A Checklist for Maintenance Problems

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/me.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Barbara made me add my photo."</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Laurie, the crafty woman at <a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/">Handy Man, Crafty Woman</a> is our guest today. (Applause!) On her creative, fun blog she writes about her adventures as she and her handy hubby Rob (and their son Handy Boy) renovate, repair, and redecorate their New England home. <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><br /><br /><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">They fully renovated their first home, built in the 1830s. Then they moved and did it all over again in their second home, built in the 1850's. They are now working on improving their current home, built in 1994.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Laurie and Rob like to go antique shopping, and collect vintage Fiesta Ware. They blog about the recipes they like, decorating discoveries they make, organizing problems they solve, renovating projects they finish, the tools they use, the crafts Laurie manages to find time for, and everything in between. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Their method is for Laurie to pick out the paint colors, and then tell Rob what to do. Rob does the painting, and all the heavy lifting.    </span> </div><br />I am so happy that she is here to give you her advice on home maintenance issues. Please swing over to <a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/">Laurie's site</a>, where I am guest posting today, if you want to read my thoughts on how not to remodel.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="smaller banner" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lars72/733blog%20design%20images/hmcw_01-1-1.png" /></a></div><br />Hello, I'm Laurie from <a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/">Handy Man, Crafty Woman</a>. Thanks so much to Barbara for having me guest post today.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Home Staging: Don't Forget the Maintenance!</b></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />When you put your home on the market, there are so many things on the to-do list. You know that you must clean thoroughly, and remove excess furniture and clutter. However, you also need to pay attention to maintenance issues.<br /><br />Your house may pass the "white glove" test, but if you leave any maintenance projects unfinished, potential buyers may think "No way!" in their minds.<br /><br />Here are some areas you should examine before putting your home on the market:<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The yard. </b> </span>The lawn needs to be mowed regularly. Trim bushes, rake leaves, and tidy up the flower beds. Potential buyers will often drive by your home in order to see what the neighborhood looks like. Give them a great first impression.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The entry door. </b> </span>The yard may look good, but the entry door is also very important. Is the paint on your door cracked and peeling? Is the door dirty? Give it a new coat of paint, or a good cleaning.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Interior doors.</span> </b> Do the doors inside your home close? Doors to kitchen cabinets, bedrooms, bathrooms and closets should close properly. Sliding doors should open smoothly. If you have a nice deck, you want the buyers to go outside and have a look.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Outdoor features.</b></span> If you do have a deck or a pool, be sure that they are clean and maintained. These can be good selling features, and you want them to look their best. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Faucets.</b></span> In addition to cleaning, fix the sinks and shower faucets so they don't drip. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tiles. </b> </span>Do you have tiles in your home? Are they in good condition? If you aren't handy enough to chip out broken tiles and replace them yourself, you should hire a handy man to help with this. Broken tiles look shabby. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Lights.</span> </b> This may sound obvious, but do all of your lights work? Home buyers (and real estate agents) will often turn on lights in your home, so they can really see each room. Make sure that any burnt out light bulbs are replaced, and that all light fixtures are in working order.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Unfinished projects. </b> </span>You know what I'm talking about: The trim that is not complete; the new cabinet knobs that haven't been installed, etc. Go around your home and make a list of unfinished projects. Now is the time to finish them!<br /><br />You can clean and declutter your home when you put it on the market, but don't ignore these basic maintenance issues. Home buyers look at broken and shabby items, and may wonder what else you have been ignoring. Take care of these issues, and let potential buyers imagine themselves moving right into your home.

A Checklist for Maintenance Problems

"Barbara made me add my photo." Laurie, the crafty woman at Handy Man, Crafty Woman is our guest today. (Applause!) On her creat...

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Insider Tips: Notes From a Blue Collar Gal

