Quick Tip-Dusting

Make sure you have dusted all those hard to dust places or just the ones you forget. 

• Lamp shades: Use a dryer sheet to remove the dust. Plus it helps keep the dust from settling. 
• Use a paint brush to get the hard to reach cracks, baseboards, you can also use for computers and those ridges in your tv and stereo. 
• Furniture: Don't forget the sides and the bottom of your furniture pieces. 
• Ceiling Fans: Make sure you dust the tops of the blades. 

Quick Tip-Clean your windows

Quick Tip!
When you are selling your home, make sure your windows are clean. This is an easy thing to overlook but can make a huge impact on your home and how it shows. 
If your windows are dirty it does not let in enough light. 
It can make your buyers think that the little upkeep items have not been maintained in the home. 
Clean windows can make a huge difference in how your home shows! So get out the Windex and start cleaning. 

Make sure you also clean the outside of the windows too. There are outdoor window cleaning products at your local home supply store. 

Quick Tip-Hide your animals

I know you love your pets! But, if you are selling your home, make sure you hide all traces of those animals. If a homebuyer can see, or smell any sort of animal you have probably lost them, even if they are animal lovers. 
Homebuyers do not want to think they will have to deal with the clean up of pet smell in the home after it is sold. It can be costly. 
If a homebuyer is allergic you have lost them immediately. 

So make sure you clean up and hide all traces of animals before any showing. 

How to pick a lamp for your room.

For the Desk: 

A desk lamp does not have to be boring. Use a colorful lamp to perk up a boring desk. Make sure you use a bright bulb so your desk is well lit. 

For the Bedside Table:
Choose a lamp that with the shade it's height is around 26 to 30 inches. 
If you are going to read in bed make sure you use a bright bulb so you can get the right amount of light for reading. 














For End Tables: 

This is the best place for a pair of lamps. You can use large lamps to make a big impact. You can also use different lamp styles but make sure they are around the same size and are within 2 inches in height of each other. 










Lamps are a great way to add a pop of color to any room. Use the lamps as an accent color. 
Lamp shades are a quick easy way to change the look of any lamp. If you are not in love with the base of the lamp try a new lamp shade and love your lamp again!

Quick Tip

What not to do to cabinet tops when staging your home to sell! 

When you have your house on the market. Here is a DON'T..... Do not have fake greenery or plants. Take them down. These just collect dust, create clutter and take the focus off your home.

Quick Tip

A big NO in home staging is to clean up your house by shoving everything into your closets! A messy closet will make buyers think your home does not have enough storage. 

Make sure your closet is organized. Easy way to do this is to box up any clothes that are not in the current season. This is a quick way to make your closet seem larger and more organized. 

Quick Organizing Tip

Entryway Organizer

Wooden shutters can be just as functional and good-looking indoors as out. Their louvers are a perfect (not to mention plentiful) spot to tuck invitations, display artwork, or hang a message pad.

from martha stewart.com

10 Ways to Make a New House Look Old - MyHomeIdeas.com

10 Ways to Make a New House Look Old - MyHomeIdeas.com

Tips for selecting paint colors

People always ask me, how do you pick paint colors? What type-gloss, semi gloss, flat? It can be overwhelming and challenging. But it can also be easy! 

• Start with your overall decorating scheme. The easiest is to go with the main background color of your pattern. 
• Get paint samples, this is a MUST since paint comes in an infinite amount of colors. 
• Really study the paint sample colors. There are so many underlying tones that can affect the overall look of the color on the walls. 
• Choose your finish-Matte and flat finishes hide wall imperfections while gloss reflects light. 

Here is a great quick video with awesome tips. 

How to style your bed.

MAKE THE BED!

The quick tip for today is the same one your mother always told you-MAKE YOUR BED!

When you are trying to sell your home and have a showing, don't just throw the bedspread up and leave. MAKE THE BED! 

5 Simple Home Staging Tips

Quick Easy Idea!

