Charlotte home seller tips Archives - Houses for Sale in Charlotte NC

There’s a Difference Between Decorating & Staging – A BIG Difference!

05/17/2020 by Debe Leave a Comment

There’s a Difference Between Decorating & Staging – A BIG Difference!

I feel like I’ve shared this tidbit before but, for the life of me, can’t find my post! Regardless, it’s worth repeating…

Have you ever noticed that decorators have a tough time putting the kibosh on ‘designing’ homes they are prepping for sale? Everyone knows a decorator/designer and many times when I suggest a stager, I hear, “Oh my BFF is a decorator – I’ll have her come in and help!”

It’s just NOT the same! I belong to a very large city group and was recently tagged on a post by a homeowner who has now listed their house. It is in a neighborhood that I had a buyer looking but, they weren’t ready to list when my buyer was ready to buy. Now they have had to reduce the price and she is reaching back out to everyone who showed any interest.

I opened the ad and felt like I was looking into one of those psychedelic posters from the 70’s! Now, the décor was fabulous and certainly not from the 70’s but, there was so much ‘stuff’ that I couldn’t even see the rooms. The beautiful tchotchkes were everywhere…and as mesmerizing as a psychedelic poster!

Instead of “Oh my goodness, I love your house,” there were dozens of comments, asking about particular pieces of furniture and many of the tchotchkes the readers loved. The commenters wondered if she would sell those items before she moved.

Others were asking who her decorator was! To me, that one question is a sure sign that the house (which is what is actually being sold here) is being overlooked.

There is a HUGE difference between decorating and staging; when you’re selling, you don’t want the former! The explanation that I give my sellers with decorator friends is that the more items a decorator sells to you, the more money they make. Stagers are minimalists; their job is to show off your house, not your STUFF! Staging isabout creating ambiance and appeal for buyers.

20 Tips for Preparing Your Charlotte House for Sale

03/25/2019 by Debe Leave a Comment

The Bottom Line:

When listing your Charlotte home for sale, your #1 goal is to get your home sold for the best price possible…and in the shortest amount of time to save you stress!
There are many small projects that you can do to ensure this happens – preparedness is KEY.
Ask me for a list of specific suggestions for getting your home ready for market.
Also ask me for any vendors you may need. I keep an active list of local contractors who can help you achieve your goals.

Call or text (704) 491-3310 – let’s talk!

Cleaning House: How to Tidy Up and Declutter Without Professional Help

02/24/2019 by Debe 1 Comment

More from our DIY Series: Cleaning House: How to Tidy Up and Declutter Without Professional Help

Cleaning and decluttering are great ways to improve your home and your health, but they can be big jobs that take a lot of time and effort to complete. Many homeowners try to take care of smaller cleaning jobs throughout the week when they have a few minutes to spare and leave the bigger projects for the weekend. However, when you have kids or other obligations, sometimes those good intentions fall by the wayside. These days, more and more people are turning to professional help for whipping their homes into shape, but the good news is that there are several easy ways you can get started on your own without having to pay for assistance.

If you have limited time, it may be a good idea to create a cleaning routine that will allow you to get things done throughout the week. This might include dividing the chore between your family members, which will help take the bulk of the burden off your shoulders, or it might simply be an easy way to keep track of what needs to be taken care of. For example, turning Mondays into kitchen-cleaning days, Tuesdays for bathrooms, Wednesdays for laundry, and so on will allow you to stay on top of the cleaning tasks without overwhelming you.

There are several details to consider, which might include some of the following tips.

Decluttering your Charlotte Home — Decluttering in preparation for listing your Charlotte home.

Finding the Right Vacuum

No matter what kind of floors you have in your home, you’ll want to find a great vacuum that can handle any type of mess. Your pet’s favorite napping spot, high-traffic areas, and kids’ rooms might need a little extra love, so look for a vacuum that will work great on carpet, tile, and hardwood so you won’t have to switch back and forth between cleaning tools as you go. There are several on the market that won’t break the bank; do a little research to find the right one for your needs, and make sure you check out guides and read the reviews before you buy.

Clean Out That Clutter

You may have seen television shows that bring together a family with a professional clutter banisher, and often these shows focus on cleaning and organizing a single space. You can go through your entire house, however, and get rid of things you no longer want or need and tidy up. The key is to prevent the process from becoming overwhelming. Staying organized will help, so make sure you start by gathering all the materials you’ll need. Boxes, trash bags, cleaning supplies, and a large black marker will all come in handy. Mark each box so you can keep track of where the contents are going: trash, donation, or keep. Items that can be consolidated, such as photo albums that can be scanned and saved on a hard drive, can be packed away and put into storage; you can also go digital with collections.

