Making a GREAT First Impression in this Tough Real Estate Market

With real estate "season" firmly upon us, I thought it would be beneficial to investigate ways in which seller could get a leg up on the competition. My answer miraculously appeared by way of Macky Bennett, owner of Re-Arrangements & More, a local home staging company.

Macky suggests using this simple checklist to set your property apart:

1. Create Curb Appeal: A clean mail box, fresh paint, updated lighting, a manicured lawn, a driveway and walk way cleared of snow, and seasonal flowers are all signs that home is well maintained.

2. Clean: Shampoo or replace worn and stained carpets. Polish hardwood floors, professionally clean entire home. Replace dirty light switches, freshly paint worn walls, replace burned out light bulbs. Wash all windows and replace or remove worn or dated window treatments. Use new slip covers and fresh bedding as needed. Keep bathrooms spotless. Add clean fresh towels. Vacuum pet hair daily, and keep pet areas fresh and clean.

3. De-clutter: Buyers need to see architectural features and space not stuff! Pre-pack or store off-site extra clothing, books, toys, sporting goods, tools, dishes etc. Clean and organize closets, drawers, and pantries. Clear kitchen counters.

4.De-personalize and neutralize: Remove the seller’s imprint, (family photos, collections, and religious items) so the perspective buyers can picture how they will live in the space.

A Staged Home will stand out from other properties in the same price range.

To fast track your home sale, call Macky today!

Macky Bennett, owner of Re-Arrangements, LLC. is a Professional Real Estate Stager. She consults with sellers and Realtors and is a member of IRIS, BGBG, and a BARA Affliate. Her projects have been featured in the Denver Post and Boulder Daily Camera. Visit her website at www.rearrangementsandmore.com for more information on her services.

Part One of My Organic Gardening Adventure- by Susan Tucker

This year, with new baby in tow, my family and I decided to start an organic garden. I don't consider myself an environmentalist, just a concerned mom. There is nothing like feeding a growing tot to make you aware of the things we are putting in our bodies.

After picking a sunny spot in the corner of the backyard - making sure the sprinklers reached it (I'm not a good waterer, but I'll save that for another post) - we marked off the size (11 x 16) and set off to find a tiller (Home Depot - $35).

I remembered that Lee Hill Peat offered 10% off when you mentioned Boulder County Home & Garden Magazine, so we took the topper off the truck and headed that way. The fella there was quite helpful in assisting us on how much compost to get and promptly loaded up the back of the truck. Total needed 1 truck full ($31).

Thank goodness the weather was nice that day, because I have to tell you, loading up a wheel barrel and transfering dirt to the farthest corner of the yard is hard work! My husband, brother and I all rotated job duties between tilling, filling and dumping. Several hours in we had a nicely plowed plot, plumped with delectable soil. How satisfying!

We have discussed which herbs and vegetables we'd like to eat and since the official last frost date of May 15th is just now upon us we have set some time for later in the week to buy them (next year we'll start from seeds). I've laid out the plans and just can't wait to get the plants into the ground.

In the meantime, I've detailed a plan of action for the remainder of the summer:

1. Research organic pest control; I've read that garlic spray, soap bars, human hair, natural predators such as ladybugs and wasps can all be effective methods.
2. Concoct organic fertilizer; apparently my compost pile could work as a natural fertilzer, as well as manure and even companion planting.
3. Weed, weed, weed.
4. Water
5. And, EAT. This of course, will require researching lots of recipes to insure we don't tire of eating tomatoes (again).

I know this is only the beginning of what I hope to be an annual treat. I'm prepared to learn all I can about gardening organically and am sure it's just a figure-it-out-as-you-go kind of thing. I'll keep you posted on the progress!

Frugal Living in Boulder County

Living in Boulder County has it's perks; quick access to the mountain, the Farmer's Market, bike paths to just about anywhere you need to go and of course, amazing weather (this week in particular!). Life is grand here in the Boulder Valley, but luxury has a price. My question is how can you have your cake and eat it, too?

Here is my top ten list for saving money in Boulder County:

1. Craigslist; you can buy AND sell just about everything.
2. Eco-Inspection; Get one and save bundles on your energy bill.
3. Farmer's Market; show up at the end of the day, it's amazing how much $5 can get you.
4. ReSource; For any remodeling project - inexpensive AND you're recycling.
5. Boulder Theater; Tues night is movie night, it's cheap and has a full bar.
6. Pearl Street Mall; for people watching and sidewalk sales, too.
7. Costco; for bulk purchases.
8. Bike Paths; cut back on gas consumption and take the bike path to work instead.
9. Hiking Trails; drop the gym membership and get your butt kicked by Mt. Sanitas.
10.Happy Hour; opting for a early dinner during happy hour will save you a bundle.

If you have any frugal living tips to share, be sure to email us:
marketing@brockpub.com

Sharing Space with My Feathered Friends- by Susan Tucker

"Those damn birds!" That's what I woke up to exactly three years ago this spring - the first spring we spent in our new house.

