How to Stay Motivated and Accomplish More

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/backyardwtext.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/backyardwtext.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->Lately I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by too many details and too many unfinished projects. I love being busy, but sometimes busy becomes crazy. <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Sound familiar? You too?</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I knew I had to stop, get a better grip on things, and move ahead. so I revisited what has worked for me in the past, and what the organization experts and time management gurus tell us. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here are my easy guidelines for getting lots done without going bonkers. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Focus on the Goal</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When I’m losing momentum on a project I find that if I remind myself of my original intent, I can usually reclaim enthusiasm and clarity. Decisions are easier to make, and I can move along. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Right now I am in the middle of reorganizing my landscaping so that in the future it demands less grunt work. I want to minimize weeding, watering, deadheading, pruning, fertilizing, edging, and mowing. So from now on, when I’m making decisions about changes in the garden, I'll have a reference point: how does it fit with the grand scheme? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When you feel like maybe you’ve taken on too much, revisit your original goals. Be as specific as possible when defining a project’s purpose. When you remind yourself why you’ve chosen this assignment, or why you have to do this chore, it can become less objectionable.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Visualizing the outcome usually smooths the way to the finish line on a complex project. I’m picturing more leisure time in the yard instead of more yard work. Sometimes a pep talk to yourself is in order. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If staging your home to sell it is taking its toll on you, remind yourself of the benefits of home staging. Staged homes sell faster and for more money. Visualize yourself signing that purchase offer and moving on to your next home. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Forget About It</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-KnittedApple.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-KnittedApple.jpg" width="368" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>You don't need to </i><i>attempt anything complicated like this</i><i>. </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Just cast on. Photo: </i><a href="http://www.naturalsuburbia.com/2011/07/apple-knitting-pattern-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><i>Natural Suburbia</i></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal">A few years ago I read about a company that was teaching its executives to knit. <br /><br />The premise was that problem-solving skills are enhanced by taking a break from mental work and engaging in a quiet activity that absorbed the mind in a creative way. <br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/25/health/brain-crafting-benefits/" target="_blank">this article from CNN on the value of doing crafts</a>, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/25/health/brain-crafting-benefits/" target="_blank"></a>“the repetitive motions of knitting, for example, activate the parasympathetic nervous system,” which calms the mind and body. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />The lesson here is that you can prevent or circumvent those feelings of I’ll-never-get-everything-done by stepping aside and doing something briefly that demands all your attention in a pleasurable way. <br /><br />You may have experienced breakthrough moments of your own while running or after meditating, or other times when your mind was open to new possibilities, having taken a vacation from its analytical busy-ness.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, if you are stumped about <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-arrange-furniture-most-common.html" target="_blank">furniture arrangement</a>, where to store your excess household belongings while staging, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-not-to-hire-realtor.html" target="_blank">which real estate agency</a> to list with, how to calculate the logistics of a move, when to list your home, whether to accept a<a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/negotiating-101-how-to-get-what-you-want.html" target="_blank"> low ball offer</a>, my advice is to find an absorbing craft or activity that requires repetition. It will help you find answers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br /><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Verbalize Your Intention</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This strategy </span></span>is based on the rationale behind programs like Weight Watchers and the 30-day challenges that bloggers often organize.<br /><br />It's effective for all kinds of campaigns -- to change habits, kill procrastination, or reach goals. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal">You can put this strategy to work by simply telling a friend your objective and how you aim to get there. Once you’ve shared your plans, you’re more likely to accomplish them, whether it’s a trip you’re dreaming of, a habit you want to break, or a new deadline you’ve set for yourself. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">My confident is Mr. Lucky, and I will tell him, “I’m not going to bed tonight until I’ve balanced the checkbook,” or “I’m not having any more ice cream until I lose five pounds.”<br /><br />It doesn’t always work perfectly, but it does increase your chances for success when you feel even mildly accountable to someone else.<br /><br />If you are a more private person, a journal can stand in for a person to confide in. The written word can be powerful.   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you have listed your home with a real estate agent, share your goals. If you are going to paint the bedrooms this weekend, tell her. If you plan to buy new<a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-container-plantings-can-help-you.html" target="_blank"> container plants</a> before photos are taken, share that with her. If you want to tidy the garage before the next showing, promise her that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/GeralinQuote-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/GeralinQuote-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>My friend, the professional organizer Geralin Thomas and owner of Metropolitan Organizing</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>offers <a href="http://metropolitanorganizing.com/31-days-of-organizing-quotes/31-days-of-organizing-quotes-get-it-done/" target="_blank">31 days of quotes to inspire you</a> on her organizing website. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Outline the Steps </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I have lots of energy when it comes to starting projects, but often I run out of steam when a project becomes too complicated. That’s when making a list of steps needed to keep going gets me out of a slump. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I love lists. Lists make any chore less ugly. I recently created a blog content calendar for the remainder of this year. Now I have a schedule to be responsible to, and I feel like the blog isn’t spinning out of control. I have a variety of topics spaced through the months ahead. This post and others will be extras. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Breaking down a project into small parts is also a good way to re-evaluate how necessary a project is. If I add up the costs on a list of the materials needed for a DIY makeover or hack, I might decide it’s not economically worth doing. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If the list is a sequence of actions, you can attach it to a schedule. “I’ll have all the materials purchased before the weekend.” Planning an open house or a kitchen cabinet repaint goes a whole lot smoother when you have it broken down into sequential steps. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Start Small</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><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/flylady_cartoon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/flylady_cartoon2.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/" target="_blank">FlyLady</a> tells you how to regain control. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />Begin your day with baby steps that empower you. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A recent study I read about showed that <a href="http://qz.com/240056/powerful-people-have-a-distorted-perception-of-time/" target="_blank">powerful people have a sense that time is on their side</a>, that they are in control. Consequently they make better decisions than people who feel stressed, rushed and powerless. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s why one of my favorite household management sites, <a href="http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/" target="_blank">FlyLady</a>, recommends keeping your sink spotless. Seems silly, I know, but the many FlyLady adherents swear by it because they are discovering how one small success and act of empowerment leads to another. And then another.  <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />In other words, don’t start your day by jumping into a difficult or major project. Think baby steps. Organize one closet shelf or your junk drawer. Do your yoga routine. Make your bed <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-your-bedroom-says-about-you.html" target="_blank"></a>and put away laundry. You’re giving yourself the opportunity to kickstart your day with a pat on the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Carpe diem! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Track Yourself</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal">We all have tasks we must do on a regular basis – preparing lunches, cleaning a bathroom, hanging up clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you know how long it takes to do it once, challenge yourself to do it more quickly next time. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When I was a full time housepainter, I knew how long it took me to paint the trim around one doorway. In a new home, I might have 20 doorways. If I could save 10 minutes on each of them, I saved almost half a day of labor, which is like giving yourself a raise when you are a self-employed contractor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Think you don’t have time to sweep the front steps every other day? Or open, sort, file, and shred mail every day? Time yourself and you may be surprised that the tasks you don’t enjoy may be taking up more room in your head than they do on your clock.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Athletes use this technique to achieve their personal best. You can, too. Once you have a base line, it can be a fun contest to whittle it down. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Edit Your List</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-eddie-ross-StyleatHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-eddie-ross-StyleatHome.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I'm sure that Eddie is a well organized man. Photo: StyleAtHome.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>When I’m planning a dinner party, I’ll start with the menu plan. Then, I’ll stop pretending I’m Eddie Ross and ask myself how practical -- and necessary -- every dish is. Must I prepare four appetizers? A knock-em-dead centerpiece? Favors for everyone? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the easiest ways to boot stress from your life is simply to do less. Sounds simple, and it can be if you start with that to-do list but then edit it with a rational and methodical mind. Set priorities. <br /><br />Do you really need to paint the nursery before your mother-in-law visits? Be kind to yourself, so you can feel good about what you actually do accomplish. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Another favorite advice source of mine is Zen Habits. <a href="http://zenhabits.net/declutter-guide/" target="_blank">His approach to decluttering</a> is a super example of how to approach a project any home stager needs to tackle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Home staging can feel daunting. Once you’ve decluttered and cleaned and made your home enviable with staging, keeping it show-ready can demand more attention that you like. <br /><br />I hope you’ll find practical advice here and in <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">my eBooks</a> to successfully stage and maintain your own home no matter how hectic your life is. Helping you do that is my goal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div>

