TV Decorating Shows

Because it's a lazy kind of Saturday and all I'm doing is cleaning and laundry, I turned on HGTV and caught an episode of "Designed to Sell".  Honestly, it's one of my favorites because how your home looks to others really does make all the difference in how quickly it's sold (if it's sold at all) and how much you can realistically get for it.  Too many people really have a hard time with this concept.  They think that it doesn't matter if there is clutter in the living room, if the beds are unmade, dishes in the sink, empty flower pots on the front porch.  Homeowners who put their home on the market always think that their house will sell itself.  I'm sorry to say it but not everyone feels your home is drop-dead gorgeous.

So... can you really fix up your home for $2,000?  I'll be daring and say you can even do it for $1,000 or even $500 (depending on what needs to be done).  Imagine spending an extra $1,000 to fix some of your home's problems if you can get your home sold for an extra $10 or $20,000?  Seems like a no-brainer doesn't it?  Unfortunately, most people don't do it.

Back to the actually "fixing it up" part.  Yes, it's doable.  No, it isn't always as easy as it looks on TV.  When you get a run-down of the designer's budget on a television show, that budget includes the furniture, accessories, paint and lumber it takes to remodel the room or house.  It doesn't take into account the extras like, ummmmm, labor?????  TV crews do their own work.  The homeowner's aren't hiring contractors to do it for them.  Have you seen how much contractors charge these days?  It can make your budget jump from $1,000 to $5,000.  So if you are planning on doing major renovations (moving or adding walls, replumbing or rewiring) be sure you add labor into your budget.  And one last note... keep in mind all the other incidentals like paint brushes, drop cloths, nails, tools, etc.  They can really add up.

Labor unaffordable?  Can't really do the serious work yourself?  Is it hopeless?  Heavens no!  There is still so much you can do yourself.  A fresh coat of paint brightens up a room like you wouldn't believe.  A new area rug pulls a room together.  Dump the old pillows, blankets and knick-knacks and go for the minimalist look.  Nobody wants to see your collections of stuffed animals, porcelain plates or tribal masks when they are trying to picture themselves living in your home.