DO IT YOURSELF ARTICLES Courtesy of Home Stages Designs
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DIY Educational Articles
Does Home Staging really sell homes? Home Stages Designs
The answer to that question is quite simple. Yes, home staging does, in fact, sell homes. All statistics show that homes that are well prepared for the market sell at a higher price than homes that are not show ready. Often sellers recieve a higher appraisal on staged homes and multiple offers up front. Does it pay for a seller to go through the work and expense of staging their home prior to the listing? All real estate agents will agree that they show staged homes more often than others as staged homes are ready to go for a buyer.
Staging is the process of preparing the home to enter the marketplace ready for the buyer to purchase and move into immediately. No repairs, painting, carpet cleaning, window washing or landscaping worries. Potential buyers remember the home that is staged well as it will totally appeal to the buyers needs.
Staging a home for the real estate market takes special skill and basically is designing the home to appeal to wide array of buyers. One must think in these terms to stage their home on their own. Of course there are many professional home stagers that one could call on to get the job done for the seller. As a professional stager I do recommend hiring a professional, especially if you need your home to sell quickly.
Home Stages Designs caters to the seller in that we offer training ebooks in staging your own home. Once a seller learns the techniques that we designers use to prepare a home they can then step out on their own and begin the process.
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HOME STAGING ASSISTS LABORING HOUSING MARKET
Submitted Press Release: Home Stages Designs
2008-02-01 23:48:51 - The housing market is looking rather dim for the coming spring and home sellers are looking desperately for avenues in which to sell their homes.
The San Francisco Chronicle stated in an article published in January 2008 that Bay Area median home prices and sales volumes experienced significant declines in December 07 and the price drop was the largest year-over-year decline since February 1993. Homeowners needing a sell are in a downward slope that offers them little hope in the waning current market. Even with
the Fed dropping interest rates houses are languishing on the market at alarming rates.
The Chronicle sites: "The sense of stalemate is reflected in ballooning inventories and the length of time some properties languish on the market. A Zip Realty analysis of MLS data showed that inventory levels in Bay Area counties were up 23 to 99 percent from a year ago. But now that the mortgage market has put the kibosh on many higher-end home sales, the median is sliding. "It seems like home buyers are waiting for the ideal property; something that doesn't need any upgrading."
Now more than ever home sellers need resources that they can turn to and count on to assist them with marketing their home. With the over flooding of existing homes on the market one must concentrate on making sure that their home stands out in the large crowd. To accomplish this they are looking to home enhancer's aka: Home Stagers to prepare their homes to appeal to all tastes within the potential mass of buyers out there. Hiring a professional to come in with an objective view is essential to the home seller. Well-trained professional stagers can transform an ordinary home into a marketable property utilizing their professional talents to enhance a home from the inside out. More and more home sellers are reaching out to home stagers and reaping great rewards for their extra mile in showing their homes to picky potential buyers. Buyers have a multitude of inventory to choose from right now and staging a home prior to listing is one avenue of help.
Home Stages Designs offers many resources for the home seller and the home stager. With a large library of interior design and home staging instruction e-books, products and even Home Staging training one needs to look no further for assistance. Always looking out for the home sellers and home stagers, we can be reached at www.Homestages.com
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Real Estate/ Flipping Homes for Profit Submitted by: Teri Woods/ CEO Home Stages Designs
Flipping homes for immediate profit has become a trend across the country. A few things to consider when purchasing a home to "flip" is to look for homes in a good marketable area. The neighborhood, job market and schools are your top considerations when you need to sell quickly. Make sure that there are no major repairs. Foundation, wiring and plumbing are all pricey and will suck up your profits fast. Go for the more "stable" homes that only need "cosmetic" fixes in order to reap the highest reward.
When you are finished with the repairs and are ready to list the home a MUST DO is to "Stage" the home to appeal to the emotions of potential buyers. Furnishings, art and proper accessorizing will ensure that the home you are selling is welcoming, giving the potential buyer the desire to want to live in that home. It is true that vacant homes sit on the market much longer than furnished homes. You will want your home to have the same "feel" and appearance as a "model home".
