September 2013 – Page 2

Window Shade Fail

I saw these north facing windows the other day.

In spite of the architectural detailing this is a lesson on how to stuff up shading!

Its less than an hour from Midday and already most of the window is out of the shade.
If you want to know how to do it properly see this post: Northern Windows.

For more fails and unusual houses go to What the………………….?

Staging Your Old House

Presentation of your existing house, or staging as its now known, is important to make sure you get the most money for your new house.

Probably the best look is a de-cluttered home. If you remove all the homely touches it can look a bit sterile

Here are some more tips to make sure it looks the best for the photographs, and for Inspection Days.

Outside Keep cars out of site, mow lawns, remove weeds, bottle & glasses for an outdoor setting.
Kitchen Remove all fridge magnets, no dirty or clean dishes in sight, i.e. not like this photo!

Bathrooms Matching bathroom towels, remove toiletries.
Bedrooms Beds made neatly with clean linen, Just a light and a clock on bedside tables.
Living Rooms Get Fresh flowers and fill the fruit bowl, remove any bright cushions.
Pets Remove pet basket and bowls and make sure the pet is somewhere else.
General De-clutter including removing toys and perhaps some of the furniture
On The Day Turn on Heating in Winter and air conditioning in Summer. All lights to be on.

If you want professional help there are quite a few people offering to provide staging assistance. A basic service will cost $2-3,000 rising to more than $10,000, which will include loaning different furniture.

To find out how builders stage their display homes see this link: Show House Tricks

Children’s Bedrooms

Some people want children’s bedrooms to be big!

I’m not so sure!

Reasons for Big Bedrooms

Room to play, study, have sleepovers and for all their stuff.
Room for adult children.
Better for resale value.

(Big for me is 9 square m or more.)

Reasons for Small Bedrooms

Discourage children from staying in their rooms.
Encourage children to move out when they become adult.
Keep initial cost down.

(Less than 7 square m I would consider to be small)

Overall

Well both my children have left home and we have now living in an apartment which is too small for them to move back!

If I was building a house for children I would probably go more for the smaller bedrooms.

I think being able to supervise children and encourage them to be more social is worthwhile. Most houses now have rumpus rooms so that’s where the toys can be stored and sleepovers take place.

What do you think?

Whatever size of bedroom make sure that you have thought about the power points, one thing which is often neglected by builders. See this link: Electrical Planning – Secondary Bedrooms