Looking for a new or used car and don’t have the time to drive around town looking for dealerships? There is another way and you can save both time and money! Negotiate online for a car.
Many dealerships now offer their vehicle inventory online. What this means for you is a huge savings of time! No more using up your precious gas searching for a car! You can buy, research and compare cars online. The internet has all the information you could need and it’s all free! Once you have done your research, it will be much easier to negotiate the price. Even if your not ready to buy a car online, you can still do your research! You can check the prices, features and options. Take your time and absorb all the information you can find!
Another great way to help decide on a car is to read what other people who have bought the car say about it! Reviews are one of the best way to find out if that is really the car you want. The internet allows people to voice their opinions, good and bad, about anything. Maybe the car you thought you wanted ended up being a huge headache for someone else. Since customer review information comes from people who drive these vehicles every day, it is more trustworthy than professional reviews. Wouldn’t you like to know what people really think? Read the reviews of competing models of cars too – you might end up changing your mind and searching for a different vehicle instead!
You can also find forums and blogs about different cars. These are a wealth of knowledge because reply comments are usually allowed. If someone disagrees with what the poster stated, that can be known. You can also ask questions and get answers about the reputation of specific dealerships. Researching online can make car buying fun!
Once you have all the information you need about the car you want, it is time to negotiate! Many dealerships will give their internet customers priority pricing. This is because they assume (correctly) that you have done your research!
When you have decided on a car and are ready to contact the dealership (most dealerships have internet salespeople ready to help you) you will usually receive an email within 24 hours. They will be eager to help you. Dealerships know that people finding them online are internet savvy and will just go on to the next online dealership if they don’t have a positive experience. Use this to your advantage and take your time! If you know as much about the car as your salesperson, you will be in a good position to negotiate the price or additional options on the vehicle.
Bulova desk clocks make the ideal accessory. Whether you are a well-established CEO, or have just moved out of the mailroom, a good desk clock is a workplace necessity. Why not make it a nice one?
Anyone with an office job can appreciate the importance of having your own workspace. Even if it is small, having a place that is your own is important, both for productivity and comfort. When you get that desk of your own, a setting it up with items that make you feel at home is a critical first step.
Bulova Desk Clocks for the Workplace
Now, people vary in terms of their comfort expressing themselves in the workplace. Some will adorn their desk with pictures of loved ones, potted plants, or pithy sayings. Others prefer a more minimalist approach, favoring only a coffee cup and pencil holder. However, everyone needs a desk clock.
If you are going to invest in a desk clock, you might as well make it something you will hold on to for a while. Bulova desk clocks are ideal for the workplace because they reflect both good taste and professionalism. Better still, Bulova desk clocks will stand the test of time, reliably ticking while you work your way up the corporate ladder.
Bulova Gold Watches
Bulova gold watches are the traditional choice for those who want an upscale timepiece, without the flash of diamonds or jewels. Elegant and understated, they are still prestige pieces that are sure to attract the admiration and envy of your peers. Further, their sleek design means that they can be worn in all sorts of settings.
Diamonds are, of course, a perennial favorite when it comes to luxury watches. However, a significant difficulty rests in the fact that you can’t wear diamond gold watches everywhere. There are some settings where they are out of place or simply unsafe.
Bulova Gold Watches for All Occasions
At the same time, when you spend a lot of money on a timepiece, you’d like to get as much mileage out of it as possible. You should be able to wear your watch at gala events, PTA meetings, and sporting events without thinking twice. With Bulova gold watches, you can do just that. The beauty of gold watches is their versatility. Discerning customers purchase Bulova gold watches knowing that they are investments that will get more than their share of use. When viewed from this perspective, many would suggest that the prices you pay are, in fact, quite reasonable.
I am a distance runner, yet still had issues with maintaining weight. I fell into a mindset shared by many; if I worked out a lot I didn’t have to worry about what and how I ate. Nothing could be further from the truth! Active or not, below are 10 lifestyle changes that have made all the difference for me in losing and maintaining weight also see details.
1. Eat smaller meals but more frequently through the day. Each time you eat you fire up the furnace, so to speak, you burn more calories. It’s a way of revving up metabolism.
