Painting Your Home? Here's Advice About Dropcloths

Monday, August 30, 2010
If you are planning to paint your staged home, good for you!

A DIY paint job done well brings terrific returns on your investment. The best part is that your investment is more time than money. 

When you pay for professional painting, most of what you are paying for is labor.

So, if you can do the work, you can save that money.

But an amateurish paint job could do more harm than good. When buyers see sloppy work, they lose confidence in the upkeep and general quality of a property. Don't let that happen to you. Paint like a pro. Here's how.

Messes will mess you up

A striking difference between the inexperienced and the professional painter is the amount of paint the beginner gets where paint is not supposed to be.

That's where drop cloths come in. Their job is to protect surfaces, making you look like a pro because a pro doesn't make a mess.

They won't protect you, though. That's what gloves, a hat, long sleeves, and painters pants are for. But dressing for painting is a blog post for another day.

Just protect edges 

When you are painting walls, it is not necessary to cover the entire room with drop cloths.  You want to protect the perimeter of the room and any raised surfaces that are fixed to the walls, like countertops, built-in cabinets, or tub and toilets.  A small drop cloth in the center of the room will give you a safe surface where you can pour up paint and keep supplies.
Beautifully painted walls are the start of a 
successful homestaging or redecorating
pro
ject. 
Photo: Benjamin Moore

What size do you need?

Around the room's perimeter, all you need is a dropcloth less than 2 feet wide. (Of course, any furniture will be pushed toward the middle of the room.) In the photo above, you see Mr. Lucky's preference -- an 18-inch wide piece of scrap carpeting. It works well because it lies flat and can easily be kicked or dragged along as he moves around the room. If you use this system, just be certain to keep the roller over the carpet scrap at all times.

What kind to buy

Most people think of canvas drop cloths when they think of professional painters. These cloths are good because they are impervious to paint and they cover all kinds of surfaces without shifting. If you don't have a canvas drop cloth and don't want to buy one, I suggest a paper drop cloth designed to be used multiple times, but not forever. Some types are heavy, flexible paper, and some are plastic-backed.

How to save money

For a budget version of a handy drop cloth, look in second-hand stores for vinyl-backed curtains and drapes. If you cut off the pleated top edge, you'll have a versatile drop cloth that's small enough to be washable but large enough to provide good protection.

Two things not to do 

If you plan to throw down plastic sheeting to protect floors, don't. Paint that splatters and drips onto plastic does not dry, and before you know it, you've stepped in drips and tracked paint onto carpets or flooring. 

Also, do not use cardboard (too slippery), newspaper (too unreliable), or "contractor's" rosin paper (too stiff and shifty). In a pinch, an old sheet, folded to lay in two or three layers will sub for a drop cloth.

Spend for an investment 

Painting is one of the best real estate enhancements you can do yourself. Having the right supplies, like drop cloths that do what they are supposed to do, will help you do a cleaner job, and make your home on the market more appealing to buyers.

Get the look, get the book

My eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar, gives you plenty more tips to work efficiently and effectively when you prepare your home for sale. Why go it alone, when I can be holding your hand?


Good News for House Sellers

Thursday, August 26, 2010
A walk-in shower is a definite
upgrade for today's buyer.


I try to stay current with trends in real estate.

Not only do I have a home on the market, but I want to help you sell your home, so learning about what's happening to the U.S. economy and the housing market is part of my job.

Today I read an article from RISMEDIA, (the RIS stands for real estate information systems). In an item dated August 23, 2010, RIS summarized a recent report from two government agencies -- the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of the Treasury.

These departments look closely at our nation's housing market, and pass their findings on to other government departments.

This report showed that in July, housing prices remained level after 30 straight months of decline. I see that as good news.

Also, the report noted, historic low interest rates continue to promote home affordability and refinancing options for Americans. That's more good news.

RIS pointed out that the housing market still remains fragile as evidenced by a slight increase in foreclosure starts and with serious delinquencies continuing to work through the pipeline.

What this news might mean to you is that you needn't assume your home will depreciate further.  Of course, in some markets, mostly large metro areas, values have not gone down.  I hope your home's value has been stable.

Something else I take away from these findings is that if you have a staged home you have an edge over the growing number of foreclosures on the market because typically, foreclosures are not staged.

This week I also read an opinion piece from Allison Arieff.  For four years she has written a monthly column called "By Design" about housing, food and shelter for the New York Times, and formerly was editor of a magazine entitled "Dwell."  She knows about houses!