How to Stay Motivated and Accomplish More

Lately I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by too many details and too many unfinished projects. I love being busy, but sometimes busy becomes cra...

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Getting Real About Getting Organized

<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1080576_zpsd6594c18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1080576_zpsd6594c18.jpg" width="327" /></a></div><br />Every January we’re deluged with articles, posts, and interviews about how we all need to get organized.<br /><br />Magazines and blogs feature photos of sparse, tidied closets and pantries like none of us owns. Pinterest boards swell with ingenious ways to hide cables, hang scarves, store coupons, and label jars. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Enough already. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What we really need is a way to get organized about getting organized. Sounds complicated, but what I’m really saying is, “Let’s step back and look at the big picture.”   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">There are only two reasons to organize your home:</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>Save time</li><li>Save space </li></ul><div class="MsoNormal">Both of which are important to people with a home on the market.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m almost embarrassed to admit that everything I learned about getting and staying organized I learned from a little paperback book that somehow fell into my hands years ago. Let’s just say that the name I wrote on the inside cover of this book was my name before I married Mr. Lucky, and we've been married almost 22 years. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In a nutshell, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Organized-Connie-Cox/dp/0425130886/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389475877&sr=8-1&keywords=Simply+Organized+by+Connie+Cox+book" target="_blank">Simply Organized</a></i>, my bible for organization, stresses that getting organized is a two step process:</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>Simplify</li><li>Systematize</li></ul><div class="MsoNormal">We all know about methods to sort through our belongings and declutter our spaces. My <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">home staging eBook </a>gives you all the tips you need to do it effectively and efficiently.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The beauty of what <i>Simply Organized </i>recommends is – not surprisingly – its simplicity. It’s an idea you don’t see in all the colorful ads for clothes hangers, storage containers, labeling systems, and shelving units, but it has made all the difference to me in the way I look at organization. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The advice in this book has helped me stay on top of things, minimize frustration, save time, feel in control, and make routines that are easy to turn into habits. Isn’t that what we all want and need? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1080569_zps246ccfa5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1080569_zps246ccfa5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Being organized means you have the supplies and tools you need for an <br />oft-repeated routine all in one place. When it's time for tea, I'm ready.    </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">  </div><div class="MsoNormal">In a nutshell, to systematize you need to think in terms of categories. You probably already have systems in place for some routines like setting the table, packing lunches, cleaning the car, and styling your hair. Ask yourself if these "kits" are complete and if they easy to get to and easy to put away again.<br /><br />It's more important to locate your systems where they are easy to put away than it is to locate them where they are easy to get to. Think about it: when you are looking for your hot glue sticks, you're motivated to find them fast, but not so motivated to put them back where they belong.<br /><br />Making stuff easy to return to your system makes it easy to stay organized. After all, what good is getting organized if you can't stay organized? <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">What Makes this Book Special?</span></b><br /><br />After reading <i>Simply Organized</i>, I started making systems for repetitive tasks. Over the years, my responsibilities and interests have evolved, but I haven't forgotten what I took from that book. I'm not by nature a compulsively organized individual, but I'm always looking for easy ways to be tidy and efficient.<br /><br />These are some of the systems I set up and use regularly:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><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/P1080596_zpsba210bbe.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/P1080596_zpsba210bbe.jpg" width="435" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">My picnic kit sits in our coat closet. <br />I can grab it, fill a cooler, and go. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A baking system that isolates all the ingredients I need for making bread, cakes, and cookies -- flours, cocoa powder, buttermilk powder, leavenings, extracts, sifter, measuring cups, mixing bowls. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A sewing system that gathers all my fabrics, supplies, and equipment on one side of my studio. My jewelry making supplies live in a dresser against another wall.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">An exercise system that clusters in one corner of my bedroom everything (except workout wear) to help me keep fit and motivated, including my scale, journal, hand weights, yoga mat, and treadmill. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A gift wrapping system that consolidates paper, ribbon, tape, tags and gift bags in one bin that fits in a closet. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A first aid system that holds most of what anyone needs for cuts, burns, splinters, and sprains. Another plastic shoe box holds remedies for aches, pains, cold and flu.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A pet care system with all Misty needs in the way of medications and grooming essentials.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A mail system that makes dealing with the mail effortless. In addition I have a separate mailing system in a dresser drawer where I store bubble wrap, padded envelopes, a scale, marking pen, and packaging tape.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I've also built systems for flower arranging, shoe care, seed starting, bathroom cleaning, picture hanging, stain removal, and…well, you get the idea. Logical essentials grouped together that have a logical place to live.<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/P1080612_zps51338a1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/P1080612_zps51338a1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">If you keep party supplies all together, impromptu birthday celebrations are easy. <br />If my home were on the market, I would use a covered box for a clean look.   </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Some Things are Timeless </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The interesting thing is that <i>Simply Organized</i> was written in 1986, and you know what that means: pre-computer! Today we all have our favorite systems for records-keeping, but the book is still a valuable source of concise advice and encouragement for household management of the bulkier things – the cookware, food, clothing, sports equipment, toiletries, crafts, toys, tools, and the rest of it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Although their focus is slightly outdated, the authors will still help you get a grip on the stuff you need to either eliminate or organize when it’s time to sell your home. That’s why I’m telling you about it. I don't make money if you buy a copy. I just want you to stage and sell your home.    </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I once read that a major indicator of intelligence is the ability to see the similarities and differences in a group of items. Think of those tests you took at various stages of your education, starting with <st1:street w:st="on">Sesame Street</st1:street>, when you were asked to find “which of these things is not like the others.” So, yes, it takes intelligence to establish systems, but simplifying your life will make you work smarter and live smarter.  </div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