2. Cut back on carbohydrates and eat more protein, fruits, and vegetables. You can load your plate with the right foods, achieve that “full” feeling (protein stays with you longer), and not come away feeling cheated by small portions. Carbohydrates that aren’t burned in activity get stored by the body as fat.
3. Move! Walk, run, bike, garden, take the steps rather than the elevator, swim, anything that gets you up and moving. And don’t allow your exercise to be your only attempt at weight loss. Exercise is not enough. Let me say that again…EXERCISE IS NOT ENOUGH! Many people adopt an exercise routine and then reward themselves with treats, which negate all that they did. Keep in mind when you eat that Oreo cookie it will require almost a mile on the treadmill. Is it worth it?
4. At the same time, don’t cut yourself off from all the foods you love. Anything in moderation. You are not on a “diet”: A diet is a temporary plan. Lasting weight loss requires a commitment to a lifestyle change. Who wants (or who can) forego ice cream for a lifetime? Really, you don’t have to. Just don’t make it an every day occurrence.
5. Drink more water. Drink an eight ounce glass before a meal to help you feel full faster. Water cleanses our insides, helping us flush waste products. Many of us don’t drink enough.
6. Avoid yo-yo dieting. “Diet” should not be in your vocabulary. A common mistake is to fast, wanting quick results, only to gain everything back and then some when we start eating again. We train our body to conserve when we fast. Yo-yo dieters eventually find themselves unable to lose weight, even when they cut back, because the body has been trained to hold on to what it takes in.
7. Buy good foods and have them available for snacking. If there are no cookies in the house it’s hard to eat them. If there are cleaned fruits or veggies on hand, that is what you will reach for. And once you get in the habit of snacking on those you learn to love them and crave them rather than the starchy, sweet snacks you once craved.
8. Avoid processed foods. Most have the preservatives, starches, and carbohydrates that will sabotage your goals. Eat fresh!
9. Eat off a plate rather than from a container. Watch portion sizes by reading labels. It’s so easy to forget how much has been eaten when you snack directly from the package.
10. Limit alcohol. It’s full of calories, dehydrating, and lowers metabolism. Drinking alcohol usually is accompanied by some sort of noshing, too. Double whammy! Have that occasional glass of wine or beer but remember, liquids count as calories.
Follow these basic, easy, common-sense habits and you will be amazed at the results. I can attest to their success and know you will be successful, as well. To your health!
When it comes to neck pain or any pain for that matter and you go to see your doctor he will normally spend an hour or so with you. He will give you some massage for about twenty minutes, heat packs to ease muscular tension, talk to you about your posture and the effect it has on neck pain, show you how to do some self myofacial release techniques to ease neck pain and give you a whole host of other information about how you can remove the causes of your neck pain to help you become Pain free.
Yeah right.
If you are reading this and have seen a doctor for your neck pain I will almost guarantee you that this is how your visit site:
You walk in and waited for what seemed like eternity, you finally finish waiting and get out of the ‘waiting room’ because its now your chance to see the doctor. Sure, its now 30 minutes later than your scheduled appointment but that’s what is considered normal when seeing a doctor. You have to wait. The you see the doctor, he may press around your neck somewhat for a few moments, tell you that you have lots of tension and you are given a long list of drugs to take, muscle relaxants, pain killers and anti inflammatories. You are told to see how that goes and if you are no better you will be then prescribed stronger pain killers, perhaps now steroidal ones and maybe even some new ‘nerve healing’ drugs whether you have nerve impingement or not.
If that doesn’t work, then you will probably be recommended to see an orthopaedic surgeon who will ask for an xray or, if you have good insurance or look like you can afford it, schedule an MRI to see whats going on. The problem with getting an MRI or an xray is that it can show degenerative changes and/or disc bulges but this too does not mean that your pain is coming from these structures. You could have a MRI and it shows disc bulges at C6-7(for example) and he recommends that you have surgery( with him of course) when the pain is coming from several trigger points in your sub occipital muscles- a few good trigger point sessions with a good myofacial therapist and corrective postural advice would have been your answer instead of surgery.
