Tips on Selling an Older Home

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

If the home you are getting ready to sell is older, you're faced with some advantages and some disadvantages. Older homes are often constructed with quality materials and methods, making them charming and valuable. But they can also have dated systems that scare buyers away. 

Ideally, a home on the market will appear well-maintained and even pampered. Your job now is knowing what buyers will value and what they see as problems. Here are the systems that concern buyers the most, the ones that make or break a deal, and how you can gain buyers' confidence.  

Electrical systems

Older homes are particularly susceptible to wiring issues, especially those that haven't been updated to accommodate the electrical demands of modern appliances and electronics. What may have been sufficient decades ago often struggles to keep up with today's higher power loads, creating a real risk of overheating or electrical fires. Bringing in a licensed electrician to assess the condition of your home wiring is one of the smartest investments you can make now, before any buyer brings in their home inspector.

If any electrical work needs to be done, you can document it as part of your sales package to assure potential buyers that they'll have no difficulties as the new owners.

If your appliances are not the latest models, no worry. Some buyers prefer appliances with fewer bells and whistles. Just make sure they are all functioning properly, whether dishwasher, washing machine, oven, dryer, or microwave. 

Water problems

As more people are becoming aware of the symptoms of mold allergies, there is a growing concern about the problems of mold growth in homes that have flooded or have had burst pipes or major leaks. Not every home issue is a dramatic emergency, but even small malfunctions can seriously affect how your home looks on the market. A dishwasher that stops draining, leaks, or fails to clean dishes properly is a common frustration. But prompt dishwasher repairs will restore normal function before the problem worsens.

Some home problems simply can't wait, and burst pipes or major leaks fall squarely into that category. When a pipe fails or a major appliance malfunctions and starts flooding a space, calling for emergency water repair immediately can mean the difference between a manageable cleanup and possibly thousands of dollars in structural damage. Water spreads quickly and will seep into flooring, drywall, and insulation, creating the perfect conditions for mold growth.

Buyers will be worried if there is a musty scent in your house. If your home has been flooded, has poor drainage in a crawl space or basement, or you've had plumbing leaks, a moisture reading will let a home inspector know. After the water repair is done, you may have to do some mold remediation, either structurally or with dehumidifiers.

You'll want to deep clean before you list.  Because musty or unclean homes read as old.   

Learn the current trends

Buyers who are skittish about purchasing an older home are more likely to overlook its age when your home includes some decor that is up-to-date. Here are the easiest ways to get your home up to speed. 

Step one. If you want to know what's in fashion now, don't look at real estate photos online unless you know they were professionally staged by experienced homestagers. Instead, look at online sites like Wayfair and Overstock. Browse the aisles of chain department and furniture stores. Study the design portfolios of people on DecorPad. 

Clean colors and crisp linens

make this bedroom look new and fresh. 

Photo: Nesting Place Interiors

Current trends include plants, flex space, warmer paint colors, smart energy systems, outdoor living spaces, and natural decor pieces like unfinished woods, bamboo, and sisal, rather than bright and glossy, industrial finishes like polished brass.  

Shun the pitfalls

Do not make your 80s entertainment center the room's focal point. Maybe retire it entirely, or paint it and stage it as bookshelves, a bar cart, or a coffee station. Stay away from dark wall colors. White is always a winner. 

Remove wallpaper. If that seems like a big job, you can spackle and sand the seams and paint over the paper with two coats of paint. Saturated color accent walls are probably are not your friend. 

Don't use matched furniture sets. You can break them up and use them in different rooms for a more modern look. 

Trendy additions don't have to be pricey. 
They can be the small touches that add 
color and texture. Photo: CraftBerryBush

Use thrifty fixes  

You don't need to undertake a major remodel when it's time to sell. It's not economically smart to replace good hardwood flooring with the latest luxury vinyl planking. Or to buy new furniture for your living room. 

Don't let your window treatments block natural lighting. Leave lights on for showings. No heavy drapes. Dark homes feel dated. 

Make sure all your bed coverings are in style. Bedrooms are where buyers judge the vibe of a home. 

An entryway is the perfect

spot to establish a fresh style  

without spending much money. 

Photo: Jennifer Ribek Interior Design

Pull furniture, especially bulky pieces, away from the wall for an airy, modern look. Remove unnecessary pieces of furniture so the path through each room is open and obvious. Crowded rooms make a home feel small. 

Replace framed artwork that has faded with new prints or paintings. Faded prints and posters look cheap and old.

Touch up trim around doors and on baseboards. Trim that shows wear makes a room look abused.      

