March 18th, 2009 lheraty Posted in "Green" Living, Appliances, Home Buyer and Seller Tips, Sellers, St. Louis Real Estate Sales Statistics, bamboo flooring Comments Off
Putting your house on the market is always a challenge in that you must look for ways to make it the most appealing it can be to potential buyers. Beyond the tried and true rules of emptying closets and keeping all rooms tidy and clean, here are some things you may not have thought of that can have major impact during a showing or open house. By the way, hiring a professional home stager almost always is a great investment.
- If you have a small room in your home that you would like to appear more spacious, paint it the same color as the room it is attached to. This will convey a more seamless, spacious feel. Another trick to convey spaciousness is to keep all window treatments in small rooms the same shade as the walls.
- Paint your sun room an attractive shade of green. It really does help to bring the outside in!
- If you have a narrow room, add wall shelving. This gives the space depth, without crowding out occupants.
- If you are upgrading to sell, choose Eco-friendly materials. Buyers are showing more interest in homes with these materials. For example, consider cost-efficient and “green” cork flooring instead of hardwoods.
- Consider breaking up a finished basement into “zones”. For example, furnish one area for reading, another area for a bar, one for games, one for a workspace with a desk and another for lounging in front of the television.
- If your kitchen is outdated and you do not want to renovate, replacing old appliances is highly suggested. Studies show that sellers recoup every penny spent on new appliances!
If you'd like me to check out your home and offer more suggestions, just give me a call at 314-267-2636. You can also visit home
St. Louis Home Prices website to submit a request.
Russell

March 8th, 2009 lheraty Posted in "Green" Living, Home Buyer and Seller Tips, bamboo flooring Comments Off
Not only is bamboo beautiful to look at, but it is one of the most sustainable materials out there. Other harvested hardwoods are clear-cut and then need another thirty years before harvesting again. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass and is used for so many things that when the last part of a stand of bamboo is harvested, it’s very likely that the first part has already recovered. In other words, it is almost impossible to deplete bamboo’s availability. When bamboo is used for flooring it is sliced, pressed, molded and then carbonized. Carbonization is when the bamboo is exposed to heat so that it will harden.
Bamboo flooring comes in traditional plank styles and is installed similarly to traditional hardwood flooring. It is made with a tongue and groove, an underlayment is set down and then the fitted pieces are tacked down with a nail gun. Bamboo flooring maintenance is almost identical to other hardwood flooring, except that water should be removed as quickly as possible as bamboo’s fibers will expand more easily. Simple sweeping and mopping with a gentle cleanser will be enough to keep it looking clean and beautiful. Avoid getting gashes in the wood as bamboo is more difficult to buff or fill in than hardwood flooring.
For more tips, visit my
St. Louis home guide website. Or call me at 314 267 2636.