In fact, 95% of people over the age of 60 have degenerative changes in their necks. Its simply wear and tear which may or may not be causing you pain-and more often than not is not causing your pain. When you look at the major cause of neck pain on any website you will see consistently that the major cause is postural-this should immediately give you a heads up to your pain. the first question I would have for you is ‘is your pain worse when you are at the computer or driving or reading?’ If the answer is yes to any of these I would immediately start looking at fixing your posture to help ease your pain.
But lets take a look at what you are doing when you take painkillers to help your pain.
If you have pain coming from poor posture(the most common cause) which is straining your ligaments, pushing your discs against nerves and causing chronic muscular pain and tension what is a pain killer doing to help this?
Nothing.
Is a Pain Killer Getting to the Cause of your problems?
No. in fact, its allowing you to get away with your bad habits which is making your problems worse in the long run. The same goes for those of you who suffer from lower back pain. if your lower back pain is caused from sitting badly in your chair at the computer and/or lifting badly then taking a pain killer is just allowing you to mask the bad habits and is setting you up for a big injury.
Pain is your warning system that something is wrong!
And what are you doing to your body’s natural warning system that is there to help you?
Deadening it.
I don’t know about you but I think this is just a little bit STUPID!!!!
Think About this for a Moment:
You are driving along in your nice Mercedes car and your oil light comes on whilst you are driving. You know that the oil light coming on is your cars way of telling you that the engine has a problem-it’s the cars warning system so that you don’t do major damage to your engine which will cost you thousands more if you don’t do something about it. So what do you do?
Of course you go to a mechanic to see what is wrong. However, your mechanic says he will tape some masking tape over the oil light on the dash board so that you can no longer see the light anymore. He tells you to come back in two weeks if you still have a problem.
Now, you may not know much about mechanics and cars but you do know that putting masking tape over the oil light so that you can no longer see the light has not fixed the problem and that you will still have this problem in two weeks. You also know that if it doesn’t get fixed properly( by fixing the cause) you will do some major damage to your engine. This will then cost you thousands!
Hmmm..
Anyone See a Pattern Emerging Here?
But wait I hear you cry, my car is worth thousands of dollars and I wouldn’t put it at risk. It cost me a lot of money I hear you say and you wouldn’t be that stupid I hear you tell me. Hmm..ever wondered just how much you have spent on your body over the years? Food, clothing, education, health-shall I go on?
Your body is the most sophisticated, most expensive thing you own. And you are happy to just tape over your body’s oil light time and time again by taking pain killers and hoping that the pain will go away. There is a much better way.
Remove the causes of your pain. Fix the problem rather than masking the symptoms. For this you need to know what is causing your pain first and foremost rather than guessing and hoping right? Right. For more on this read these articles to become more aware of how to fix your own pain.
A similarity Liquid Clenbutrx Hardcore Fat Burning Supplement shares with many other supplements is its foul taste, something VPX isn’t about to apologize anytime soon, nor is there need to because it still gets the job done. Bear in mind Liquid Clenbutrx Hardcore Fat Burning Supplement does not cater to every consumer type and only meant for those of steel resolve.
Liquid Clenbutrx Hardcore Fat Burning Supplement is more geared towards people of active lifestyles, such as athletes and others of the like, who wish to keep their bodies in pristine shape year round. Its purpose is more that of a weight maintainer and allowing for the desired single digit body fat of the elite achievers. Liquid Clenbutrx Hardcore Fat Burning Supplement does share a likeness with Meltdown in regards to ingredients used fat dissolving characteristics, clicking here though it does take an edge over it by adding a few new fat burning compounds.
I came across this fat burning supplement a few months after giving birth to my daughter and since then I have been telling everyone about the Liquid Clenbutrx Hardcore Fat Burning Supplement. In less than a week of using the product I found that I lost three pounds and in less than a month I lost a total of twelve pounds without having to starve myself during the process of taking this supplement.
Not only did I just lose weight I ended up encountering the other science proven benefits that came with using this fat burning supplement such as; clearer mental focus ability and a boost of energy that was sure to keep any single mom up on her feet all day to get things done.
The best way to take this product would be to measure out 3ml after you have taken the time to shake the product up. Once you have measured out the Liquid Clenbutrx Hardcore Fat Burning Supplement it is then time to swallow the product and suck up to the taste, since it has a horrible taste.