Stage an etagere or bookcase with the kinds of things you see at HomeGoods or Target. Then add some unique pieces that you've thrifted or crafted. Mass-market memorabilia and common accessories from previous decades can date your home. 

Prune outdoor shrubbery so your landscape matches newer homes. Overgrown hedges and foundation plantings won't flatter your property.

Get the look, get the book

Every home on the market needs to show a balance between what's tried and true and what's fresh and new. If the market for your home is older people, trendy accents may not be that important. But to make your home look more appealing, especially to younger buyers, some trends should be part of your homestaging.

For more tips on making your home market-ready, download my DIY HomeStagingTips eBook. You'll find a wealth of inspo and all the tips I've learned over the years as a stager, crafter, home buyer, home seller, and real estate investor.  

Top photo: Nesting Place Interiors

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5 Tips for Selling on Facebook Marketplace

Thursday, July 30, 2026

If you're like most people who are selling a home and moving, you've got some decluttering to do. 

One of the best ways to take the sting out of getting rid of your extra stuff is to sell it. Besides the usual channels like garage sales and local donations, Facebook Marketplace is becoming one of the most popular places for people to buy and sell online. 

I recently sold quite a few things on Marketplace and was pleasantly surprised by how well it went. The site seems more lively and less cumbersome than Craigslist or eBay, and Facebook makes it quick and easy to communicate with buyers. But it can still be daunting, and there are some scams and dangers along the way. I learned a few things that I want to pass on to help with any selling you need to do. 

These cloisonné spoons weren't a full set, so I knew I couldn't demand top price.  

 Get started 

You'll need to be a Facebook member to sell on the site. You can sell from either your computer or your phone without adding an extra app.  

Do some research about what other products similar to yours are listed. Once you know the current market value of your offerings, you can decide whether you want to sell, keep, or donate them. 

This is not the time to be sentimental about what you are selling. If you have a positive emotional connection to something, reconsider if you'll regret selling it. But converting some hand-me-downs and poor purchases into cash can be liberating, and will help you pack and stage your home.   

Show features of your offerings, like the fact that this recliner has a USB port, and that it can sit close to the wall. 

Give details 

When writing your listing, give all the pertinent facts. The more information you provide, the more confident the buyer can be about a second-hand purchase. Mention details like measurements, age, fabric content, type of wood or metal, and brand names. 

Highlight the important selling features by listing them first. Don't give any backstory about how you acquired it. And don't make suggestions about how the item can be used because these buyers already have a use for what they're looking for.       

Tell the truth. Confess it if the pitcher you are selling has a minor chip in the base, or the dresser is missing one knob, or the lamp has a frayed cord. Be honest and let your photos show any signs of damage. Marketplace attracts many do-it-yourselfers who are okay with repairs and repurposing. 

The woman who bought this vintage luggage wanted it because it was manufactured in her hometown the year she was born, facts she learned because I included them in my sales copy.  

Add good photos

Just as when you list your home for sale, photos are essential sales tools. Good photos tempt the buyer into wanting to know more.

Facebook Marketplace lets you load as many as ten photographs into your post. That set of glassware you are selling may not require more than three different images. But if you are selling something like an oil painting, you should go for the full ten -- front, back, frame, and close-up views. That's what it will take to give buyers the whole picture. 

Take time to get good shots. Clean your item if it needs it. Shoot where the lighting is good. Take multiple photos, and narrow them down to the most flattering, informative, and authentic ones. Good photos will save time and confusion for both you and your buyer. 

It's also helpful if you include something that indicates size. A coin placed next to a framed picture, or a yardstick placed alongside a chair, gives good information at a glance. 

The doorknob indicated the size of this purse, giving the buyer information they want. 

Have a neutral background. If the headboard you are selling is leaning against a pile of other things in your storage unit, it's not helping sell the headboard. Remove nearby distractions. Place items on a background like grass, fabric, carpeting, or pavement, or against a wall or the side of a building. 

Lastly, make the most informative and flattering photo the profile shot. 

Price it right

Marketplace isn't like 1stDibs or Poshmark. Marketplace buyers expect real bargains.  Professional "pickers" and buyers who resell can be the first ones to message you. It's your call whether you want to accept their lower offer or wait for later buyers. 

Because Facebook makes it possible for buyers to receive notifications for items they are interested in, serious buyers will message you soon after you list. Your quick response to a question can make the difference between a sale and no-sale. 

Only a few of the people who responded to my listings offered radically lower amounts than what I asked for. Most buyers appreciate how easy it is to buy through Facebook. If a customer has narrowed her search to local sellers, it means she'll avoid shipping charges and can view the merchandise before committing to a sale. Big win!  

