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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Here's How to Landscape Around Your Modular or Mobile Home

Saturday, June 13, 2026

If you own a mobile or modular home, you know the advantages of buying and living in one.

They're affordable, energy efficient, and well-designed for today's lifestyle.

When it's time to sell, you'll face the same challenges owners of conventional homes face. Your home has to look good from the outside as well as the inside.

But landscaping around a home in a mobile home park is not like landscaping a site-built, two-story Colonial on a one-acre lot.

For one thing, the land under the home is possibly leased -- not sold with the home -- and the lot is probably small. The park will likely have restrictions on what you can and cannot do on the property.

But if your single wide or doublewide is situated on a generously-sized lot you own instead of on common ground, you can take on landscaping projects with a larger scope. Either way, curb appeal is just as important as when a conventional home goes on the market.

The appeal of mobiles  

Because its underpinnings are concealed 

nicely and its landscape has matured, 

this mobile home looks more like a conventional 

house  Photo: MobileHomeLiving.com

People buy manufactured homes for different reasons. The most common one is economics. Single folks, young couples, retirees, and anyone tired of renting a house or apartment, are more able to become buyers than if they went shopping for a conventionally constructed home. Mobiles are priced low because they are constructed in one-fifth the time and at half the cost of site-built homes. The builders don't have to hassle with weather delays and the entire building process is more efficient.

Some people buy mobiles when they learn that manufactured housing assembled in a controlled, factory environment uses fewer materials and generates less waste than comparable site-built units. Yes, mobiles are "greener."

Unique landscape challenges

For a mobile home to look competitive in the real estate market, it needs to look, well, not too mobile. In other words, its wheels and axles, if they are still in place, need to be hidden. Make your skirting look as strong and straight as possible. The right skirting can make a manufactured home look more permanent and valuable.

Another spot that needs cosmetics is the hitch. If it is not removable, can you conceal it with fencing, lattice, or a planting that covers it? Some people cluster a grouping of container plants or a raised bed built of blocks around the hitch.

Here is an example of a sidewalk extension using 
concrete pavers. You can make an 
entrance garden wall 
from concrete blocks. The wall leads your eye
to the front door. Photo: MobileHomeLiving

Mobiles tend to look boxier than conventional homes. Having a porch, patio, deck or other "bump-out" helps to break up those boxy lines. But shrubs, either in the ground or in large planters, are another way to help soften the straight lines of your home and anchor it to the surrounding land.

If the space that surrounds your home is small, don't consider it a deal-breaker for buyers. Many will welcome a tiny lot for its low maintenance appeal. If privacy is an issue, lattice panels or 4- to 6-foot fencing might be your best option. It may not need to be a solid, continuous fence, since the illusion of privacy can be enough to create the sense of a private, outdoor space.

Make your entrance important 

A common mistake homeowners make when they design their front landscape areas is to plant interesting or colorful plants scattered around the property. When you're deciding what to grow where, add color and texture where you want people to look: your front entrance.   

Why? Because a well-designed front garden will make visitors and buyers feel welcome and curious about what's inside.

Your entrance area doesn't have to be large or extravagant. In fact, it should be simple but interesting. Incorporate some curved lines when you outline a bed. Aim for or a clean-looking border for a raised garden by using concrete blocks. Use an uncomplicated color scheme when you select shrubs and flowering plants.    

This retaining wall allowed the homeowner to hide skirting and give the look of a solid foundation. The gravel mulch, mature shrubs, 
solar lights and colorful annuals are all easy to care for. 
Photo: MobileHomePartsStore.com

 

When you choose containers that 
match each other, 
they look cohesive.
Installation and upkeep are easier. 
And you can take "your garden"
with you when you move. 
Photo: MobileHomeLiving.com

Containers are perfect for entrance gardens because you can easily maintain them while your home is for sale. If you have existing beds, you can add potted plants to these gardens to keep them looking colorful no matter what the season. Also, your potted plants can go with you when you move!

