It's not a project that is totally in vain - the deck has developed some soft spots and does need addressing over the next year...<br /><br />Anyhow, my real intention of this post was to rave about my new planters. :) Have a great weekend - Sunday is my birthday. Wheeee!! ;) <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_9DcrfaNMWGD3ikGIN53FukLlvF7cUCdzBpmSd1u5mMsfSYMNUywdgk6CW5VjBNHElqTbIfLLs0XoTnuMK6MCGp63TSx9Tmj5aFIlD6yd9hWZ6FNm6CZtS7KshxaW1cR5VbG-LmR-MQ/s1600/Untitled-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/AVvXsEgj_9DcrfaNMWGD3ikGIN53FukLlvF7cUCdzBpmSd1u5mMsfSYMNUywdgk6CW5VjBNHElqTbIfLLs0XoTnuMK6MCGp63TSx9Tmj5aFIlD6yd9hWZ6FNm6CZtS7KshxaW1cR5VbG-LmR-MQ/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><em>In other news -- thank you for </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LittleHouseBlog" target="_blank"><em>"liking" me on facebook</em></a><em>. I've also made </em><a href="http://instagram.com/lindsaystephenson#" target="_blank"><em>my Instagram feed public</em></a><em> which you may have noticed on the sidebar of my blog if you visit my actual blog to read my posts. I'm still trying to find balance with my concerns with over-sharing and on the other side of things - my love of technology and photography. So hopefully I'll balance it well. xo</em>

front landscaping

Our front porch planters that I've blogger about here and here didn't make it through this season. So sad. :( The metal rusted and ...

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I hate our grass - landscaping plans