Whether you decide to sell at rock-bottom prices or at prices comparable to your competition's will depend on how motivated you are to sell. Do you have time to wait for the perfect offer? Or are you needing to quickly delutter so you can stage your house? 

Knife collectors, I learned, did not care that this set was incomplete. It sold quickly for a good price.   

Be prompt, courteous, and safe 

Don't keep people messaging you waiting. Rather than hit the "Still available" button, respond with a comment such as, "Can I answer any questions for you?" Friendly communication builds trust. 

Facebook makes it easy for you to hide your listings from any friends you have on Facebook. This  could be especially handy if you are selling gifts given to you by friends, neighbors, or family members. 

Be polite and businesslike when people query you. Don't assume that any buyer is legit. Facebook gives you tips on avoiding scams and illegal transactions. If you are uncomfortable with meeting a buyer near your home, meet at a nearby public place or a safe place like a police station. I prefer cash or PayPal over checks or apps like Venmo, but that's just me. There are multiple options for accepting payment for Facebook Marketplace sales. 

The original label on the seat of this antique chair provided the buyer and me with valuable details.  

More tips 

If you need a quick how-to on selling through Marketplace, Facebook provides one. I'd suggest limiting your selling to local pickup. It's less expensive and definitely less complicated. But if you have items that would sell to a very limited audience and would ship easily, go ahead and expand your market if that is an option where you live (Facebook lets you know). Setting up a Venmo account is easy.

Get the look, get the  book

Decluttering should be your first step in your journey to a new home. Scaling back on belongings makes your homestaging more effective. And having fewer possessions means packing, storing, moving, and unpacking are easier and more economical. I hope what I learned by selling on Marketplace will help you pare down the stuff you have to move. 

I can share more about what I've learned about getting a home ready for market. Just download my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. You'll learn all you need to know about pricing, selecting a Realtor, speed cleaning, decluttering, and the DIY projects that are simple and thrifty, but make your home more valuable! 

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A Countdown to Listing Your Home

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Selling a home involves more than sticking a "For Sale" sign in the front lawn. Once you've made the decision to move, you'll be juggling a long list of tasks, and at times it may feel as though you're making little progress. I've been through the process numerous times, so let me share the tips and shortcuts I discovered along the way. They will help you stay organized, save time, and make the journey as smooth as possible. 

Take inventory

A good first step  is to take a serious look at what you need to keep for your next home. It can be difficult to narrow down possessions, but if ever there were a time to toss, sell, store, or donate some of the unnecessary stuff you own, it's when you are selling your home and moving.

How to make it easier: Remind yourself that reducing belongings makes your packing easier. Decide on your favorite charity that takes donations and find out if they pick up and what their rules are for accepting things. 

Habitat For Humanity's ReStore trucks will pick up certain items on certain days. Contact your local Habitat Store. 

Plan your staging

Now that you've reduced the clutter in the house your staging will be easier and more effective. Maybe even more fun! One step you can take now is to download my eBook, How To Arrange  Furniture, a Guide to Improving Your Home with What You Have.  

How to make it easier: Draft a tentative budget as a first step. Browse decor magazines for inspo, and look at what's trending in the household  aisles at stores like Target and HomeGoods. Decide what pieces of furniture you now own will improve the way your home will look to buyers. Make that furniture the focal point of each room. If possible, decide on one a color scheme for the whole house.  

This bedroom's color scheme is centered on warm greys, cream, and teal -- a color palette that could easily be duplicated throughout the home with fabrics and paint. Photo: BHG   

Choose a Realtor

I always endorse working with a Realtor. The benefits are numerous: expertise, safety, wide exposure, and the guarantee that the process of selling will go smoothly and "by the books." 

How to make it easier: Hire a local agent, one with multiple listings and a good sales record. Don't hire a listing agent who is a relative or friend. Make sure your agent supports your plan to stage your house, and  provides professional photography as part of their service.   

Hire inspectors

I also endorse getting inspections so there are no surprises on the path to closing. Hiring your own home inspector means you can fix problems before your buyer hires an inspector.

To make sure there is no evidence of termites, hire a licensed professional to look for the tell-tale mud tubes, hollow-sounding wood, and discarded wings near windowsills. That way, you can document for your buyer that there is not a termite problem.

If you think you might have a problem with wild animals like squirrels, possums, or raccoons living in your attic, crawlspace or roofline, it's best to have them removed by a wildlife removal service. Any, by the way, if you've ever been bitten by bedbugs (even the nicest hotels can have this problem), zinc oxide sheets will prevent that from happening again. 

How to make this easier: Use reputable services that get good recommendations from friends, neighbors or sources like Nextdoor or local listservs. Or ask your listing agent for the names of inspectors they prefer.     