Install hardscape

If you are beautifying your yard to improve your home's value, adding hardscaping is one easy way to do that. When you add things like wide steps and a landing, or a deck, or a concrete path, or a patio to your outdoor space, it's as good as adding actual square footage in the eyes of most buyers.

Concrete pavers surrounded by
natural rock give this
winding path its
personality. Photo: StyleEstate

 

Hardscape has the advantage of being quick to install, whether it's DIY or a professional job. Hardscape looks good from day one. You don't have to wait for it to grow the way you would for a flower bed or tree!

Add an entertainment spot

Another type of outdoor home improvement that can bring in significant ROI is creating an entertainment space.

A fire pit is the perfect way to start any entertainment space, It also makes an ideal centerpiece in the landscape.

There are countless ways to construct your own fire pit, but consulting a professional can often produce luxurious results that yield a higher ROI.

Stage your entertainment spot with some matching outdoor chairs to make it look more inviting. If you have a view, capitalize on that by putting seating where people can enjoy it.

Unless security is a problem, an outdoor dining area can be staged with table, chairs, benches, plants, lighting, and an outdoor grill. When they are shopping for a new home, buyers like to envision how they will entertain.

Favorite tips 

A  fire pit is a magnet to people touring 
your property. Make it even more 
special by adding seating 
and colorful cushions. Photo: BHG

 

When you add paths, make them direct people around your property so they can appreciate it from every angle.

Try to have some unusual elements in your landscape, some surprises for visitors, like a small fountain, a collection of one kind of potted plant, a jumbo shrub in a half barrel planter, or a birdbath tucked into a corner of your lot. You don't want all the same plants and landscape features that all your neighbors have. 

Choose the plants that front your skirting to be ones that keep their leaves all year long. No bare branches allowed up close to your home!  

Plant what thrives in your region of the country. Don't try to grow desert-dwelling cactus in states with humid summers. Don't try to grow heat-loving tropicals in northern states with long winters. 

Add color in broad sweeps. Avoid the polka dot effect of spreading various flowering plants in beds scattered across your property. Help people focus on your home. That's what you are selling. Also, a complicated landscape looks like hard work to buyers who don't enjoy yard work.  

Finally, leave some areas of your yard as places to rest the eye. You can count on mulch, gravel, groundcover plants, or whatever kind of grass does well where you live, to create areas that are restful and easy to keep looking good year 'round. 

It's true that manufactured homes are often harder to renovate inside, but landscaping is a sound investment and can work wonders to enhance the best features and aesthetics of your modular or mobile home.

If you are selling any kind of home, you can get more tips on staging it in my eBooks. Download and start staging your way to a more profitable sale today.

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Fast Track Your Staging

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Do you want to sell your home fast, without wasting time on what's not important? If so, you're not alone.

Many sellers want a really quick home sale. Maybe it's because of an impulsive relocation, retirement, divorce, military transfer, expanding family, or downsizing. Maybe your neighborhood or local politics have changed. Perhaps you bought your home with the intention to fix it and sell it for a profit. 

If you fall into that Hurry-Up-Get-It-Done category, this checklist is for you. 

Pack up

It may seem counterintuitive to pack for your (hopefully imminent) move, but packing can force you to decide what's important enough to keep. Use the keep/toss/donate/sell system. Ask yourself, "Under what circumstances would I use this item?" 

Consider storage off-site for things like out-of season clothes and sports equipment, seldom-used appliances, excess books and collections, and extra towels and linens. Moving or storage companies sell boxes for moving. So do UPS, Amazon, and home improvement centers. I like boxes to be all the same size, for easy stacking. Note: Boxes from the grocery store may contain pesticides or pests.   

Tackle this decluttering process before you clean. There's no sense cleaning what won't stay to be part of your staging. An experienced Realtor once told me, "If it's clean and it's priced right, it will sell."

Temporarily storing your boxed 
"extra belongings" in a climate-
controlled storage unit is ideal.
Photo: Pro Active Movers

Get a listing agent

As soon as you've selected a Realtor, you'll hand off a list of responsibilities. A good Realtor will educate you about what's important to buyers, and help you set a price that's appealing to buyers and to you as well. She'll also make recommendations about what's important and what isn't, saving you time.