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzAcad9WU8WMtXiwBALRCNJTnX9ei87hUe4CITQ4lXXmLHakVjZB9Hs5RHtFBkf3egFWgaOcR_1xDirGFj53X7mtYWczCYJ7iEqj3qxSw5pFVkvMbFCURDVdhZCxkar_Av5pKSe8nWKY/s1600/grass.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/AVvXsEiCzAcad9WU8WMtXiwBALRCNJTnX9ei87hUe4CITQ4lXXmLHakVjZB9Hs5RHtFBkf3egFWgaOcR_1xDirGFj53X7mtYWczCYJ7iEqj3qxSw5pFVkvMbFCURDVdhZCxkar_Av5pKSe8nWKY/s1600/grass.jpg" /></a></div><br />I've been staring at our front lawn coming up with landscaping plans. I apparently can't focus on one project, I need to take on a few to drive myself (and Aubrey) crazy.<br /><br />Our front yard is <i>significantly </i>better than when we first bought the house thanks to the amazing landscaping design of<a href="http://www.chandlerandco.ca/" target="_blank"> Bill Chandler</a> (who I think is one of Toronto's top landscape designers) I met him because he worked on my parents back garden and <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/10/front-walkway-happening-right-now.html" target="_blank">he helped us with our front walkway both with designing and installation.</a> Although Bill came up with a <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/01/landscaping-dreams-in-dead-of-winter.html" target="_blank">gorgeous planting plan</a> in addition to the stairs and walkway, we only did the stone work because budget. You can <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/10/evolution-of-exterior-of-house.html" target="_blank">see the evolution of the front of our house here.</a><br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br />Fast forward to today - the reason why I'm focusing on the landscaping again is because our front grass <i>never </i>survives. This is due to of a variety of elements- neighbours who don't weed (and therefore we get weeds no matter how much we do), too much sun, too little water.... Every Summer I curse as I'm pulling out crab grass or standing out there with a hose watering that it will be the<i> last year</i> I invest any money in trying to save the grass. I feel badly when it dies and everyone elses grass is so lush - be it that they have more shade, or maybe a better routine with watering? But everyone else seems to have wonderful lawns, when mine is brown and patchy.  A few weeks ago I walked outside to get the mail to see that racoons had torn up our lawn looking for grubs. And that was that - No more grass<i>. </i><br /><br />Thankfully the new walkway is probably the most major expense out of the front landscaping makeover - and that is done so we're just looking at doing some plantings. My idea is to add some plantings that have height and I keep going back to one l<a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/04/curb-appeal.html" target="_blank">andscaping design I quite like from in our neighbourhood that I blogged about here. </a> This look is kind of what I'm thinking of doing....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhJ1ewvRc1sgMIaklv9LTJRo9S6Yb2_PYccOcQh8FqdUjyW6QA4PAxS2ag_DwYC3jZ-7ffZyuQv3qcjpKnCSG4BJBOs0gdRt8d5Nw6M-5C64s_mtEOuRgB_4H0S6B2kZBsTDpZVm70ks/s1600/grass.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/AVvXsEhRhJ1ewvRc1sgMIaklv9LTJRo9S6Yb2_PYccOcQh8FqdUjyW6QA4PAxS2ag_DwYC3jZ-7ffZyuQv3qcjpKnCSG4BJBOs0gdRt8d5Nw6M-5C64s_mtEOuRgB_4H0S6B2kZBsTDpZVm70ks/s1600/grass.jpg" /></a></div><br />They trees look like <a href="http://www.thestar.com/life/2013/03/22/serviceberry_an_easy_environmentally_friendly_tree_that_wont_become_a_hassle.html" target="_blank">serviceberry trees</a> which we have in our backyard and LOVE (<a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2010/07/diy-privacy-screens-how-to-by-aubrey.html" target="_blank">see them in this post</a>) They have a beautiful bark colour, are branchy, produce edible berries and in the fall have the most gorgeous orange and yellow leaves. So my thought is to plant two or along the path. Perhaps three. I think it will give some height, privacy, and visual interest to our front yard.<br /><br />As a side note, I'm still a fan of this walkway spotted in our neighbourhood that I think is welcoming...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCMX-4kIQYN4E0LsoH0_zVJhtfcVCJ87Y27iv933bt8LvT90ixWljeQSU2CsnQx-KrT83w2GkpWbG_IJYNk-mfKaK5Vv_eyPLblMttcV23Wn9_KmBgc8wNkRpP2CVaHnEWvw2IK1Jrc8/s1600/grass2.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/AVvXsEgUCMX-4kIQYN4E0LsoH0_zVJhtfcVCJ87Y27iv933bt8LvT90ixWljeQSU2CsnQx-KrT83w2GkpWbG_IJYNk-mfKaK5Vv_eyPLblMttcV23Wn9_KmBgc8wNkRpP2CVaHnEWvw2IK1Jrc8/s1600/grass2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Isn't it beautiful? I think it would be relatively easy to recreate however I don't think I want to get into this level of construction. But I still think these "fences" are the most beautiful thing ever. Anyhow, that is my plan. I've promised Aubrey to hold off on digging up the front lawn until after he finishes demoing the bathroom.<br /><br />As I've been thinking about all of this I have realized that I think hiring a landscape designer in many cases is a great investment - they know what works well in different environments, what needs a lot of care, how plants change throughout the seasons. It's one of the reasons why I really liked <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/dirtybusiness/" target="_blank">Dirty Business on HGTV</a> - they gave a great insight into that kind of thoughtful design. In our case, <a href="http://www.chandlerandco.ca/building.html" target="_blank">Bill's </a>walkway design was something I couldn't have envisioned or implemented myself so I'm so glad we hired him to do that part.<br /><br />Anyhow, that's my thoughts on the front landscaping! The next step is buying serviceberry trees and then digging up the grass. Well, after the bathroom that is. ;)<br /><br /><b>Other posts of interest:</b><br /><a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/10/evolution-of-exterior-of-house.html" target="_blank">See the evolution of the front of our house here.</a><br /><a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/01/landscaping-dreams-in-dead-of-winter.html" target="_blank">See Bill's planting guide for us</a><br /><a href="http://www.chandlerandco.ca/building.html" target="_blank">Bill Chandler Landscape Design </a>

I hate our grass - landscaping plans

I've been staring at our front lawn coming up with landscaping plans. I apparently can't focus on one project, I need to take on a f...