Groom Your Pets

If you have pets, you probably know how hard it can be to keep things clean. One of the easiest ways to stay on top of cleaning around pets is simply keeping them properly groomed. If you have a long-haired cat or dog, take them outside to a secure area a couple of times a week and brush them well. During colder months, however, have a groomer cut their hair, as it tends to grow in thicker during that time. Keeping a towel or some pet wipes by the door to clean your dog’s feet after a walk will leave your floors looking new even during rainy season.

Use Storage Solutions

Many clutter and organizational problems can be solved with some clever storage solutions, especially if you have limited space in your home. Utilize bins, over-the-door organizers, and hidden racks that can be mounted inside a cabinet door to save room while keeping things neat and tidy, especially in the kitchen, bathroom, and garage.

Cleaning your home and getting it organized doesn’t have to require a Herculean effort. With some simple tricks and techniques, you can stay on top of your home’s chores without all the stress. Get the family involved to make the process even easier, and think of some ways to incorporate fun so that everyone will get on board, such as playing upbeat music.

Thanks to Eugene Williams, DIY Dad Extraordinaire for contributing this article.

For information on decluttering for listing your Charlotte home, let’s talk! Call or text (704) 491-3310 or email me at SavvyBroker@me.com

Top Tips for Giving Your Bedroom a DIY Facelift

01/27/2019 by Debe Leave a Comment

Top Tips for Giving Your Bedroom a DIY Facelift

Is your bedroom overdue for a makeover? If your space is looking more weary than restorative, there are plenty of things you can do to breathe new life into your boudoir. Here’s how to give the space a whole new appeal, DIY-style.

Tailor-Made — By You!

Giving your home a customized look can be daunting, but there are some changes you can make with minimal skills and tools. For instance, shiplap walls provide a beautiful update most homeowners can tackle, and the look can work in nearly any design style. Try installing an accent wall to get started, and you can always expand your project later. Another idea is to change up your headboard. Wall-mounted headboards are all the rage, and it creates a nice, modern, floating effect. Looking for a smaller project that packs a wallop? Consider changing the hardware on your dressers. New drawer pulls, handles and knobs can make an old piece of furniture new again. Consider taking your old hardware to the store while you shop, to match up the size. That way, you can avoid having to patch the old holes and drilling new ones.

Upgrade Your Bedding

Little feels more refreshing than settling into a well-chosen bed at night. If you sleep poorly, wake up frequently, or experience stiffness or pain in the mornings, it could all be due to your mattress. Prevention.com notes that mattresses have a lifespan of just five to 10 years, and it’s also important that your mattress meshes with your sleep position. While it may not seem like a big deal, poor quality sleep can lead to all sorts of health concerns and reduce your quality of life. There are plenty of mattress options out there, so explore websites such as ConsumersAdvocate.org before you make a selection. That way, you can ensure you make the best choice for your comfort, and you’ll look forward to snuggling into your refreshed bedroom.

Restful Wall Color

One of the easiest and most satisfying ways to alter the look of a room is to change the wall color. Doing a great job will make you feel proud and content, so be thoughtful about the process. Ensure you prep the surface properly and choose good quality supplies for the best results. If you haven’t painted a room before or your skills could use some brushing up, you can review Martha Stewart’s step-by-step pointers for achieving a perfect paint job.

As far as colors, select shades which promote serenity and rest. Lavender, gray, sage, blue-green, and beige all tend to be relaxing and restorative. Feeling creative? You can spice things up a bit with a faux finish, such as sponging, glazing, or adding a lime finish. When it comes time to select your other decor and your accent colors, some experts suggest repeating the second hue at least three times throughout the space.

Add Patterns for Pop

Bringing your bedroom to life is quick and easy when you start mixing patterns. The key is to change up the sizes, use at least three patterns, and begin with the largest, boldest pattern first. For ideas, look at a favorite piece of fabric, your wall art, or gather cues from nature. Stick with consistency in the richness of your selections, and also be attentive to fabric textures. Certain textures, such as damask, panne velvet, and ruching, are strong enough to act as patterns.

Rethinking Your Rug

You might be surprised to learn what’s underfoot can make a big impact on how restful your bedroom feels. When it comes to selecting a rug that promotes rest and relaxation, Elle Decor recommends going big. Larger rugs help dampen sound, which means a quieter sleep environment. Also, aim for rugs with a natural feel, such as wool, cotton, or silk, and avoid patterns that are distractingly bold or large.

When it’s time to rethink your sleeping environment, you can do some great DIYs. Create a bedroom that feels welcoming, warm, and personal with some well-thought-out changes and simple updates. You’ll sleep easier in your new, improved space.

Thanks to our ‘DIY Dad,’ Eugene Williams for contributing this post. Visit his website for more wonderful DIY tips.

Debe Maxwell | RE/MAX Executive | The Maxwell House Group | CharlotteBroker@icloud.com | Top Tips for Giving Your Bedroom a DIY Facelift