Get and stay clean 

After you home is staged you'll want to keep it clean for the photographer or videographer. Decide what method of cleaning suits your schedule and style -- the all-at-once marathon, or the do-it-in-small doses approach. I've blogged about my 12 must-have cleaning tools that help you get your home clean with the least amount of effort. Since writing that post, I've learned how helpful a robot vacuum is! If you do some research, you can find one that suits your budget and the size and configuration of your rooms.     

Avoid using cleaning agents that leave a heavy chemical or antiseptic aroma. Don't use products that should be applied only by a professional, like concentrated pest control chemicals, industrial mold removers, and asbestos treatments.

How to make it easier: Encourage family members to tidy up after themselves. Consider hiring a crew or individual for a deep clean so that your job is daily maintenance. Remember that people on a home tour  don't expect to walk into a house that looks like a model home with absolutely no signs of  life. 

People on tour expect to see some evidence that people still live there.  They have seen the photos online of the staged kitchen.

Stage your house

Now you can experiment with rearranging furniture to create sensible paths through your home, paths that make it easy for people on tour to see the room the most flattering way -- comfortable but not crowded. 

Once  you have basic furniture pieces positioned, you can begin rearranging your best decor items -- things like your bed coverings, wall art, plants and silk flowers, books, and other props.

How to make it easier: Go online to educate yourself about how other homes selling in your area look inside.         

Get the look, get the book

During what can be a stressful period, it's always a good idea to be kind to yourself. Stay in touch with friends and family. Continue whatever daily routines relax you -- getting outside for a walk, journaling, taking a leisurely bath, or just treating yourself to a cup of your favorite tea. 

Don't leave before you download my home staging eBook, DIY Homestaging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. Take advantage of my years as a real estate investor and home stager. 

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Think LIke a Buyer!

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Selling your home? If so, then it's time to think like a home buyer instead of a home seller. That's one of the best ways to make your home staging more successful, and increase your chances of a smooth sale. 

Maybe it's been a long time since you were on the purchasing end of a new home. In this post I'll help you tap into the mindset of today's buyers.  

Look to the future

While a buyer's Realtor is pointing out the various features and any possible faults of your home, the buyer is thinking ahead. For most people, a home purchase is their biggest investment. Statistics show that Americans move every eight years. They want to be confident that the home will appreciate in value during the time they live there. Their Realtor and a home inspector will advise them if the property is structurally sound and priced fairly. In other words, a good investment.

People shopping for a home look for a well-built one in a stable neighborhood to guarantee they are making a sound decision. Photo: Apartment Therapy 

Buyers will factor in what future needs they will have, especially if they are retirees or a young family. They may be asking, "Can the dining room become my home office?" or "Would this bedroom make a good playroom?" or "Could this basement be turned into a home gym?"

A well-staged room will suggest to buyers more than one purpose. Your staging can show the flexibility of your rooms by staging them to look spacious but not empty, uncluttered but not boring.     

Make sure your Realtor has all the facts about about your home, especially the desirable ones, like a new HVAC, or a recent roof. It shows transparency and builds the buyer's trust. 

Add a new color

Interior decorating styles run in 20- to 30-year cycles. Since buyers want a home that remains appealing over time, your home can't look out of sync with the times. Ideally your walls, for example will be painted in a color that is at the beginning of a trend. One palette color that brings a modern interpretation of classic style is one based on a cool-toned palette of five shades: white, grey, dusty blue, navy, and charcoal. 

Greys are always versatile. Accessories like upholstered pieces and flowers add some bright colors to this entryway.   

So, when you stage, painting your walls these tones, and adding decorative accents in these tones will update your home, making it look fresh rather than outdated. These versatile colors can also pair well with a variety of materials, allowing homeowners to personalize their rooms once they move in.

Painting walls in your home doesn't mean you'll need to empty the room of furniture first. You'll require only a 3- or 4-foot wide space around the perimeter, enough so you can move around the room on a dropcloth with a 5-gallon bucket of paint and a roller on a long handle. Here are my best tips for painting a room yourself. 

Choose thrifty updates

Look for the updates that make the most sense, the economical ones that deliver the biggest bang for your buck.  

If you haven't invested in new furniture in 25 years, your rooms may look boring and neglected. But there are still ways to give a facelift to out-of-style furnishings. Lucky you if your home is a one of those classic 70's houses, or a Mid Century Modern ranch style building, an authentic 1800's Victorian gem, or a charming farmhouse cottage. Some buyers can be nostalgic about these properties. But they still like to see some signs that you house has been given attention over time. 