Ms. Arieff notes that 2009 showed a trend toward people building smaller homes.  Of course, the lousey economy is the major reason, but that fact doesn't change the statistic.  The point is Americans are learning that a well-designed, affordable home is preferable to a McMansion.  Here are some quotes from her NYTimes story: 

"Perhaps recognizing that they’ll be staying in their homes longer, buyers are starting to look for universal design, ranging from wheelchair-accessible bathrooms to single-story homes — options that will allow them to 'age in place' — in other words, move into a home they can grow old in. They want accessory dwellings (aka granny flats) to accommodate rising numbers of children moving home after college and aging parents needing care."

"So far, the market isn’t offering many of these, a lack one can chalk up somewhat to inertia but also to legitimate obstacles ranging from zoning and code restrictions to difficulties with financing."

You can read her entire article here
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/home-for-life/ 


Any time you can make your home be more barrier-free,
you have a selling advantage.

What you can learn from these reports is that if you have the kind of home that can fit into today's changed buying patterns, let your staging emphasize those qualities.

Make sure the basic systems to your home -- heating and cooling, roof, plumbing, electrical  -- are well maintained and as up-to-date as you can manage.

Make the most of the space you have. A room with a closet should be staged as a bedroom, especially if it is on the ground floor.

Educate yourself about zoning restrictions and other local ordinances if you have a "granny flat," like a room over a detached garage or a guest cottage. Look for ways that your home will appeal to people house hunting with an eye to the future, like raising your washer and dryer to a friendlier height, and enlarging narrow doorways.

Home staging means dressing your house to sell to today's home buyer, so understanding current trends gives you an advantage over sellers who are out-of-touch.

Be sure to download my $4.99 eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar, to get more advice that will make your home staging effective, economical and easy!

Tips for You If Your Home Is Staged But Vacant

Monday, August 23, 2010

When you are not living in the home you have staged to sell you have advantages over those people who are living in their staged homes.

You're not tucking away your toiletries and polishing faucets on a daily basis, but you have a separate set of challenges.

You'll want to keep your property from looking vacant.

Privacy

Because of vandalism, which can be a problem in any setting -- rural, suburban or urban -- you don't want people to be able to look in windows. 

But you also want people who tour the home to be able to see rooms flooded with as much natural light as possible. The solution is some sort of sheer window treatments that let light in but partially obscure the view of the interior from outside.

I always suggest investing in some programmable timers. It's easy to set timers to make lights and radios come on and go off at various times to create the effect of people being in the home.  You can find different styles online, some simple ones as economical as $10.

Obviously, the owners of the property pictured above didn't hire a reliable lawn service. When a home's exterior shows neglect, a house hunter begins calculating just how low he can go if he decides to make an offer. And some will just tell their Realtor to drive on by.

Keeping the exterior tidy is one important part of 
selling a vacant property, but there are other techniques
that will keep the property safe and make it look lived in. 

Outside care


A lawn service won't solve all exterior upkeep problems. If debris blows into the entranceway, mildew grows on the siding, cobwebs surround the door, and windows are getting dirty, the home is losing appeal, and that translates into dollars lost. 

Some homeowners in this position ask a neighbor or pay a person to stop by on a regular basis and tend to their home's exterior.

Inside the home isn't safe from looking neglected. Ideally, someone will walk through the property to check for things like cobwebs, dead bugs, stale air, and dirt brought in by people touring the property.

You cannot always count on a Realtor to turn off every light, straighten chairs, plump pillows, and close closet doors when necessary. If you live too far away to check the property you are selling, someone else should.

Once you have staged your home for the real estate market, the game isn't quite over. But the better-looking your home stays, the faster you'll see that offer to buy.

Does Your Outdoor Space Help Sell Your House?

Thursday, August 19, 2010
The way your outdoor spaces look gives buyers their first impressions of your home. Both front yards and backyards are part of your home's package.

The private areas of any property are where homeowners will feel most at home. Let's review what's essential in these backyards and side yards in order to win buyers' hearts and minds.

When people shop for a home, they like to imagine themselves relaxing outdoors, entertaining friends, and spending time with family there.  Don't ignore these areas when you stage your property. Even small spaces can be selling points when staged appropriately.

To begin your outdoor staging work, consider how you've used your exterior spaces while you've lived in your home. Consider how new owners might want to use the same spaces.

Paths make it easy for people on a home-buying tour to navigate your yard. Paths are intriguing, and tell people where they should walk or look. The perfect path leads to a visible destination, like seats or a  pleasant view.

Seating is essential. A patio or deck of any size should have a couple of outdoor chairs, and if possible, a table. Larger areas call for a four-seater table and chairs, or benches.

Having outdoor seating is so important that it doesn't 
matter if seats match. Center seats around a fire pit or table to 
create a role for them to play in buyers' minds. 
Every area of your property won't look its best all year long. 
This quiet corner comes to life in springtime. Each separate 
landscaped area can have its time when it peaks.  
Giving definition to a landscape with edging and mulch makes
the outdoors look tended and important. It's economical and simple to do.