<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/money3-1.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/money3-1.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>How one client paid us.</i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Every homeowner bumps into situations when DIY is a DDI -- a "don't do it."<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">I'm talking about</span></b> the times when you just have to hire the Big Guys, the ones with all the latest tools, the manly truck, and sometimes the proper local or state certification. They are the ones who have been doing it --  wiring, plumbing, roofing, landscaping -- for years.<br /><br />This post if for those times. I am going to tell you how to deal with these people. I know because I am one of these people. I am a housepainter.<br /><br />I might wear pink overalls, but I'm a blue collar worker. Housepainters rank pretty darn low on the status scale of trade people in the construction field. I'm not going to quote Rodney Dangerfield here, but you know what I'm talking about.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">I like to think that</span></b> I always give every client the best service I can. But if I am honest, I'll admit that the people who have treated me well when I worked for them, even though I am "just the painter," are the people I was happy to go that extra mile for.<br /><br />While I can't endorse befriending every member of every crew doing work around your home, it helps to remember that a little kindness goes a long way.<br /><br />Here are my tips to having a productive, satisfying relationship for both you and any helpers you hire.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #1</b></span><br /><b>Learn their names.</b> if they will be at your house for more than a few days. First names are usually sufficient unless you are building an ongoing relationship or need to know the name that goes on the check. I remember one woman who hired Mr. Lucky and me to paint her home -- and then her son's home, her church's office, her next home, and her rental property (love that!). Whenever someone came to her home while we were there, she actually introduced us, using both first AND last names. She flattered us by showing us respect, simply by using our names. Lesson: It's the little things that create a bond between people.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #2</b></span><br /><b>Make them feel welcome.</b> Say hello to acknowledge their arrival and let them know you are home. In the South where I am, the custom is to always engage in a little small talk in all business situations. To not banter a bit is considered rude.<br /><br />Some people give in-house workers the message that they are not trusted. Don't do this. If you have questions about the honesty or ethics of people in your house, you have hired the wrong people. I am not suggesting that you leave cameras, money, and jewelry about when having your bathroom re-tiled by a couple of men you never met before. Be smart, but don't demonstrate paranoia and distrust.<br /><br />How do you find trustworthy and capable tradespeople? Ask your realtor for the names of good people. Or ask other tradespeople. For instance, a carpet cleaning service man will probably know who lays good carpet, and a painter will know a good carpenter. You can also ask fussy friends and neighbors for the names of people they have been pleased with.   <br /><br />We have painted for people who do not leave the room we are working in. They may be lonely, or they may be distrustful. If you have hired tradespeople, greet them, and then remove yourself. Not only is it a distraction to have to carry on a conversation, but workers may feel you are trying to learn how they do what they do, so that next time you can DIY and save the money. It makes you look like you wish you didn't have to hire them.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #3</b></span><br /><b>Make them feel appreciated.</b> In one small house where we were painting, the homeowners were home all day. Each day when their daughter returned from school, they baked cookies. Of course the scent of chocolate chips, sugar and butter filled the place. Did they ever offer us one? They did not. Did we feel appreciated? We did not. Did we adjust our schedule so we could do more painting for them when they called us again? No. We're not mean, but when push comes to shove, people go where they are appreciated. Lesson: The Golden Rule is still good business.   <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/snacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/snacks.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Cheese, crackers, grapes, jellybeans!</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Can you tell I love cookies?<br /><br />The woman who paid us with gift-wrapped cash in a thank you card last week (photo above) also set out a snack and coffee buffet just for Mr. Lucky and me that was so unusual in its graciousness, I had to take a photo (right). While this example is definitely over the top, the message was clear: "We appreciate you."<br /><br />You absolutely don't have to go to this extreme, but...just saying... <br /><br />Doughnuts are always a big hit with workers. A dozen doughnuts buys you a whole lot of feel good.  <b> </b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #4</b></span><br /><b>Make them comfortable.</b> I don't know if you have ever been in a stranger's home for the whole day. It can be a delicate situation. Workers aren't guests, but they aren't robots either. They will appreciate it, for example, if you tell them when they start a job, where the bathroom is, where they can get water, and what door you want them to use for coming and going. In some states the law requires you provide an outside portijohn when the number of persons on site reaches a certain number.<br /><br />Are conditions comfortable for working? Tradespeople are used to working around debris and dust, and in extreme heat and cold. But you can still be the hero by providing an environment that is uncluttered and at a sensible temperature as much as is practical. Let them have what they need in order to do their job well.<b> </b><br /><br />At the same time, if the person you are hiring will be coming back on a regular basis, a housekeeper or a lawn maintenance person for example, you need to establish businesslike protocol at the beginning of the relationship. If you are too casual about the work that needs to be done, you may find your cleaning person or pool cleaning serviceman expects to have coffee and half an hour of conversation before beginning work. Lesson: Be friendly but don't be friends.<b> </b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #5</b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>Praise their work</b>.  Even if you are not totally happy with the job being done, find something you like. If you have complaints, let them know that, too. And don't wait until the job is done to express discontent. If you are considering a number of options at the start of your project, ask for their opinions. Experts and professionals usually like to hear the question, "What would you do?" because it signifies that you value their experience. You can still do it your way, or decide on an approach better than either you or the professional hadn't thought of previously.<br /><br />Clients often ask me to help them make decisions about color or finishes. Some ask about painting-related problems, like removing mildew from a roof (trim the tree branches back to let light in, and sprinkle the roof with laundry powder). Asking opinions is one way to acknowledge expertise.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMmTgX7w-A45ghnzwUM17efyp_hzy0Rn8L8zNcHlN10Q2vkIiBZYBTwYJnnsIqXeSg4QuTOkLEm2eOAb3Fd3rs8dvc0nvaiWsOvcoFyHtP_XVnuqXfWGmCNDSZLRD66d3PxcgPqvjPeo/s200/ebook_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMmTgX7w-A45ghnzwUM17efyp_hzy0Rn8L8zNcHlN10Q2vkIiBZYBTwYJnnsIqXeSg4QuTOkLEm2eOAb3Fd3rs8dvc0nvaiWsOvcoFyHtP_XVnuqXfWGmCNDSZLRD66d3PxcgPqvjPeo/s200/ebook_cover.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>Next time you need to hang up your DIY tool belt, and bring in a contract worker, whether it's an air conditioning repairman, an electrician, a floor re-finisher, or some other hard working soul, follow my advice, and I think you will see better communication and better workmanship.<br /><br />Maybe even a better price.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I can offer you </b></span>many more tips to make selling your home a positive experience. 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>, will provide answers, inspiration, buying guides, and how-tos for everything from arranging furniture to curb appeal and everything in between. It's quick and easy to download. Why wait? I can start today to help you stage to sell.

Insider Tips: Notes From a Blue Collar Gal

How one client paid us. Every homeowner bumps into situations when DIY is a DDI -- a "don't do it." I'm talking about the...

