We all seem to be getting busier these days – working longer hours, commuting further – selling your house can be an unwanted extra burden on your time.

If you want to avoid all the stress and have a hassle free house sale, there is now a solution – a house buying company

The traditional way of selling a house through an estate agent can take months – often over 12 months. In that time, you will have all the stress associated with multiple viewings – arranging a convenient time with the estage agent, ensuring the house is presentable and not cluttered, even clearing up the children’s toys!

Once you’ve accepted an offering, any time prior to completion, your buyer can withdraw. You’re also likely to become part of a house sale chain, with all the risk involved with multiple purchases and sales and the potential delays to your sale.

A house buyer is the only foolproof method of avoiding the stresses, delays and uncertainties of selling your present home in the open market.

How can a house buyer help?

House buyers will purchase your house for cash, quickly – often within 7 days.

How does it work?

It’s simple.

1. The house buyer will arrange for 3 agents to value your property.

2. They will then be able to make an offer to you based on these valuations.

3. On accepting our offer, they will agree a suitable date for exchange of contracts and completion.

There is no cost or obligation in receiving an offer.

What are the benefits of using a house buyer?

Quite simply, you remove all the stress and time wasted in selling your home.

• You guarantee the sale of your home, for cash.

• You avoid the uncertainty of selling on the open market.

• You aovid the stress and hassle of multiple viewings.

• You can plan your move safe in the knowledge your house is sold.

• You’re chain free, putting you in a stronger position for buying your new home.

• We can complete quickly and to suit your timescales.



Sell and Rent Back

How do you add that “country touch” to a decorating style? Since the “country look” has evolved over the years and taken on a wider variety of characteristics, it can add a special touch to decorating from rural to contemporary. Here are a few ideas to give your home a “touch of country” and retain that feel of tradition.

Add a little extra luxury in your country home decorating such as pampering guests with a serene bedroom furnished with a high-quality mattress and specially-selected cotton sheets that feel good against the skin.

A layered look in fabrics gives a tranquil feel to a room. Country home decorating makes use of patterned fabrics, florals, and stripes as well as eyelet. They complement one another and provide a special touch in any room.

Another idea is to add blue and white checks on cushions and pillows to give that country appearance. Blue denim is also an icon of the country home decorating style. It is a traditional, timeless American classic that gives a relaxed, comfortable feel to a room.

Quilts, quilts, and quilts— what a wonderful way to add that country touch to your décor. There are countless patterns from which to choose that will harmonize with your country decorating idea.

Old and new photographs are an outstanding addition to your country home décor. The space above a staircase is a place to display your photos for your own enjoyment as well as for your family and guests. Make sure the staircase is out of the direct sunlight.

Take time from decorating to relax in a hammock for an hour or two—what a true country experience!

As you can see, these are just a small number of the unlimited ways to add a touch of country to your country home decorating ideas.

For ideas on keeping your home organized, download a free copy of the ebook “The Essential Guide to Organizing Your Home”. Click here for your free download.



Rent Back

 

Statistics as of Friday, 3/20/2009

 

The market continues to shift.  The supply of available Single Family Detached homes  dropped an additional 2% to 38,652.  In the past month, closings stayed strong at 6087 to lower the overall supply to 6 ¼ months.  Keep in mind a balanced market is considered 6 months, which makes about 60% of our market a sellers market.

 

Additionally, pending sales have reached another new high at 12,265.  Scottsdale, another area of pendings, is under $1M so it is showing activity.  An increase of nearly 30% in pendings has been observed here in the past 3 weeks, so increased sales should be seen over the next few weeks.

 

The best markets in the Valley at the current time are Phoenix and the West Valley, at 5 ¼ months each.  Following closely is the SE Valley at 5 ¾ months.

 

Because of a shortage of realistic financing for JUMBO loans, the higher end continues to lag behind.  For $1M+, supply levels are at 4 years for Scottsdale and 5 years for PV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MLS Statistics

Area Breakdown

 

Overall Market.  Since last week, inventories are down 2%.  Active listings total 38,652 with closings in the past month of 6087.  This is approximately a 6 ¼ month supply.

 

Phoenix.  Since last week, inventory levels are down by 2%.  Active listings total 8816 with closings in the past month of 1719.  This is approximately a 5 ¼ month supply.

 

West Valley.  Since last week, inventory levels are down by 2%.  Active listings total 9644 with closings in the past month of 1800.  This is approximately a 5 ¼ month supply.