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When Hubby Says No, and Other Home Staging Problems

<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;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiAD9QL4fawfr7Oy_bNLCBFk3GaF7nbhlH-M0KMhXyIYK4EB7-fGTeu3H4_CD80sjuSdFskH7aKwGOlJ4GhW78t8sbph80Eabvz1IH0mLaig3clb3BJNA1yFnVkjwclPZ21AzBNnxll4/s400/backyard-vegetable-garden.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">To plot to not to plot? </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span><br />Your questions help me help you. Whether the questions come through email, blog comments, Facebook, or friends, they tell me what nitty-gritty dilemmas people face when they want to sell a house.<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Here are some of the questions I’ve received lately, and my answers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let Garden Grow?</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q:</b> We have a 12- by 12-foot vegetable garden in our rather small backyard. Is a garden like this an asset or a liability when it’s time to sell?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>A:</b> Most people want an easy-care or no-maintenance yard. But the idea of a small vegetable plot is still appealing to many people, especially during the growing season. If you want to keep the garden while your home is on the market, keep it tidy during any off-season, and consider adding hardscape like stepping stones, attractive fencing, and birdhouses.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">During the growing season, keep it free of weeds, mulch it, and make it look abundant. "Staged" this way, it becomes a selling point. </div><div class="MsoNormal">  </div><div class="MsoNormal">If your buyers decide they don’t want a garden, they can always convert a reasonably-sized garden into lawn, or use the space as a basis for something else, like a patio, above ground pool, play area, or dog run. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Storm Door or Not?</span></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0w-2IAr94tdwGe6Rr8tWdsQtSccGl6uK7ulH9Yh_Zj_sjJMlsK6l2BhswJTq1XLF1B0AK1pYyM4B5LTIzC2xdxBW6GyR0btky7lRbX55uFHo6WxpuSBjkIDr37IHtmvu2jQmvQw-78o/s1600/StormDoor_2_Pella_184x250_26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0w-2IAr94tdwGe6Rr8tWdsQtSccGl6uK7ulH9Yh_Zj_sjJMlsK6l2BhswJTq1XLF1B0AK1pYyM4B5LTIzC2xdxBW6GyR0btky7lRbX55uFHo6WxpuSBjkIDr37IHtmvu2jQmvQw-78o/s400/StormDoor_2_Pella_184x250_26.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A handsome storm door that functions well <br />will add value to your home.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Q: </b>Our house has a storm door over the front door. It keeps out the cold in winter, and converts to a screen door in summer, so we like it. But I don’t think it looks great. Should we remove it?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>A:</b> If the storm door hides a pretty front door and seriously detracts from curb appeal, I’d consider removing it. Or I’d remove it if it’s a dated style and your home is fairly up-to-date otherwise. If the door does become history, you’ll want to putty and paint over the screw holes in the trim around the door.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In the interest of curb appeal, some home sellers remove the storm door while the home is for sale, and store it so it can be replaced if the new buyers want it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The right storm and screen door won't be an eyesore. Can you replace the door with a new one that is contemporary and really helps with the way a home shows?<br /><br />If you do replace a storm door, make sure its character is in keeping with your home's innate style.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Make sure the glass stays clean, and that the darn thing doesn't bang the heels of people entering, one of my personal pet peeves. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Uncooperative Spouse</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Q:</b> My husband doesn’t believe we should spend money on staging. Any advice? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>A:</b> Instead of pleading or nagging, enlist the aid of your <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-not-to-hire-realtor.html" target="_blank">realtor</a>. Any realtor will be able to give statistics and stories about homes that didn’t sell because they were not staged, and success stories of homes that were effectively staged. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I give more tips on how to be deal with a partner who doesn’t see the value of staging, 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></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Big Home Small Budget</span></b></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-P1020677_zpsa4e03d51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1020677_zpsa4e03d51.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Staging a large home after you've moved can be daunting, but there are a few alternatives. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Q:</b> I’m selling a large, vacant house. If I can’t spend money to “do it right,” should I skip it?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>A: </b>This is a common quandary. The best advice I can offer is to do what you can. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">One possibility is that you can omit an entire section of the house, such as the second floor, or a basement. Concentrate on making the necessary living quarters – at least one bedroom, one bath, the living room and the kitchen – as well-staged as possible. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The downside of the partial staging solution is that buyers may think you’ve moved to your next home, and are therefore even more desperate to sell and willing to entertain low ball offers. You can let your realtor know that you’ve staged the house the way some builders will stage a model home. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you do decide to leave the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/02/strategies-for-staging-vacant-house.html" target="_blank">home vacant</a>, be sure everything is spotless and in great condition. Paint the walls and trim if necessary and have the entire house smelling good.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Do you have a question about home staging? I'd love to hear from you!  </div></div>