Getting Real About Getting Organized

Every January we’re deluged with articles, posts, and interviews about how we all need to get organized. Magazines and blogs feature photos ...

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How to Get It All Done and Still Stay Sane

<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-P1040166_zps00421b61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1040166_zps00421b61.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Whether you keep your To-Do List in a<br />pretty little booklet like this, or electronically,<br />the important thing is to have a list!</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Are you determined, like so many others, to get organized this year?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Do you plan to take your To-Do List more seriously every day? Are you determined to have a place for everything and everything in its place? Are you ready to tackle the unfinished projects that haunt you?  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When your home is for sale, staging it and keeping it show-ready, can feel overwhelming. But if you are managing your time well and have systems in place for where stuff goes, you’ll feel empowered. And that’s a great feeling! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope these tips -- my best tips for getting and staying organized – empower you on your way to getting that purchase offer. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Organization Tip 1: Think systems</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If essentials are scattered throughout your living space, and you are always hunting for what you need, maybe it’s time to introduce some systems. This means grouping items according to their use. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It sounds like common sense, but do we do it? There’s always room for improvement. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And I don’t mean simply going out and buying the latest closet organizers. Although pretty boxes are sometimes the kick in the pants that gets you started. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Some examples: a box strictly for hanging pictures that holds nails, picture hanging hooks, hammer, <a href="http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/NACommand/Command/Smart-Ideas/Picture-Hanging/" target="_blank">Command picture hanging strips</a>, ruler. A box that holds all your first aid supplies. A shelf for all baking essentials. A container that holds all the items waiting to be epoxy glue repaired. A bag for clothes on their way to Goodwill. Keep the container where it is easy to get to, and easy to put back. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Do you have systems for common tasks?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Organization Tip 2: Simplify</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s where we talk about uncluttering your home. <a href="http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/decluttering-15-minutes/" target="_blank">FlyLady</a>suggests making regular sweeps of the house, grabbing what isn’t useful or attractive, and getting rid of it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When simplification looks difficult, take it in small bites. You don’t really need to empty and <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/">reorganize your entire walk-in closet</a> in one sweep. Simplify only the top shelf one day. Sort through just the shoes another day. Cull the out-of-season clothing another time. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Are there areas of your home that are crowded or chaotic?    </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Time Management Tip 1: Delegate</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">     </div><div class="MsoNormal">Learn to delegate to your team. I know you’ve heard this before. But for some of us, it doesn’t come easy. My advice, if you have trouble going to others for support, is to start small. Ask for little favors. Explain why it is important to you. Don't micromanage. Don't feel guilty for asking. And show appreciation.    </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Make sure you have a team that you <i>can</i> delegate to. When you’re selling a home, you need support. Your realtor, your family, neighbors, tradespeople, friends – go to these people instead of shouldering every responsibility, even if it is just for advice. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Are you reluctant to ask for help, yet afraid to say no when others ask you for help?<br />    </div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/assemble3_zps0a705cc7.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/assemble3_zps0a705cc7.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">My husband is my best go-to guy. He has the right skills<br />and the right attitude. He took apart this bench, painted it, <br />and re-assembled it, without my even asking.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Time Management Tip 2: Prioritize</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Planning your day ahead of time is one of the best ways to <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/12/setting-goals-six-steps-that-get.html" target="_blank">accomplish goals</a>. In fact, having weekly and monthly goals will help even more. List what you want to do, and what you need to do, then prioritize these items. Don’t let minor disruptions take you off track. Go back to your plan.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you aren’t sure where your time goes, keep a log book of how you spend hours for one week. It’s bound to be eye-opening. We all know that we waste time, but seeing exactly how much time can be what it takes to change our habits. You don’t have to kiss Pinterest and Facebook goodbye, but you can save them for “dessert” when you’ve checked off more pressing chores. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Are you making a distinction between important tasks and just putting out fires?  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mental Health Tip 1: Balance </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Everyone needs time alone to recharge batteries and clear the mind. But too much time in isolation makes anyone a bit brittle and stagnant. Find the combination that feeds you, that lets you accomplish what must be done and still lets you engage with others. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Each of us has a personal magic ratio that represents the best way to divide our time between being in the company of others and being alone. I have a friend who has an armoir in her garage she would love to paint, yet she constantly postpones it. When I asked why she doesn’t do it, she said, she knew she’d be all by herself all the time she was working on it. For me, working on something like that in solitude would be relaxing, but for her, it’s drudgery.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Are you aware of how much time you need to yourself and how much time you need with others?    </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mental Health Tip 2: Take Charge</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Discover what makes you feel relaxed, strong, happy. Making a “Gains and Drains List” can help. Once you know what things drain your energy and what adds to your sense of well-being, you’ve got a great start on re-structuring your days. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For example, I know that music, humor, and being outside are what improve the quality of my life, so I make sure these perks are part of my day every day. And television news, clutter, and being around negative people is something I routinely avoid. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Do you know what specifically fills you up, and also what makes you feel downright crappy? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">For More Specific Tips</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For the nuts and bolts info on staging your home for sale, download my $5 pdf <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>. My book has helped hundred of people sell their homes faster for more money, and I guarantee it will help you, or I’ll give you your money back!   </div>

How to Get It All Done and Still Stay Sane

Whether you keep your To-Do List in a pretty little booklet like this, or electronically, the important thing is to have a list! Are you det...