Aim for Comfort 

Add cushions covered with weather-resistant fabric, and maybe a tantalizing lounge chair, sling chair, or swing. I once rented a house almost solely because I was captivated by the charming, old-fashioned porch swing!

Your outdoors can be more colorful and busy than your indoor rooms, so don't be shy about adding elements like a firepit, grill, lighting, side tables, and a bar to convey the idea that your home is designed well for entertaining.

Keep any lawn and landscaped areas lush and inviting. Make sure any flowers are looking tended. At this time of year in many parts of the country, gardens are winding down or overgrown.

Add colors to your outdoor areas. If you don't have
blooming plants, look for colorful cushions
 or paint your outdoor furniture to make it stand out.   

These bright cushions are made from 
vinyl tablecloth fabric. Photo: Martha Stewart. 
Don't hesitate to toss plants that have lived their lives. You can simply put down fresh mulch in their place, or replant with seasonal color.

I love the sound of a fountain that greets people as they step outdoors. Even a small fountain, one put together from a handsome container and a small submersible pump will provide the sound and sight of bubbling water. Wind chimes are another low-cost addition that appeals to the senses.

If you do not live in the home you are staging, it is not unusual for house hunters to check out a home's outside spaces, and even walk around the property. If that's a possibility with your home, it's even more important to stage the outside of your home to be as alluring as its interior.  It could be the thing that ropes in that buyer.

Get the look, get the book

In my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar, I offer lots of helpful pointers and easy projects to make your home look more appealing to buyers. Download now so you can start staging today!

Cleaning Products Every Home Stager Needs

Monday, August 16, 2010

Whenever I learn about a cleaning product that does a better job or a faster job, I try to pass the word along.

Last week the stars must have been aligned just so, because I learned new uses for a familiar product and discovered a new (to me) product.

First Up...


I've been loading and unloading dishwashers for over 35 years. Not that I'm counting.

Yet, I never knew that a monthly cleaning cycle with a special cleaning and disinfecting agent made a big difference in how the dishwasher and the dishes look.


People who are out househunting look into cabinets, closets, vanities, ovens and ... dishwashers.

You can make your dishwasher sparkle impressively with one treatment of Dishwasher Magic. It will cost about $5 and is effortless to use. Highly recommended.

Second Discovery


Somehow I stumbled on new uses for traditional smooth top stove cleaner. The brand I had on hand is Weiman Glass Cook Top Cleaner.

 It works like a polish and a cleaner. I found that it made faucets that I had already deemed shiny, shine even more. It cleans and then puts a finish on glass shower doors so they don't need constant wiping. It will put a smooth finish on all appliances. 

It does take a little buffing, but the results are remarkable.

It's the details like a sparkling faucet and a clean dishwasher that put a staged home over the top. One of the best investments you can make in home improvement is the time you spend cleaning. 

Cleanliness breeds confidence, so make sure your home has that kind of clean!


A Staged Foyer Helps Sell Your House

Thursday, August 12, 2010
Clean lines make this foyer's mood easy to duplicate.
The red, black and white colors add drama,
and the ornate mirror adds detail. Photo: DecorPad
It's no wonder the foyer is the most overlooked room of a house. 

It's just the room we pass as we come and go. But when your home is for sale, every room is important, and that's especially true of the foyer.

The foyer welcomes people t your home and gives visitors a glimpse of what's to come. It lets buyers have their first chance to judge the home's interior.

This is no place for "good enough." This is a place for "wow." Do something impressive.

Hang a large piece of colorful art. Lay a gorgeous rug there. How about a beautiful new light fixture?

Since the room is usually small (if it exists at all) you can afford to add some luxury touches.     

If you have no foyer, you can create a sense of entrance by placing an interesting chair or small table near the front door.

If space is too tight for a table, a shelf functions just as well to hold a pretty lamp, a silk floral arrangement, a simple sculpture, or a dish of peppermints.

Remember that the foyer can be the last room a house hunter sees (and tastes) as he goes on with his tour of homes.

Lighting is important  

If there are sidelights next to the door, be sure they let in all the natural light they can. Use sheer instead of heavy curtains, or none at all if privacy's not an issue.

The foyer is one place you could leave a light on all day even in your absence and not have it look like you were trying to make you home look brighter for a showing. It just makes sense, as in, "We'll leave on light on for you."  .

Furniture's a must in the large foyer, and what fun you can have there. A rustic bench... a mirrored cabinet... a large black table holding books and flowers... whatever suits your house. If you use a rug, make it generous, no matter what the size of the room.

Reflections

A mirror is perfect for the foyer, the bigger the better. Ideally it will reflect from side to side, so no one is startled when he opens the door.