The reason why so many people avoid this product would be the taste, but it is very effective and will always get the job done. All you have to do is take the product twice a day to get the best results and never take more than 5.5 ml for any reason. Also the Liquid Clenbutrx Hardcore Fat Burning Supplement has been proven to help speed up metabolism when taken once daily and many studies have proven it can help keep fat off the body.
Kingdom Come is a landmark story that depicts a bleak future for DC Comic’s characters. Published in 1996, Alex Ross conceived and painted the book with Mark Waid serving as writer. Yes, painted: The realistic characters and luminous hues shows how much of this project was a labor of love. At the same time, Kingdom Come may work better as a vision and visual than as a narrative.
Graphic Novel Synopsis
Kingdom Come takes place in a future where a new crop of heroes takes the place of the old guard. However, the new blood fight crime without any concern for morals or public safety. The early heroes retreat to their fantastical ivory towers, and even Superman isolates himself in a farmland. But when a group of heroes cause a nuclear-level accident, Superman and company return to teach the new generation some values.
Meanwhile, priest Norman McCay experiences visions of an apocalypse caused by superheroes. He is taken by The Spectre, God’s Spirit of Vengeance, to witness the events that lead to this catastrophe, from Superman’s group to an alliance led by Batman to Lex Luthor and his cabal supported by Captain Marvel. Norman serves as the reader’s point of view and as the creators’ voice on the story’s events.
Painting a Vision
Ross is best known for painting realistic versions of superheroes, and Kingdom Come is what happens when Ross goes beyond the cover and paints the entire comic. The characters have supple expressions enhanced by the wrinkles and grays of old age, and each panel carries more weight than a single page of most comic books.
Lighting is also a major factor of the presentation. Contrasts between light and dark become more apparent, from the glow of Norman in the darkness of The Spectre’s realm to Wonder Woman’s golden armor against the fire and death of the climatic battleground. It’s a longer process than conventional drawing, but visually Kingdom Come is unlike any other comic book.
Making Statements
Kingdom Come is a reaction to the grittier heroes and elements that have been the norm for comic books since Watchmen and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Dressed in stereotypical armor and leather, the new heroes are power-hungry jerks. By contrast the old guard are redesigned to look authoritative, such as Superman with the yellow in his symbol replaced by a remorseful black or Green Lantern in emerald armor instead of spandex.
The book’s other theme is how the people view superheroes as gods. The novel is strewn with biblical passages, and each chapter opens up with murky images foreshadowing the apocalyptic conclusion. The use of painting instead of line drawings and the POV device of a priest speaking to someone who works for God contribute to the grandeur given to the DC heroes. While the superheroes-as-gods concept can be pretentious for some readers, Kingdom Come revels in it even as it distances itself in the end.
Superhero Seniority
However, while Ross and Waid are adept at creating these themes and the world, Kingdom Come doesn’t provide a solution of how to deal with the new heroes. The young heroes are straw men pushed around by Superman using means as silly as lecturing them at their club to something that’s definitely outside of The Man of Steel’s character. Not even Magog, the reason for Superman’s retreat from public life, proves to be a credible threat, article source.
With no new character strong enough to counter Superman’s team, the story devolves into pre-established characters battling each other. The climatic war is an excuse for Superman and Captain Marvel to fight, and the conclusion is an attempt to shut Pandora’s Box that doesn’t give hope to new heroes in a genre dominated by characters created before the 60s.
Continuity and Impact
While Kingdom Come was not part of DC’s official continuity at first, the book has taken a larger presence in the company and characters like Magog and the book’s darker version of Superman are now regulars in the company’s titles. Kingdom Come might not have the best answers for the questions it asks, but as an exploration of ideas and visual storytelling it remains a distinctive take on DC’s superheroes.
Is there anybody who would disagree when I say that computer is an ultimate invention? I bet none because this technology is now a way of life for almost every individual. It seems that we could not subsist a day without tapping the PC keyboard or clicking the mouse. There are a lot of people who are like me whose one of the first activities in the morning is to turn on the computer to check the e-mails or at least the latest news at Yahoo. But, how would you feel when turning on your PC’s power, the PC would not come alive – it would not boot. This means you cannot open your files or you cannot log on the internet.