Some elements from the 70s withstand the decorators' test of time, like this rattan bar cart, the oversized art, the shaggy rug, and the big houseplants. Photo: K. Shan Design     

Pairing an older home with contemporary table lamps, faux plants, and wall art, for example,  can make the house feel current while still capturing the charm of past design eras. 

I've blogged about how you can stage with older furniture. For example, that old headboard or end table can take on a modern look with a coat of paint in a fresh color. Older upholstered pieces can be slipcovered with over-the-counter covers.

Fresh, luxurious bedding helps buyers imagine themselves living in the home. Photo: Eastern Accents

Get the look, get the book

Staging your home shouldn't call for a renovation. Well-chosen, small updates are the key to impressing buyers without breaking your budget. You can easily follow more staging tips in my home staging eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar! Download it now and start getting your home ready for serious buyers!

Top Photo: Laura Casey 

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18 Real Estate Words You Never Heard Before

Tuesday, July 07, 2026

This is the kind of freeting every home needs.
What's a freeting? Read on!

When you're a home seller, you soon learn that the everyday English language fails you. You meet people, run into situations, and even DO things that demand a new word. Like these I have coined:

Blowbed 

Inflatable mattress dressed to look like a regular bed

Bubble Bath 

A grandiose master bath built at the height of the housing boom

Cougar

Older home that looks great

Dishcount

A price reduction because the home was cluttered with too many cute plates on the walls

Flip Flop

Home renovated to sell, but done poorly

Freeting

First impression the foyer of your home gives to those arriving

We could call this house "a cougar." 

FSBCP

For sale by crazy person, a phrase used to describe a home overpriced because the seller thinks he doesn’t have to pay a Realtor

Galcave

Craft room

Half Baked

Kitchen not staged

Hext

A text message that the people coming to view your home (that you spent all weekend cleaning) bought another home

 

A leather sofa like this will not need to be "pillowized." Photo: brabbu

Magish

When you SO desperately want a room in your house to look like a a photo in a decor magazine, it actually happens

Sho-wells

Towels exclusively reserved for when people are coming to view your home

Targetize

When a home seller buys all the staging accessories in one trip to Target    

NFH

Neighbor from hell

Pillowize

Efforts made to cover couch stains with oversized pillows

Scotchem

Shortening draperies and curtains by using masking tape or duct tape

WTF

White thrifted finds -- all the furniture you bought second hand, and then painted white to stage your home 

Zirconia

Artificial wow factor, such as an avocado refrigerator painted with stainless steel paint 

Get the look, get the book

If you want some serious help staging your home, download my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar. You can begin now to DIY your way to a sold home!

Top photo: Meg Broff Interiors

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Grab Millennial Home Buyers with These 4 Strategies

Monday, June 22, 2026

Do you want to reach the largest possible audience when you put your home up for sale? 

Rather than appeal to a niche market or small demographic,  take a look at who's buying more houses these days. 

It's Millennials. They comprise an increasing share of home buyers, edging out older Boomers. And these Millenials have more money to spend than younger generations. 

Knowing what's important to these house hunters will make your home sale go quicker and easier, keeping everyone happy! 

Here are four ways you can attract and impress this important market.   

Choose trending paint colors

Just like trends in clothing, jargon, music, and cars, paint colors for interior walls come in and go out of style. Interior design color schemes move in 10-year cycles. When you stage your home, be aware of the currently popular colors.

Today's most popular colors are trending away from greys and towards off-white tones like Sherwin Williams Pearly White, or Creamy, or Roman Column. 

The solid advice about home staging has always been to avoid painting walls with bold colors because a neutral color theme will appeal to the greatest number of people. Soft, neutral colors are versatile, and will pair with most people's furniture. 

As always, if you run out of ideas, there's always the internet. On average, 1.8 billion websites are running concurrently worldwide daily, so answers to general or specific questions about decor are just a few keystrokes away. I recommend checking my Pinterest boards for color combinations that work well for home staging. I've blogged about how to choose a paint color the easy way, staging with pastel colors, and the importance of wall color in a staged home. 

Note: Looking at photos of celebrity homes and decorator showcase homes will not help you choose a color for staging. Home decorating and home staging have different aims.

This family room from Young House Love demonstrates how 
a room of neutrals and off-whites doesn't have to be boring. 

Make it move-in ready

Repairing or replacing faulty components shows potential buyers that the house is in great shape. Most Millennials don't want a fixer-upper. They are busy building careers and raising families. They want a property that shows it's been well-maintained. If you sail through your home inspection, you can sell at a higher price. 