When Hubby Says No, and Other Home Staging Problems

To plot to not to plot?  Your questions help me help you. Whether the questions come through email, blog comments, Facebook, or friends, the...

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Ten Tips to Improve Your Autumn Curb Appeal

<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/P1020773.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/P1020773.jpg" width="492" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A home on the market needs to look good all year long.<br />This home looks friendly, despite bare branches and dormant grass. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Instead of calling it “curb appeal,” I’m going to call it “front yard glamour.” Sound sexier? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Whatever you call it, the front of your home is the king pin of home staging. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Even though it’s now November, and I hope your home sells very soon, I like to plan ahead. That means thinking ahead to spring. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Once spring begins, the real estate market picks up quickly after slowing down for the winter holidays. So, spring’s when you want your front yard looking absolutely stunning! Planning ahead can make it happen. Here’s how:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tidy Up the Grounds</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you do nothing else, and before you do anything else, remove debris from around your home. Get rid of what’s accumulated from previous seasons. There might be things like plants felled by frost, tree limbs left from autumn storms, papers and leaves that have blown into the yard, shrubs that have died. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />Already, you’ve made a huge difference! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Salvage What You Want</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you’re a gardener, selling a home and moving gets complicated, because you’ll want to <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/05/sell-your-home-and-then-move-your.html" target="_blank">take some plants with you to your next home</a>. Fall is the time to divide those perennials like hostas, ferns, irises, and daylilies, to pot them up or store them in peat moss to make the move with you. You can also collect seeds from plants you love, and dig up tender bulbs and tubers from cannas, gladiolas, lilies, dahlias, caladiums, and elephant ears. </div><div class="MsoNormal">  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Put Away Signs of Summer </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Give your yard an up-to-the-minute look by putting into storage empty flower pots, fountains, summer sports equipment, cushions, hoses, pool toys, and umbrellas. I like to leave out some outdoor furniture so buyers are reminded of outdoor features like a patio, porch, or deck. <br /><br />If you have a bare spot in the lawn where a kiddie pool was all summer, can you convert it to a fire pit? If <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-favorite-15-minute-holiday.html" target="_blank">your flower boxes are empty</a>, can you fill them with evergreen boughs?   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you live where winters are severe, you’ll winterize your pool. If you live where winters are warm, leaving a pool uncovered provides an outdoor focal point that’s a selling feature to most buyers, but only if you are willing to maintain it through the winter. <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/1-P1010061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="324" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1010061.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Most pools are situated behind a house, but sometimes they are still visible from the street. </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">This home in Florida is located on </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">the Intracoastal Waterway, </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">so the pool is part of a different kind of curb appeal, or "canal appeal." </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Prune and Prune Some More</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">While there’s still some foliage on shrubbery and trees is a good time to <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-to-prune.html" target="_blank">prune</a>. You’ll be able to spot any dead or diseased branches, making sensible pruning easier.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Keep shrubs from crowding walkways. Keep them from blocking views from inside the house. Prune them back hard if they are getting leggy. Prune them so they’re wider at the bottom than at the top, so that sunlight can reach lower branches.   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Plug in Some Bulbs</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Autumn’s the time to purchase and plant bulbs that will bloom in the spring. You can buy them locally at nurseries, garden centers and big box stores, but I like to get mine from a long-established company like <a href="http://terraceiafarms.com/" target="_blank">Terra Ceia</a> or <a href="http://brecks.com/" target="_blank">Brecks</a> where I know I’ll get my money’s worth in large and healthy bulbs. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Plan right, and there will be something blooming every month, possibly beginning even as early as February with plants such as snowdrops and narcissi. And squirrels don't like either of these bulbs. You will thank me for this advice, and you are welcome!   </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://images.whiteflowerfarm.com/140414a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="563" src="http://images.whiteflowerfarm.com/140414a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">They don't call them Snow Crocus for nothing! These small but welcome beauties<br />will bloom through snow-covered ground. Photo: White Flower Farm.