Of course you will make sure that everything is spotless -- the overhead light, the floor, any furniture, and of course, the door itself.

Don't forget scent. A clever place to hide your scent mechanism in a small room is to lay an incense stick on the ledge over the door trim. You know, that little ledge you never dust.

The word foyer is derived from the French word for fire because in the late 1800's the foyer was the room to which theater audiences went for warmth between the acts.

Is your foyer staged to be warm and welcoming?

Download my $4.99 eBook, DIY Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. You'll learn more ways to impress buyers and convince them that your home should be their home. 

You Can Make Headboards from Recycled Stuff

Monday, August 09, 2010
An impressive headboard can bring an ordinary bedroom to life.

But the beautiful store-bought ones are expensive, so get creative with your frugal home staging, and try a DIY headboard from recycled materials!

This page is currently under construction.

Photo by SouthShore Decorating



What to Do with Your Pet When Your Home is For Sale

Monday, August 02, 2010
If you have a cat or a dog or bird, and you have a home for sale you might probably face some kind of dilemma.

Your pet could be traumatized by strangers, or strangers could be are traumatized by your pet.

Or you can't get rid of the carpet stains Snowball created when he was a puppy, or you don't know where to hide Tiger's litter box.

Maybe you are worried that house hunters will let Mr. Wrinkles get outside.

These and other challenges are all common concerns for people listing their homes for sale. Let's tackle them one at a time.

Those aromas

Probably the most common problem pet owners face is off-putting scents. If your home has any pet aromas, you need to deal with the source instead of covering it up with air fresheners and fragrance plug-ins.

If the smells are residual, such as in the carpet or padding, having the carpet replaced may, unfortunately, be the only solution. Sometimes just professional shampooing will do the job. Perhaps simple DIY treatment of stains will be sufficient.

Two products that I've used with good results are Oxi-Clean Laundry and Stain Remover spray, and Woolite Carpet and Upholstery Pet Stain and Odor Remover.

If you must remove carpet or vinyl to treat the problem, I recommend painting the subfloor, whether it is concrete, plywood, or particle board, with Kilz stain blocker. The oil-based version works best but is itself pretty stinky until it dries, so make sure you have good ventilation.

Signs of life

What to do about the litter box ranks as the number two problem. If you'll be gone all day and a showing could happen at any time, Princess can't be inconvenienced and you need to have it available. Laundry rooms and closets with the door left ajar are the usual locations.

Make sure the door will stay ajar after the home is toured by positioning the box or something else so that the door can't completely close. It's best to stay on top of keeping the litter box clean on a daily basis. You never know when The Buyer, the one with the super-sensitive nose, will come wandering through.
It's a good idea to minimize the number of pet toys
left around any house on the market,
and make sure animal bedding looks clean. 


Some sellers remove all signs of pets, leaving no toys, feeding bowls, gates, crates, beds, or litter boxes behind whenever there's a showing.

This approach can be exhausting, and probably not necessary. One good reason to not take this route is that some buyers will have allergies and need to know if there have been pets in the home. Savvy sellers will keep the clutter of pet paraphernalia under control, though.

If you are worried about your pet escaping the home or freaking out house hunters during a showing when you are not present, there are a number of remedies. One is to leave a note explaining that typically the pet is friendly, or shy, or nervous.

Flight risks

Notes on exit doors are common. One woman wrote this note: "Despite what they may tell you, the cats are not allowed outside." Any special considerations about an unfriendly dog should be noted in the MLS listing. The last thing you need is a lawsuit, and people will sue about anything, like falling down a flight of stairs because they were distracted by a dog (it happened).

Many people who are house-hunting have pets of their own, and they will take it all in stride. Others will be inconvenienced. Your job is to minimize the inconvenience.

My dog Misty was not a problem for us when
we listed our house 
because the first
looker bought it. The house, not the dog.


Shutting down

Do not place any room off limits. not a spare room, not a garage. Work with your Realtor to schedule appointments that work for everyone, Rex and Flicker included.

If you are present in the property when a showing is pending, I hope you can get Fluffy or Fido into the car for a ride.

If you are absent during the day, you have a few choices. One is to board the pet at a kennel until the house sells, but that is not something most pet owners or pets want to do. Another is the less costly day care solution.

If you are fortunate,m you will have a neighbor who is always home, someone you can call when your Realtor calls you, someone your Angel or Prince loves, someone who will come and take Rover for a walk during a showing. If you are not that fortunate, do you have a friend or relative who would be a foster care parent for your Midnight until you receive that purchase offer?

No question, pet owners who are house sellers face some complications. But none of us can imagine life without our beloved pets, so we all do whatever it takes to keep pets and house hunters happy.

For solutions to other common problems facing anyone with a home on the market, download my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. You'll get answers to questions you didn't know you had!



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