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An Easy Way to Dress Up the Ordinary Office Chair

<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/before3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/before3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This is the chair that drove me to it. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>A home office is a selling feature when you stage to sell.<br /><br />If you want your home to look more contemporary, and more accommodating in general, look for where you can tuck a home office into your house. It needn't be large, just somewhere a person can sit and take care of business, a spot that’s not the dining table or the kitchen counter.    <br /><br />Really, a home office can be staged in just one corner of a bedroom, family room, or living room.<br /><br />Often there is a place for a small office on a stair landing, in a wide foyer, or in the unused space under a staircase.<br /><br />A table or desk, maybe some shelving or bookcase, and you’re there. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ever since we</b></span> brought home this ugly, hunter green office chair from Staples about 12 years ago, I’ve hated it. The  manufacturers may have spent money when they studied the ergonomics of the chair, but they sure ignored the glamour-omics. <br /><br />Today, I decided to do something about it. I’m not the first one to pretty up an executive chair. Teresa at <a href="http://cozycottageslipcovers.blogspot.com/">Cozy Cottage Slipcovers</a> is a pro, and so is Kristi at <a href="http://www.pinkandpolkadot.net/">Pink and Polka Dot</a>. I covered my ugly chair in a couple of hours, doing very little actual sewing.<br /><br />I have a glue gun, and I'm not afraid to use it.  <br /><br />Here’s how I beautified my chair and how you can quickly and easily do the same to your ugly chair. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Get Fabric</span>.</b>  I found a piece of upholstery fabric in my fabric stash. I made sure there was enough to cover both sides of the back and generously wrap around the seat. You should use something heavier than drapery weight or “dress weight,” to make sure you don’t end up with a mess o’ wrinkles after you’ve been sitting on it. An upholstered look rather than a slipcovered look, will stay neater, which is better for home staging. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Make Pattern. </b></span>I laid ugly chair on its back on a flattened sheet of newspaper. I traced a line about two inches out from the edge of the entire backrest, to allow for seaming and for the thickness. I set the chair upright again. I cut out the paper pattern.  <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Cut Fabric.</span></b> I cut two layers of fabric using the newspaper pattern. Then I laid a square of fabric over the seat and cut a few inches out from the seat, so I could wrap it all the way to the bottom of the seat.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pin Back Cover</b>.</span> I still didn’t know I was going to blog about this project, so I didn’t take pictures of these steps. I wrapped the backrest with the two back fabric pieces, inside out, and pinned them together, adjusting the seams so the new cover would fit snug, but loose enough for me to pull it off. I pulled it off, and sewed the front to back, turned it right side out, and pulled it back over the chair. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stitch Back Closed</b>.</span> I pinned the bottom edges of the back cover, and slip stitched the opening at the bottom closed. I didn’t fuss with this stitching because it won’t really be visible.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/pincorner1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/pincorner1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This is the underside of the backrest, and I have pinned front to back, ready for slip stitching. </i></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wrap the Bottom Piece</b>.</span> I laid the other square of fabric on the seat, smoothed it, and pinned it  around the edges to hold it in place. I flipped the chair over and started hot glueing the fabric to the bottom of the seat. I set the seat of the chair on a lidded kitchen garbage can to make it easier to work on. A stool would also serve. You can't put it on a large work surface because the arms and back get in the way.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/pinseat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/pinseat2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You can see I have stuck pins around the seat edge to hold the fabric in place when I flip the chair. </i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/gluegood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/gluegood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To make the seat fit smoothly,  I first glued the seat in four places -- the center of each side. Then I glued small sections at a time, easing the fabric so there were no big puckers. </i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/glueallaroundfini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/glueallaroundfini.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Gradually, all the raw edges will be glued down. The edges can remain raw as long as the glue keeps loose threads out of sight. We're not talking heirloom quality here. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/fini3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/fini3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This is my new sewing, computing, watching television chair. It was always good for long term sitting, now it's good for looking at, as well.  </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>I set the chair upright, and I was done. Goodbye ugly, hello floral. With a chair this pretty, that little home office you’re creating for staging looks inviting, and gets your message to buyers that this is a home that is loved and where they can be comfortable.  <br /><br />If these chairs didn’t cost about $100 each at Staples, I would recommend buying and covering a set of four or six for a dining room staging. They would be comfortable and stylish. Usually by the time an office chair makes it to the thrift store, it's shot. And chances of finding more than one matching office chair second hand are slim. But one for a home office? Perfect!  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>There are so many ways</b></span> I can think of to fluff up your home when you are ready to sell, that I put them into one place -- a book. You can download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>, right now. I’ll take you from start to finish of home staging. Why go it alone when I can hold your hand, encourage you, save you from mistakes, and show you how to save money? Downloading takes just a few clicks and you can begin preparing your own home for the real estate market today.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lars72/733blog%20design%20images/featured_button.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lars72/733blog%20design%20images/featured_button.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m585/kimaar1/birdbutton4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m585/kimaar1/birdbutton4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9xbYG85ISyGFFmFenTNUVoEO4V4KOWfW7ANvLkiFD4rSX0HuhpYitJaCu4lrewlB8TYZa4YF7FT2vD-zIyKHjkOp3ACST-EntBZVJAuvk4YksOJ9RQJdCoQnW-oCe3zOYWVAzVUzJww/s1600/smallsnsstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9xbYG85ISyGFFmFenTNUVoEO4V4KOWfW7ANvLkiFD4rSX0HuhpYitJaCu4lrewlB8TYZa4YF7FT2vD-zIyKHjkOp3ACST-EntBZVJAuvk4YksOJ9RQJdCoQnW-oCe3zOYWVAzVUzJww/s1600/smallsnsstars.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq286/happielife32/JSIWU_BUTTON.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq286/happielife32/JSIWU_BUTTON.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr283/StacyRisenmay/linkypartybutton-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr283/StacyRisenmay/linkypartybutton-1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff267/MommasPrimitives/linkypartybutton-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff267/MommasPrimitives/linkypartybutton-1-1.jpg" /></a></div>                                   

An Easy Way to Dress Up the Ordinary Office Chair

This is the chair that drove me to it. A home office is a selling feature when you stage to sell. If you want your home to look more contemp...

