Archive for the ‘Home Decoration’ Category

• Aug 16

  Best Closet Storage Bets

  When trying to sell your house, having everything organized and stored properly is very important. However, shoes, scarves, socks, belts and ties can be some of the trickier items to store efficiently. These closet components are handy helpers for keeping such items tidily tucked away.

  Shoe Shelves and Racks

  Shoe shelves and racks are available in many styles and in freestanding as well as mounted and door-mounted designs. Hanging racks are ideal for closets with limited floor space. A new entry into the market is a narrow, floor-to-ceiling revolving shoe caddy that fits into the corner of a closet. Other shoe-storage options include tilted shelves in both laminate and wire that can be wall mounted or positioned foot level.

  Tie and Belt Racks

  Tie and belt racks come in a variety of clever forms including pull-out bars with metal hooks. Tie racks can be attached to existing shelving or mounted on the closet wall. Put the rack in a place where ties can hang freely without wrinkling.

  Drawer Dividers

  Drawer dividers separate a drawer into smaller sections to help keep socks, scarfs and belts from getting jumbled or lost. Inserts can be found in many plastic or laminate shapes.

  Tags: closet storage, home maintenance, storage space
  Posted in Home Decoration | No Comments »

• Aug 12

  Case study on a $75,000+ deal we closed last week

  We have been getting a lot of requests lately from students to do some more case studies on properties we are actively working on. So your wish is our command.

  Friday at 4:00 PM Eastern we are going to do a very detailed case study of a deal we just sold last week and made $75,000 on.

  To register for Friday’s training webinar click on the link below:
  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/339598083
  
  There is no better way to learn the Real Estate business then to go through actual deals we are doing each and every month.

  Here is what JD will be covering on Friday’s training webinar:

  • How we found this deal using our MLS/REO offer strategy that is bringing in deals pretty much every week
  • How we negotiated the deal to get such a discounted price
  • How we pre-sold the deal to a buyer before the work even began
  • How we managed the rehab without being on the job site all the time
  • How we managed an extensive rehab project and sold the deal in exactly 92 days from the day we closed on it
  • How we timed the closing so our holding costs would be a minimum

  To register click on the link below…it’s Friday at 4:00 PM Eastern
  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/339598083

  Posted in Financing, Home Buying, Home Decoration, Home Maintenance, Home Selling | No Comments »

• Aug 3

  Bedroom and Child’s Closet

  Well-Organized Bedroom Closet

  A thoughtfully ordered closet system can simplify your dressing routine. It may eliminate the need for a separate dresser and it makes finding socks and belts a snap. Double rods accommodate shirts, jackets, skirts and pants more efficiently than a single rod could, making the hanging areas less cramped. Shelves keep shirts, sweaters, purses and hats easily accessible. Shoes go in a rack and socks, scarves, and other accessories go in wire or laminate drawers.

  Child’s Closet

  The small size of a child’s clothing makes it easy to maximize closet space. A well-planned closet can also encourage children to dress themselves, hang up their clothes and stow their dirty laundry. In this case, coated wire shelving adds more storage to a child’s closet. Pull-out baskets placed conveniently low, offer self-service bins for clothes and toys. A low rod offers accessible hanging space as well. Find a spot for a hamper to keep dirty clothes picked up if possible. Put shoes in a clear plastic box on the floor. Set up a box for socks too. Low hooks are handy holders for in-season hats. Higher shelves and rods provide places for out-of-season clothing and the hand-me-downs waiting for the next growth spurt. Keep in mind that children often play in their closets so use blunt-edged hooks and make sure adjustable shelves can withstand some climbing. Look for a locking mechanism to prevent shelves from tipping.

  Tags: bedroom closet, child’s closet, storage space
  Posted in Home Decoration | No Comments »

• Jul 31

  Rehabbers Bootcamp Update!

  We have such a great group of students participating in this event! What amazing few days of learning, networking, and developing long-term relationships!

  So far, we’ve spent some time:

  
  
  

  Learning in the conference room…

  
  

  

  Learning out in the field, touring some of our current projects in the San Diego area…

  
  

  

  And at a game at Petco Stadium!

  Who said this was going to be only work with no play?!

  And we still have A DAY AND A HALF LEFT!!!!! Much more to come for our students!

  Posted in Financing, Home Buying, Home Decoration, Home Maintenance, Home Selling | No Comments »

• Jul 27

  Rehabbers Bootcamp starts in 2 Days!

  Our team is in full speed preparing for another AWESOME event!

  The Rehabbers Bootcamp starts this upcoming Thursday at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego!

  This event is all about KNOWLEDGE, SYSTEMS, AND ACTION!