You can educate your listing agent and help her educate potential buyers and other Realtors by collecting pertinent information about your home. A simple way to do this is to gather receipts, warranties, and manuals for appliances and systems. You can present them in a binder and even include photos of your home in other seasons. A well-documented show of home maintenance reassures buyers, and can streamline the buying process.

Buyers appreciate seeing photos
that show how your property
looks in different seasons.
Photo: Lynn Karlin via BHG

Plan a budget

Once you have realistic expectations for the sale of your home, you can get a handle on how much you want to spend on repairs or upgrades. Following your Realtor's advice, get quotes on services like carpet cleaning, cabinet replacement, plumbing repairs, HVAC service, and a pre-listing home inspection. The wise seller is not afraid to spend money for repairs and recommended improvements. 

Remember that every day your home stays on the market costs you money in insurance, taxes, utilities, and upkeep.       

Hire painters 

According to Angi, painting interior walls gives you a 107%  return on the investment. When you're saving time, you'll come out ahead if you hire people to do what they do every day. You can focus on what's fast and easy for you -- declutter and pack and plan your homestaging.  Your walls are bound to have some dings and nail holes that need patching. Preparation and having the right paint and tools are so important to a paint job that it's cost-effective (and a sanity-saver) to pay professionals. 

A fresh coat of paint in areas 
like kitchens and baths makes
your whole home feel extra clean.
Photo: Sherwin-Williams

Spruce up curb appeal

Your landscape frames your home. You can make it an asset by removing details like skimpy flower beds, distracting lawn ornaments, and unhealthy or poorly pruned shrubs and trees. Changes like these don't cost anything.

Ace Hardware recently ranked standard lawn care services the best return on investment for homeowners. If your neighbors' lawns look way better than yours, maybe it's time for a refresh. Hydroseeding offers the advantage of a new, lush lawn in just three to four weeks.  

Get inspired

Homestaging your own home is easy if you take it in stages and get some professional help when needed. 

To see trends and fresh ideas, start browsing websites like House Beautiful, DecorPad, West Elm, and my Pinterest boards for homestaging. Spend an afternoon browsing local home decor and furniture stores for ideas. Then take a tour of your home and decide what items, small and large, add to its perceived value. Make a list of what could be missing -- some oversized art, or brighter light bulbs, fresh throw pillows, or some artificial plants. 

Choose the DIY staging projects that are quick to do and have a big impact, like hanging new curtains,   painting a dining table, or making your home smell great.  

Be sure to use as a guide my homestaging eBook, DIY Homestaging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. I give you the time-saving, dollar-stretching ways you can make your own home look better to buyers. 

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Selling a Flood-Prone Home

Saturday, March 07, 2026

If the house you plan to sell is located in a flood plain, you have unique challenges. 

But you also have some important selling features. Let's look at how you can minimize the downside of living in or near a flood plain so you can attract buyers. 

Sell the location 

Most people are naturally attracted to living near the water. Americans dream of a home at the seashore. They build vacation cabins on lakes and ponds. They buy homes near mountain streams and alongside rivers. This attraction is justified by the numerous benefits of living by water, including better health.   

So, even though homes near water face the stigma of being "high-risk properties," there is a reliable market of buyers willing and able to own them. 

You can make the most of your home's location by staging it to emphasize local color and what's unique about your area. Many people buy homes when they vacation near the water, so don't assume buyers will be local residents. Help them envision their new lifestyle in a new locale. 

When you have a water view, capitalize
on it by staging the vantage point, 
whether inside or outside your home. 

Mitigate problems

Rising sea levels, which increase the risk of flooding, are on the minds of many buyers. It's difficult to ignore news coverage of flooded homes and statistics like nearly 56,000 homes near the New Jersey Shore are expected to experience at least one flood event during the next 25 years.

But, there are things you can do to prevent or minimize water damage. You can work with a knowledgeable landscape company that understands the importance of drainage on your property. You can elevate electrical and HVAC equipment to reduce the risk of damage. If you have a basement or a crawlspace, you can reinforce your foundation and install sump pumps.

