The Secret To Selling Your Home Faster Than The Competition
Filed under: Archives, At Home, Home Improvement, Selling A Home
If you are trying to sell your home fast, you may need to invest some money and time prior to putting it on the market.
The latest “secret” to selling a home faster, is called home staging. Home staging could be compared to making your home look like a model home.
In times when the real estate market is slow, staging may not equate to extra dollars, however, a quick sale is often what sellers need.
Earlier I wrote an article about how to stage your home. Here is a link to that article:.How to Stage A Home For Sale
With home staging, you must get creative and show potential buyers how spaces can be used. Spaces must be defined.
A junk room, is not a space, nor is a garage that is filled with boxes, sports equipment, and miscellaneous stuff.
Turn that junk room into a bedroom or home office.
Clean out that garage, so buyers can envision parking their car in it.
Nothing will turn off a buyer faster than massive junk, dirty kitchens and bathrooms, or clutter.
Do not assume that they can “see past it”. Most can’t.
When buyers see uncleanliness, they may also assume routine home maintenance has also been neglected.
It’s not uncommon for a buyer to tell their Realtor “I’ve seen enough”, and move on to the next property.
Many individuals are not creative with space planning.
It becomes your mission to give buyers ideas. Now is the time to dredge up those creative juices and turn your home into an oasis for family time and relaxation.
Let buyers envision living in your home, sitting in a nook with a good book, eating at a small cafe table on the patio, or relaxing on a rocking chair on the porch.
Here’s a short list of simple ideas that can be used for home staging:
1) Use an upholstered chair, small table, and lamp for a reading area. Place an open book on the table, with a pair of glasses sitting on top of it
2) Get a pretty throw to lay across the corner of a bed.
3) Use a small cafe table and two chairs to create either an indoor or outdoor intimate eating area. Set the table with pretty linens, dishes, and maybe a vase of flowers
4) Use a vase of fresh flowers on an end table, sofa table, or bedside table
5) Place a large bowls of lemons, limes, oranges or apples on the kitchen counter or table
6) If you are short of artwork, find pretty pictures in books, tear/cut them out, and frame and mat them.
8.) Candles are an inexpensive decorating item. Simple white candles, of different heights, grouped together on a charger, with some rocks, makes a very pretty accessory.
9) Remember to keep things to a minimum. The less furniture and/or clutter your home has, the larger it will look.
Concentrate on boxing up excess items. Or, this may be a great time for a garage or yard sale.
10) In the kitchen, keep clutter and appliances off of the counter tops. Many home stagers suggest to only have one appliance on the counter top.
11) Wall mirrors (those attached to the walls) are now “dating” a home. Consider removing them.
12) Remember, buyers do not want to look at your home, and start making a list of projects they will have to do. This can turn off some buyers, and/or encourage a buyer to offer a lower price.
If your goal is sell your home fast, now is the time to complete those unfinished household projects, clean your house from top to bottom, and get busy staging your home.
Tags: clutter, home maintenance, home staging, junk room, look like a model, model home, Selling A Home, space planningProduct Review – Cuddl Duds
Filed under: Archives, At Home, For Women, Product Reviews
Years ago, I was introduced to Cuddl Duds (pronounced: cuddle duds) by a family member.
Although I don’t get cold too easily, I have been turning to my Cuddl Duds when the temperatures dip to below freezing.
Cuddl Duds, could be classified as women’s ” long underwear’, or “long johns”. The company calls them “warm wear”.
I own several long sleeve tops and full length pants. For a outing, on a cold evening, I will often wear my Cuddl Duds under a pair of jeans and sweater.
They provide just the right amount of protection from the elements.
Cuddl Duds are also so pretty and versatile, they can be worn as pajamas, or as casual lounge wear.
To find a store, in your area, that sells Cuddl Duds, just click on this Cuddl Duds link, and enter your zip code.
I find them at our local JC Penney department store. Recently, I noticed that Macy’s is beginning to carry them also.
They are located in the lingerie department.
If you are a woman, looking for long underwear, Cuddl Duds is a perfect choice.
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Stop Memory Foam Mattress Pad From Sliding Off Bed
Over a year ago we bought a memory foam mattress pad from Costco.
I love how it adds a little bit of softness to the bed, and appears to have helped to relieve my occasional hip joint pain.
Although I love the benefits the memory foam mattress pad provides, the one thing I didn’t like, was the fact that it kept sliding toward the foot of the bed.
Every few days, I was having to readjust the memory foam mattress pad, by pulling it up toward the head of the bed.
I knew there had to be an easy way to keep it secure, but the methodology escaped me.
Then….a light bulb went off.
Since I had been using non skid rug pads under my areas rugs to prevent slippage, I decided to try a piece under the memory foam mattress pad.
It worked!
Now my memory foam mattress pad stay put.
How easy is that? 
Nate Burkus Shares Seven Decorating Tips With Oprah
Today, January 10, 2008, on Oprah, Nate Burkus was one of the guests. (I think it was a rerun)
Nate shared with Oprah and the audience, seven tips for decorating your space.
They are:
1) Use lamps instead of overhead lighting. Find ones that compliment your style
2) Utilize nontraditional items as wall art.
