Tips to Update Your Bathroom under $50

When thinking of selling your home there are many relatively inexpensive up-dates you can do in your home yourself to give it that WOW without breaking the bank.  For instance, in the bathroom here are five up-dates that cost under $50 and can give new life to a tired or outdated decor.  They all speak "well-cared for" to a prospective buyer and can distract from more major renovations that could be done.

1. A new coat of paint in a pleasing neutral colour is the most obvious up-date and can transform the bathroom from a dingy, outdated room to a warm, inviting and clean space.  The bathroom pictured here is painted with ICI Oyster White, #30YY 64/149.  Previously it was a gaudy aqua blue which was cold and oppressive.
2. New fluffy white towels for showing are an inviting addition to any bathroom and aren't expensive if you don't buy designer towels or you manage to get them on sale (they seem to be at every major store at any one time).
3. A new coordinating shower curtain speaks volumes about freshness.
4. Un-dated hardware for the cabinets may be just the thing to up-date the older vanity in your bathroom.
5. Matching small plastic bins to store personal items neatly under the counter in the vanity when not in use are a smart and inexpensive choice.  Prospective buyers do not want to see your deoderant or toothbrush lying on the vanity counter when viewing your home.  This can be a huge turnoff.

These are just five inexpensive tips for up-dating your bathroom.  Now that I've got you started, I'm sure you can think of some more yourself.  However, if you would like some more inexpensive and helpful ideas for up-dating your bathroom or other rooms in your home before selling your home, I'd be happy to come to consult with you!  For a free quote on my services do email me at kathryn.a.wilson@gmail.com. 

The Emotions of Selling

Homeowners sell their homes for many reasons.  Some are happy, hopeful thoughts of moving onto something better.  Some reasons are out of necessity; usually financial.  Other reasons are not so hopeful; life transitions, broken relationships, again necessitating a move.  Most homeowners have some ambivalent thoughts and feelings though, all normal.   Our shelter and physical environment is one of our basic needs that helps us to feel secure in life and when there are changes anticipated here we often experience a wide range of emotions.  This is why using the services of an understanding Home Stager can lessen the confusion of emotions when preparing your home for sale.  With a more objective eye, a Home Stager will view your home and make reccomendations that will help you understand what will make your home look best to secure a quick and profitable sale.  If you need a more "hands-on" approach, a Home Stager will be there too.  Rearranging furnishings and accessories is the work that a Home Stager is trained to do.  Knowing just what to pack away now and what to perhaps let go of can bring a sense of relief and clarity that Home Stagers can help with too!

If you are selling your home this year and are having some emotional reactions thinking about this prospect do not hestitate to call a reputable Home Staging company such as HomeReady Home Staging.  We can help you through the hurdles of emotions that can come with preparing your home for sale.  Once you feel more "centered" and less emotionally attached  to your present home, it will be easier to make those all important sale decisions.  One thing to remember too is that buyers also are experiencing many different emotions in selecting a new home to buy.  But this will be a different chapter!

Getting Rid of Rug Indentations - Home Staging tip 2010 - 1

Moving furniture around at Christmas this year to accomodate the Christmas tree, reminded me of what sometimes happens when homeowners are moving around their furniture when Staging to sell.  Where the furniture used to sit is marked by a depression or indentation in the rug that does not seem to go away with any amount of rubbing or vaccuming!  These unsightly marks unfortunately draw ones eye immediately to that spot(s) and can detract from the overall impression (no pun intended) that the homeowner is trying to create. 

However, I have found a way to get rid of these indentations.  Simply put an ice-cube on the indentation and just let it melt.

As the ice-cube melts, the rug fibres "puff" up and expand and in a little while the indentation is no longer visible.

Just blot up any excess moisture with a towel and give a gentle little rub and voila. . . the indentation is completely gone and noone would ever know that a heavy piece of furniture used to be on that spot.

Rug, after this procedure looks like nothing ever sat on the spot and now is no longer an unsightly distraction! 