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How to Clean Your House Like a Professional

<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-P1040688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1040688.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The pros use only what works.  What do they use? </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Home buyers love a clean home.<br /><br />Yes, location.<br /><br />Yes, price.<br /><br />Yes, view.<br /><br />Yes, square footage.<br /><br />Yes, staged closets and uncluttered rooms!<br /><br />But unless clean is in the mix, they won’t fall in love with your home on the market. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">To discover what tricks</span></b> I could learn about cleaning, I went to the pros. I went to the <a href="http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/cleaning/">Cleaning Tips Forum</a> on That Home Site. That's where I gathered up for you, my readers, the best professional tips to make cleaning your home easier. Because you already have enough (more fun) stuff to do to get your home staged to sell.<br />  <br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">STAINLESS.</span></b><b> To clean stainless steel surfaces. </b>Use either Stainless Steel Magic or Zep foam. The professional cleaners and others appreciate that Zep clings to vertical surfaces and has a nice, citrus scent. Some people commented that Stainless Steel Magic helps repel fingerprints. That's welcome news. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SHOWER.</b> </span><b>To clean the area where glass shower doors overlap.</b>  Use a small disposable, sponge paint brush. Almost any cleaning solution will work with the sponge. Rinse and store the brush where it can dry out between uses. Glass shower doors that ride in a track are easily removable if you have some muscle. Just lift up, and out. Even I can do it. Just make sure you have a handy place to set the door before you go yanking it.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">TUB. </span></b><b>To clean non-slip strips on the floor of a tub or shower.</b> Use WD-40 and a stiff scrub brush. Also recommended is a product called TRR, which stands for toilet ring remover. You can find TRR in most drug stores or WalMart.<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://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7m18VTTdPeWWoZV6Sl_2jeJQyDjXGC7fnQ2Nnun3suJ3RWLtOuQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7m18VTTdPeWWoZV6Sl_2jeJQyDjXGC7fnQ2Nnun3suJ3RWLtOuQ" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Choose spray, aerosol, or wipes.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MICROFIBER.</b></span><b> To clean microfiber upholstered furniture pieces.</b> Mix a 1/4 cup powdered oxygen cleaner in a bucket of very warm water. Wring out a cloth in this solution, and wipe the microfiber fabric with the cloth. As the cloth get dirty, use a new one. Allow the fabric to dry thoroughly, then take a soft brush, and brush the material to revive the nap.  <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">GROUT. </span>To clean grout.</b> Borrow or buy a steamer, also called a pressure steamer. There are no chemical fumes, it’s quick, and you don't need to lug a variety of solvents from room to room. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>FLOOR.</b></span><b> To clean asbestos floor tiles.</b> Cover with a layer of commercial 3M floor stripper, available at janitorial supply stores, and let it work according to directions. Or you can apply straight 409 cleaner with a long-handled scrub brush, and let it sit until the dirt is loosened. Make sure you have adequate ventilation. Use a wet /dry shop vac to pick it up. All the old grime and wax will come up.  Wax it with a wax made for vinyl flooring. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">GLUE.</span> To remove sticky residue </b>after peeling away self-sticking shelf liner. Apply rubbing alcohol on a cotton cloth to dissolve the glue. WD-40 also works on glues. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">BOWL RING.</span> To get rid of a persistent ring around inside the toilet bowl.</b> Use a pumice stone, but be sure to keep it wet and rub gently to avoid scratching the porcelain surface. A black emery board or drywall sanding paper work the same way. Bar Keeper’s Friend is a good stain remover because it contains oxalic acid. Disinfect the bowl first with bleach or Lysol, and use rubber gloves.    <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">WINNER.</span> Best Cleaning Procedure Tip: </b>Start from the top when cleaning any room, and work down, whether dusting, vacuuming, or wiping. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>WINNER.</b></span><b> Best Cleaning Technique Tip:</b> Always wipe surfaces first with a dry microfiber cloth. Then, clean them with the correct solution, sometimes water, sometimes degreasers, sometimes solutions that polish. Wetting a surface just turns whatever is there to mud. Loose dirt is easier to remove than mud.<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://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/po/polti-eco-pro-3000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/po/polti-eco-pro-3000.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Steam cleaners are popular </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">because they clean green.</span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">WINNER.</span> Favorite Products and Tools of Professional Cleaners:</b> Microfiber cloths (to catch and trap dirt and other loose particles), steam cleaners (to sanitize hard surfaces), Bar Keepers Friend (to remove organic stains), baking soda (for mild abrasion and deodorizing), Dawn dishwashing liquid (to cut grease), Magic Eraser (to clean smooth surfaces of almost anything), Bona floor cleaner (for wood floors), and WD-40 (for all kinds of things, as evidenced <a href="http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/wd-40.asp">here</a>). <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Cleaning Tips Forum</b></span> is part of the Garden Web, an easy-to-use website that's part of  iVillage. You can search for particular answers, share information, or ask questions. Be sure to check out the <a href="http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/realestate/">Buying and Selling Homes Forum</a> at That Home Site also. You can connect with other homeowners who are selling their homes, get encouragement, and research just about any topic related to real estate.  <br /><br />At these forums, you'll see what other sellers are saying about clean homes. Clean homes feel good and they sell better. The best part is that cleaning is one of the least expensive DIY home improvement projects out there.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Do you want </b></span>to make quick and easy work of giving your home that "open house sparkle" from top to bottom? 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>, I outline a simple, efficient and effective method to get your home clean and keep it that way. You can download the book now with just a few clicks. You'll find that it's packed with advice about DIY staging, it starts paying for itself immediately. I guarantee it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><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>

How to Clean Your House Like a Professional

The pros use only what works.  What do they use?  Home buyers love a clean home. Yes, location. Yes, price. Yes, view. Yes, square footage. ...

