Does Your Entrance Say Welcome or Walk Away?

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From the moment a potential buyer steps through the threshold of your home, they’ve got a pretty good idea of what’s inside. From the grass lawn care, to the paint on the door, to the smell of fresh cut flowers in the foyer – everything adds up. With a little effort, you can create a home viewing experience buyers won’t soon forget.

It’s all about the entrance
To a buyer, little things go a long way. Adding a dash of color to the front door, replacing the hall mat, baking before an open house and making sure the floor, walls and mirrors are spotless will all ensure your home gets off on the right foot with potential buyers.

Every room counts
When you walk into your home, you can probably see more than just the entranceway. If you have an airy and open space, consider adding common elements that will draw the viewer’s attention from one room to the next – a great way to give your home added continuity.

Clear the clutter
Coat racks are a staple in most homes. Doesn’t mean you want to show yours off during an open house. To add size to the front area, lose the hats, shoes, coats and jackets. For furniture, make sure it fits in the space and is more than a great aid for tying hard-to-reach shoelaces.

Make flooring your forte
Is the laminate in your 70-year-old bungalow a turn-off? Sellers should strive to make the entrance as welcoming as possible–that includes getting rid of any flooring or materials that dramatically dates your décor. Before listing a property, you should consider making some minor remodel upgrades. Because the front hall is normally a smaller space, it may be a good place to invest some extra effort and give it a more modern appeal.

Get a handle on it
What's the first thing people touch when walking into your home? If your door handle is in need of a polish or needs to be changed, it may be worth hiring a handyman to install a quality piece of hardware. If the door jams or squeaks, give it some TLC before you throw the welcome sign on the front lawn. There is nothing more embarrassing than a home in disrepair.

Mirrors and artwork
If the entrance is small, a mirror can create a trick of the eye and expand the space. A powerful piece of contemporary art can also create a memorable entrance for a purchaser. Whichever you choose, remember the first impression is the one that lasts. Take the time to ensure that every potential homebuyer feels welcomed when walking in.

via bhgrealestate

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Garage Re-haul

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In so many homes, the garage is a cluttered dumping ground where you stick things that don’t otherwise seem to have a place to live. Sometimes, this is so much the case that there’s not even room to park your car. Sound familiar? If so, now might be the perfect time to transform your garage into a useful work and storage space. Doing so can add significant value to your home in the eyes of potential buyers. Best of all, a garage re-haul project doesn’t have to involve a huge investment of either time or money.

Out with the Old
It may sound tedious and labor intensive, but the best way to tackle a cluttered garage is by hauling everything out to the driveway where you can sort and organize it. In the bright light of day, it will be easy to see what holds value and what needs to get chucked. Fortunately, once it’s in the driveway, it’s that much easier to send unneeded items on their way to the trash or the Salvation Army.

Once you’ve cleared away what you don’t need, sort what remains by function. Tools with tools, sports equipment with sports equipment – you get the idea. Doing so will help you get a handle on what you have and help you think through how best to store it in an orderly fashion.

In with the Organization
Now that you can clearly see what really belongs in the garage, you can start to think about how best to make it all fit. The next order of the day is to consider what type of storage system or systems will keep things organized and accessible. You can choose from cabinets, shelves or wall-mounted racks – and you can go with a pre-fabricated mix-and-match modular system or you can build your own from scratch.

Cabinets and drawers, among the more expensive solutions you might consider, offer protection from dust and moisture and hide clutter from sight. Shelves, a cheaper option, are efficient uses of space that keep items visible, making them easy to locate and access. Wall-mounted racks are among the most affordable systems you might install, great for hanging tools and other equipment. The right solution for your garage will depend on your individual needs and budget – and it may be that a combination of storage types works best. Also keep in mind that plastic storage bins or containers can provide protection from dust and moisture for items that require it if you don’t include cabinets or drawers as part of your overall mix.

Remember to Look Up
In the garage especially, don’t forget the ceiling as you are taking inventory of your available storage space. Hooks can be a great way to store bikes and other unwieldy items, off the floor and out of the way but easy to get down when you need them. Standard wire shelving installed overhead between ceiling joists can also provide a valuable place to stash items that you need less frequently – such as seasonal sports equipment or holiday decorations. Ladders, too, can be kept out of sight and out of the way on hooks suspended from the ceiling. Obviously, if you have an automatic garage door that opens into the garage overhead, make sure to avoid installing any ceiling storage that might impede it.