I couldn't blame my husband for voicing his frustrations. I had also watched as a couple of birds (or was it just one frantic one?) built up a nest in the rafters of our deck roof. At first we thought nothing of it, but as time went by, they (he) would come in and out and in and out, constantly sending the dogs off into a barking rampage. It finally became such a nuisance we resorted to hooking up a power washer to our hose and drowned them out of their home.

Yeah, I know, that was pretty cruel. I still lose sleep over it

Then came the spring of 05, the year we decided to start a family of our own. The little things in life are suddenly viewed from a new perspective. We didn't have the heart to evict them that year. That was the year we experienced life anew as papa and mama built their home in eager anticipation of babies (who came surprisingly sooner than we expected). We sat back in fascination as sweet little bird parents worked hard to bring food to the littlest ones. We got used to their cute little chirping noises - even the dogs had gotten used to it. Then, sadly, after a few weeks they were gone. Our deck felt so empty.

Spring is back again and so are the birds. I told my son the story of the birds this morning and look forward to watching and sharing as the cycle starts again. Right now they're still acquiring the bits and pieces of twigs that will eventually be home to babies. I'll explain how mama and papa want things to be just right, because when their little babies arrive, they'll spend their time finding food for babies to grow and eventually fly out on their own.

If there is one thing that I've learned from the birds, it's that life is short. Pretty soon, my own baby bird will be grown up and out on his own, too. I just want to be sure and experience all the joys that life has to offer while I still have him here to share them with me ... including sharing space with my feathered friends.

Interested in learning more about local bird watching? Click here!

The Spring issue of BCHG is HERE!

Give me a drumroll please .....
The spring issue of Boulder County Home & Garden Magazine has just been published!

It's another beautiful, informative issue that's chock full of inspiration! I particularly like the Container Gardening, How to Decorate Your Garden and Spring Chickens articles. As usual, being a part of this magazine has done nothing to wane my desire for a beautiful lawn.

Be sure to pick up your copy at any of the areas King Soopers, many of the local coffee shops or real estate offices!

If you have a project you need help on log on to our online Resource Directory for a list of local home and garden professionals!

How to Keep Your Budget Intact When Your Kitchen is Being Torn Apart- By Susan Tucker

After living in our new (1968 model) home for a mere 2 days, 48 hours, my husband and I decided we couldn’t cook one more meal in the disgusting, dated kitchen. It was then that our dream kitchen plans were underway.

We began the process just as any couple would: tearing out magazine articles, scouring the Internet, asking around. We had NO CLUE what it entailed or how to get started. Eventually, we consulted a kitchen designer and from there it was just taking it one step at a time.

By hiring a designer, we were able to save quite a bit of money. She connected us with someone interested in recycling their maple cabinets and she coached us on the best places to shop for the best prices. She had a great sense of space and it showed in the design plans she created for us.

We set a goal start date for Memorial Day – my husband is on a school schedule, so we knew we had to get it completed during his nine-week break. In the months leading up to “The Big Day”, we diligently prepared; buying/borrowing equipment and supplies, moving the essentials to our laundry room, building our bank account as well as our friendship “accounts”, and getting mentally geared up.

Clad in old clothes, masks and goggles, demolition day was underway. Two days of demo lead to a vigorous regimen of waking, completing a long list of tasks, eating dinner out (or off the grill) and falling into bed late every night. It was much like climbing a 14’er, just one step at a time.

Thanks to the help of friends and family (my electrician brother flew out from Alabama to rewire and our good friend who hangs cabinets did the obvious) the process wasn’t so bad and we -THANK GOD- got it all finished on time, if not slightly off budget. It didn’t take too much of a toll on our relationship and now we have a gorgeous custom kitchen!


Things I learned along the way:
1) Hire a consultant, designer or anyone that can guide you along the way. Be sure you know UP FRONT what services will be provided and how much it will be (one flat fee or a la carte). Insist upon a written agreement.
2) Get a permit. It’s easy to do through the city.
3) Plan WELL ahead of time – the best way we saved money was by knowing what we wanted and waiting until there was a sale to buy it (you’ll need access to a storage area).
4) Be unabashed in asking for help. Your friends and family will be happy to do so, especially when you throw in things like free dog walks for a year, homemade meals, or anything else you can barter.
5) Think outside the box. Our best purchase were maple cabinets from someone else’s kitchen. They were happy to recycle and we were happy to save $10K.
6) Use local artisans. Our custom hand-blown glass pendant lights are gorgeous and they always generate a response.
7) Go to http://homeandgardenmag.com/resource_directory.html It’s a great resource that’ll help you figure out who to use for what and where to buy.

Until our next project, I’m happily content to search for inspiration while I sit at my new concrete countertop bar!

The countdown begins....

Only ONE month until the Farmer's Market opens!

Get your updates at: www.boulderfarmers.org