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Staging Styles That Work: Scandinavian

<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://theswedishfurniture.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Gustavian-era-Scandinavian-Furniture-Featuring-a-baroque-Swedish-desk-and-small-rococo-side-cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://theswedishfurniture.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Gustavian-era-Scandinavian-Furniture-Featuring-a-baroque-Swedish-desk-and-small-rococo-side-cabinet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: TheSwedishFurniture.Com</td></tr></tbody></table>If you want to stage to sell, steal some ideas from Scandinavia. These Nordic people know how to make a house look spacious, clean and charming.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here is a list</b></span> of the winning elements they use to get that effect:<br /><ul><li>Leggy furniture that shows off square footage.</li><li>A sophisticated, but friendly, color palette.</li><li>Simple or strong graphics that offend no one.</li><li>Smooth and natural wood finishes. </li><li>Painted and distressed furniture that makes a room feel lived in.</li><li>Crystals and mirrors that capture the light.</li><li>Textiles like smooth cottons and nubby linens.</li><li>Accessories where form follows function.</li><li>Affordable prices.</li><li>Furniture that mixes well with other styles.</li></ul>It's no wonder that Danish modern, Swedish, and other Scandinavian styles are ideal for home staging.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I doubt that</b></span> anyone will purchase all new furniture for staging, but if you own pieces that are Scandinavian-influenced, keep them in the mix. If you are shopping for additional elements to stage your home, here's a look to imitate because it's a timeless, elegant and fresh look that makes people feel welcome and at home. That's exactly the look of a well-staged home.<br /><br />Scandinavian furniture and fabrics have an valid reputation for beautiful style. The countries of  Scandinavia -- Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Greenland-- share those honors.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>From Sweden</b></span> we get IKEA, Saab and Volvo, and the popular Gustavian style furniture (not to mention meatballs and Absolut vodka!).<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>From Denmark</b></span> comes Danish modern furniture -- a style that's especially suitable for staging because it's handsome, lightweight, economical, and coincidentally scaled for most American homes.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Finland</b></span> is home to famous Marimekko fabrics, loved by women from Jackie Kennedy's day to Carrie Bradshaw's time. <br /><br />Are there any new ideas you can incorporate into your own home from the following collection of Scandinavian-influenced interiors? <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://theswedishfurniture.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/early-18th-cent-swedish-chairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://theswedishfurniture.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/early-18th-cent-swedish-chairs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Because there is scant natural lighting in winter months, Scandinavian design always welcomes sunshine. Surfaces are often reflective, windows are not covered in heavy treatments, and paint colors are light. Photo: TheSwedishFurniture.Com</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://theswedishfurniture.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Baroque-wingh-chair-242x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://theswedishfurniture.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Baroque-wingh-chair-242x300.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Although it can look sparse, Scandinavian design is also charming because of its subtle combination of curves and straight lines. There is always a well-scrubbed feel to these classic rooms, a look worth aiming for in home staging. Photo: TheSwedishFurniture.Com </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq2s4yO7naRfJovYol4TjYnrBBn5RAhYr-8xscLJjVpLZq3-r345iCQfNBLzRh_uX7nj47wRRpFy2xIbhTUZNeWR55Z26m9C_mIihO9q6f37KbcLQ6s_XqM6lwJO3hX4MyBVJKPnnysI/s400/Country+Swedish+dot+com+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq2s4yO7naRfJovYol4TjYnrBBn5RAhYr-8xscLJjVpLZq3-r345iCQfNBLzRh_uX7nj47wRRpFy2xIbhTUZNeWR55Z26m9C_mIihO9q6f37KbcLQ6s_XqM6lwJO3hX4MyBVJKPnnysI/s320/Country+Swedish+dot+com+bed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Never have neutrals looked so inviting. What this kind of bedroom lacks in razzle dazzle, it makes up for in serenity. Decorating with subtle variations of one color, such as this bedding, wallcovering, and Gustavian styled headboard, contribute to a seamless look. Photo: Country Swedish.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tone-on-tone.com/store_photos/854_28202747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.tone-on-tone.com/store_photos/854_28202747.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Nothing needs to be new or top of the line pricey when you decorate Scandinavian style. </i><br /><i>Distressed case goods, simple textiles, and pastel paints are the kinds of </i><br /><i>things that treat your wallet well. Photo: Tone on Tone Antiques.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>  </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.indulgedecorblog.com/.a/6a01157204a024970b01347fb6d274970c-320wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.indulgedecorblog.com/.a/6a01157204a024970b01347fb6d274970c-320wi" width="337" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Swedish-inspired interior decor is especially attractive to women, the primary deciders when it comes to home purchases. In this room the subtle florals and the intimate seating group (the bench is typical Swedish style) are female-friendly without being too feminine. Photo: Indulge Decor</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.indulgedecorblog.com/.a/6a01157204a024970b01347fc36cdc970c-320wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.indulgedecorblog.com/.a/6a01157204a024970b01347fc36cdc970c-320wi" width="353" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the advantages of staging Scandinavian style is that the furnishings work well with most homes. Even outdated elements of your home could become charming assets when a surrounded by simple pieces like this wooden bench, chair and bookcases. Indulge Decor and Jane Moore Interiors. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://brookegiannetti.typepad.com/.a/6a00e554d7b827883301053648b868970c-500wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://brookegiannetti.typepad.com/.a/6a00e554d7b827883301053648b868970c-500wi" width="272" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>No discussion of Swedish design would be complete without mentioning the unique Gustavian clock. Although this photo shows a brick floor, I know there are homes out there with embossed brick vinyl floors that could be staged like this. Photo: Jon Monson and L. Langdon Ergmann.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/VERONA%20DESK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/VERONA%20DESK.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Not all Scandinavian decor is built around antiques. Mid century modern design is part of the more recent tradition. It uses industrial elements and contemporary manufacturing techniques. I'll save Danish Modern furniture for another post. Photo:Scandinavian Designs via Apartment Therapy.</i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">The universal appeal of Scandinavian style makes it worth copying when staging your home. If you just paint some of your dressers and tables soft greys and blues, hang some breezy white curtains, find some leggy seating to upholster in pastel checks, add gilded mirrors, and leave your wood floors bare, you're halfway there! </span></div><br /><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>For a lighthearted site all about Swedish design, visit <a href="http://www.viget.com/inspire/swedish-design-inspiration/">http://www.viget.com/inspire/swedish-design-inspiration/.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>And for more ideas</b></span> and inspiration to help you prepare your home for the real estate market, download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>. You'll get more than 150 pages of sound advice, including window treatments, pillows, mantel staging, budget baths, landscaping, organizing, furniture arranging, lighting, rugs, artwork, and so much more.