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Seven Steps to a Like-New Kitchen

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More than any other room in the home, the kitchen can be the deciding factor that sways a potential buyer toward – or away from – a purchase. With this in mind, most experts agree that even if you aren’t planning pre-sale updates anywhere else, the kitchen is the place to make them. But if a move is nowhere in your immediate future, improvements to your kitchen still almost always add directly to the eventual resale value of your home.

Sounds good, but what if your budget doesn’t allow for a wholesale remodel complete with new granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances? Fortunately, there are a slew of more nuanced alterations you can make – including many you can make yourself – that can add beauty and functionality to your kitchen without leaving your wallet significantly lighter.

Clear the Counters
Clearing clutter as a general rule is one of the best places to start whenever you’re thinking of showing your home. Perhaps nowhere is this more important than in the kitchen.

You may be a gadget guru with countertop appliances for everything from juicing beets to mixing margaritas, but your first order of business should be to put those appliances away. Where you see prized possessions, others just see crowded countertops. Keep gadgets to a minimum – a toaster and coffeemaker, perhaps – and show off sparkling, clutter-free countertops instead. Doing so can help even cramped kitchens feel spacious.

Quick Cabinet Overhauls
Rather than replacing cabinets, which can be an expensive and labor-intensive project, consider ways to refurbish those you have. Depending on their finish and its relative wear, you might consider a simple paint job. With a fresh coat of paint and new knobs and handles, old cabinets get an instant injection of new life.

A slightly more complicated and expensive job, but still a savings over installing all new cabinets, involves replacing the existing doors and drawer fronts. This is a good alternative to consider when these outward facing parts of the cabinet show significant wear but the interiors are still in good shape.

In either case, also take the time to clean and reline the interior shelves and drawers. Inexpensive contact paper can leave cabinet interiors looking fresh and updated in no time.

Everything but the Kitchen Sink? Think Again
In fact, replacing the kitchen sink is a great way to add major bang for the buck. Compared to appliances like a range or refrigerator, you can swap out your stained or damaged sink and faucet with a new stainless steel model for about $300. For a little extra, consider splurging on a double-bowl or deeper-bowl model, either of which provides more work area for bigger jobs. (Bear in mind that these options may involve more refitting of your existing counter space.)

In terms of a faucet, you can feel good investing in a solid middle-of-the-road model and saving the hundreds of dollars you could spend on a top-of-the-line designer number. For all intensive purposes, these more expensive options don’t really clean dishes any better, and cheaper models incorporate an increasing degree of style and design sense themselves.

Organize, Organize, Organize
What potential homebuyers don’t want to imagine their new kitchen as the paragon of order and organization? Help them do so by bringing order and organization to yours. Even if you’ve been perfectly content for years with cabinets overflowing with unidentified bags and containers of this and that, take time now to assign a proper place for everything and put everything in that place. Clean and ordered jars that showcase grains and pasta, an alphabetized spice rack, drawers of utensils sorted and stacked by function – you’ve seen it on television cooking shows. It won’t take as long as you think, it might actually make your life easier, and it will impress and attract potential buyers.

Window Dressing
It doesn’t get much easier than this: Swap out tired, worn curtains, kitchen towels, and pot holders with a fresh set in an updated whimsical print or a solid accent color that adds vitality to the room as a whole. It’s an instant, effortless injection of style.

Set the Table
If yours is an eat-in kitchen, take the time to set the table. An attractive tablecloth or placemats can add another dash of accent color, and a nice set of dishes arranged with a little flair can help give the room a pleasant lived-in feel. Other ideas include putting out a bowl of fresh fruit, coordinating candlesticks and salt and pepper shakers, or a couple of recent cooking magazines in an attractive rack or basket. Again – a little bit of effort here can go a long way toward setting the stage.

The Nose Knows
This tried-and-true real estate trick may seem like low-hanging fruit, but what’s wrong with that? If you know your house is scheduled to be shown, bake a batch of homemade cookies – or throw a frozen apple pie in the oven to thaw. Scent is one of our most powerful senses, and the smell of something wonderful cooking in your kitchen will make everyone feel instantly at home. Just be sure not to burn anything!

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12 Ways to Paint Like a Pro

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Painting a room can be fun, but before you take a dip, get to know your paint, brush-up on needed tools and supplies, and plan for quitting time.  These easy tips will get you through the painting process. A simple paintjob can add new life to your home and increase your home’s selling value significantly.  

Pick the proper paint

Flat paint is the dullest of the sheens and should be used in low-activity areas, such as hallways, living and dining rooms, bedrooms, and on ceilings. For concealing wall imperfections a flat finish is best.