Having an inspection done before listing is a good idea. Inspectors want to find problems to prove their value. (And they are valuable!) Repair any cracks and holes in walls and ceilings, and replace loose doorknobs, cracked tiles, and faulty electrical systems the inspector lists. Replace all leaking faucets and corroded water tanks. 

Millennials have a wish list that includes a home office, a smart security system, unproblematic internet, tv, and cell phone access, and useable outdoor space. So, if you have these features, use your home staging and your online specs to make them obvious.   

What repairs you decide to make will cost you less than the discounts buyers will ask for. And you'll speed up the selling process. 

Focus on a fabulous listing

You have just one chance to impress a buyer. The millennial buyer will form his first, important impression from your online listing.  If your agent doesn't believe in the value of professional real estate photography, find another agent. If it is a question of cost, offer to pay. Yes, it is that important.

When the photographer comes, be totally ready, and then get out of the way. Do not plan on moving things from one room to another. Do in advance what it takes to make your home look uncluttered, even if it means putting wastebaskets, extra shoes, and kids' toys in your car for a few hours!

If you are ever going to pay for a professional deep cleaning or a professional organizer, do it before your home is photographed. 

Make sure your agent knows all the important details about your property. Her job will be to feature what's important to today's buyers, based on her experience and training. Tell her what you love most about your home, the age and brand of things like appliances, flooring, and roofing, what the neighborhood is like, and whatever else she may not realize by a simple walk-through. Insist on reviewing the sales copy before it goes live and don't be shy about suggesting reasonable changes. Your Realtor is working for you.  

Even if you are not needing fancy photography
like drone images or this twilight shot, you should 
 consider professional photos as essential selling tools.
Photo: Hoachlander Davis Photography

Add budget-friendly upgrades

Put money where it matters. Unless your home is a high-end property in a decidedly expensive market, making improvements like complete bath or kitchen remodels won't return your financial investment at the closing table. Averages show that revamping a major bathroom costs about $11,700.  But small upgrades and repairs can put an ordinary house over the top. 

You might consider replacing bath and kitchen hardware such as faucets, spigots, showerheads, mirror frames, and cabinet handles. These metals are the jewelry of the room. Latch on to the mixed metals trend to impress millennial buyers. Here is an article from The Spruce on how to mix metals the right way.

Another economical upgrade that will catch the eye of a millennial shopper is a statement lighting fixture. An oversized chandelier can replace a bedroom boob light. My go-to source for inexpensive ceiling lights is my local ReStore. I know they sell only tested appliances and fixtures. Older style lights are often easy to update with a coat of spray paint.  

This bath, from Sunny Circle Studio, uses both matte black
and shiny brass hardware for a modern, curated look. 

Get the look, get the book

Need more advice, inspiration, and DIY tips to stage your own home? Start today by building your confidence that you can do it! Download my home staging eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. Let my years in the real estate business --buying, fixing, staging, and selling homes -- help you style your home to win buyers' hearts.   

Top photo: Style at Home

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My 12 Must-Have Cleaning Tools

Monday, June 22, 2026

Clean houses sell faster than dustry, musty ones. Buyers love a property that looks like the professional cleaning crew just left.

I know that deep cleaning is hard work. Keeping the essential tools and equipment at hand makes the tasks easier, faster, and more thorough.   

I compiled this list of must-haves list based on my own experience and the advice I’ve learned from professionals and other neat-freaks.

Caddy 

An equipment caddy is like your purse. Get one you like to look at, and stock it with your favorite cleaning solutions. Keep it clean, organized, and handy.

Some people like to store a caddy on each floor of the home, or in each bathroom.

Microfiber cloths 

Who isn’t a fan?! These miracle cloths are so effective at capturing and holding dust and dirt that they make harsh cleaning products unnecessary for many of your ordinary cleaning jobs. 

 

For wiping down doors and trim, give me a bucket of plain water and a microfiber cloth, and let the games begin! Easy.

For oversized microfiber cloths at the best price, look in the automotive section of big box stores, or order from Amazon. You'll find them in sizes like 31 by 24 inches, and 24 by 16 inches. Because they are extra absorbent, they're perfect for drying chores like toweling off shower walls or going behind a mop on a wet floor.

Rags 

Practice recycling. Disposable paper towels are temptingly easy but can get expensive quickly.  Did you know that paper towels can actually scratch some surfaces, like Plexiglas and other plastics? And paper towels are no friend of the environment. 

Got orphan socks? Cut them in half lengthwise, and use them for cleaning. They’re soft, absorbent, and reusable. Old T-shirts, cloth diapers, and worn-down towels can be part of your caddy supplies. 