 

NE Valley.  Since last week, inventory levels are down by 1%.  Active listings total 5691 with closings in the past month of 309.  This is approximately a 18 ½ month supply.

 

SE Valley.  Since last week, inventory levels are down by 2%.  Active listings total 8696 with closings in the past month of 1532.  This is approximately a 5 ¾ month supply.

 

Scottsdale Over $1M.  Since last week, inventory levels are down by 1%.  Active listings total 1469 with closings in the last month of 31.  This is approximately a 47 ½  month supply.

 

Scottsdale Under $1M.  Since last week, inventory levels have not changed.  Active listings total 2494 with closings in the last month of 192.  This is approximately a 13 month supply.

Paradise Valley.  Since last week, inventory levels have not changed.  Active listings total 578 with closings in the last month of 10.  This is approximately a 58 month supply.



Sell House Quick

Most people have that perfect family home, the dream property they want to live in and many of us never have the opportunity or drive to make our dream come true, but there are others who make their dream a reality and those people live the dream.

Living your dream must be an amazing feeling but it also may be a lot of hard work and money. When you decide to undertake any type of renovation you need to make sure you have the funds available, getting quotes on jobs is one thing but actually putting the money down to have the job is another thing altogether. If you get a quote for a job for example having the property gutted, make sure there’s a date which states when the quote is valid to. Sometimes quotes are for there and now and when you go back a few weeks or even months later the quote has risen. Making sure you have the funds available for any of these problems is a must, hidden costs and charges are always a problem in any type of renovation.

Things often go wrong which means more money needs to be spent to rectify the problem but also if you gut a property you may find after this that structural or even wiring for the electricity needs to re-done or repaired, of course this costs money and time. In any property renovation if you have a dead line or a month you definitely want to be moved in by, you should keep a timetable and a timeline on what should be done when and how long each task should take. If you keep this timeline up tom date you will have more of chance of knowing what’s to be done next and how the long the project is extending by if problems do arise.

You will want to make the property to look exactly like your dream but yes sometimes this is impossible due to materials or even your budget. What you can do though is to put all your effort, time and love into the renovation and make it the dream home you’ve always wanted. If you have no trade experience in renovating a property it’s a good idea to bring in the professionals but of course if you want to do bits yourself but you can still bring in the professionals for things such as:

Gutting the property: taking it back to a shell if necessary and starting from scratch, sometimes the easiest thing to do

Electrical services: installation of new wiring, plug sockets or new ariel cables for inside and out

Installation of partition walls: making large rooms into smaller rooms or moving walls around using the space in a different way to how it’s set out now

Installation of heating: installing new radiators and connecting them to installing under floor heating and even air conditioning units

Installation of cavity walls: to keep you and your house warm the installation of cavity walls and insulation is a good idea especially in older properties

Plastering of walls: once you have stripped the walls of paint, wallpaper you may want to re-plaster the walls so you have a new surface to work with when you decorate

Painting and decorating: you may not be one for painting and decorating, so why not get someone to do it for you. Painting of doors, windows, flooring and also walls as well as wallpapering the walls

Window installation: may it be old stained glass windows to double glazing being installed and fitted

Whatever your dream may be, it is possible with the right property and the right amount of money, but don’t give up make your dream a reality today!



Rent Back

Home Renovations continue to be a popular area of investment for homeowners despite the current economic turmoil. It makes sense at a time when buying new doesn’t and building on what you have, does. Now that you’ve decided to renovate, there are still some things to consider before you go ahead. Yes, you believe that you’re adding value to your property, however, with some wise planning before the hammer hits the nail you can actually be saving money too.

Create a Detailed Plan

It is of the utmost importance to properly create a plan, budget, and time frame for your home renovation job. Such preparation is crucial to the enterprising DIYer and it’s also useful to those counting on professionals. Get a very clear picture of all estimated costs that will account for everything from materials to labour. Not only that, but it’s also important to figure in backup funds for situations which may arise as the project progresses. A safe estimate is 15% on top of the initial projected budget. If you have a realistic figure to work with that corresponds with very detailed drawings and plans, you are preparing a contingency for those unforeseen issues. Just being aware of this possibility can keep you from future migraines and possible bankruptcy.

Cut Down on Material Costs – Not Quality

Materials of course account for a large portion of the expenses in any renovation project. And although you may want to get the best price you can, you may not wish to sacrifice quality just to save a few bucks. This is your home after all, (where you might be living for 20 years to pay off a mortgage).