Staging Styles That Work: Scandinavian

Photo: TheSwedishFurniture.Com If you want to stage to sell, steal some ideas from Scandinavia. These Nordic people know how to make a house...

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Negotiating 101: How to Get What You Want

<div 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://blstb.msn.com/i/B0/F136F1DAF5A855939D83B2303A94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://blstb.msn.com/i/B0/F136F1DAF5A855939D83B2303A94.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Make them an offer they can't refuse.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Your realtor calls, and says the words that make your heart beat faster. "We have an offer." <br /><br />Knowing how to respond to an offer to purchase your home makes a difference. In dollars. To quote the Turbo Tax software, "We want to make sure you get all the money that's coming to you."<br /><br />(Pat me on the back. I finished our Turbo Taxes. Love that program!) <br /><br />It's interesting, at least to <i>me</i>, that plenty of guidance is available online, in the media, and in books about buying smart. But about selling smart, not so much. Let's balance that scale a bit, right here and now. <br /><br />Here are my tips based on what I have learned from buying and selling homes, and on what I have learned from others and from my studies. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #1</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Always Counter.</b> </span>Opening offers are just that. Most buyers expect they will have to increase their initial figure. To not come back with your offer -- any offer --  makes you a greedy bad guy. You never know where the talks will wind up if you don't counter.<br /><br />If you accept an offer without discussing other figures or contingencies, your buyers will always wonder how low they could have gone and walked away with your property. A prime principle of successful negotiating is that when it's over, all parties feel they got what they wanted.    <br /><br />In fact, the more times initialed papers go back and forth, the more committed emotionally the buyer is to having the deal go through. It doesn't take long for buyers to begin planning on where they will set up their big plasma screen, and how many people they will invite to their housewarming party, even though the negotiating ball is still in the air. Keep the ball in the air.<br /><br />I wrote <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-staging-helps-negotiations.html">here</a> about how staging helped us to not act too quickly when we received an opening, low offer on the condo we sold last year.<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://imagecache6.allposters.com/LRG/56/5699/DJPUG00Z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://imagecache6.allposters.com/LRG/56/5699/DJPUG00Z.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Clint's characters always know how to<br />get exactly what they want.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tip #2</span></b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Know Your Bottom Line.</b></span> Have you done your homework? You should know how much it costs each month you stay in your home.<br /><br />Know the realistic value of your home in today's market, not based on what you paid for it, what you have to get to pay off credit cards, or how much you love your home.<br /><br />Spring for an appraisal. The bank won't loan Mr. Buyer any more than appraised value. Note: A real estate broker's market analysis is not as accurate as a full-fledged appraisal and holds no weight with banks. Having a recent, professional appraisal is a powerful tool to have in your hands.<br /><br />Your bottom line will be influenced by deadlines in your life. Your realtor will be able to give you typical days on market figures for comparable properties in your locale. If you need or want to relocate fast, your price can reflect that.   <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #3</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Have Backup Options. </b></span>It's not fun to think about, but it will strengthen your position during negotiations to have some plans in case you are on the market longer than you like. Patience is an asset when it comes to dealing. Not only do you not want to <i>feel </i>desperate, you don't want the buyer to <i>think</i> you are desperate.<br /><br />If your carrying costs are really high, you may choose to vacate your prettily staged home, and become a renter in a smaller, more economical place. Some sellers live in an RV or with relatives. It's temporary.<br /><br />Staging your home helps convey the message to buyers that you are comfortable and not ready to accept whatever comes along. Don't have piles of packed boxes in the garage, shed, or guest room. Get them off-site, even if it means your Dad's garage.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #4</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Be the Mystery Seller.</b> </span>The more a buyer knows about you, the more leverage he has. This is especially true if you are near foreclosure or bankruptcy, if one spouse has already relocated, if you are selling an inherited property, if you are a professional house flipper, or if you have not had any offers.<br /><br />At the same time, it's just smart negotiating to learn as much as you can about the prospective buyer. If he is relocating from a state where property values are high, your place may seem like a bargain, and you can anticipate an easier road to an agreed upon price. If he has been house hunting for two years, he is either very choosy or not a serious buyer, and you can let the drama just play out without getting yourself in knots. If he is a professional rehabber, he'll be giving you bottom-feeder prices. If he is shopping for a second home, money is probably not as big a problem as with a young, first-time home buyer, and you shouldn't have to compromise.<br /><br />If you are a FSBO seller, the rules change, and sitting face to face with a buyer calls for a different set of tactics. I'll blog about negotiating as a FSBO at another time.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbzlWFV2-dFQ2CwOBp9EG9iboGgQnOJUROEtgvcUVdY7ZeGA9y-HxSp1Au8SJfxUqe0QiFfrDhyphenhyphen_TC3MRspJxZhsMIsF7J9rilQ6KgehgC128PEaZsWtBRr8nS9ZZ-q5QfRiyQr1wt2U/s1600/The+Group+1966+Candice+Bergen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbzlWFV2-dFQ2CwOBp9EG9iboGgQnOJUROEtgvcUVdY7ZeGA9y-HxSp1Au8SJfxUqe0QiFfrDhyphenhyphen_TC3MRspJxZhsMIsF7J9rilQ6KgehgC128PEaZsWtBRr8nS9ZZ-q5QfRiyQr1wt2U/s640/The+Group+1966+Candice+Bergen.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>In her first movie, The Group, Candice Bergman (right) plays a mysterious woman<br />who turns out to be the strongest character in the dynamic plot.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #5</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fiddle with Contingencies.</b></span> Be creative. You can say, "I won't come down another $20,000, but I will leave the piano for you," the one you didn't want to move anyway. Let them keep some of your staging furniture. Throw in the patio furniture and the riding mower.  <br /><br />If you can't give in on the big things (money), negotiate minor points. Delay the closing to meet their schedule, or move the closing up to make them happy. This tactic makes buyers feel like they are getting things for nothing.<br /><br />Offering to pay the buyer's closing costs doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is. Most buyers are stretched and need to finance most of their purchase. If they don't have to roll in the closing costs to their mortgage, it means more to them than the actual closing costs amount. You have saved them a boatload of interest money.<br /><br />Offer to finance part of their down payment for them if you can. You'll make money instead of the banks making it. A lawyer can draft the paper work. <br /><br />All these things indicate that you want the deal to go through. The buyer feels like you are on his side rather than fighting him.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB9ktmA0EHhf5_jzsEpl44Ukt4uxOHx7H6Zsr3Y1ctngexfkXYy44dY-KOAtiWe5l3_Hu7jhCTj5EHic7aODRsB32SxIW-W9rSOM7UhrmCikfs0PlnkG9hr7HlKsDFTK2qQG_YBwP36f2/s320/pwo291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB9ktmA0EHhf5_jzsEpl44Ukt4uxOHx7H6Zsr3Y1ctngexfkXYy44dY-KOAtiWe5l3_Hu7jhCTj5EHic7aODRsB32SxIW-W9rSOM7UhrmCikfs0PlnkG9hr7HlKsDFTK2qQG_YBwP36f2/s640/pwo291.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">In their roles in Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere come to an agreement about </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">their relationship by discussing contingencies, but each maintain their own sense of integrity. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #6</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Build a Relationship on Integrity.</b></span> Always take the high road. The usual vibe of real estate negotiating is adversarial. Buyers and sellers always assume it is a competition. That's wrong. Assume the best of your buyer, and behave in a way that shows you are willing to work with him. Working with a realtor, especially an experienced, hard-nosed negotiator (not necessarily Ms Nice Gal), will assure that you are not taken advantage of. In a FSBO transaction, it's even more important for buyers and sellers to trust each other.  <br /><br />One false step and you've destroyed credibility and trust. Example of missteps might be: speaking negatively to your listing agent about the buyer, withholding facts about the condition of your property, or attempting to skirt the laws or ethics of real estate sales.<br /><br />One of the earliest homes Mr. Lucky and I bought we bought from a man who, when he arrived at the closing, asked the lawyer to transfer the money to his brother rather than himself. He was either avoiding taxes or avoiding having to pay his estranged wife her share. The lawyer closed his book and said, "Come back when you want to do this right." It made the seller look like a snake in the grass, didn't endear him to us, and clued us to be extra vigilant in the deal.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #7</b></span><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Get Outside Support.</span> </b>Whenever negotiating seems to be deadlocked, refer to a third party. It's like calling in an umpire to make a call. A third party can justify your position with facts and figures. An impartial third party can diffuse an emotional situation or clear up a deadlock.<br /><br />Take your lessons from the Big Boys. International peace talks and labor/union disputes are usually conducted with help from an arbitrator. If you are FSBO, you can pay a realtor to represent you.  <br /><br />Your third party could be a home inspector or an appraiser. Or it could be paperwork that substantiates your position, like documentation for things like repairs or warranties. Specifics like tax statements, electric bills and co-op or homeowner association records, can build your case for why you are firm on your last offer.<b> </b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #8</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let Realtors Be Buffers. </b></span>But let your own realtor convey the image of you as a regular guy, not a fast-talking wheeler dealer. Take your time considering the offers. A written offer usually has a 24-hour shelf life, meaning you must respond or the offer becomes void. People like to do business with people who are like them, and likable, so give all offers the courteous attention and time they deserve. <br /><br />Your realtor is here to run interference for you and keep the business of negotiating businesslike, not personal. She will shield you from giving away too much information about your position, and too much money. A good realtor will offer constructive advice on how to proceed.<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://swoonsandsnarls.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/reiner-quiz-good-men.jpg?w=500&h=296" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="379" src="http://swoonsandsnarls.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/reiner-quiz-good-men.jpg?w=500&h=296" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Tom Cruise and his team of military lawyers pursued a vigorous defense for the men </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">they represented in court, in A Few Good Men. You want a realtor with that kind of tenacity.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tip #9</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Be Flexible.</b></span> Don't walk away over a small difference. Keep the big picture in mind. If you and your prospective buyer are just 2% of your asking price apart, examine how much it could cost you to reject the offer. Review your negotiating options. Or, stick to your price, but ask them for additional favors or contingencies.<br /><br />At the same time, know when to hold. We once signed with a realtor to sell a house, and had an offer as soon as a neighbor told friends about it, even before the MLS listing went live. We settled on a price barely below asking price because the house was so new to the market and we knew there would be other interested buyers. Sometimes holding to a predetermined price point lets buyers know you're in a strong position. It all depends on how motivated you are to sell fast. <br /><br />Follow your realtor's advice. You're paying her for it. The realtors are working for both parties and they want to see a deal happen, so they will continue to negotiate until it's obvious nothing is going to happen, or else there is agreement, and a sale!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_5099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_5099.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I'm not a movie star, but I've staged many homes and I can help you stage yours. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Do you need staging suggestion</b><b>s </b></span>to make your home irresistible? A staged home sells faster and for more money, so there's less chance that buyers will try to grind away at your selling price. 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>, helps you do all the right things to attract buyers <i>and</i> keep them interested. You can go to my eBook page and download your copy now. <br /><br />