There is a special technique in professionally preparing a home to show for the market. You will find the resources that you need to add the final touches to your investment here at www.Homestages.com. If you go the extra mile in showing the house, you will gain top dollar in your profits. Home Stages Designs offers a complete line of ebooks catering to staging homes. We are here to educate you and show you step by step the process so that you can do the job yourself.
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Painting doors
Remove all handles etc before starting and lay newspaper under the door to prevent your brush picking up dust. Wedge the door in an open position to hold it steady while painting.
Many people are confused as to which part of the frame belongs to which room when painting. The answer is that all frame edges up to and including the ones against which the door closes belong to the room into which it opens.
It is generally better to paint the frame before the door. Painting it afterwards will inevitably lead to the brush marking the part dry paint on the door.
If in doubt, let one dry before painting the other.
Door edges must always be painted before the face for the same reason.
When painting the face of a door, work slightly outwards at the edges rather than inwards to avoid what the trade call 'fat edges'.
Flush Doors
Flush doors can be painted using the same system as for wall areas. Note that if you decide to use a roller for speed, the finish will be less smooth than using a brush because the roller leaves a slight orange peel effect. This may be overcome by laying-off each section with a brush once it has been rolled, as you work, but will require some practice.
Paneled doors The sequence for this is very important if a good finish is to be achieved. Lay off each piece along its longest dimension.
Start by painting the mouldings, taking care not to overload them as this will lead to runs. Next, paint the panels themselves. Then the edge of the door.
Follow this by the vertical pieces between the top panels. Then paint the cross rail at the top, the top half of both stiles, the vertical section between the bottom panels, the lock rail, then the bottom rail. Finally, paint the bottom half of the outer vertical pieces.
Take care to blend the joins between sections. You will need to work reasonably quickly to get good results. Experienced painters adopt different techniques but these rely on skill and speed which can only develop with practice. They often paint a paneled door in a very similar way to a flush door.
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Understanding The Color Wheel
Color plays such an important role in our lives, our wardrobe, and our home décor. Whether your home feels cozy, warm, and inviting or sophisticated, cool, and professional depends a lot on the colors you choose. Color is very important to your home décor yet choosing color combinations that work together can be a very intimidating process especially if you are new at home decorating. Start by understanding the color wheel.
Once you understand the color wheel you will find it much easier to decorate your home and obtain the look and feel you want. Why do you think the color wheel is the professional interior designer's most used tool? This simple tool, the color wheel, is probably the most important tool of all.
You will find pure colors on the color wheel like bright red, pure violet, and vibrant orange but chances are these are not colors you are going to want to use or if you do, it will be in very limited quantities. But where are those colors you always find in the home décor magazines? Why are'nt they on the color wheel? Maybe that is why you have never bothered to use a color wheel.
Once you understand how to use the color wheel you will realize that it is the most powerful tool you have and you will quickly become inseparable because within the color wheel are wonderful harmonious colors. You will quickly learn how to build color schemes from scratch or revamp existing ones.
After the primary colors the color wheel is used for creating secondary colors. You will find these secondary colors located above their corresponding primary color. This is called the subtractive process because the secondary color has absorbed color from the first color. When you mix a primary color with another primary color you get a secondary color which is also called complimentary color. So if you mix red and yellow you get orange which is a complimentary or secondary color. If you mix blue and red you get violet which is a complementary color.
The color wheel consists of yet another ring which is found above the secondary colors and is divided into 12 sections. Here you will find the tertiary colors. These are colors that are created by mixing one secondary and one primary color. So, for example, mixing blue and violet gives you blue-violet which is a tertiary color.
If you want your room to feel strong and solid use solid primary colors. Yellow, blue, or red are great choices. You can use them as a pure color or mix with other hues. You can mix all three, use two, or just choose one. They are perfect for any type of room ? modern, traditional, contemporary, or country.
Secondary colors can be tinted with white or black to make them lighter or darker in variation. So if bold green and orange does not work for you, think about using paler shades such as sage and peach. You can quickly create a triadic scheme by using any three colors that are the same distance from each other on the color wheel.