Companies that sell recycled material from demolition sites such as Happy Harry’s give you both a budget conscious and green option. “Found” wood is another trendy yet wonderful option – imagine creating a unique hardwood floor from an old wood cabin or antique ship. If however, you are more inclined towards higher-end materials but want to pay a fraction of the cost, consider Habitat ReStores. These affiliate stores found across Canada and the United States offer surplus and used building materials for much less than retail. ReStores get their supplies from donated goods provided by: building supply stores, local contractors, demolition crews, and others wanting to support the cause. Not only are you saving money, or being green, you are also helping to raise funds that let Habitat for Humanity build 10 or more additional homes a year.

Implement Green into Your Renovation

It’s shocking to consider that your home may be a toxic place. Do you know what went into the finishes of your hardwood flooring or kitchen cabinetry where you cook, or even the paint on the walls in every room in the house? Making green choices for your home renovation is not only important for your health and the health of our planet, it can actually save you money. Although the initial costs may be higher, using ethical and non-toxic materials that are longer lasting, as well as installing energy efficient components will save you money over time. From more complicated aspects like redesigning your home, to being conscientious about product selection, consider these options suggested by Rob Wright, owner of Citadel Renovations.

* ICF foundations

* Composite floor, roof, and wall framing

* Low e film, argon gas, and triple pane glass in windows

* Compact fluorescent and LED lights

* Lots of natural light

* Reduced and/or no formaldehyde cabinetry

* Low or no VOC paints and finishes

* Composite material exterior finishes

* Recycled material roofing: metal, rubber, cement

* Wood or linoleum floors

* Heat pumps: ground, water, and air

The money you’ve saved on heating, lighting, and water once you’ve made your home more energy efficient will over time actually pay for those improvements.

Decide If It’s a Worthy Investment

It may seem like a no-brainer to first figure out if the investment you plan to make in upgrading your home is one of value, but it may come as a surprise that some are less financially beneficial than others. CMCH, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canada’s federal housing agency, is a great resource for homeowners who are considering a renovation project. Their website offers a host of useful information, such as this break-down of renovation payback ranges:

Top four greatest payback potentials

* Bathroom renovation (75 – 100%)

* Kitchen renovation (75 – 100%)

* Interior painting (50 – 100%)

* Exterior painting (50 – 100%)

Versus:

Ten average payback potentials

* Roof shingle replacement (50 – 80%)

* Furnace/heating system (50 – 80%)

* Basement renovation (50 – 75%)

* Recreation room addition (50 – 75%)

* Installing a fireplace (50 – 75%)

* Flooring (50 – 75%)

* Constructing a garage (50 – 75%)

* Window/door replacement (50 – 75%)

* Building a deck (50 – 75%)

* Central air conditioning (25 – 75%)

Repairs or beautification are the most prevalent ideas that come to mind, however, safety improvements are another way to go that will your wallet happy. Check with your insurance company if they offer lower premiums when you add or upgrade a home security system, fire prevention measure, or improve the existing wiring.

We’ve all heard the renovation horror stories that look like something out of that 80’s movie The Money Pit. It’s not something we like to think about; the possibility of your hard earned $10,000 renovation budget ending up being but a drop in the bucket. Like any other investment, you wouldn’t blindly drop ducats on any random man in a suit with a smile – you do your homework first. Not only will you bring added value to your home with your new renovation, you will also save money with your carefully laid out plans.



Sell and Rent Back

FSBO – For sale by Owners Property for sale by Owners – There are some circumstances that could spur people to come up with the decision to sell their homes. People find themselves in situations such as financial difficulties, extreme debt, divorce/separation or any other major turn in life that could make them think of selling their properties. In some cases, homeowners opt to take this action due to a repossession order. This situation can make them realize that it is necessary to free up the capital in their homes in order to pay their creditors back and get themselves out of difficulty before the courts act against them.

As is common practice nowadays homeowners usually employ the services of a real estate agent to sell their propery. But more and more people are looking at selling their homes directly themselves through FSBO sites. Selling properties through For Sale By Owners websites(FSBO) is now becoming a growing trend and is increasing in popularity. In recent years, the percentage of home sales via FSBO in the United States alone is around 12-15% while in Canada, it is higher at 20-25%. Home selling via FSBO is also beginning to gather momentum in the United Kingdom as it reaches the 10% mark of overall property sales..

Today, almost 75% of property buyers globally begin their search on FSBO websites. This increases the potential of selling properties faster without having to deal with realtors or estate agents abroad. Below are some of the benefits of selling your home on your own.