 

Before I toss an old shirt or sheet, I'll cut it into large squares to use as disposable cleaning rags. I use these cloths rags for spot cleaning a carpet, sopping up gooey spills, and tackling jobs like wiping down porch railings or the undersides of a greasy range hood. Recycling feels good!

Plastic Buckets

My preference is a roomy one for floor mopping jobs, plus a couple of smaller ones to soak items or dilute solutions. Spray cleaners can build up after a time, so once in a while a cleaning with clear water, rinsing as you go, calls for a handled bucket. 

          I like equipment that I can wash and disinfect, 

like my little dustpan and broom, and an old toothbrush.  

Brooms

Many homeowners have tossed their brooms in favor of Swiffer-style sweepers, but nothing matches what a broom can do for shoe mold in corners, edges of carpeted rooms, exterior doors and steps, and other places where most vacuum cleaners won’t pick up.

Soft, synthetic bristle brooms are easier to use and grab dust better than stiff brooms. But for garage floors, driveways and sidewalks, a stiff push broom is best.

A broom's kissing cousin is the dust broom, and a dustpan. They're a necessity unless you're sweeping debris under a rug, and I know you wouldn't! Well, maybe if your Realtor is knocking at the door with clients in tow. 

Mops

A mop’s essential for a thorough cleaning on washable flooring. A large-headed wet mop with a swivel base and removable microcloth takes care of maintenance cleaning. For deeper cleaning, use a traditional sponge mop, one with a sturdy replaceable head that will squeeze out excess water and lets you rinse floors as well as wash. The more money you spend, the better the mop. Read the reviews and pick your weapon.

Brushes

They’re indispensable for embedded dirt, textured surfaces, and hard to reach places. I prefer a brush or a cloth to a sponge, which starts out looking all perky and then gets stinky if you don’t disinfect it regularly and then dry it quickly.

I like Oxo brushes because they are designed well and last a long time. Use an old toothbrush or the freebee you get from your dentist if you use an electric toothbrush. A toothbrush is perfect for getting into those tough spots like sink drains and around window locks.

This little, long-handled, low-tech carpet sweeper 
could be your answer to those short notice 
showings when your carpets need a quick once over.    

Magic Erasers

Like any addict, I make sure I never run out of these. They are the only approach for some otherwise unsolvable cleaning problems.

We’re talking glass shower doors, fiberglass shower stalls, stoves, porcelain and stainless sinks, and stains on vinyl and laminates. The post I wrote about how Magic Erasers work their magic is one of my most popular posts. 

Vacuum Cleaner

Nothing sexy about it, but people have love/hate relationships with their vacuums. I love my Rainbow. I’ll never go back to using a vacuum that blows air over dirt and then out its exhaust. My Rainbow is a little heavy and a little awkward, but I don’t care. It makes the whole house smell great because I can scent the water that cleans the air.

 

A vac is your most important tool. If you’re in an unfulfilling relationship with yours, now’s a good time to invest in your future. Whether you prefer an upright or a canister type, I urge you to spend a little more money and get one that you can stay married to for a long time.

Or does your present vac just need a thorough overhaul and cleaning?

It's not a vacuum cleaner, but it's the ancestor of vacs -- the humble, old school, non-electric carpet sweeper. It could be included on this dirty dozen tool list as #13. Compact, lightweight, inexpensive, quiet, it will perform your hurry-up-tidy-ups between regular vacuuming dates. 

Long Handled Duster

A microfiber duster on an extendable handle is the way to handle ceilings and walls on a maintenance schedule. Swooshing over these surfaces regularly gets rid of dust and cobwebs before they become visible.

The telescoping handle is your friend if you have high ceilings. Use your handled duster for ceiling fans because they are a magnet for whatever is in the air. Knock the dust down before you vacuum the floor.

My favorite scents. If you've read my home staging eBook, you know that I like to avoid 
strong chemical scents, and prefer essential oils for adding
fragrance to a room. 

Plastic Watering Can

A real time-saver. If you have to use caustic solutions, like Lime-A-Way or CLR, to clean shower walls and doors, use a small plastic watering can with a spout to rinse them away. Tuck it away in the vanity.

Nitrile Gloves

Protect your hands and your health. Slip on some pretty gloves for all your wet cleaning tasks. Even pure water dries your skin, and cleaning solutions include chemicals that are absorbed by your skin. If you won't drink it, don't put it on your skin.     

A cleaner can't have too many pairs of gloves. I have other glove collections
for painting and gardening. This is the watering can I use for rinsing shower walls.   