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Top Dress Your Beds</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Mulch is to your landscape what paint is to your home’s interior – the quickest and cheapest way to make everything else look better!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Whatever you use for mulch -- wood chips or bark, compost, or pine straw -- get out there and refresh it. If your mulch is stone, gravel, or rocks, make sure it’s free of weeds and other junk. I don’t recommend cocoa hulls because they are toxic to pets, and I don’t recommend cypress because harvesting it can deplete cypress swamps.   </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-P1020646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1020646.jpg" width="558" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Stone works well as a mulch when there are enough plantings to keep the yard interesting. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Plant and Transplant Shrubs</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Any plant requires frequent watering when it’s just settling in. That’s why planting shrubs in the fall makes more sense than in springtime, when the warmer weather makes more demands on a plant. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Planting now gives any new small trees or shrubs a chance to establish their root systems before the ground cools during the winter. And you might get better deals on prices in the fall than in the spring. <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Test Your Soil</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I know it sounds geeky, but a soil test will let you know how to fertilize your lawn and ornamental areas, and what plants will thrive where you live. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Did you know that we homeowners typically over-use chemicals on our yards and gardens? Save money and save the environment by using only what your soil needs. Start by testing your soil. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Most <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region>states offers this service for a small fee, as a function of your local county extension service. Here’s more <a href="http://www.whyy.org/91FM/ybyg/soiltests2.html" target="_blank">information on soil testing:</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Aerate Your Lawn</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">One thing the serious turf aficionados talk about is aeration. What it amounts to is putting lots of holes in the lawn -- holes that are not easily visible but allow the lawn to perk better. Aerating a lawn lets water, fertilizers, and air to move into the soil to encourage healthier grass. The opposite of an aerated lawn is a compacted lawn and we all know how that looks – bare! If you have compacted areas due to foot traffic, create a path of stepping stones to protect the lawn. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If your lawn is a warm season grass, aeration should be done in the spring. Cool season grass? Do it now. Here is <a href="http://www.allaboutlawns.com/lawn-maintenance-care/aerating-and-thatch/how-do-i-aerate.php" target="_blank">more information on aeration</a>. </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-P1020668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1020668.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Taking care of business now, in the fall, will pay off in the spring<br />with an enviable, lush lawn that buyers are bound to notice.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Fertilize the Soil</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This one is a little trickier than the others, because when you fertilize depends on where you live, what kind of grass you have, and what else you are growing.<br /><br />Best bet: check with dependable sources of information for your area, not people with vested interests such as chemical salesmen and lawn services. State universities and colleges, especially agricultural colleges, will give you impartial and current advice, so go to the websites for the these institutions in your state. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Wrap: </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Now that your front yard is uncluttered and clean (just like your home’s interior) you can bring out a little winter decor. Maybe a <a href="http://www.birdbaths.com/bird-baths/solar/159+161+4295044962.cfm?source=googleaw&kwid=bird%20bath%20solar&tid=modbroad&gclid=CJnh45vKtrMCFayPPAodYVoAuQ" target="_blank">solar-heated birdbath</a> would enliven the front yard. If you live where winters aren't severe, you may be able to introduce winter color with annuals like pansies and flowering kale. And for the ultimate touch of front yard glamour, don’t forget to give a nod to the season with a front door winter wreath, maybe one <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/04/need-some-curb-appeal-dress-up-your.html" target="_blank">you've made yourself from rags</a>, or <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/09/diy-tutorial-how-to-make-pine-cone.html" target="_blank">pine cones</a>. </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-P1030071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1030071.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This autumn grapevine wreath can quickly re-invent itself as a Christmas wreath once I </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">replace the orange berry garland with some seasonal picks, greenery, or a big red bow. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">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> includes one entire chapter on exterior home staging. If you have a home on the market, you can't afford to be without it. I guarantee it will help you sell your home! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div> <center><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lars72/733blog%20design%20images/WAW_BUTTON.png" /></a></center>

Ten Tips to Improve Your Autumn Curb Appeal

A home on the market needs to look good all year long. This home looks friendly, despite bare branches and dormant grass.  Instead of callin...