Typically, local authorities like emergency responders, insurance companies, and government workers offer advice for citizens living in a flood plain. Tap into these sources for digital or printed information you can pass along to your Realtor and potential buyers.

If you have waterfront property, it's an 
asset to have a strong seawall or bulkhead.

Disclose everything

It's not just our coastlines that are at risk, the Great Lakes area, major and minor rivers, and navigable canals also flood. Heavy rains, poor drainage, and even nearby construction projects are risks. Buyers and their real estate agents who are aware of the possibility of flooding in your neighborhood will want facts about your area, and about your home in particular.

If your house has been flooded, be upfront about it during negotiations. Show buyers what remedies you have added to make it more resilient, such as floating/click-lock LVP flooring that can be removed, dried, and reinstalled. Or waterproof doors, seawalls, flood barriers, or landscaping adjustments. A back-up power generator is a real bonus. 

Being upfront about the risk of flooding will build trust between you and the buyer during negotiations.

If your property is in a popular resort area, your buyer might have plans to use your home for short-term rentals using services like VRBO, Airbnb, and others. Let your buyer know if there are local ordinances prohibiting or restricting short term rentals, and what rents he can expect to charge. 

Non-local buyers shopping online appreciate 
accurate and numerous photos before  
 they travel to the area for a home tour. 

Reassure reluctant buyers

Buyers who expect a bargain because your home is in a flood plain might need to be educated. Your  Realtor can point to statistics that specify the probability of your property being flooded. Local governments make these stats public information.

But your Realtor should also document for buyers how other homes in the neighborhood have appreciated in value over time.

There are ways you can emphasize special features of your home not affected by rising water. The sales copy on your online listing should mention perks like the view, boating and recreational access, good schools, access to shopping and restaurants, and even how many other homes have recently sold in the area for good prices. 

A local Realtor can steer buyers to lenders with experience creating mortgages for houses in flood-prone areas.  

A nautical chart like this one adds
some local charm without
being too cute or beachy. 
Photo: Nautical Chart Company

Explain insurance info

Buyers who do not need a loan to buy your home may not understand the importance of carrying flood insurance. If they are getting a mortgage, their lender will require it. They may not know that most standard homeowners' insurance does not cover flood damage. When my home was flooded, FEMA rescued us financially. We were pleasantly surprised by how quick and cooperative FEMA was. 

You can provide information from your regular home insurance company about low-cost options for water damage, including leaks from roof damage or a leaking water heater. Make sure buyers know that your property is not uninsurable. Emphasize that the right insurance policy buys peace of mind! 

Get the look, get the book

Make it easy for buyers to be confident that your home is priced right and is in a secure location. With a few weather-smart upgrades, honest negotiations, and the right kind of homestaging, you'll convince them that the problems facing homes in food-prone areas are offset by the advantages of living by the water. 

Get smart staging advice in my homestaging eBooks. You can download them now and begin getting your home ready for sale!

Top Photo: Cottage Fever Interior Design 

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Why Prep Now For Spring

Sunday, March 01, 2026

If springtime is considered prime house-selling season, winter is prime house-prepping season.. 

With winter's major holidays behind, and summer activities like travel, vacations, graduations, and anniversaries ahead, winter is the sweet spot for doing whatever your home needs to sell fast for the price you want! 

Then, come spring, you’re not getting ready to sell. You're ready to sell. Here's how to make the most of winter.  

See your weak spots 

In winter, you're more likely to see your home's problem areas. When you spend more time indoors, you're more likely to notice any of the following: rooms that look dreary, windows that are drafty, interior lighting that isn't bright enough, or areas that have an unpleasant scent.  

Outside your house, winter landscapes can look barren and boring compared to how your property looks in summer -- lush and healthy. So, winter's the best time to analyze the layout of your landscape, its hardscape, and any cluttered or barren areas.  

Do you have a clear and welcoming path to the front door? Are there any bare tree branches overhanging the roof? Have shrubs overgrown their space, needing pruning? Are dormant flower beds in need of a top dressing? 