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Roundup of my Favorite 2012 Posts

<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/Doubledecordoor_zpsa2aef862.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/Doubledecordoor_zpsa2aef862.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A front door in Charleston, South Carolina, welcomes the new year. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I chose to feature these posts based on how helpful they would be to you if you have a home for sale. Is that you?<br /><br />Let's start with getting it organized. In January I wrote about the dozen rules that help <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/01/dozen-rules-for-organizing-your-home.html" target="_blank">organize your home.</a><br /><br />In February, just in time for Valentine's Day, the blog featured a post on capturing the hearts of buyers -- <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-get-buyers-to-fall-in-love-with.html" target="_blank">how to win buyers</a>, seduce them, appeal to their senses, and not let them forget you.<br /><br />One of my March posts had to do with window treatments -- <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/03/listen-up-its-easy-to-make-no-sew.html" target="_blank">curtains and drapes that require no sewing, all designed especially for home staging</a>. I wrote a $5 eBook of 15 tutorials for No-Sew Window Treatments. Why let your windows go bare when it's time to stage, and why give your valuable window coverings away to the buyer?<br /><br />During the following month, April, I wrote about the most important <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/04/home-improvements-that-deliver-most.html" target="_blank">things you can do to help sell your home</a>. This story is packed with helpful statistics, experts' advice, and shortcuts. You're bound to get some new ideas for simple home improvements.<br /><br />Since I get more questions about furniture arrangement than any other topic,  May's winning piece has to be Handy Formulas that Make <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/05/handy-formulas-that-make-diy-home.html" target="_blank">DIY Home Staging</a> Easy. You'll find measurements, ratios, formulas and other space and sizing tips to make rooms look and feel more comfortable. Bookmark it!<br /><br /><a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/06/painting-furniture-dont-make-these.html" target="_blank">Painting furniture</a> is another hot button topic around here. I collected my favorite tips in a post for one week in June, and I concentrated on the most common mistakes made when DIYers paint furniture. I'm a professional painter, so I gave you all the insider secrets to get the job done quickly but expertly. The <a href="http://www.thediyadventures.com/2012/12/13/diy-basics-painting-furniture/" target="_blank">DIY Adventurers Blog</a> liked this post so much they featured it on their site.<br /><br />Although it may not be an option for you, many people are considering the pros and cons of <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-pros-and-cons-of-renting-your-home.html" target="_blank">renting their homes until they can sell</a> them. I researched and opined about this topic in July. There's lots to weigh before making a decision.<br /><br />I could have called my August article, The Five Tricks Professional Stagers Use, something like <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/08/five-tricks-professional-stagers-use.html" target="_blank">All You Really Need to Do to Sell You Home</a>. It's that succinct and helpful.<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://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/07/08/4c49a0629e47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/07/08/4c49a0629e47.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The white-on-white color scheme, done by Sarah Richardson. One blog post I didn't feature <br />here but that I suspect may help many DIY stagers decide on <br />paint colors, is <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-all-white-color-palette-is-it.html" target="_blank">my advice on an all-white color palette.</a> </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />In September, I attacked another common problem -- mantel staging, and I listed my smartest steps for <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-abcs-of-staging-seasonal-mantel.html" target="_blank">staging a mantel </a>that actually helps sell your home.<br /><br />Does your home have some Wow Factors? That's the question I asked in an October post. Wondering <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/10/does-your-home-have-some-wow-factors.html" target="_blank">what wow factors are</a> and which ones might be do-able for your home, your market and your budget? See my advice and illustrations.<br /><br />My favorite post from November is called Ten Tips to Improve Your Autumn <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/11/ten-tips-to-improve-your-autumn-curb.html" target="_blank">Curb Appeal,</a> but no matter what the season, you'll find pointers here to improve the way your home looks all year long.<br /><br />This past month I concentrated on decorating and protecting your home for the holidays. I so enjoyed making the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/12/this-seasons-darling-tabletop-christmas.html" target="_blank">tabletop Christmas trees</a> I wrote about, that I am going to call that one my favorite December post. In a home on the market that needs to look festive but not crowded, these adorable tabletop trees fill the bill.<br /><br />Is selling your home and moving on to your next adventure part of your plans for 2013? Then take a moment to download 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>. It's over 150 pdf pages of illustrated tips and techniques, checklists and formulas, to take the work out of staging your own home. Kick off the New Year with staging that works! <br /><br /><br />

Roundup of my Favorite 2012 Posts

A front door in Charleston, South Carolina, welcomes the new year.  I chose to feature these posts based on how helpful they would be to you...