So what do you do when your computer fails to boot? The untoward thing is that you do not have a back-up for your files. You do not even have an emergency CD with an OS. The worst thing is when your laptop or your netbook does not have a CD drive. In this scenario, say adieu to your data for you cannot access them unless you are able to boot your computer.
If you have a bootable USB flash drive, then you would not be so frantic when your PC would not boot. Your bootable USB will be able to work because of the Window-based operating system in this tiny USB.
What bootable USB is
You were saved by your bootable USB; you will be able to work with your computer. But what exactly do you understand when you think of bootable? This is from the word “boot” which simply means to start. So – your bootable USB is you device that will enable you to start up your computer even if the built-in operating system fails to work.
The importance of bootable USB flash drive
Perhaps you can consider the bootable USB flash drive as one other magnificent invention relative to the use of the computer. If you would recall, the USB had taken the place of floppy disks or CDs as computer data storage. The bootable flash drive became more important than the bootable CDs that were used some decades ago. Although they performed the same function, the bootable USB offers some useful and important features – portability, faster speed and reusable features.
The bootable USB flash drive is very compact and small making it very portable. You can easily put it inside your pocket or safely stash it inside your small purse unlike the CD that would require more space and protection. The bootable USB is less fragile. This is easier to carry along making it very convenient to carry an operating system anywhere you go – as a stand-by OS in the event that your computer would not boot.
The computer can read the bootable flash drive faster than the CD which makes your computer start almost instantly. This then will require less time for the installation of your operating system and eventual start of your computer task.
Your USB is reusable wherein you are able to change the data it boots into. When you want the drive to contain newer data, a new bootable USB with different OS, you can just replace the previous content with new data.
Building bootable USB – the requirements
You do not need to be an expert computer technician to be able to build your reliable bootable USB flash drive. One major requirement is for your computer or laptop to have a USB port. To start building the bootable USB, you need to first format your USB flash drive, just like what you need to do with your CD. Next, you can create your bootable USB through the use of Windows command line. There are OS builders who would prefer using graphical user interface or GUI which is easier to use.
The bootable USB is a saving device which you can use when your computer would not boot through its installed or built-in OS. There are some necessary requirements to be able to build your bootable USB. And – it is paramount that you have this emergency device which is better to use than the bootable CD.
A company calling itself FixMeStick has announced a product of the same name that it claims can clean a computer of every virus simply by plugging it in and rebooting. UberGizmo says the new device appears to be the best product available to consumers and Net.Security says the new stick uses software from several well known vendors to perform its tricks, including some that up till now have only been available to computer security firms. Mail Online says it’s better than any other produce they’ve seen.
The trouble with most anti-virus software, UberGizmo says, is that while most of them are pretty good at detecting viruses and preventing them from attacking a computer, very few if any of the commercial products score very well when tested to see how well they get rid of viruses that do manage to make it past the security measures in place. That’s why consumers need something like the FixMeStick, because it does what it does very cleanly without the user having to know or understand anything regarding viruses and other malware software, see details.
Net.Security explains that from the user’s perspective, all they have to do is plug the tiny device into any USB port on their computer. After a moment, they’ll get a message telling them that the FixMeStick is recognized and is ready to get started. Users are prompted to close all other applications and then allow FixMeStick to reboot their computer. Also, because the analysis and fixing can take several hours, users are advised to set aside an appropriate time for the device to do its work. Most would likely choose to do so overnight when the computer is not normally in use anyway.
Once the FixMeStick starts its work, it cannot be interrupted. It runs the various routines embedded on it after actually booting to the stick rather than the hard drive, ensuring that no malware can interfere with its processes. And because it’s a pure hardware device that doesn’t rely on any information being saved to it, it’s impossible for it be infected itself.
Mail Online reports that some test cases have reported that the little device sometimes is a little overzealous in relegating files to quarantine status. Doing so causes them to be unusable by the system until a human being verifies that they are safe for use. Thus, some have found that when some operating system files became quarantined, their computer wouldn’t boot until they went through and okay’d the files that were displayed on the screen as possibly infected. The problem of course as that the human person looking at them had no way of knowing if they were actually safe or not, so they simply agreed to allow them to be used without knowing if doing so caused their computer to become re-infected with something.