Now's the time to address your all-important curb appeal. Paint your front door. Maybe add a handsome, upgraded garage door or some flower boxes under your front windows. Pressure wash the driveway. If your siding is mildewed or dirty, pressure wash that also. 

In winter, your landscape may be
stripped to its basic design,
and the trees and shrubs 
that anchor it all year long. 

 You're ready for spring

Selling a home and moving are stressful events. You can't ignore your mental health. Once you've pared down furnishings that don't increase the perceived value of your home,  cleaned and organized closets, cabinets, basement, garage, and attic, and had important repairs done, you'll feel empowered and ready for staging. 

So, when spring arrives, you'll be ready to hit the market instead of hurrying through packing up and staging your home. Without the pressure that comes with rushing, you can make good decisions during negotiations. 

Many people are considering moving to a better climate or are moving because they've received a promotion or a healthy tax refund. And renters, who make up 34% of  Americans, are often ready to become homeowners. 

By the time your home is listed,
you'll know you've done
your best to make it desirable,
without stressing yourself.  

It's bargain time

One of the most common New Year's resolutions people make is to declutter their homes. That means early in the year thrift stores are well-stocked with furnishings and decor items. Although for most parts of our country, garage sales are a winter rarity, sources like Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, and Craigslist thrive during the winter. These are good sources of like-new furniture, lamps, mirrors, artwork, and even curtains and draperies.  

Prepping your home over the winter months also means you can spread your expenses over a few months rather than rushing to beat the Spring rush. 

If it bothers you to think you have to spend money to sell your home, remember that your home is an investment. Think of it as a business. Ask any successful business owner, and you'll hear that phrase, "To make money, you need to spend money." A poorly presented home will attract flippers and bottom feeders instead of people willing to spend more to achieve the lifestyle they want. Your job as a seller is to create the image of that lifestyle. 

Local thrift stores and Facebook
Marketplace are my favorite sources
for staging furniture and props. 

Contractors are available 

One of the most overlooked perks of winter prep is that many professionals that you need have a "slow season." That means you're likely to get a quicker response, easier scheduling, and competitive price quotes. Crews might even have time to give the job extra attention if they aren't pressed for time. 

Winter's a great time to find painters, landscapers,  HVAC experts, flooring companies, carpet cleaners, gutter and roofing repairers, a handyman, and a home inspector. Calling and connecting with these contractors, you won't be scrambling for last-minute fixes, and you can get the jump on other sellers to line up a Realtor!  

Most tradespeople have a busy
season and a slow season. A slow
season can benefit both the customer
and the contractor. Photo: New Age Air

Get the look, get the book

The sooner you begin getting your home market-ready, the smoother the sale will go. This slower approach to home prepping also makes it easier for you to emotionally detach from your home and look forward to your next one. 

To learn other ways to make your home sell faster for more money, download my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Make Your Home Sell Fast and For Top Dollar. You'll discover a wealth of ways to make your home look more expensive without hiring a professional homestager.   

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How to Make Your Home Smell Great

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Humans are wired to respond to scents. Dirt, debris, dust, dander, and daily activities add their unique scent to a house, and it's not always pleasant. When you have a house for sale, its indoor scent needs to evoke positive feelings.  

Here's how to eliminate unpleasant household odors, and how to add the scents that help buyers immediately feel comfortable in your house. Your signature scent could be what makes buyers remember your home after a day of touring different homes. 

Deep clean

All but the most organized and energetic homeowners put off major cleaning projects. I confess I don't tackle regular closet purges, take on garage overhauls, and wash window screens yearly. 

An all-white color palette can reassure
buyers your home is clean. 

When it's time to sell your home, it's time to make it look good and smell good. First step: removing clutter and, if possible, whatever won't be part of your final staging. With fewer small things to get in the way, your cleaning will go more quickly, and you'll have better results. 

If you can fit it in your home-prepping budget, paying for a professional deep clean will free you up to manage other staging tasks.    