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

<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2011/01/550_101414857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2011/01/550_101414857.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Home Decorating and Staging, a site for DIY fanatics, writes about <br />easy ways to declutter, so you can end up with a look like this, <br />from Better Homes and Gardens.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Don’t you love receiving an email that starts out, “We are pleased to inform you …”<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I mean one that’s not from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Nigeria</st1:country-region>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I won an award. An organization that’s a clearing house of information for people in the construction management field, named this blog one of the “Top 100 DIY Sites for Home Improvement Fanatics.” <br /><br />Fanatics? Whatever!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It's always a perk to be given some recognition, and in this case, especially so. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m very flattered, because it’s obvious that the association <a href="http://www.constructionmanagementdegree.com/top-100/" target="_blank">Construction Management Degree </a>did exhaustive research for the benefit of their readers. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Not only</span></b> does the published list name the best sites, but it also gives a brief profile of the 100 prize-winners. Some sites will be familiar, but many will be eye-opening ones new to you! You’ll find listed the specialty of each, the author, how to connect through social media, and links to two notable posts. Sweet! Someone did all your homework for you!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Badge_ATop100DIYSite_small.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Badge_ATop100DIYSite_small.png" width="301" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The list is in no particular order, but there are six categories: general remodeling; interior decorating; kitchens and baths; office and work spaces; landscaping and exterior (where I ended up for some reason); and basements, storage and closets.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What this means</span></b> to you is that by visiting Construction Management Degree.com you can jump to all kinds of really instructive and inspiring sites for DIY projects.  You’ll find nuts-and-bolts-type advice and money-saving tips.   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The site is designed to guide people towards the best schools offering degrees in construction management. The database includes both campus colleges and online schools. The site also steers folks in the direction of forums, message boards, organizations, websites, and blogs packed with helpful info for anyone in the construction business. I know you’ll find something special that hits the proverbial nail on the proverbial head! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I love a website </span></b>that is loaded with links to fascinating sources, but is still easy to read and navigate. This one does just that. Whether you are a DIYer, a decorator, a renovator or remodeler, a builder or a homeseller, you're bound to found numerous links to bookmark.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here is a typical blog post about <a href="http://www.home-decorating-and-staging.com/home-organization-tips-declutter-drawers.html" target="_blank">decluttering </a> from a site called Home Decorating and Staging. You'll discover a wealth of posts bound to educate you on Alex Hinst's site. </div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Another site that site that stood out for me, about décor and remodeling, is this one about a <a href="http://www.diywithadd.com/2010/07/27/a-bathroom-love-affair/" target="_blank">bath makeover</a>. Plenty of inspiration and ideas on this site.<br /><br />You can easily jump to a video of Danny Lipford showing <a href="http://www.dannylipford.com/video/how-to-remove-mold-on-the-outside-of-a-house/" target="_blank">how to remove mold </a>from a home's exterior. Or learn how to <a href="http://www.ikeahackers.net/" target="_blank">turn affordable IKEA furniture into genuine home improvements </a>that look custom.<br /><br />I'm a big fan of Family Handyman, the magazine, and I'm not surprised that the website made the list. It's a goldmine of well-illustrated step-by-steps that walk you through projects like how to <a href="http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Indoor-Projects/Bathrooms/Bathroom-Remodeling/how-to-remodel-your-bathroom-without-destroying-it" target="_blank">remodel a bath on a shoestring</a>, and the right way to <a href="http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Lighting/Wall-Lights/how-to-add-a-light" target="_blank">add a wall sconce</a>.<br /><br />You can fill up on eye candy at <a href="http://www.mixandchic.com/" target="_blank">Mix and Chic</a>, learn what to plant where at <a href="http://www.finegardening.com/" target="_blank">Fine Gardening</a>, and research a host of DIY tutorials for stylish decor projects at <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/" target="_blank">The House of Smiths.</a>  See, I've done even more of your homework for you!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">You don't have to</span></b> be a fanatic to have as much fun as I did learning about some new places to bring you up to speed on what’s new and clever in the world of DIY home improvement.<br /><br />And you don't have to be a fanatic to download your copy of my $5 <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. </i>Just someone who wants to make a home more marketable.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">   </div>

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

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

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

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_2268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_2268.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Do your children really need a closet full of toys all the time? </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>The only thing more difficult than <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/you-know-your-home-is-staged-when.html" target="_blank">living in a home that's for sale</a> is living in a home that's for sale when you have young children.<br /><br />If that's your situation, I feel your pain.<br /><br />I know how stressful it can be when you've just touched up your wall paint, and discover two days later small handprints all up and down the stairwell.<br /><br />I know how stressful it can be when your realtor calls from down the street, wanting to show your home in a few minutes, and the living room is draped in blanket forts that cover an intricate complex of  Lego villages and train tracks.<br /><br />With these things in mind, I've collected my favorite tips learned from PWHOM -- parents with a home on the market. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Systematize.</span></b> Have routines. Do the same procedures daily. For example, everyone makes his or her own bed as soon as he or she gets out of it, one child puts away dishes after every meal, and another sweeps the front steps each evening. Soon, you'll have these habits down pat. Life is simpler with simple rituals, and young ones learn new tasks faster when the tasks are repeated at short intervals, like daily, or even twice daily.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Simplify.</span></b> Put away the toys and games that are not essential. Most children will not miss the majority of their books, toys, games, dolls and stuffed animals. If storing all but their favorites creates a problem, rotate toys in and out of storage, and explain that the situation is just temporary. It's important for your own sanity that children understand -- as best they can -- the importance of all you are doing to help sell your home.   <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Squirrel-ize.</span></b> That's right, think like a squirrel, and <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/where-to-stash-un-sexy-stuff-in-staged.html" target="_blank">hide things</a>. People on a tour of your home don't need to see your basket of diaper changing essentials, the science project your son is in the middle of, the pile of sports equipment near the back door, or your daughter's doll collection. Think accessible, but still out of sight and in a place where home buyers don't look. Here are some hiding places I like for temporary stashing:<br /><ul><li>under the bed, in sliding boxes</li><li>an emptied, designated dresser drawer </li><li>pretty shoeboxes, hatboxes, or these <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/make-your-own-decorative-vases-for-free.html" target="_blank">DIY cardboard vases </a></li><li>an ottoman or bench with a storage compartment built in </li><li>the washer or dryer  </li><li>the trunk of your car </li><li>a vintage piece of luggage or wicker basket</li></ul><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/photo.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Delegate tasks on your <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/01/do-you-have-pre-showing-checklist.html" target="_blank">pre-showing checklist</a> to everyone in the household.<br />This is my #3 grandson, and he actually likes to vacuum.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Supervise.</span></b> Once infrequently used rooms are decluttered and clean, don't let them become catch-all areas for stuff that has no home. If you can close off rooms like the guest room or powder room, placing them off-limits to family members, that's another possibility. Remind them that it's just temporary.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Schedule.</span></b> Make a checklist of what touchups need to be done just prior to a short-notice showing. If you leave the house for work in the morning, never knowing if a realtor will bring people through during the day, having a touchup checklist is even more important. I know it's asking a lot, but selling a home is like running a business. Children, even young ones, should have a designated role in touchups.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Secret-ize.</span></b> Put away things like schedules and calendars that show when you won't be home or where your children will be, any paperwork and decorations that show your children's names, or photographs of your children. You do not know who is coming into your home or what they want to know about you. I don't think I have to go into the details. It's all about keeping kids safe.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Synchronize.</span></b> Work with <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-help-your-realtor-sell-your-home.html" target="_blank">your realtor</a> on timing so that showings are not a problem. Most parents prefer showings during school hours. Ideally, you should never have to refuse a showing. Some buyers breeze into town for the day and don't have much scheduling flexibility. It's more important to let your home be shown with some toys scattered about, and some wet towels on the rods, than to let a possible buyer escape. Many buyers interpret a demand for 24-hour notice as "not serious sellers." Be show-ready! I know it can be a hassle, but stay focused on the prize.<br /><br />You'll drive yourself mad if you expect <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-get-it-all-done-and-still-stay.html" target="_blank">organized perfection.</a> It's a balancing act. On one hand, buyers know you don't live in a model home, but on the other hand, buyers watch HGTV and they know the market now is a buyers' market. Whatever leverage you can gain by making your home the one that looks better than the rest, gives you a clear advantage.<br /><br />I give other tips to help you navigate the waters toward a sale of your home in my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. </i>For just $5, it will pay for itself over and over and over. Or I'll give you your money back.<br /><br />