Paint a wall, bench and hooks all the same color and VIOLA-you have what looks like a custom built in!

Quick and easy tips for your front entry

Here are a few quick and easy tips that will make a big impact on your front entry for little cost.

• Add lighting: this will illuminate the entry and give a warm welcoming feeling.
• Paint your door: this will give your entry a fresh clean look. Be sure to coordinate the door color with the house. 
• Plant some containers: this will add life and texture to the entry. 
• CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN: this is the easiest and most often overlooked quick fix. 

 

Quick Trick: Got a squeaky door? Have a showing in a few minutes? Grab that can of Pam and spray the hinges. 


Photo source:Real Simple

Quick Staging Tip!

A master bedroom should appeal to both sexes.

When you are selling, your master bedroom should appeal to buyers of both sexes. Get rid of features that seem too gender-specific. Paint the walls a neutral color, and choose bedding that matches. Then accessorize with items that complement the overall color scheme.

How to Hire a Contractor

Are you wanting to update a room in your home? If you are not a DIY person and are thinking of hiring a contractor, here are a few tips to follow.

• Get recommendations
• Do interviews
• Meet face to face
• Make plans
• Get bids
• Set a payment schedule
• Don't just go on price
• Get it in writing-EVERYTHING

Source: Uploaded by user via Kara on Pinterest

Tip of the day for storage

Armoire Storage

Revamp and customize a sturdy armoire! It's a great place to keep delicate items safe and easily accessible. Here we've created storage for wine glasses, serving trays, and drink accessories.

tip from www.bhg.com

What to do with clutter......

Problem: No matter how hard you try, you just can't get rid of clutter around your house.
Solution: You can't hide all clutter, but you can contain it. Look at where it collects and set up attractive ways to deal with it. Place a large bowl on the kitchen counter to collect keys. Leave a big basket by the door for shoes. Check discount stores and office supply houses for patterned folders for storing bills -- or wicker, fabric and leather boxes to match your decor. 
-- Donna Smallin, author of The One-Minute Organizer: A to Z Storage Solutions
 
from www.bhg.com

Accent Colors

People always ask me what is the best way to use an accent color. Here is a great example.

From HGTV.com

Quick Tips for Thursday

Kitchen:

• Countertops should only hold items you use on a daily basis.
• Use drawer dividers to keep items such as silverware organized.
• Make sure that all personal items are taken away by dinnertime. That way your kitchen will be clear of personal clutter.
• Store items as close as possible to where you will use them. 

Holiday Guest Behavior Guide

Do you have guests coming for Christmas?

Are you going to someone's house for the holidays?

Here is a great guide I found!

Holiday Guest Behavior Guide

Cookie Swap

Cookie Swap!

Who doesn’t love cookies?

Making an assortment of holiday cookies doesn't have to mean countless days of rolling, baking, and decorating. 

Why not bake several batches of one kind, so you can trade with a few friends? You can even go to a bakery at your local grocery store if you are not the baking kind. That's the idea behind our cookie-swap party. 

Invite guests to join you for this festive gathering, and ask them to bring their favorite cookies. By the end of the party, each guest will end up with a delightful mix of cookies and will welcome the beginning of a very sweet tradition.

Great idea for a "lost" corner.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Why use a home stager?

While agents are experts in the field of selling and closing, many are not design savvy.  Agents usually know exactly what factors can help sell a home. It’s just not always easy to get a home into selling condition in a timely manner without some sort of experienced assistance.

Professional home stagers are practiced in the art of preparing a home for resale. They work with the “flow” of a home, eliminate clutter, edit and arrange furniture, and even assist in enhancing curb-appeal.  With the aid of a professional home stager, your house can make a notable first impression on potential homebuyers.

As the real estate industry often stresses, the first impression is the key factor in selling your home.

A potential buyer has made up their mind ten seconds after they step in the front door. 

They started forming their opinion as the were pulling in the driveway.  

Utilize a home stager to enhance your real estate agent's hard work in order to sell your house quickly and for the highest amount possible.