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If You Ask Me About Home Staging ... And You Did.

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/happy-dog-running-large.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/happy-dog-running-large.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">He may be your best friend, but ...</span></em>   </td></tr></tbody></table>These are some of the questions I've received lately from readers and others.<br /><br />You can ask me home staging questions and offer your own give advice on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/100832113324140/" target="_blank">Facebook Group Page</a>.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q: </span></b>Our fenced backyard is a wasteland. We let our dogs have the run of it, so we have basically no landscaping there. The front yard has good curb appeal. What can I do?<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">A:</span></b> There really isn't much you can do, is there? Fencing a portion of the yard would cost money, look less than satisfactory, and probably make your dogs unhappy.<br /><br />Replacing your fencing with invisible fencing would also cost money, and necessitate landscaping the backyard.   <br /><br />I'd make sure the landscaped areas around your home that are outside the "dog run" look really pretty.<br /><br />With luck, you'll find a buyer who wants a backyard that's low maintenance and dog-friendly. <br /><div><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q: </span></b>Are twin beds okay in a guest bedroom, or should I <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/10/bedroom-staging-diy-headboard-and-make.html" target="_blank">stage it with a queen bed</a>?<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">A: </span></b>If you have only two bedrooms, I would stage both with a queen or double bed. But if you have three bedrooms, I'd stage the third with twin beds. If the third room is small, even a single or a sleeper would be fine.<br /><br />Also, let your budget be your guide. Don't go out and buy beds you don't want or need.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> Should I change the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/is-your-bathroom-staged-to-impress.html" target="_blank">bathroom</a> faucets in my home? They are gold. They work well but I know they aren't the latest style.</div><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">A:</span></b> In my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, I recommend changing faucets and other hardware like hinges and doorknobs so that  metals match. Matched hardware makes a home look more like a new home.<br /><br />The gold faucets will definitely date your home (unless they are actually sold brass and in an historic home). However, if you are on a tight budget, and the faucets are in great condition, and you're not replacing other outdated, fixed features such as 40-year old countertops and pink toilets, I'd let the gold faucets stay.<br /><br />In other words, it depends on your home, how you've priced it, and the type of buyer you expect to attract.     <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://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/11/13/3c5fa01ac84e.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/11/13/3c5fa01ac84e.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Faucets don't have to be expensive. And installing one can <br />be a DIY project. Photo: Tiek Built Homes.  </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> When we stage our home, do we need to convert our home office back into a bedroom?<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">A: </span></b>A home office is a definite perk. But homes for sale are listed according to how many bedrooms they have. So, if you reduce the number of bedrooms in your listing, you might as well reduce your price and the desirability of your home!<br /><br />A room is a bedroom if it has a closet. My advice would be to stage your home office as a bedroom, but keep its office status as well. It's all in <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-arrange-furniture-most-common.html" target="_blank">how you arrange the furniture</a>. Either squeeze the office space down to just a desk and chair. Or squeeze the sleeping space down to a convertible sofa or sleeper chair.<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://images.meredith.com/content/dam/remodel/Images/2008/08/BHG133888.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/remodel/Images/2008/08/BHG133888.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" width="628" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Most bedrooms have space for a small office if you make the bed either a<br />day bed or sleeper sofa. Buyers see the flexibility of the space. Photo: BH&G.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> I plan to paint all three bedrooms in our home. Is it important to paint inside closets, too?<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">A:</span></b> Good for you for giving your walls a facelift! Remember to keep those colors light and neutral.<br /><br />Even though the job may sound daunting, I recommend painting closets. You may have already decluttered your <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/eight-thrifty-ideas-to-help-you-stage.html" target="_blank">bedroom closets</a>. If not, painting is a great excuse to empty them, then discard or recycle or put into storage what's left.<br /><br />The good news is that when you paint a closet you don't have to get too fussy about wall imperfections and such. You just want it to look bright and clean. For this reason, I always paint closets white rather than the color of the bedroom. Give the ceiling a fresh coat of white as well, and you'll be surprised what a difference it makes.<br /><br />Do YOU have a question about staging your home for the real estate market? I'd like to hear it.