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

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

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A Dozen Rules for Organizing Your Home. Painlessly!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://common2.csnimages.com/lf/46/hash/7640/2773925/1/Windsor+Wardrobe+Valet+in+Mahogany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1090025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1090025.jpg" width="403" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Get organized. Stay organized. Here's tips. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>An organized home is one that calls out to buyers. In a good way.<br /><br />Since January's buzz word is "organization," you'll find plenty of products and tools in stores right now to help you get organized. And you'll find plenty of advice in the media and online.<br /><br />Here are my twelve best tips for tackling organizing projects when your home is for sale.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Location, Location.</b></span> If you don’t have a place to put it, you can’t keep it. <br />                                    <br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Think!</b></span> Get rid of junk before you organize. Don’t waste time organizing what you don’t want to keep. Declutter first. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Be Mean, and Mean It.</b></span> Declutter when you are in a serious, even nasty, frame of mind, not a leisurely, happy-go-lucky one. It's easier to get rid of things when you are mad, as in, "I'm sick and tired of this crap!" See my post on <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/tips-for-cleaning-and-organizing-closet.html">organizing a closet</a> for my plan of attack. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Cluster by Function. </b></span>Think in terms of systems. Categorize by how and where you will use particular items. Examples: a shoe care kit in the closet, your bill paying box on the desk, a cabinet just for setting the table, a shoe box in the vanity for all first aid supplies, a tote in the bathroom with all bathroom cleaning supplies.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Accessibility Counts.</b></span> Don’t waste prime real estate. Is the handiest space on your kitchen counter taken up with cookbooks you hardly use? Is the fancy china you use only for company on the most reachable cabinet shelf? Are your summer sandals front and center on your closet floor all winter? It's time to rotate seldom used or out of season items to less accessible places, and bring most-used items into prime spots. <br /><div style="text-align: right;"></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. Choose One Place Only.</b></span> Designate a central command spot in the house where one calendar is kept, and any notes to other family members, schedules, invitations, and important phone numbers, are posted. Remember to keep personal information invisible to people touring your home. <br /><div style="text-align: right;"></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Break It Up.</b></span> When tackling a task you don’t enjoy, set a timer, and stop when time's up. Repeat the following day (or week) until the work is done.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>8. Tidy As You Go.</b></span> Make it easy to put things away when you are finished using them. Work to eliminate the habit of dropping clothes on the floor by keeping covered laundry baskets near dressing areas. And by having storage areas like closets, cabinets, dressers, and shelves uncrowded.  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1080947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1080947.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A pretty closet will encourage you to keep it organized and ready for a showing. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>10. Give the Day Structure.</b></span> Have routines. Take care of certain tasks in the morning. Run regular errands on the same day of the week. Have an end of day routine. A structured day frees your mind for important decisions, and empowers you.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>11. Name One Spot.</b></span> Establish a holding zone in the house, where items that need to go elsewhere are placed. Clear this spot on a daily basis. This habit makes those spontaneous calls from your realtor less reason for rushing around.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2010/11/101447243.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2010/11/101447243.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Make it easy for everyone to help </i></span><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">Photo: Better Homes and Gardens </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>12. Hide Stuff.</b></span> This tip breaks the rule most organizing experts tell you, but when your home is for sale, the rules change. Instead of storing small items in see-through containers, store in opaque containers, preferably all one color. You'll minimize the look of clutter, and cultivate a clean, seamless appearance.<br /><br />In the top photo, I've lined clear plastic shoe boxes with scrapbook paper to hide the contents and create a more uniform look. <br /><br />I wrote about <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/eight-thrifty-ideas-to-help-you-stage.html">thrifty fixes for closet organization</a>, and Alexis, the expert organizer and blogger at <a href="http://cleansmartsimple.blogspot.com/">Clean, Smart Simple</a>, guest-posted here about <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/11/you-can-make-your-closets-look-larger.html">how to make closets look larger</a>.<br /><br />Don't wait any longer to tackle the organizing projects your home needs to be the one buyers crave. With the right systems and the right attitude, you can have your entire home organized before February brings another buzz word.<br /><br />For more tips on making your home more desirable, download my $5 <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Make Your Home Sell Fast and For Top Dollar. </i>

A Dozen Rules for Organizing Your Home. Painlessly!

Get organized. Stay organized. Here's tips.  An organized home is one that calls out to buyers. In a good way. Since January's buzz ...