Freshen the air 

Good indoor ventilation is what makes your home feel comfortable and smell fresh. This doesn't mean you have to open all your windows. In some areas, pollen could be a problem, or it is too hot, too cold, too noisy, too windy, or too humid. 

Count on your HVAC system, or on ceiling fans, and dehumidifiers to circulate and clean the air. Odors from pets, smoking, cooking, dirty laundry, and chemicals from construction, painting, and craft projects can linger if your indoor air isn't circulated. Many models of air purifiers with HEPA filters are compact, good-looking, inexpensive, and do a good job -- perfect for homestaging. . 

A diffuser doesn't need to
stand alone. Make it part of an artful
tabletop or counter arrangement. 
Photo: Pepper and Oak Candle Company

 Prevent moisture

One of the most common sources of indoor air that doesn't feel fresh is humidity, and the mildew and mold it causes. Mildew can grow gradually over time from spills, a water leak, or poor plumbing, so you may become accustomed to the smell.  

Most of us all know the look of mildew's powdery, grey coloring on surfaces that don't get adequate ventilation or light, surfaces that stay damp too long. 

Mildew and mold are not the same. Mold spores are microscopic and may not be visible to the naked eye, but mold becomes noticeable if untreated. Although they may not smell it, buyers will recognize mold and mildew as a sign of poor maintenance. And people with mold  allergies will have a reaction. 

Crawl spaces, basements, cabinets and vanities under faucets, and shower stalls are common areas for mold. If there is a roof leak, walls and ceilings may be hiding mold and mildew. A damaged sewer line will also create unpleasant aromas. A home inspector will do moisture readings of these places. Remediation can get pricey, so the best bet is preventative measures, and getting a water audit from a plumber to find hidden leaks. 

Bathroom air is commonly humid. Use your
exhaust fan when showering and to help
towels, shower curtains and rugs dry
quickly. Photo: Jim Franco via BHG 

Go natural 

Add fragrance from nature instead of the chem lab. I'm not talking about bouquets of flowers. I'm talking about essential oils, which are gaining in popularity as people become aware of the health problems associated with artificial fragrances. I've blogged about how artificial fragrances are messing with your health and what you can do about it. 

Diffusers that use essential oils will gently scent the air in your home, and are common enough that they don't signal that you are masking problem aromas. Don't equate "fragrance oils" with essential oils, which are derived from plants such as lavender, cedar, pine, jasmine, rose, and sandalwood. 

Do not use plug-in air fresheners. They are fire hazards, so I never use or recommend them. 

Living plants help purify indoor air, but you would need many plants to measurably purify the space the way an air purifier does. Well-staged rooms always include some foliage, so choose from these plants that help clean the air: hardy snake plant, peace lily, spider plant, pothos, rubber plant, English ivy, Boston fern, and philodendron.  A blooming lavender plant would be a lovely way to scent any room, especially in a sunny spot. Here's how to take care of a lavender plant.  

A sunny window is the perfect spot
for a fragrant lavender plant.
Photo: Future via Ideal Home

Get the look, get the book

Don't let the scents in your home distract homebuyers touring your home. Make it easy for them to love your home by removing problem smells and adding "feel good" scents. 

You'll find more advice on making buyers want to buy your home in my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. You can download it now here and start staging it yourself with simple, economical tricks and projects that add value to your home.

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Six Reasons to Stage Your Exterior Spaces

Thursday, February 05, 2026

Home buyers will tell their Realtor how many bedrooms and bathrooms they want. They'll talk about square footage and location. And although they may not add it to their wish list, outdoor living space is still important to buyers. 

If the grounds outside your home make it easy for them to imagine a lifestyle they want to step into, you're more likely to see a purchase offer. Making your outdoor features like a porch, patio, balcony, deck, or yard isn't as complicated as staging your indoor spaces.

Here are six ways improving what's outside your home will help sell your home.  

Your online photo looks better

Your home's first photo on MLS online listings and sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com is like your LinkedIn profile shot. People will make a snap judgment about whether they like it or not.  