Benefts of selling your home through FSBO Huge Savings on Commission FSBO is a good way to save a huge amount of money as you can avoid the expensive real estate sales commissions. This saving can help you in price negotiation with potential buyers. The disadvantage of FSBO in this regard, as shown by surveys, is that some buyers feel that homes being sold by owners might be overpriced because they do not know the market. However this is a changing attitude as more people become aware of the advantages of selling privately.

Selling can be faster A buyer might not pay the asking price when they know you are using an agent agent because they realise that in some cases there could be a 5% commission involved which they could negotiate off the price of the property if dealing directly with the owner. Hence, they will naturally offer less. The choice is yours between accepting less, losing more equity or waiting for a buyer to pay the inflated price. However, none of these choices are desirable. Always remember that an overpriced home will stay on the market for a longer period of time and what’s worse is that buyers will think there is something wrong with the house and that is why it is still on sale.

Greater market immunity Selling by owner makes financial and practical sense in both buyers’ and sellers’ markets. Lots of similar homes are being sold and the competition is tight. FSBO gives a competitive advantage to that homeowner because they can afford to be more price-competitive than their neighbor who is listed with a real estate agent. The buyer will normally prefer the comparable property which is being offered for a lower cost. On the other hand, buyers’ demand for homes outstrips the supply. Therefore, it is not smart to pay a commission and sacrifice any portion of your equity. FSBO will enable you to retain the maximum amount of your hard-earned equity.

Convenience You are in control when you sell on your own property. You can set the schedule of your own appointments with potential buyers. You don’t have to rush into making your home spotless and clean just in case an agent decides to bring a client that day to show the property. With FSBO, you are completely aware when people are coming for a visit. Therefore, you can make the necessary preparations.

Less stress and frustration This will make you less stressed because you are in control and could act accordingly based on your schedule. You will also know how much effort you should give in selling your own home. Therefore, you will not be frustrated that the agent you contacted is not doing enough work.

Conveyancing Many agents argue that they offer the liaison between the buyer and seller and know the conveyancing route especially as in the UK the new HIPS (Home Information Packs) packages have been introduced. However, do not be fooled there are many independent HIPS agents that can offer you the same services for a set fee.

Best results Since you are the one personally handling potential buyers, you would easily know who are really interested. Being the owner of the home, you are the one who is very much aware of its features. Therefore, you know how to explain it best.

Disadvantages of selling your home through FSBO On the contrary, a homeowner should know that there is no perfect method in selling a home. There are also risks in FSBO.

One disadvantage is that a homeowner might sell with a price that’s too low. This, because the asking price is usually below market value. The aim of FSBOs is to attract buyers who are after bargains and an FSBO buyer usually thinks that he can negotiate for a much lower price because he is aware that there are no agents fees involved in the sales.

One other disadvantage of selling without an agent is that many direct sale transactions never close. Some of these deals are aborted because the buyers aren’t properly qualified for financing before they enter into a purchase contract as opposed to this, a good real estate agent will make sure that you won’t accept an offer from a buyer who isn’t qualified. If you know how to call for assistance especially when it is appropriate to do so, prequalification and pre-approval can be accomplished quickly. One reason why many FSBO deals have not become successful is that no experienced person is working to move the transaction along and resolve problems when they arise of which, negotiations are often involved.

Summary Given these facts, property for sale by owners (FSBO) is considered to be an easier option to sell a home as there is no real secret because the truth is that homes sell themselves. Present your home attractively, give your client a fair price, be consistent with your market, advertise it and then expect offers. It only takes enough knowledge, patience and a little bit of business acumen.

View our Property for sale by Owners page filled with properties for sale directly from owners across 60 countries worldwide.



Rent Back Fast

We may be seeing a significant increase of rent (or lease)-to-owns these days due to the current foreclosure crisis in America. A rent to own property can give those who may otherwise not be able to obtain a mortgage, a chance at owning their own property. As with any financial undertaking, renting to own requires some critical thinking on the part of the buyer. Rent to own is also known as a lease option sale.

The principle behind renting to own in real estate is that the tenant rents with the option to buy. Thus, most rent (or lease)-to-own tenants end up with both a rental lease and a purchase agreement. This ensures that both the owner and the buyer are very clear on what their rights and responsibilities are in terms of both renting and purchasing a property.

The tenant pays the owner what is known as an “option fee” or “option money”, which can be any amount. This is the first sticking-point. Unlike a down payment that you can get back with the sale of a house, option money does not generally go towards the purchase price and is seldom refundable if you decide you don’t want to or can’t buy the home. Your option money ensures that no one else can buy the home while the “option period” lasts. If you do not choose to buy the home by the time the option period ends, in most cases, the seller is then under no obligation to sell it to you, return your option fee or what is known as a “rent premium”.