If You Ask Me About Home Staging ... And You Did.

He may be your best friend, but ...     These are some of the questions I've received lately from readers and others. You can ask me hom...

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Does Your Home Have Some Wow Factors?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><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://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2012/02/100557280.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2012/02/100557280.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A powder room is the perfect place to go for wow.<br />This BHG shot shows a fabulous vanity, tile on one wall, </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">new faucets, and a mirror that can all be part of a modest budget.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>A friend who is a realtor told me that he tells every client, "Your home has to have some wow factors."<br /><br />He's right.<br /><br />In case you haven't noticed, it's not exactly a sellers' market out there. If you want your home to sell fast at a price you can be happy with, you need to stand out from the competition.<br /><br />Price is one way to do that. Wow factors are another.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Let's Get Specific</span></b><br /><br />Understand, I am not saying you need to start dumping money into your home to make it far more luxurious and up-to-date than it is. The last thing you want to do is price yourself out of the market.<br /><br />But if you are really motivated to sell, or need to sell fast, some wow factors are what could put your home over the top.<br /><br />Here are some typical wow factors that fall midway between gutting-it-all remodels and simple, gussy-up staging. They'll cost you some money, but they'll help sell your home! <br /><ul><li>New walk-in shower</li><li>One or two obviously high end lighting fixtures</li><li>An outdoor hot tub</li><li>Private, outdoor enclosed space or garden</li><li>Professionally designed landscaping</li><li>Outdoor shower, even if it's cold water only</li><li>Stylish overhead garage door or refurbished existing one</li><li>New kitchen appliances that match each other</li><li>New washer and dryer that stay</li><li>Built-in bookcases, beautifully staged, of course</li><li>Built-in window seat, so charming!</li><li>Media room with basic home theatre</li><li>The fenced backyard that parents and pet owners crave </li><li>Fully finished garage and/or basement that attracts the male buyer</li><li>New toilet and sink, maybe in all baths</li></ul>No one is suggesting that you add more than two of three of these improvements. Even one upgrade buys you some wow. What changes you make to your home to make it more attractive to buyers depends on your home's present condition, the local market, your reasons for selling, and your budget.<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/suntunnel_after7-1.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/suntunnel_after7-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">A "sun tunnel" in the ceiling adds great lighting!</span></em></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Reasons Little Luxuries Matter</span></b><br /><br />So, what's the big deal about features that wow?<br /><ul><li>Buyers are immediately impressed, and favorably so.</li><li>Your home becomes memorable. It's the one with the bathroom skylights, or the one with the luscious, secret shade garden.</li><li>You can include these features in your MLS listing and all your literature. Include specifics like brand names and measurements when possible. Specifics impress. </li><li>The longer buyers stay in your home during a preview, the better. Improvements that wow encourage lingering.</li></ul>If you do a slow, room-by-room walk-through of your own home, and put your mind in the Dream Big Mode, you're bound to envision some improvements.<br /><br />If you can't justify spending money on new appliances or bathroom upgrades, examine your home for almost-wow factors. Is that awesome sunroom being wasted as a clutter collection point? Has your view of the distant mountains been obscured by overgrown weed trees? Are there heart pine floors under carpeting? Is the working fireplace currently not working? Does your formal dining room look more like homework and crafting headquarters?  Is that killer shelving system for the garage still in boxes? These are missed opportunities to wow buyers.<br /><br /><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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-P1090503-1.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-P1090503-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Could a charming and functional</span></em> <em><span style="font-size: small;">garden shed be your wow factor?</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size: small;">This one belongs to my friend, Julie.  </span></em> </td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">Brainstorm Your Brains Out</span></b><br /><br />Maybe you've always wanted to add crown molding to the living room. Maybe you've wanted a chandelier in the foyer, or a beautifully stylish ceiling fan in your sunroom, or an outdoor fountain by the patio. If these are changes you would enjoy in your own home, as long as they aren't particular to unique tastes, they are the kinds of things that buyers will want as well.<br /><br />Don't let the idea that all these upgrades are expensive scare you. Get some estimates. Work with an experienced handyman who can come up with economical alternatives. Purchase from mid-price range.<br /><br />You can upgrade just the half bath. Who says baths must match?<br /><br />You can install hardwoods in just the downstairs, or just the living and dining rooms. Hardwoods can be laid for the cost of wall-to-wall carpeting. I did it in my own home.<br /><br />You can buy scratch and dent appliances. Very often these deeply discounted appliances are high end, and the ding isn't visible once installed.<br /><br />You can buy mid-range bookcases you assemble yourself and screw to the wall. Centsational Girl did this and <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/11/from-billys-to-built-ins/" target="_blank">blogged about it</a>.<br /><br />You can DIY a board and batten treatment in the hallway. Blogland is full of tutorials for this project.<br /><br />You can put together a home theater system from Craigslist. First adopters sell their systems to upgrade to the latest. And you can always negotiate price. Maybe they will offer to install it for you.<br /><br />You can trade skills with friends or family for what you need. Feed your cousin the tilesetter for a week while he lays new ceramic flooring in your kitchen. Trade babysitting services for your neighbor who has a hot tub to sell. <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/hardoodfloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/hardoodfloor.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Hardwood flooring is going to wow most people. Prices can be comparable to carpeting.</span></em></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Time is of the Essence  </b></span><br /><br />Remember that every month your home doesn't sell you are paying carrying costs to stay there. The sooner your home sells, the more money you make, because homes that stay on the market grow stale, and that fact influences what you can ask for it. Agents and buyers wonder what's wrong with these stale homes and they stay away. You need to tempt buyers and do it at the start. When you list! <br /><br />So don't fall into the rut of thinking, "If it's good enough for me, it's good enough." Buyers are spoiled. You won't change that. But can can still wow them with some amenities.<br /><br />Get more ideas to help you prepare your home for the real estate market by downloading 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>  <br /><br /><br /><br />