The tertiary colors when combined can provide a sophisticated look. Blue-green, red-orange, blue-purple, or yellow-green are all tertiary colors.
Of course there are others. Use these when you want to create a professional, sophisticated, and serious room. Monochromatic means one color and it can be awfully bland unless you use a subtle variation with it. So for example orange, peach, and coral offer subtle variations within the same family adding life to your room but still staying with a monochromatic room.
Once you understand how the color wheel works and the role that color plays in your home decor you will be decorating like a pro in no time!
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Interior Design / Adding Color to your Interiors
Author: Home Stages Designs
Most of us feel the need to make changes in our home decor as the seasons change, however, fall is the one season where we all have the need to cozy up our interiors for the cooler months ahead. I call it the "nesting" season.
We put away our pool accessories and all related items we so used and needed for the summer and search out our flannel sheets, crock pots and winter sweaters to clean for the months ahead.
Making the transition from summer to fall can be quite easy when you prepare in advance. Just as you store away your summertime luxuries for a cold winter season you can store away some fall decor items to bring out on a whim. Make a list of items that you may need to cozy up your rooms. The key is to purchase items that will make the most contribution without breaking the bank. Warm comforter sets, seasonal dinnerware, earthenware, table lenins and baskets. Think essentials that you will use everyday. New throw pillows for the sofa and chairs in nice earth tones. Pottery to hold this seasons bounty of fruits and vegetables. Baskets for kindling and pinecones. Candles and wool throws. All of these items can easily be stored when spring rolls around. By nature we need these comforts and they truly make a difference in how we feel in our rooms during the cold blustery beautiful season of fall.
An instant make-over is to purchase a sofa cover in a soft color for fall. This will change the entire ambience of your space. You may wish to purchase a set of new drapes or valances just for the fall/winter months that can be easily removed for spring/summer.
Make a list. Bring out what you have had stored and spruce up your interiors for this glorious season. You will surely find that the transition is much smoother and you will actually look forward to the change.
For a variety of instructional interior design ebooks click over to our ebook page. Home Stages Designs, always here to instruct in the fundamentals of Interior Design.
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6 Styling Tips For Your Fresh Cut Flowers!
So your going to bring your grocery store or florist bought flowers home, now what! I have seen many people just plunk them in a vase of water and that's it. At times that will work but here are some simple tips to make you look like you are a pro at it.
1) In a clean vase, take your greens and snip the ends off to the size you want and then start crossing the stems into the vase so that you have stems all around inside the vase. There are two reasons for this. One is because you now have a base for the flower arrangement and two, a criss cross of stems makes it easier for the flowers to remain in position.
2) If you are making a small, low arrangement, slide the flowers into the vase in a criss cross angle so that the stems are laying around the inside of the vase. You should now have a vase with a ring of flowers on the out side rim and stems showing in the middle. (The more stems you have in the vase, the easier it will be for the flowers to stay put!) Each row of flowers will be higher each time you place them into the vase, until you have a nice rounded arrangement.
3) If you are making a tall arrangement, use a tall slim vase. Your flowers will hold up better and will look well proportioned. Wonderful flower choices are gladiolas, blue delphinium, lilies, snapdragons etc.
4) A design mistake I have often seen is placing the flowers in a vase where all of the flowers are perfectly even. The reason this does not work is because it appears unnatural. Take a look at any garden and you will see some blooms are barely peeking out, some are tall and stout and then some are almost hidden in small clumps but still contribute to the overall look. Mimic nature and you can not go wrong!
5) A good rule of thumb in any arrangement is to use an odd numbers of flowers. Using, for example, 3 roses, 3 lilies, 5 gladiola's and perhaps 7 gerber daisies. The use of the "odd number" rule is completely effective in creating a natural yet beautiful centerpiece.
6) The best advice I can give you if you are new at floral design, is to collect pictures of floral arrangements that you love and then try to "mimic" the pictures. Practice makes perfect!
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How To Refinish A Hardwood Floor
Before refinishing hardwood floors, you should first check to make sure they need refinishing in the first place. A good test is to place a drop of water on the wood floor. If the wood absorbs it quickly, you should refinish the floor. If it is absorbed more slowly or not at all, you do not need to refinish the floor right away.