The rent premium is the money paid above and beyond the rent price and, if you choose to buy, goes towards the purchase price, thus increasing your equity while you rent. This also provides additional incentive for both parties to stick with the plan. The buyer views the house as something other than just a rented domicile, and the seller can retain the extra money in the case of a default on rent or decision not to buy from the buyer. The buyer is not obligated to buy the property; a decision not to buy only means that the extra money spent is lost, but your credit is not affected.

Rent to own sounds like an easy compromise between renting and taking on the financial responsibility to own and for some people, that’s just what it is. There are people who have made this solution work for them while rebuilding credit and retaining a home they like.

However, renting to own is also more expensive than obtaining a conventional mortgage. With a conventional mortgage, all of your money goes towards paying both principle and the interest on the loan. A rent to own means that only a very small percentage of your money goes towards the purchase price of the house. Also, the option money (which can be quite substantial) doesn’t go towards paying the mortgage; it goes into the owner’s pocket.

A real estate lawyer is your best bet when considering the rent to own property. It is also important to get everything done on the property that you would do for a standard house purchase, such as a home inspection, appraisal, and any other inspections that are recommended.

Sometimes the longest path is the shortest way to get what you want. Many people with bad credit have been able to achieve a decent credit score by paying off all outstanding debt, paying current bills on time, and avoiding incurring new credit debt. The time it takes to satisfy your creditors and rebuild your credit is also time you could be using to save up for a bigger downpayment on a conventional mortgage. Sometimes, the time spent on rebuilding credit for a standard mortgage will add up to much less time and money in the long run, as more of your money will be going into the house purchase instead of just the right to purchase within a given point.



Rent Back Fast

Are you looking for a way to decorate your home inexpensively and give it a warm and inviting feeling? Displaying photos of family and friends around your home immediately invites people to get a glimpse of what is important to you. It also helps to make them feel welcome in your home.

There are many items on the market right now to make this process easy. Wall ledges with grooves to hold frames in place can be found at many stores. Hanging two or three ledges on an expanse of wall and placing large framed photos on them is an eye catching way to decorate with your personal photos.

Sets of table top frames can be purchased. These sets contain two or more (sometimes even as many as 15) coordinating photo frames in various sizes to make decorating simple. Placing coordinating frames around a room – some on a side table, some on a mantle, some on top of a bookcase – can help give your room a pulled together feeling.

To complement your holiday decorating, buy some seasonal frames and place personal photos of past holidays in them. Place them around the house at holiday time. You can change out the photos from year to year, making this a very inexpensive way to change your decorating each year.

If you’d like to put a little more work and creativity into decorating your home with personal photos, try one of these ideas.

Create a Wall Collage of Black and White Photos

With today’s digital technology, making copies, cropping, and color enhancing your photos is easy and affordable. Try using this technology to create an inexpensive collage of black and white photos on a large open area of wall space in your home.

If you have old black and white photos of relatives you can mix them with recent photos. Vary the size of the prints and purchase inexpensive mats and frames for them. For added pop and contrast, vary the width of some of the mats, also.

You will need to create a template for your collage. Measure the dimensions of the wall space you will be using. Tape together pieces of newspaper to the exact dimensions and lay them on the floor. Then arrange your framed photos on the newspaper until you find a configuration you like.

Once you’ve found an arrangement that pleases you, trace each photo frame onto the newspaper. Then mark the spot where the hook is to be placed. Tape the newspaper onto the wall, nail in your hooks, and then remove the paper. You’re ready to hang your black and white photos.

Use an Old Wood Window as a Frame

Purchase, grab from your basement, or trash pick an old wooden window with grills. This makes a one of a kind frame for your personal photos. Clean up the old frame and paint it. Or, leave the old, distressed paint on the window for a vintage decorating style.

You will need as many personal photos as you have panes of glass. Make sure the photos are smaller than each pane, leaving some open glass to show the wall behind. This creates a mat for your photos. Affix the photos onto the glass and hang the old window securely on the wall.

With a little time and thought, you can bring photos that have been stored away in dark closets into the light. This simple, creative, inexpensive way of home decorating with your personal photos will make a big impact on those who enter your home.