3) Nate says that every room needs a piece of sea art. Think seashells, coral, etc…
4) Add one unusual chair. It does not have to match the other furnishings
5) Frame notes or thank yous you receive from friends and family. In a pretty frame, they look great.
6) Decorate with your favorite books. Placing them on your coffee or end table, may be inspired to relax and read.
7) Personalize your space. Include items your love or have picked up while on vacation.
Make your space your own. Although many magazines show beautiful pictures of glamorous rooms, remember, those were done by an interior designer. Although those photos are great for inspiration, show your individuality in your home.
Enjoy decorating. Visit Oprah’s website for more tips and ideas from Nate Burkus.
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Fat Free, Sugar Free, Sweet Diet Snack
Filed under: Archives, Cooking, Diet & Health, Food Items
If you are dieting, you may be craving something sweet. Or, maybe you are craving chocolate?
Are you looking for a sweet snack that will only add approximately 100 calories to your daily intake?
If so, I have a treat, just for you.
It is Jell-O sugar free, fat free, instant pudding.
When mixed with fat free milk, one serving (approximately 1/2 cup) has 80 calories.
By using the “5 minute pudding directions”, in no time, you can be enjoying a sweet and creamy, fat free, sugar free snack.
To make the pudding in 5 minutes, all you do is beat one small package (1.4 oz.) of the instant pudding, into two cups of cold, fat free (skim) milk.
Whisk for approximately two minutes, or until the pudding begins to thicken.
Pour into serving dishes, and ENJOY!
By adding a dollop (2 tablespoons) of Cool Whip “Free”, you can add more flavor, however, you will also be adding an additional 25 calories.
I like to make the Jell-O instant pudding, and store the left over portions in the refrigerator. If I start getting a little hungry, or am craving something sweet, it’s already made, so I avoid making a poor choice. If you cover the bowls with plastic wrap, they can be stored in the refrigerator for approximately two days.
The Jell-O instant pudding is also available in vanilla, banana cream (great with sliced bananas), butterscotch, cheesecake, chocolate fudge, pistachio, and white chocolate.
For more great recipes from Jell-O, go to Kraft Foods.com/jello.
No tags for this post.Pet Hair Removal – Easy As 1 -2 -3
Do you have a dog and/or cat, and find they are shedding on your furniture, or in your car?
Are you embarrassed when someone gets up, off of your couch, and their backside is covered in your pet’s hair. Should you tell them?
Have you gotten out of your car, only to find that there is more pet hair on your coat, than you have on your head?
These are common problems for anyone who has pets.
We love our pets, but we certainly don’t like the shedding hair.
The easiest, least expensive (call it free), way, I have found to remove pet hair, is with a wet washcloth, or terry towel.
1) Wet a wash cloth or towel. An old towel works great for this.
2) Wring out the excess water.
3) Wipe the furniture, or your car seat with the damp towel.
The hair sticks to the towel, and can easily be collected, and thrown away.
In the process of removing the pet hair, you will also remove dust and dirt that may have accumulated on your furniture or car seat.
When you have removed all of the pet hair, collect the hair from the towel, shake the towel to remove the rest, and wash it for future use.
Prior to trying this pet hair removal method, test it on an inconspicuous spot, as all fabrics may not tolerate getting damp.
No tags for this post.Oprah Is Going Green
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Going Green, Recycling
Today, January 4, 2008, Oprah’s show was all about going green.
Oprah and her guests, suggested the following ways to go green:
1) Get yourself a reusable shopping bag, and use that instead of “paper or plastic”
2) Use your own organic cotton produce bag, when buying fruits and vegetables
3) Use a reusable water bottle, instead of buying bottled water
4) Use bio diesel for diesel powered vehicles
5) Use less paper napkins. Switch to cloth ones at home.
6) Avoid the use of toxic chemicals in your home or business
7) Run your dishwasher full, avoid wasting water
8.) Donate old clothes to charity
9) Buy from resale shops
10) Use power strips on your TV and computer. Turn the power strip off when your TV and/or computer are not in use
11) Change your light bulbs, and use the compact fluorescents
12) Recycle as much as you can…paper, plastics, glass, etc
13) Take shorter showers
14) For junk mail reduction, check with Green Dimes.com
15) To find out what can be recycled in your area, check with Earth 911.org
Want to read more about recycling, check out the following articles:
Going Green May Mean Big Bucks
Recycling May Slow Down Global Warming
My Recycling Category is filled with more great ways to recycle and go green, just like Oprah.
Tags: oprahHelp For Parents – Overweight Teenagers
Filed under: Archives, At Home, Diet & Health, Parenting, Weight Issues
If you are a parent with an overweight teenager(s), it’s not easy to know how to find help.
But with obesity in teens rising, helping a child to lose excess weight, becomes essential to their health.
We often leave teens home alone, assuming they will make good choices. And, oftentimes, they do great. They have their chores and homework done, and may have also surprised you by cleaning the bathroom.
But, what food choices are they making?