Why You Should Consider Home Staging

If your goal is to sell your home this year, then you should consider Home Staging.  Why?  The answer to this question is what I repeat to every new client I meet.  The short answer is that Home Staging enhances the appeal to prospective buyers so that your house will sell quickly and for top dollar.  To me these are two very compelling reasons to consider Home Staging as most of you who have had a home for sale recognize the disruption and artiifcial way of living in a home that has to be always ready to show and also who wouldn't want to get the most equity from your home.  Yet, I am still amazed by some who aren't willing to invest a little more in likely their most expensive purchase.  A three hour consultation with written reccomendations and showing tips costing on average $200.00 to $250.00 will oft times bring homeowners a ROI of over 500% (According to the HomeGain 2009 Survey).  Not too shabby eh!  If the homeowner then chooses to have their home show-cased as well, again the ROI is well worth the effort and financial investment.  Home Staging is a profession that can objectively, using their "Buyers Eye", create an ambiance and appeal geared to a targeted market of prospective buyers.  Homeowners, often on their own cannot step back to de-personalize their home in the same way.  They are much to attached to the way things are and not how they should be. 
So if your goal is to sell your home in 2010, then give me a call so we can chat more about how you can benefit fom Home Staging.  I know you will be glad you did.  I can be reached at 613-894-4155.

Best Wishes for 2010

I hope that 2009 was a successful year for you.  I am hoping that for 2010 you will find your house in order no matter how humble. 
If you are planning to move - or not - call HomeReady Home Staging to help you find the  appealing presentation that will get you the selling results you are looking for! 
Living in your home? Let HomeReady help you find your WOW!

Grandma's Attic needs your treasures

"Grandma's Attic" is the perfect opportunity this season for you to make a little more room in your home (especially if you are thinking about moving in the new year) and to contribute to a healthier and stronger community.  Family Services a la famille Ottawa is requesting donated items that they can use to raise money for their programs. 

Family Services a  la famille Ottawa (FSFO) is a registered charity which has been serving the Ottawa community for over 95 years.  Since 1914 they have helped over 480,000 families, couples and individuals to deal with challenges and issues, assisting them to live healthier lives.

They have embarked on a unique fundraising project called "Grandmas's Attic".  Donations of collectibles and vintage items such as jewelry, electronics, cameras, toys, sports cards and old vinyl records and other memorbilia are just some examples of what would be greatly appreciated.  Tax receipts will be issued for items with an estimated value of over $100 or more at the time of the donation. 

Whether providing family counselling, facilitating a group on postpartum depression or assisting an individual to rebuild their self esteem after a violent relationship, FSFO is dedicated to the health and well-being of our community.  They hope to use your donated "treasures" to help raise money for their many programs and services.  Whether spring-cleaning, de-cluttering or downsizing, this is a perfect opportunity to make a little more room in your home and to contrubte to a healthier and stronger community.  For more information visit http://www.familyservicesottawa.org/  or http://www.grandmasattic.org/ or call 613-725-3601.

Let's show Ottawa that you care this Season of giving by letting go of some of your old "treasures".

What do you mean - declutter?

Declutter must be one of our most used words in home decor and home staging these days.  Its a term that we quite liberally throw around to indicate things out of order, too many things, and too many small things that distract ones view of what we are supposed to be looking at and paying attention to.  For prospective home buyers, the seller wants the features of the home to be seen so that buyer might envision themselves living in the space without all your "things" i.e. clutter.  Seeing only this. . .

really just confuses the prospective buyer - too many things out of order - what is the purpose and function of this room?  So any smart home stager would suggest - declutter.  OK eliminating or editing non essential items that will need to be packed away or given away anyway is the PC way of saying get rid of anything not being used in the next month or so and anything smaller than a softball and looking at what the prospective buyer might be seeing the purpose of this space so that voila. . .

  It"s a master bedroom!  No confusion here now.

By the way, the top picture above is a work in progress.  I have the promise of an 8 year old that his "clutter" will not be there when I return in a few months!