  Knowledge, systems, and action are three key components to make your real estate investment career prosperous. Our pursuit and understanding of designing, implementing, and managing a successful rehab business are built on these essential elements. Through the acquisition of knowledge – the pursuit of proven and true systems to implement in your rehab business – you will gain the power to become a major player in the industry!

  Find out more about this knowledge packed, networking bonanza event at:
  http://www.fortunebuilders.com/rehab-bootcamp/

  Tags: real estate education, real estate investing, real estate trainings
  Posted in Financing, Home Buying, Home Decoration, Home Maintenance, Home Selling | No Comments »

• Jul 19

  Basic Upholstery Cleaning

  When trying to sell a house that still has furniture in it, sometimes prospective buyers get caught up on the details of the furniture (such as dirt) and miss out on the important aspects of the house, such as architecture, features, etc.

  So, the furniture does count when you’re selling a house…

  Here are some cleaning solutions for upholstery that can make just the difference that you’re looking for:

  Vacuum regularly with upholstery attachment tools, the broad throated one to dislodge dust from flat surfaces including cushions and the crevice tool to reach the inner corners. Turn over loose seat and back cushions and throw pillows every few weeks to distribute the wear evenly. Unless you have a washable slipcover, never remove and wash cushion covers because the zippers are there solely to aid the dressing process as the piece is manufactured.

  Cleaning Codes

  Many new sofas and chairs come with a care label indicating the type of cleaning required. The code classifications are “W” which is safe to clean with water or water-based cleaners; “S” is dry clean or spot clean with dry cleaning solvents; “W-S” is safe for water or solvent and “X” is clean only with brush or vacuum. If the spot or stain is small and the fabric has a “W” cleaning code and has no stain or soil-resistant finish then you may try removing the spot yourself.

  Pre-testing a Cleaning Solution

  Working in a hidden area of the upholstery such as the back side of a skirt or under a cushioned area, pre-test your dry cleaning fluid or homemade cleaner. If the solution does not spot the fabric when you test it then you have a chance at success in removing the accidental spot. If the solution causes a problem on its own then do not proceed. Instead blot out as much of the problem as possible and turn the job over to a professional, the sooner the better.

  Tags: basic upholstery cleaning, cleaning upholstery, upholstery
  Posted in Home Decoration | No Comments »

• Jul 14

  Refinishing Wooden Furniture

  Just because the finish on a piece of furniture is worn and weathered does not mean that you should strip it. Don’t do it if you think the furniture is custom-made or a potential antique.

  When the varnish on a piece of furniture is worn you can revive it by simply sanding the old varnish down with fine steel wool in the direction of the grain, applying a thin coat of diluted stain and then re-varnishing.

  If the paint or varnish on a piece of furniture is cracking, bubbling or peeling you may need to strip away the old paint or finish and apply a new finish. Though stripping is a common do-it-yourself project, it can be very time-consuming especially if your piece has an intricate design or lots of pieces.

  Wood Strippers

  There are two types of wood strippers; solvent-based strippers and water-based strippers.

  Solvent-based strippers require a well-ventilated area, gloves, long-sleeved pants and shirts and goggles for protection. They strip more quickly than water-based ones but water-based strippers are less hazardous to work with.

  In either case use paste strippers as they adhere well to vertical surfaces. All strippers need time to work and the more layers of pain or finish you are removing then the more time it takes. Remove all drawers, doors and hardware from the piece of furniture before starting and work the surfaces one at a time. Brush on a thick coat of stripper and leave it in place for at least three minutes per layer of finish.

  Tough jobs take as long as 20 minutes and you may need to purchase special plastic wrap to keep the stripper wet while it works. Remove the dissolved paint or finish with a flexible putty knife, avoid stiff tools that might gouge the wood.

  On intricate carvings, use an old toothbrush to get into tight spots. Use steel wool to remove any remaining stripper. Finish stripping by cleaning off the residue. For chemical strippers use turpentine or denatured alcohol, for waterbased strippers, water.

  Let the wood dry then lightly sand the surface before applying a new finish according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

  Tags: refinishing wooden furniture, revarnishing, wood strippers
  Posted in Home Decoration | No Comments »

• Jul 5

  Options for Window Shades

  Window shades come in a wide variety of options, ranging from no-nonsense roller models to romantic balloon shades. All shades provide varying degrees of privacy and light control, pleated shades are the most energy-efficient. Bottom-up shades allow you to adjust for privacy while still letting the sun shine in.

  • Roller shade – Offered in many colors, textures and materials, rollers shades have several roll-up options.
  • Roman shade – Usually made in a decorator fabric and lined, a Roman shade draws up into neat overlapping folds.
  • Bottom-up shade – Offered in flat roller or accordion-pleated models, this shade pulls or rolls up from the bottom.
  • Balloon shade – Made of decorator fabrics, sheers and solids, a balloon shade pulls up into scalloped poufs.