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Roundup of 2011's Most Helpful Posts

<div style="text-align: right;"></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/wreathonMirsdoor.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/wreathonMirsdoor.jpg" width="344" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>An herbal wreath is good for curb appeal.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>In case you missed them, here are my top ten posts for 2011. I chose these posts because I think they are the most helpful. If you are selling your home in 2012, you could consider this your basic reading list.<br /><br />Of course, I also recommend you download 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>. It's indispensable, guaranteed!  <br /><br />With this kind of preparation, those wishes -- my own included -- for a happy and prosperous new year are bound to come true.     <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Take Step One</b></span>. I always work with a realtor. Do you know how to find the best one to sell your home? Here's my tips to guarantee you'll have the best salesperson and partner. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-not-to-hire-realtor.html">How to hire a realtor.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Put chairs in Place.</b></span> Where to put what is a topic that drives lots of traffic to my site, so I know people are looking for answers. Read about the common mistakes of furniture arrangement and how to avoid them. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-arrange-furniture-most-common.html">How to arrange furniture. </a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Make Baths Win Buyers.</b></span> Bathrooms can be deal breakers. They are <i>that</i> important to buyers. Learn how to make yours pass the test, even if you're on a budget or your bathroom is dated. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/is-your-bathroom-staged-to-impress.html">How to stage a bathroom.</a><br /><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/Rubberduck-1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Rubberduck-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Do you know the right way to stage a bath?  </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Decorate Outside, too.</b></span> We hear a lot about curb appeal, but yard art is something not always discussed in polite circles. Here's what even your best friends might not tell you. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-guidelines-to-choosing-and-using.html">How to choose yard art. </a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Learn Thrifting Tips.</b></span> I'm telling you all I know about how to get deals at garage sales, from what to wear and what to drive, to how to score those deals! <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-every-garage-sale-shopper-needs-to.html">How to be a great garage sale shopper.  </a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Minimize Stress and Get Results.</b></span> Need advice on making staging your home go more smoothly? Want to be more creative? Looking for ways to increase efficiency? Need to get organized and stay organized? Manage your time better? Develop a positive mindset? Let me point the way. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-take-work-out-of-staging-almost.html">How to make home staging less work.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Learn the Secrets.</b></span> To using fake plants, that is. Yes, silks make a room come to life. But you need to know how to make them work for you, not against you. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/seven-secrets-to-making-silk-plants-and.html">How to stage with silk plants. </a><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/setingroupwithrealstuff.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/setingroupwithrealstuff.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Artificial plants done right are convincing and add value to your rooms.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let's Make a Deal.</b></span> You can learn to negotiate like you mean it! How you deal with your buyer determines how much money you make. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/negotiating-101-how-to-get-what-you.html">How to get what you want when you sell your home.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why You Should DIY. </b><span style="font-size: small;">I talk about what professional home stagers may not want you to know</span><span style="font-size: small;">. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/five-reasons-to-stage-your-own-home.html">Why stage your own home. </a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Make a Headboard. </b></span>This post solves a common problem. And it's a quick and economical solution. <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/10/bedroom-staging-diy-headboard-and-make.html">How to make a DIY headboard and a bed for staging.</a><br /><br />I hope you will continue to visit my site in the coming year. Whether you're a home seller, a decorator, a builder, an investor, or a do-it-yourselfer, you'll find more home staging advice and encouragement here in the months ahead.<br /><br /><br />

Roundup of 2011's Most Helpful Posts

An herbal wreath is good for curb appeal. In case you missed them, here are my top ten posts for 2011. I chose these posts because I think t...

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How to Take the Work Out of Staging. Almost.

<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/WithbikeJune2011.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/WithbikeJune2011.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Ever since I was seven, I've owned a bike.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />As soon as I finished my bowl of raisin bran and half my coffee today, I hopped on my bike for my daily ride through the neighborhood. As I pedaled, I asked myself what I could write that would be helpful to my readers.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I remembered</b></span> what a woman who staged and sold her property told me last week. She said that staging took being relentless and ruthless.<br /><br />Effective staging requires that, and more. It can be overwhelming, especially when you are locked into a time frame for selling and moving. It helps to remember that by staging you are actually earning money.<br /><br />Staging's not just about plumping pillows and buying new lampshades, although those things help. It takes work. But the good news is there is a way to make it less work.<br /><br />Actually, there are two ways. One is get creative. The other is become efficient. Here's how.  <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Learn to be Creative  </b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li>Give yourself time alone. Even if it's just a few minutes of each day when you know no one will disturb you. Meditate, pray, journal, knit, scrapbook, or just hang out the Do Not Disturb sign.</li><li>Get moving every day. My bike ride gives me both fresh air and fresh thoughts. I hope you have an activity like yoga, running, swimming, walking, qigong, or something else that builds stamina and flexibility. Creativity is about freeing up energy. </li><li>Read, observe, and focus on staging. Educate yourself. You're on this site, so you are learning about how staging makes money for you. You can get daily staging tips on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_100832113324140&ap=1">Facebook Group</a>, and you can download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">eBook</a>. You can keep your eyes open and see what other sellers do right and wrong. </li><li>Associate with creative, supportive people, and avoid negative people. Naysayers and gloomy folks drain creative juices. Choose friends the way you'd choose a dog. Look for loyalty and cheerfulness. These close friends will be the ones who encourage you every step of the way, and might also be the ones who lend a hand to the work of staging. I know I can always count on Mr. Lucky to listen to me, give me advice, and bring on the muscle and power tools when necessary. </li><li>Train yourself to distinguish between what is urgent (needs to be done now) and crucial (important, but not timely). Train yourself to stay on focus. (Easier said than done for us fly-abouts, but not impossible.)     </li></ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Yukitup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Yukitup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>My daughter is the one who always encourages me. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Improve Your Efficiency </b></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>Organize your work into separate projects, then cluster similar tasks together. For example, save all your spray painting projects for one day with perfect weather, then spray away!  </li><li>Give yourself realistic deadlines, monthly, weekly, daily, and even  hourly. For example, declutter one closet a week. Or paint <i>both</i> coats on those bedroom walls in one day. You'll find you become more aware of the scope of each project, and you'll begin to budget your time. You'll also push yourself to cross the finish line instead of leaving unfinished jobs here and there.   </li><li>Simplify. Ask yourself if it's really necessary to hem that drape that puddles on the floor. Do you need to clean the bedroom that never gets used?  </li><li>Determine your time wasters, and get a handle on them. Everyone needs some time to relax, but certain diversions like computer games and television can drain away hours if you let them. I'm not telling you anything new there. Just saying.</li><li>Make every move count. Always ask yourself, "How can I do this in less time?" This approach is especially helpful when you have repetitive tasks, like washing windows or vacuuming your floor.</li></ul>I am going to finish that coffee now, and then do the things I need to do. I may not have to be relentless and ruthless today, but I know I can be efficient and creative. So can you!