If your refrigerator and pantry are stocked with fattening foods, those are likely the first things your teenager will grab. After all, they do taste the best. But, if you have made a concentrated effort to have fruits and vegetables available (cut up in containers), your teen may reach for those instead.
A child’s food choices do begin at home. Unfortunately, any parent who has a child who is beginning to gain weight, must first take stock of their own eating habits. We must also take an inventory of what foods we are keeping in our refrigerator and pantry. We are the ones who bring this food into the home. We need to take responsibility.
Children are often brought up is a situation, where they are “awarded” with food. They cry or whine, and we take them to their favorite fast food restaurant. Or maybe we offer them a cookie. After all, we want them to quiet down, so we use whatever tactic that works. But, without realizing it, we are “programing” them. Soon, food equates to comfort. Hence “comfort foods”. As adults, we can list our comfort foods, too. Mine is ice cream.
Teenagers often frequent fast food restaurants, or the food court, at a mall. These places become their “hang out”. More than likely, if they have money, they will make a poor food choice. If they were to order an alternative low fat item, they may be teased. They don’t want that…so peer pressure steps in. However, a teen who has higher self esteem, won’t care what the other think.
As parents, we may also stock the refrigerator with sugar ladened sodas. They are pre-made, cheap (especially the store brands), and they are portion controlled. In addition to that, they are packaged in a disposable (recyclable) container. No extra glasses to wash. But, they are also full of sugar. One soda has over 100 calories.
We know fresh fruits and vegetables are a better choice than chips, pretzels, candy bars, etc, but we don’t have time to cut up fresh vegetables, nor we we like the fact that the fresh fruit we buy, often gets thrown away because it doesn’t get eaten. Packaged snacks have a shelf life of months. If eaten out of the bag, there’s no extra dishes to clean.
Whole wheat bread is a much better choice for sandwiches, however, it is a more dense product. It seems to dry out faster, and often turns moldy. The white bread with all of it’s preservatives, seems to last much longer, and is more appealing. And….a young child who doesn’t have all of their teeth, would probably have a problem with dense whole wheat bread.
Eating steamed, broiled or baked recipes, is much better for all of us, but the prep time is longer, and you have to be “tied to the stove”, so they don’t get overdone. Our time becomes too valuable, so we take short cuts.
We also give our children too many choices. Instead of saying “do you want water or milk?”, we say, “What do you want to drink?’ Of course the child is going to say “a cola”.
In this day and age where both parents are holding down full time jobs, or children are being raised in by a single parent, children are often left alone to make their own choices.
As parents, we can help our overweight teens by spending time with them, watching a show like NBC’s The Biggest Loser. Without having to nag at a teenage to “watch what they put in their mouth”, this type of show will show them how hard it is to lose weight as they get older. It may also inspire your teen to spend more time exercising, as well as encourage them to eat more healthy.
When a teenager is ready to deal with the issue of being overweight, make an appointment with your family doctor. They will undoubtedly have several eating/diet plans that will work well for your overweight teenager(s).
To read more about obesity in teens, read a previous article of mine, titled: Overweight Teens – An Increasing Problem
No tags for this post.Dr. Oz Lists Five Foods To Avoid
Filed under: Archives, At Work, Diet & Health, Saving Money, Weight Issues
If you have watched Oprah, Dr. Oz is often the guest.
When talking about diet issues, Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen have often spoken of five food “groups” to avoid.
They are:
1) Hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil and/or trans fats
- Image via Wikipedia
2) Sugar
3) High fructose corn syrup
4) Enriched flour
5) Saturated fat
Often, you will hear some of these called “white foods”.
White foods have all of the nutrients and fiber stripped from them.
By reading labels, and making a conscientious effort to avoid these five ingredients, you will become a more informed consumer.
By reincorporating “whole foods” back into your diet, weight loss may result.
It is often written, to “shop the outer aisles of the grocery store”. That is where you will often find fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains.
Do you want more information about Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen? Check out their Real Age website, their book, The Real Age Diet or read more on Oprah.com
Update: Dr. Mehmet Oz now has his own TV show, named Dr. Oz
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Easy Trip Planning – Find The Best Deals
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Saving Money, Travel
If you travel, or are planning a vacation, finding the best airfare and/or hotel deals can take lots of work. You may check with your favorite airline, or decide to use Orbitz, Travelocity, Cheap Flights, or another travel site.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a free, one stop shopping site, for trips and vacations?
A search engine, for travelers?
A search engine that would provide comparisons between airlines, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and/or vacation packages?
Well, now there is.
Actually there are two.
1) Kayak.com
2) Sidestep.com
Both of this sites offer that one stop shopping (searching multiple sites) you may be looking for.
All you do is, enter your trip information, and these sites do the rest of the work for you.
They scan hundreds of sites, and give you dozens of results to choose from.
They both offer side by side comparisons, and provide a link to the specified site.
Keep in mind, these sites are not “resellers”, or online “travel agencies”.
I checked out both sites.
I input the same flight information into both sites, and both basically gave me the same results.
Whether you use one or the other, becomes a personal preference.
Check out both, and add them to your “favorites”.
In the future, when you are planning a trip, you are just one click away from all of the best deals and travel information you will need.
No tags for this post.Life Saving Tips
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