Eggshell paint has a bit more shine to it than flat. It is also known as satin or low-luster. It is highly desirable in kids' rooms, where easy-to-clean walls are wanted.

Semigloss  paint is great for kitchens and bathrooms where moisture and cleanup are major considerations. Semigloss has even more shine and reflective qualities than eggshell paint.

Gloss  paint is just that: glossy. Because of its high-shine factor, it is best used on small areas such as cabinet doors or trim. It should be limited to high-traffic areas because it highlights imperfections more than a lower-sheen paint.

Brushing Up

1. Brush Basics  Your brush options fall into two main categories: natural bristles and synthetic bristles. Use only synthetic-bristle brushes with latex paint. For oil-base paint, use either natural- or synthetic-bristle brushes. Brushes come in many shapes and sizes. Wall brushes (3 to 4 inches wide) will get the job done on large, flat expanses. Sash brushes are angled and usually 1-1/2 inches wide, making them ideal for detailed areas, such as the mullions on a window. Trim brushes have a 3-inch-wide straight edge that will serve you well as you cover doors and window frames. If a brush is tapered at the tip, it will hold more paint than a flat-end brush.

2. Roller Rules  For paint rollers, follow the same rule as for brushes: Use only synthetic rollers for latex paint and either synthetic or natural rollers for oil-base paint. Another roller rule of thumb: The rougher the surface you're painting, the longer the roller nap should be. To test a roller's quality, squeeze it around the middle with your hand. It should return to its original shape quickly. If it doesn't, invest in a better roller. 

3. Tape Talk  Buy plenty of tape for your paint job. You'll want to tape off baseboards, moldings, windowpanes, and doorknobs -- anything you don't want to get paint on. Look for masking tape or painter's tape, which is a little more expensive but has a low tack, making it easier to peel off. Some rolls have a short piece of paper sheeting attached along one edge for extra protection. To avoid pulling up the new paint as you remove the tape, get out a hair dryer and give the length of tape a quick shot of air as you lift it: The heat will help prevent the tape from sticking to the finish underneath.

4. Drip Tip  After you've pried the lid off the paint can, but before you start to paint, grab a hammer and tap a nail into the can's interior rim, creating a hole. Remove the nail. Now when you dip your brush into the paint and drag it across the edge of the can, the excess paint will go back into the can instead of building up in the rim and flowing over the edge.

During the Job

5. Where to Start  To paint a wall, start with the edges, then fill in the center area. Because there could be variations between batches of paint, avoid starting with a new can of paint in the middle of a wall. Even a slight variation would be noticeable there.

6. Getting an Even Coat  If you start brushing on the color and notice an uneven distribution of the paint, try this trick used by professional painters: Decant some paint into a new, smaller paint can (available at hardware stores and home centers). Clip a bit of a wire coat hanger and bend it across the top of the small paint can. Secure the wire by twisting the ends into the rim or wrapping them around the handle. Then, after you dip your brush into the paint, gently wipe the excess off along the wire instead of along the can's curved rim. Your brush will carry an even amount of color across the width of the brush, and you'll get more even results on the wall.

7. Handy Helpers  Keep a clean rag handy to wipe up any drips or spills. Have a stash of inexpensive disposable foam brushes, too, for quick touch-ups. But don't be tempted to use them for the long haul; the foam will start to disintegrate and leave a mess on your wall along with the paint.

8. Be Patient  When applying multiple coats of paint, allow the walls to dry to the touch between applications. Premature brushing of the second coat can ruin the job by pulling up the first coat of paint.

Easier Cleanup

9. Quittin' Time  When you take a break or stop for the day, don't break your back trying to clean your brushes. Simply wrap wet brushes in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, take your break, then start where you left off. If you're quitting for the night, wrap the brushes and set them in the freezer. They'll keep until morning, and you won't have to waste time washing them out until the job is complete.

10. Brush Basics, Part 2  Soaking a brush makes it easier to clean. Drill a small hole near the metal band of your brush, then slide a large nail into the hole. Hang the brush over the top of a canning jar or small coffee can, and fill the jar or can with enough water or paint solvent to cover the bristles. After it soaks for a while, take it out and clean it. Once it's thoroughly cleaned, suspend it in the jar or can minus the water or solvent, and the bristles will dry straight. 

11. Roller Rules, Part 2  If you're using a roller and tray for your paint job, spend an extra 50 cents on a tray liner. You'll save the time and trouble of rinsing and cleaning out the metal tray. Tray liners are available anywhere you buy paint supplies. Or make your own by lining the tray with aluminum foil before pouring in the paint. When the job's finished, carefully peel out the foil and toss.