Professional real estate photographers know how to flatter your home and still represent it honestly. Encourage your Realtor to hire one. And then, be ready for him. Remove clutter and other distractions from around the building. Now's the time to manicure the shrubbery, top dress any beds with mulch, and pressure wash paved surfaces. 

The outside entrance of a home should
include some welcoming and interesting
details. Photo: Atlantic Archives

Buyers value a good neighborhood 

No one wants to own the worst house on the street. And people judge a home (and its owners) by how it looks from the street. Make sure your property comes up to neighborhood standards. 

A home purchase represents a significant, long-term financial investment. For most people, it is the largest asset they will own. They want to feel confident they are making a smart decision. Build their confidence with a well-tended property.

A beautiful lawn influences how buyers perceive the rest of your property. Green grass suggests care and comfort. Surveys indicate that 90% of Americans prefer living in homes surrounded by grass lawns. If your home is in a region where lawn watering is rationed or impractical, use hardscape and zone-appropriate plants to create that cared-for look.

Photo: A lawn needn't encompass the 
entire front expanse of a property. 
Hardscape is part of this landscape.

Children need outdoor time 

Young families will look for homes that are kid-friendly, ones that provide space for children to be outside and engaged. Today's parents are aware of how much screen time their children are getting and how little time they spend outdoors.

A study referenced by Sanford Health reveals that American children average only four to seven minutes a day of unstructured outdoor play. Make your outdoor spaces easy for families to envision how they can reclaim that lost outdoor time.

You don't need to install a sandbox and a swingset to make your point. Simple things like a path of stepping stones, a fountain, a picnic table, or a small table and chairs suggest that children can spend time there safely. A fenced yard is a big plus.

Outdoor entertaining is popular

You'll want your yard to look like a haven for kids but also an oasis for adults. Make sure a porch, terrace, deck, or patio is clean, in good repair, and staged with some comfortable outdoor furniture. 

Depending on the season when your home is listed, a grill, a cornhole game, a badminton set, or a croquet game could be additions that make the point that your yard is a natural for entertaining. Here's how to build a firepit for less than $100. If you have a storage shed on the grounds, let that be part of what makes your home special. 

Landscapes are for relaxing

People purchasing a home are hoping for a better lifestyle, one that gives them time to relax and enjoy their new home. If your outdoor areas are staged right, you'll make it easy for them to imagine how they will spend their leisure time. 

If you have a balcony or porch, don't ignore it when it's time to sell. I've blogged about the value a porch adds and how to stage it.

There's usually room for a small
seating arrangement on most porches. 
Photo: Bria Hammel Interiors.

Consider adding a small private seating area in a corner of your yard. It helps if hedges or a trellis or fencing give it a feeling of enclosure. A windchime or small fountain adds soothing sounds, and a birdbath or birdfeeder introduces a focal point, plus the sounds and sights of nature. If summers are hot where you live, make sure there is a shady place to sit outside and relax.  

Everyone wants a good view  

Do any of the windows in your house have a view that you enjoy? If so, you'll want to show it off with effective staging. Keep window treatments from blocking any desirable views like waterfront, mountains, or an attractive cityscape. 

Photo: A good view from inside can be
close by or distant, natural or planned.  

The value a view adds to a property depends on various things. Buyers may question whether the scenery could change because of future construction or the growth of trees. But an eye-catching view can help your home stand out in the market.  

One deal-breaker for sellers is a view that's unpleasant. It could be something like a next-door neighbor whose backyard -- one that your bedroom window overlooks -- is a junkyard of discarded auto parts and materials he intends to recycle someday! Now's the time to create window treatments that let in light but mask any scenes that aren't an asset to your property. I like cafe curtains for that purpose.    

Get the look, get the book

Elevating an outdoor space with staging isn’t about adding extravagant features. It’s about presenting the yard with purpose. Your staging can make a difference between a showing that’s forgettable and one that sticks in buyers' minds. Make it easy for them to imagine relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying life both inside and outside your home. 

My homestaging eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar will give you all the advice and encouragement you need to do it yourself. Download it now to get started with the kind of staging that's simple, economical, and effective!

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