When you inspect the floor, make sure it doesn't need any repairs. Problems to inspect for include warped or squeaking floor boards, badly stained wood, and other permanent damage. If any of these issues are present, you should repair them before refinishing the floor.
Once you've determined that your floor truly needs refinishing but does not require other repairs, you can start your work. First, remove all objects from the room and cover all openings, vents and light fixtures. Sanding is a messy process and you want to protect the room from the inevitable dust.
Initial sanding will be done with a drum sander. The power of this tool can easily damage the wood if you let it stand in one place for more than a few seconds, so keep it moving. Don't rush your job, however. If you have trouble reaching corners with the drum sander, try using an edge sander.
After you finish sanding, clean up the dust and debris. Now, you're ready to stain the floor. There are several kinds of stains available - water based and oil based stains with a variety of appearances. Choose the one that suits your floor best, and follow all instructions given. You should pay special attention to how many coats are needed and how long the stain takes to dry.
Once you have learned how to refinish hardwood floors, you will never need to hire a professional. The process of refinishing hardwood floors is time consuming, but it is worthwhile when your dull and dingy floor is gleaming and shiny. When the stain is dry, congratulations! You have just refinished your floor yourself. Let your beautiful new floor assure you that it was well worth the effort.
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6 Essential Tips for Working Mothers
Your happiness as a work at home mom (WAHM) depends on your commitment to following these six parenting time management tips:
1. Ban your open door policy. Set your work hours and stick with them. Unless your job requires you to answer the phone, answer it only on your schedule. A work at home mom (WAHM) has no time for distractions (especially from your kids and spouse?likely your biggest distractions). This only leads to low productivity. Make certain every member of your household knows the times of day when you are and are not available for interruptions and stick with this schedule.
2. Involve your family in what you do. Talk about what you do, ask your family to help solve work problems (children often find very creative solutions), and let them help you with small jobs like licking envelopes. One work at home mom I know asked her nine year old daughter to answer the business telephone when the receptionist called in sick, on one of their biggest sales days. This boosted her daughter's self-esteem and also helped her appreciate how her mother's work put a roof over her head, food in her mouth and clothes on her back.
3. Consciously make the transition from work to home. When it is family time, focus on the family. Make certain you have cleared the work cobwebs from your head. Write down your to-do list for the next day and ask yourself before you leave your desk, "How can I make my time with my family special?" Then smile and give them a hug when you see them. Too tired? Take a 20 minute cat nap, a quick walk, meditate for a short while or say a little prayer to let go of your day, so you can be all they deserve you to be.
4. Remember it's about quality time, not quantity time. When you are with your family, be with your family. Leave work behind so you can focus on them. "Light up" as soon as they come into the room and find fun ways to do mealtimes, and even clean-up times together. Half an hour of positive can prevent dozens of hours of misbehavior.
5. Solve misbehavior time-wasters, "My kids are driving me crazy, but I'm too crazy to find time to learn how to stop them from driving me crazy." There are simple ways to motivate your children to want to be well behaved. Invest the time now, so you don't spend more time and frustration later on (which of course takes away from time you can devote to your work).
6. Schedule your self-care time. The most critical key to your WAHM success is to nurture some of your needs so you can continually renew your passion for parenting. You need time to replenish your energy so you can be more efficient, productive and happy. With so much on your plate it is essential that you schedule a minimum of 20 minutes a day for you. Before or after the kids are in bed is generally the easiest to stick with.
By the way, if putting your self-care needs first makes you feel guilty and selfish, then don't do it for you?do it for your family. It is time that your self-care became a necessity, not a luxury so you can give more to all you do?at both work and home. Remember that if you are emotionally and physically healthy, you will be able to give more quality time to your family.
The six parenting time-management tips above will allow even the busiest work at home mom to finally have her cake and eat it too. By successfully balancing work and family, you will model for your children a fulfilled and healthy woman and your family will no longer have to deal with a "burnout-mom" but a happy one!
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