Depending on your home, you’ll have favorite tools to add to this list --  a steamer, roller to remove pet hair, carpet shampooer, robot cleaner, hand-held rechargeable vac, pumice stone, special dry mop, a squeegee, your favorite dance music. What do you do to make the most of your housecleaning time?  

Get the look, get the book

Getting your home to shine is one of the most important ways you stage your home. When a person buys a home, she envisions herself starting fresh, and moving up in the world. Cleanliness is part of that picture, part of what sells homes. You can't clean your home on the market too much, but you deserve the tools that let you do a better job, faster and easier. 

 

If you're staging a home, whether for yourself or others, you'll benefit from my home staging eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast for Top Dollar.

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Redfin tells buyers what's important

Friday, June 19, 2026

I've written numerous posts about the value of a well-maintained home when it's time to sell.   

Recently, Refin, the real estate brokerage firm that helps people buy, sell, and rent homes, contacted me for my opinion on what makes a good listing description, I told them, "Mentions of appliance brands, energy-efficient systems, recent renovations, or maintenance dates can signal a well-cared-for home."

As a result, we were featured with other real estate professionals on Redfin, Powered by Rocket! Read the full article here: 

What to Look for in Home Listing Photos and Descriptions | Redfin 

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A Staged Foyer Helps Sell Your House

Thursday, June 18, 2026

 

It's no wonder the foyer is the most overlooked room of a house. 

It's just the room we pass as we come and go, and maybe not even that. But when your home is for sale, every room is important, and that's especially true of the foyer.

A Realtor will bring buyers through the front door. So, the foyer welcomes them gives them a glimpse of what's to come. It lets buyers have their first chance to judge the home's interior.

So, this is is no place for "good enough." This is a place for "wow." Do something impressive. Since the room is usually small (if it exists at all) you can afford to add some luxury touches. 

A fabric skirt is an easy way to hide the necessities in an entranceway. Photo: John'sJournal

Tidy the space  

You'll set the tone for your house by staging the area as a clean and organized space. If shoes are stored there, keep them in attractive baskets or tubs. Remove out-of-season clothing and accessories. Avoid dark colors on walls, and make sure there is plenty of light because bright spaces feel cleaner.  

Dust, vacuum, polish, and add a natural scent to reassure buyers your home is cared-for. Don't use artificial fragrances and plugins, but add essential oils to a diffuser. Or, a clever place to hide your scent mechanism in a small room is to lay an incense stick on the ledge over the door trim. You know, that little ledge you never dust.

A mix of colors and textures makes a small room interesting. Photo: Lauren Leonard Inteiors

Give it personality 

You can  make your home more memorable to buyers on tour if your entrance displays has something unique. Hang an oversized piece of colorful art. Or lay a gorgeous rug there. How about a strikingly lovely new lamp? Any of these decor items are usually available at second hand stores like ReStore, Salvation Army, or other charity shops. 

Making something yourself is another way to inject personality. If you have a chair or bench in your entrance, add cushions or pillows that add a finishing touch. It's easy to make unique pillows from small amounts of fabric.   

Even if the entrance to your home is just a hallway, it can be staged to be inviting. 

Lighting is important  

If there are sidelights next to the door, be sure they let in all the natural light they can. Use sheer instead of heavy curtains, or none at all if privacy's not an issue.

The foyer is one place you could leave a light on all day even in your absence and not have it look like you were trying to make you home look brighter for a showing. It just makes sense, as in, "We'll leave on light on for you." 

Furniture's a must in the large foyer, and what fun you can have there. A rustic bench... a mirrored cabinet... a large black table holding books and flowers... whatever suits your house. If you use a rug, make it generous, no matter what the size of the room.

No foyer, no problem

If you have no designated entryway, you can create a sense of entrance by placing an interesting chair or small table near the front door. A mirror is perfect piece to create an illusion of a larger space. The bigger the mirror, the better. Ideally it will reflect from side to side, so no one is startled when he opens the door.

If space is too tight for a table, a shelf functions just as well to hold a pretty lamp, a silk floral arrangement, a mirror, a simple sculpture, or a dish of peppermints.

Remember that the foyer can be the last room a house hunter sees (and tastes) as he goes on with his tour of homes.

Clean lines make this foyer's mood easy to duplicate.
The red, black and white colors add drama,
and the ornate mirror adds detail. Photo: DecorPad

The  word foyer is derived from the French word for fire because in the late 1800's the foyer was the room to which theater audiences went for warmth between the acts.

Is your foyer staged to be warm and welcoming?

Be sure to visit my Pinterest Board for foyers to get more ideas. And don't leave without downloading my eBook, DIY Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. You'll learn more ways to impress buyers and convince them that your home should be their home. 

Top Photo: Room&Board 

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