How to Take the Work Out of Staging. Almost.

Ever since I was seven, I've owned a bike. As soon as I finished my bowl of raisin bran and half my coffee today, I hopped on my bike fo...

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My Six Favorite Websites That Help You Stage Your Home

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/ny/hp52111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/ny/hp52111.jpg" width="397" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Apartment Therapy</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last week</span> </span><span style="font-size: small;">on</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Facebook I recommended a different website each day (Okay, I skipped a day), websites that help you stage your home on the market. But to keep things brief, I never told why I loved these sites. Here's the rest of the story.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A</b></span></span><b>PARTMENT THERAPY.</b></span> Although it's aimed at young, metropolitan apartment dwellers, <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/">Apartment Therapy</a> can educate you in what's new and inventive no matter where you live or how old you are. If you sense your home needs some updating, you'll see what others are doing to spruce up their digs. Some projects are whole house remodels and some are single room do-overs. The format is brisk, breezy, and easy to navigate.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>WISE GEEK.</b></span> Need to know how to choose the best deck cleaner, fix a clogged bathtub drain, organize a craft room, or repair a sliding glass door? Then you need <a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/">Wise Geek.</a> Search the Home and Garden section, and the Crafts and DIY section, and get your answers, without the hype. Wise Geek articles are written to provide "clear answers to common questions." This site delivers! <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ZILLOW.</b></span> It wasn't that long ago that only realtors knew what houses sold for. Pre-Internet, MLS listings were published (on paper!) periodically. This giant, bound book was sequestered in brokers' offices, available for viewing only after you hooked up with the realtor. Now, we have <a href="http://www.zillow.com/">Zillow. </a>With a few keystrokes you can discover what homes are selling and renting for in your neighborhood. View photos, and see actual selling prices, not just asking prices. Zillow will help you get real about your home's price.<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://www.desiretoinspire.net/storage/allpostphotos/052011nathanegan.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1305854613743" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/storage/allpostphotos/052011nathanegan.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1305854613743" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nathan Egan, via  Desire to Inspire.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>DESIRE TO INSPIRE.</b></span> For endless interior decor and architectural eye candy, visit <a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/">Desire to Inspire</a>. You're bound to come away with plenty of ideas, although the site is not geared to home staging <i>per se</i>. One unique feature is that you can submit photos of your problem room and ask for reader solutions. Be sure to mention the fact that you are staging your home, not decorating it.  <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/atimg/2572274/DIYTable_050311_rect540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/atimg/2572274/DIYTable_050311_rect540.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Apartment Therapy</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>UNCLUTTERER.</b></span> Only the organizationally gifted (you know who you are) don't need a kick in the pants when it comes to turning chaos into order. And, have you noticed, the organizing aficionados love to share their best ideas? My favorite place to harvest these ideas is <a href="http://unclutterer.com/">Unclutterer.</a> You'll find the archives to be a treasure trove of hints. And you can sign up to get a regular infusion of info about products and methods to simplify your home, your office, your life.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>BUYING AND SELLING HOMES FORUM.</b></span> <a href="http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/realestate/">This site</a> is one of my favorite places to check the pulse of the real estate industry. It's a part of iVillage's Garden Web/Home Site. Real estate pros, home sellers, home buyers, lenders, investors, newbies -- they all contribute to the lively discussions. It's easy to search for what you want to learn. If you join, you can post your own questions and answers, and reel in a slew of opinions and advice. Immensely helpful. While there, check out other Home Site forums, like Cleaning Tips, and Organizing the Home.

My Six Favorite Websites That Help You Stage Your Home

Apartment Therapy Last week on Facebook I recommended a different website each day (Okay, I skipped a day), websites that help you stage y...

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Where to Stash Un-Sexy Stuff in a Staged Home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YkM8003I6PHjAYvf3en9-kx6TnXQqhCXwKuY3giQfUSae6xG1-4ffMBxmHF1AFonFRSrtDGebWBE01LTE2hbITSTe9mMxbqwrd1Jfgu7ao6DfYrxnt9h3EYD8_mndBqzHXIJdlzhp69E/s400/closet_SFD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YkM8003I6PHjAYvf3en9-kx6TnXQqhCXwKuY3giQfUSae6xG1-4ffMBxmHF1AFonFRSrtDGebWBE01LTE2hbITSTe9mMxbqwrd1Jfgu7ao6DfYrxnt9h3EYD8_mndBqzHXIJdlzhp69E/s400/closet_SFD.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Do I have to hide my toothbrush?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"What can I do about wet towels when I leave in the morning?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I can't ask the kids to not play with their toys."</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Who hid the remote?"  </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Nobody lives like this!"  </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">These are the kinds </span></b>of things people living in staged homes utter. Are you one of them? Are you taking it in stride, enjoying an uncluttered, clean, and prettied home? Or do you hate having to keep your closets and counters picture perfect?      </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want you to love your staged home and enjoy living there. Maybe these tips from people who have lived in staged homes, waiting for the days when they can leave their bed unmade once in a while, will help.</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Under a bed is one of the few places people touring a home don't look. Slide some plastic storage boxes under there to hold magazines, hobbies, and other ordinary things.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Box up the little stuff.  Rather than have stacks of clothing or purses on closet shelves, line up some matching baskets and fill them up. So much better! And still easy for you to find and replace things.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">There's always the car trunk. That's where all the last minute clutter goes when your realtor calls and asks if she can bring some buyers over. It's big enough to accommodate baskets of unfolded laundry.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rearrange your dresser drawers so that one of them is empty. You can throw the non-glamorous things into it every day before you leave the house. </span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get some routines going. Polish the faucet when you brush your teeth. Dry down the shower stall with a microfiber cloth when you're done showering. Store your magazines under the couch cushions. Get in the habit of putting the toilet seat and lid down. </span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Use hampers, wastebaskets and recycle bins with lids.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can do this! Remind yourself that staged homes sell faster for more money. Repeat.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read more about the problems that home sellers face, such as old furniture, no budget, no time, mismatched furniture, and an uncooperative spouse! I offer helpful advice for all these situations and others, 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></span>

Where to Stash Un-Sexy Stuff in a Staged Home

"Do I have to hide my toothbrush?" "What can I do about wet towels when I leave in the morning?" "I can't ask t...

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