  Occasionally the bottom hem of a roller shade with a lightweight wood slat inside will curl. To correct this, add a drip or two of bead drapery weights inside the hem. Bead weights are sold by the yard at sewing centers.

  A weak spring can cause a shade to roll too slowly or a too-tight spring can make it snap up at the slightest provocation. These problems that are easily fixed. To tighten tension, partially unroll the shade and remove from brackets. Roll it up by hand then reinstall it. To reduce tension, roll the shade up completely and remove from the brackets. Unroll it halfway then replace the shade in its brackets.

  Tags: home decorations, window shade types, window shades
  Posted in Home Decoration | No Comments »

• Jun 29

  Curtain Rod Options

  • Plain Rods – Buy these rods in the size range that includes your window’s width, they adjust lengthwise. A single rod holds one curtain with a casing or rod pocket at the top, a double rod holds two curtains or a curtain plus valance.
  • Spring-tension Rods – Also purchased in size ranges, in several diameters, these adjust with a spring lengthwise for a snug fit between the side window jambs. Pick a rod diameter small enough to go into the curtain’s rod pocket.
  • Traverse Rods – Conventional traverse rods open pleated draperies from the center to each side. One-way-draw rods let you pull them to one side of the window. Double traverse rods let you hang and operate two pairs of curtains.
  • Decorative Traverse Rods – These look like café curtain rods but operate like traverse rods. They have eyelets or rings on a track for hanging the draperies. Choose drapery pins or hooks that allow you to still see the rod.
  • Café Curtain Rods – Used with rings to suspend café curtains, this rod allows you to open and close the curtains manually. You can also use this rod instead of a plain rod for curtains that have a rod pocket.
  • Wrought-iron Rods – These are decorative rods typically mounted with brackets just above the window frame. They are ideal for softly draped toppers or tab curtains. Matching wrought-iron rings can be added.
  • Wooden Rods – With ornate or simple end pieces, wooded rods, available in various diameters are usually mounted just above the window frame. You can open and close the curtains manually.

  Tags: Curtain rod options, curtains and draperies, home decorations
  Posted in Home Decoration | No Comments »

• Jun 10

  Washing and Repairing Window Blinds

  Washing Window Blinds

  Blinds are often subject to dust and rain so they need thorough cleaning once a year.

  • Aluminum and vinyl blinds of a manageable size can be taken down and washed in the bathtub. Mix a mild detergent with water and scrub blinds with a sponge. Once clean, rinse them with water. Let them dry thoroughly, partially drawn up and flat in the tub, before reinstalling. You can speed up the drying time with a hair dryer. If you prefer you can do the whole job outdoors on a plastic drop cloth, turning the blinds as needed. Rinse with a hose and hang on a clothesline to dry.
  • Wood blinds will warp if they are exposed to too much water. However, they can be washed while hanging in place at the window. Dampen a blind duster, a pair of absorbent gloves or a lint-free rag with a mild detergent or an oil-based soap solution and carefully wash each side of each slat. Rinse using the same tool soaked in clear water. For each of these steps you will need to rinse out the tool often. Finish by drying the slats with a dry, lint-free cloth.
  • Accordion and honeycomb blinds made of non-woven fabrics are easy to wash using the same method described for aluminum and vinyl blinds. Allow them to air-dry.
  • Laminated blinds should first be vacuumed with a dusting attachment. For deeper cleaning try an upholstery cleaner. Test the cleaner on an inconspicuous part of the blind first.

  Repairing Window Blinds

  Given the variety of styles and manufacturers, your best guide to making a repair is to study a similar blind. For example, by comparing it to another blind, you can see how to retie a loose venetian blind cord that holds a slat. Shorten a venetian blind by following the manufacturer’s directions.

  • Controls: There is such a variety of pulley mechanisms that it may be safer to reply on a professional to repair a nonfunctioning one especially if electronics are involved. Your warranty may cover the problem, contact the store where you bought the blind.
  • Dirty Tapes: To touch up small smudges or spots on white venetian blind tapes, lower the blind completely and apply a small amount of liquid white shoe polish – just enough to  touch up the spot. Allow the polish to dry before raising the blind.
  • Unbalanced Blinds: Occasionally a blind becomes skewed causing it to lower or raise at an angle. To correct this, lower or raise the blind completely and then raise or lower it into position again. Repeat if needed.

  Tags: Home Decoration, repairing window blinds, washing window blinds
  Posted in Home Decoration | No Comments »