Category: Staging & Decorating

If your resolution this year is to get organized, avoid these common mistakes. You’ll be more efficient and less stressed by maintaining order in your home.

Mistake #1 Confusing Neat with Organized

Having piles neatly lined up on the counter unfortunately doesn’t mean you are organized. If your flat surfaces seem to constantly be filling with clutter, designate a spot in your home for each item. Soon you’ll start to notice the piles will appear less frequently.

Mistake #2 Using the Fridge as a Message Center

It may seem like the central hub of your house, but everyone goes to the fridge for food not information. Homes need a place where everyone goes for messages. Instead of cluttering your fridge with notes, messages and reminders, create a bulletin board where everyone knows they can find any updates they need.

Mistake #3 Too Many Storage Bins

Having too much storage is actually an issue, especially if you aren’t using it efficiently. You may be replacing your clutter with larger and boxier clutter by adding so much storage. Instead, consider reorganizing the storage you currently have. If you can take the storage bins you have and organize them in a closet or cabinet, you’ll be able to utilize all of your storage effectively.

Home buyers love a beautiful, relaxing bathroom reminiscent of a spa. Mel Foster Co. offers five tips to help you create a beautiful bathroom to attract buyers willing to pay a premium for a gorgeous bathroom.

1. Create a Blank Canvas.

Start by removing all clutter from the bathroom. Buyers don’t want to see your soaps, hygiene products or medicines. Create an environment where potential buyers can imagine the possibilities of their own personalization.

2. Clean Extensively.

Once all clutter is removed, clean everything. Every surface from floor to ceiling should be sparkling new looking and fresh smelling. Buyers will pay top dollar for a bathroom that is well maintained and move-in ready. Once you’re finished cleaning, be sure to remove all cleaning supplies or tuck the bottles away in the linen closet or below the sink.

3. Add Minor Upgrades.

Small upgrades add significant value to your home, especially in the bathroom. Repainting walls, updating the sink faucet and cabinet handles or installing new light fixtures are all inexpensive changes to modernize your bathroom. Stick with classics like stainless steel finishes to create a timeless style to appeal to the majority of buyers.

4. Replace Towels and Curtains.

Purchasing new towels and shower curtains gives the bathroom a fresh look. White is a great neutral color, providing a fresh and clean finish. Only use your new linens for display so you’ll have an easier time preparing for showings and open-houses.

5. Add Simple Accessories.

Don’t be afraid to add some accent colors to your bathroom. Including plants or matching set pieces can personalize your bathroom without making buyers feeling like they’re intruding. Don’t go overboard though, one or two items will be enough for most bathrooms.

Ask your agent about other staging ideas to bring top dollar for your home.

A man cave should be a place for a stay at home vacation. It’s an exciting project to begin, here are ideas to help start creating your own personal paradise.

Personalize with Your Preferences

Your man cave is a reflection of yourself. Your hobbies and interests should be represented and on display for everyone to see. Adding jerseys from your favorite athletes, LED signs from your favorite drink and collectible posters gives you an idea of how the room will look and present possible themes to match your personality.

Choose a Theme

Don’t have wood paneling on the walls with modern furniture as decoration. Keeping the theme consistent is important. Deciding early on if you want a rustic cabin, a sports shrine or classic retro look will make buying furniture and decorations a breeze. Use decorations you currently have as a starting point for what theme to choose.

Keep a Fully Stocked Bar

If you have the space, adding a bar is an amazing addition to any man cave. Stylize and stock the bar as if you were open for business. Being able to accommodate any order for friends and family will make your bar even more impressive, even if you have to Google the recipe.

Include an Entertainment Center

Another must have for your man cave is a fully equipped entertainment center. Pick out a TV, add surround sound speakers and you have a private movie theatre. If you’re tight on space, mount the TV on the wall. Include sufficient seating as well, you don’t want people standing in front of the TV during the big game.

Add a Game to Play

Including a pool, foosball, or ping pong table adds an exciting feature to your room. Maybe you have a favorite arcade or pinball machine you played when you were younger. Anything you enjoy playing is a perfect novelty item to complete your cave. Even something as easy to install as a dart board is a great way to spend time with friends and get the party started.

If you’re preparing to put your home up for sale, don’t forget about a good cleaning of your home’s exterior. You may not need to hire a professional to pressure wash your siding, deck or fence. It’s a pretty easy DIY project and you may find a neighbor with a pressure washer who is happy to lend you the equipment. 

Here’s what to know before you connect the hose and fire up the air compressor.

What Surfaces Can Handle Being Pressure Washed?

Aluminum, steel, vinyl or wood can be pressure washed. Be certain your house doesn’t have lead paint. The runoff may contain lead and contaminate the soil, or even go into a storm drain polluting local bodies of water. Most houses painted after 1978 no longer used lead based paint.

Preparing to Use a Pressure Washer

When preparing to use the pressure washer, make sure you follow some simple safety steps. Before you start washing, make sure there are no cracks or holes in your siding or deck. The pressure washer may cause additional damage to these areas.

You want to be sure you never point the pressure washer at yourself or anyone else. It can easily cut through skin due to the force of the water. It is recommended to wear eye protection and avoid using a pressure washer if you are on a ladder.

Starting to Clean with the Pressure Washer

Cleaning is very simple. Apply a base layer of water using a standard garden hose to get the siding or deck ready for cleaning. After the siding or deck is wet, make sure the cleaning solution is in the pressure washer, and hook it up to the hose. Most pressure washers activate using a trigger.

If you’re cleaning house siding, you want to begin at the base of the house so there are no streaks running onto a dry part of the siding. Keep the pressure washer about one foot away from the siding and slowly swipe back and forth on each panel. You want to start at the base of the house.

Cleaning a deck or patio follows the same rules, but you start at the inside of the deck so you can push the water and debris off of the deck. You should be able to see the coloring difference as you clean. Keep washing every part of your deck or patio, especially inside cracks so every part looks fresh and clean.