Does Your Home Have Some Wow Factors?

A powder room is the perfect place to go for wow. This BHG shot shows a fabulous vanity, tile on one wall,  new faucets, and a mirror that c...

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My Two-Hour Patio Makeover

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_3163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_3163.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>Calling it a Makeover is an exaggeration. But it was definitely a Spruce Up.<br /><br />When a friend listed her home, the patio (that she never seemed to have time to enjoy) needed some attention.<br /><br />Like most people getting ready to sell and move, she didn't want to sink money into things like patio furniture or potted plants.<br /><br />So I loaned her what I had -- a couple of wire chairs and matching bench, some annuals in planters, and elbow grease.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Step one </span></b>was to get rid of empty flower pots, and leaves that had blown in.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Step two</span></b> was to to weed what could be considered a flower bed --a short strip of soil near the fence that was mulched with marble chips.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Step three</span></b> was to scrub the concrete with a bleach solution.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Step four</span></b> was to bring in the furniture and flowers. I stated at one o'clock and was finished at three o'clock.<br /><br />Often a simple clean-up and dress-up is all that a room or a space needs to get it ready for a home tour. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_3128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_3128.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This is what I started with -- a neglected area off the side of the home, full of potential. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/Judysrental1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/Judysrental1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">It was a simple four-step job to whip this patio into shape.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_3155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_3155.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I chose flowers that would stay in bloom and didn't need much attention. </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">These spring flowers lasted two months -- until the new owner moved in! </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_3165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_3165.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I'm glad that my friend is able to enjoy her patio until her house sold.</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">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>, gives you more advice to help sell your home by staging it yourself on a shoestring. You'll get all the tips and techniques you need to make cleaning, decluttering and staging easy and effective!</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table>

My Two-Hour Patio Makeover

Calling it a Makeover is an exaggeration. But it was definitely a Spruce Up. When a friend listed her home, the patio (that she never seemed...

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