Sell and Rent Back

International Property is one of the easiest way for just about anyone to achieve financial wealth. Basically, people will agree that international property investing is a great business. Just as with any business opportunities, there must be a timeframe of due diligences. One must consider both the problems and the conclusions of prosecuting a business opportunity. There are many effects on the decision of which property to buy, either nationally or internationally. Property buyers are either short term investors seeking to buy and sell their international property abruptly to make a return on a increasing property market and long term investors, who wish to use the property as a second home and/or providing extra income from short or long term letting. The most prominent thing to visualize before purchasing a property is the profits from it. The benefit is the net yearly rental income as a comparison of the many international property purchase prices. To estimate this former to a purchase, search on the web for similar international properties for rent to calculate an idea of the rental income per week you will be able to achieve. From this value you will require to subtract allowances for rental service companies and also taxation on the income. It is habitual that you can offset all costs in running the international property against rental income received.

Take a conventional approximation on the number of weeks you will hypothetically be able to rent the international property demand. Just as you should with a international property investment, look for an area that is up and coming. If an international property investment which is demanding with popular prices will be high and your potential return lower. Once you have selected the region or town you want to purchase in, try to get some inside erudition from locals. They will help you find international property of your need that suits you.

Remember, potential international property hotspots are frequently found next to existing well -liked areas. Always, consider if the essentials of the area are right. Are there enough shops and restaurants nearby? Are the resources good enough? If you are aiming rental income from holiday makers, is the airport a acceptable distance away? And will they be able to enjoy the holiday home and the nearby resources without having to hire a car or rely gratuitous on public transport?

The number one deliberation for holiday makers is often the view from the international property. That’s what people are purchasing when they select your international property to stay in. Have a walk around the area and try to isolate potential development sites for the future, so you can see if any apartment blocks could be put up destroying your view.

Next up, a consideration that you hardly ever have to think about when you find international property in Dubai: what’s it like out of season? If the area becomes a ghost town during the summer and all the shops and restaurants close, that could affect the returns on your overseas investment.



Repossession

More people decorate their homes during the fall and winter months than at any other time of the year, and with good reason! We spend more time indoors, we owe it to ourselves and our families to create a comfortable place to be! Here are the best ways to save BIG bucks on your home decorating

Start with plan. I know you’ve heard this before, but having a plan doesn’t necessarily mean you know exactly everything you want to do in your rooms ahead of time. What it does mean is having a starting point to keep you in the ballpark, and that will save you A LOT of money in mistakes in the long run. So start with the three things you need…Color, Style, and Formality. Color is easy…if you don’t already have a color scheme you love, find one in a book or magazine, and borrow it! Still unsure? Pick your favorite color, plus white, never fail combo. Style? Maybe you know you love Country Farmhouse. Or maybe you like a little of everything! That’s ok, just make sure you give the room style a name that includes the feeling you want in the room, and that will keep you on track. For instance, I have a Fresh and Sunny Cottage Room for my family room. (I use sunny as a feeling as well as a visual clue!) Keep the feeling in the name, and you will pick the right style every time! Finally, formality. Know if you like a more formal room, where things on both sides of the room match, or a more informal feel. So my family room description would go something like this…I want an informal Fresh Sunny Cottage style full of soft blue, green yellow and white. So every time I buy something, I know if it doesn’t fit in that description, it doesn’t fit period!

Look for alternatives to everything!!! Flat sheets on sale are a great buy…I can get one at my discount store for $2.89. A flat sheet is generally 66×96 inches…that’s over 3 yards of fabric for less than 97 cents a yard! Can’t beat that, and flat sheets come in so many colors. When in doubt, buy white! Use them for tablecovers, curtain panels, making comforter covers, throw pillow covers, or even casual slipcovers! If you find a great color, stock up during a white sale…you will always find uses for fabric that fits into your color scheme.

Look for furniture at yard sales and in the classifeds. You can get quality furniture this way for a fraction of what it would cost you new. Learn to make do with the furniture you have with the art of disguise. Slipcovers, paint and floor length tablecloths go a long way towards dressing up an otherwise forgettable piece of furniture. By the way, you can paint ANYTHING these days! The trick is to use a specialty blocking primer before painting…I recommend KILZ Original. Yes, you can even paint that ugly laminate bookcase or computer desk! All your furniture mismatched in style and form? Paint it all one color, and it will help marry and unify your furniture grouping. (I love white or black for furniture, depending on the style of your room.)

Finally, look for good resources to help you learn to create your own accessories, custom paint finishes, and inspirational ideas such as TheBudgetDecorator.com.

With a little advanced thinking and a bit of creativity, anyone can have a well decorated home!



Sell House Quick