12. Don't Touch  Believe it or not, the curing process for a fresh coat of paint takes 30 days. Don't plan on washing your newly painted masterpiece for about a month. 

via bhgrealestate

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10 Decorating Tips for a Stress-Free Home

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Here's a good reason to do some low-cost redecorating: The choices you make can result in enhanced mood, less stress, and better sleep. To turn your space into a healing haven, follow these easy 10 decorating tips for a stress-free home. 

IN THE ENTRYWAY 

1. Create a feel-good focal point. The first thing you see when you enter your home should be something you love, whether that's a piece of art, a vase of flowers, or a special souvenir, says Stephanie Roberts, author of Fast Feng Shui: 9 Simple Principles for Transforming Your Life by Energizing Your Home. "A beautiful first impression helps you relax from the get-go." 

2. Organize daily debris. If you see old newspapers on the floor and bags of Goodwill donations waiting to be dropped off, you're going to think obligation, not relaxation. "Piles of stuff at your entryway send the message that there's more mess and chaos inside, and who wants to walk into that?" Roberts says. "Have a designated place for every item that enters and exits your house," recommends Paige Rien, an interior designer in New Jersey appearing on HGTV's Hidden Potential. She suggests placing a couple of chic containers near the front door, one for outgoing items and one for incoming things. 

IN THE LIVING ROOM 

3. Create space. "Our anxiety builds in small spaces if there's too much stuff," says Rien. To reduce the clutter and make the room feel larger, ask yourself if you really need all those end tables or picture frames, and cut anything deemed nonessential. Consider painting a table or bookshelf the same color (or a similar one) as the wall it's up against, so it "disappears" into it. Painting walls white or a light color will also make a smaller room feel more spacious. 

4. Light up locations, not whole rooms. "Bright overhead light can make it difficult to wind down at the end of the day. Think about how a casino's lights keep you revved up," says Katherine Grace Morris, PhD, a psychologist in Maryland who specializes in making over people's home and work environments. Use spot lighting for areas where you need brightness, such as next to the sofa where you read, and put overhead lights on dimmers. Also, switch to full-spectrum bulbs, which mimic natural light better than standard ones do. "They cost a bit more, but they're worth it because they create a more soothing natural atmosphere," says Dr. Morris.  

5. Create pedestrian-friendly paths. "If you can barely get into a chair without banging your leg on the coffee table, or if the path from the sofa to the door is cramped, rearrange your furniture," says Roberts. "Not being able to safely and easily move about produces anxiety--not to mention an easy way to trip or stub a toe." 

6. Simplify your color scheme. Use restraint with patterns and loud colors. If you mix patterns, keep their color schemes similar, and if you like lots of colors, keep patterns to a minimum. "If you have too many bright colors or high-contrast patterns in a room, your eyes are going to be drawn all over the place, making it difficult to relax," says Dr. Morris. Simple designs and colors, on the other hand, are soothing. "The less-is-more rule applies to shelves and tabletops too," adds Rien. "Don't fill them just because they're there. Instead, display just a few pieces that are meaningful." 

7. Bring the outdoors in. Being surrounded by natural elements encourages friendlier interactions with others, found a University of Rochester study. For a more peaceful home, bring in a couple of houseplants or hang a mirror across from your largest window to maximize outdoor vantage points. If your view includes more buildings than trees, hang landscape photographs on the walls, says Roberts. 

IN THE BEDROOM 

8. Use soothing hues. "Generally, we find cool shades of blue and green and neutral earth tones to be relaxing because they remind us of nature," says color expert Leatrice Eiseman, author of Color: Messages and Meanings. If you're not ready to commit to new paint, incorporate a few accessories, such as throw pillows, a quilt, or lamp shades, in calming colors. 

9. Switch off electronics. To rest easier, remove all televisions and computers from your bedroom. The light emitted by these devices signals the brain to stay awake, interfering with a good night's sleep and leaving you with elevated levels of stress hormones in the morning. If you must keep these gadgets where you sleep, Rien recommends placing the TV in a cabinet and putting a screen between your bed and the computer. 

10. Bring your fantasy to life. Think about what paradise looks like to you. If it's a tropical island, add sand and sea shades and tropical touches, such as wicker side tables or a sea grass rug. Prefer a mountain cabin or country home? Then add colors, textures, and accessories to your bedroom decor that call those settings to mind. "Design is highly individual, so mine your past experiences and flip through design magazines to identify what elements make a room feel relaxing to you," says Rien. 

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