Negotiating 101: How to Get What You Want

Make them an offer they can't refuse. Your realtor calls, and says the words that make your heart beat faster. "We have an offer....

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You Know Your Home Is Staged When ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/storage/allpostphotos/chesterjones01_modern.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1298222717991" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/storage/allpostphotos/chesterjones01_modern.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1298222717991" width="290" /></a></div><ul><li>You've discovered -- surprise!--that making your bed takes just 60 seconds.</li></ul><ul><li>Your friends come by and say, "Wow, the place looks terrific." (You wonder what they thought of it before.)</li><li>The default answer to your most of your kid's questions is, "It's in the storage unit."</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/adorableyellowcottage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/adorableyellowcottage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul><li>Neighbors slow down when they drive by, just to admire your spruced up curb appeal. You hope they are motivated to spruce up their own, especially...well, never mind... </li><li>You love coming home after being away. Sometimes you go outside, just to come back in!</li><li>Cleaning the house is SO much easier. You're kicking yourself for waiting to declutter.</li></ul><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.silkflowers.com/files/imagesOS/product/300/flb638-ms_main.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.silkflowers.com/files/imagesOS/product/300/flb638-ms_main.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: SilkFlowers.com</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li>You never knew how gorgeous -- and convincing -- silk flowers could be.   </li><li>Once in a while you actually rethink the whole selling and moving decision.</li><li>Your realtor can't stop thanking you enough for making her job easy. Maybe she'll share the commission. Yeah, right!</li></ul><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://gloryroad.typepad.com/weblog/images/2008/03/09/px_britney_spaniel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://gloryroad.typepad.com/weblog/images/2008/03/09/px_britney_spaniel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Photo: Glory Road</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li>Your dog doesn't understand why you sometimes hustle him into the car, and then ride leisurely around the neighborhood. But he doesn't care.</li></ul><ul><li>You feel like your house has 50% more square footage than before. </li><li>Whenever the phone rings, the first thing you ask yourself is, "How many stacks of unsorted laundry do I have to find hiding places for? Fast."</li></ul><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://img4.myhomeideas.com/i/2008/new/1710553-masterbath-da1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img4.myhomeideas.com/i/2008/new/1710553-masterbath-da1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Coastal Living</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li>Your husband says about the bathroom, "I feel like we've just checked into a high end hotel." But he also asks every day, "Do I really need to hide my toothbrush and razor?" Answer: yes.</li><li>You promise yourself you'll never bring thin towels back to the bath. Ever. You'll recycle them for drying the dog's paws.</li><li>You've stopped cooking with garlic because you want the house to smell like gardenias until it sells.  </li><li>Paint is your new best friend. Better, your new lover.</li></ul><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.theframestudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/6a00e55138fbb088330105369d323b970c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.theframestudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/6a00e55138fbb088330105369d323b970c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: TheFrameStudio.com</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li>You kind of miss the refrigerator art show, but you're loving the kid art you've framed as expensive Soho gallery abstracts.</li><li>You know your deceased ancestors are looking kindly at your fluffed up home, instead of asking, from heaven, "Why did she pack our photos away?"</li></ul><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.sarahrichardsondesign.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/room_4_portrait_large/sarahs-house2-guest-suite2-image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/room_4_portrait_large/sarahs-house2-guest-suite2-image1.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Sarah Richardson</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li>You have at least one chair that no one is allowed to sit in. Until after the closing.</li><li>You realize that the furniture you've recovered and painted is going to look beautiful in your new home too. If it's not a prefect match, you know now how easy it is to recover and repaint. </li><li>You' re entertaining more, because you're proud of your house. And you like making people jealous. And because your guests might know someone shopping for a home like yours.</li><li>Your mother says, "It's about time you fixed your place up." Bless her heart.</li></ul>If you want to make your dog happy, impress your friends, and learn the techniques that make your home look more spacious, download. my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. </i>If you have a home on the market, I promise my book will easily pay for itself over and over. I guarantee it.<br /><br />Top photo: Chester Jones via Desire To Inspire. <br /><ul></ul>

You Know Your Home Is Staged When ...

You've discovered -- surprise!--that making your bed takes just 60 seconds. Your friends come by and say, "Wow, the place looks ter...

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