It’s hard getting enough sleep as a new parent. All “been there done that parents” probably have at least one horror story of walking around in a sleep-fogged daze, barely aware of their surrounding, desperately in need of sleep. So how can you ensure you will get the best sleep possible, find more about this, even with an “eating-round-the-clock” newborn in the house? Read on for ten sleep-inducing tricks.
1. Relaxation techniques. The stress of being a new parent can keep you awake, even if your baby is sleeping soundly. Learn to incorporate a bedtime routine into your busy new schedule, both for your and your baby’s sake. Wind down with some quiet reading with your baby, a warm (not hot) bath, even meditation, can all help you let go of the day’s stresses and settle into a restful night’s sleep.
2. Yoga. According to the website yoga.org, yoga stimulates the central nervous system, which then increases blood flow to the sleep centers of the brain. Yoga then can help you fall asleep faster, sleep better, and actually need less sleep to get through your day – the perfect combination for busy new moms and dads. (http://yoga.org.nz/benefits/physiological_benefits/yoga_insomnia.htm).
3. Progressive muscle relaxation. This is actually a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Progressive muscle relaxation teaches your body how to relax before bedtime. Gradually tense, hold, then release your muscles, starting at the toes and working your way up. Breathe deeply while doing so and really feel every little movement of your muscles. I like to personalize it by imagining that I am literally breathing into my muscles, and when I exhale, I relax them, letting the air “leave” the muscles. By the time you reach your head, you should feel relaxed and ready for sleep.
4. Sunshine and exercise. It sounds simplistic, but getting exercise will help get your body going and give you more energy throughout the day, leaving you pleasantly tired at the end of the day. A good cardio or strength training routine will also help you reduce stress. Strive for 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. Adding sunshine to the equation (jogging outside on a nice summer morning, for example) helps keep your body clock in sync, especially helpful if you have a night owl baby.
5. Reduce caffeine and sugar intake. A new parent may rely on a steady diet of Red Bull or other caffeinate sugary beverage or candy bar, but that’s a mistake. The excess caffeine can remain in your body for some hours after consumption, leaving you tossing and turning rather than sleeping. Worse, if you’re breastfeeding, that caffeine can pass through your milk leaving you with a wide-awake baby as well. Limit caffeine or eliminate it altogether for better sleep.
6. Aromatherapy. Essential oils have been used for centuries for healing purposes, and they work. Use lavender, marjoram, or even rose before bed – add a few drops to sunflower oil for a massage, or put a few drops in your warm bath (see point 1). The soft scents will relax you and put you in a calmer state of mind before sleeping. For an added benefit, use the sunflower oil (with no essential oils) to give your baby a massage. Check out this video for details:
7. Acupuncture. Acupuncture works much like yoga, in that it calms the central nervous system. The acupuncturist is going to treat your entire person, rather than just the symptoms, leaving you in better health, both physically and mentally, than before. See http://www.acupunctureinsomnia.com/ for more details.
8. Chamomile tea. Chamomile has long been recognized as a sleep aid and relaxing drink. It contains high levels of tryptophan and can promote sleepiness. Drink it as a tea, or take it in capsule form. It’s generally recognized as safe across the board, although people with asthma and pregnant women should discuss the use of chamomile with their doctor first.
9. Valerian. Valerian may smell bad, but it has been shown to have a sleep-inducing effect in animal studies (studies on people are inconclusive, but most anecdotal evidence says it works). If you use any prescription medications, alcohol, or are pregnant or nursing, talk to your doctor prior to using valerian.
10. Melatonin. Melatonin is made by the body in response to tryptophan, but it is also available in supplement form. It is generally recognized as safe, but like any other supplement, should be taken with caution if you have a pre-existing health condition, are on prescription meds, or are pregnant or nursing – talk to your doctor prior to take melatonin to determine if it’s right for you.
Using one or more of these natural sleep-inducing techniques should ultimately lead to you and your baby getting a better night’s sleep. If possible, sleep share to maximize the benefits – cosleeping can be done safely under certain stringent guidelines (using a cosleeper is safest and most comfortable for most parents). If at all possible, take turns with your spouse, partner, or other helper with various tasks. Even if you are nursing, your partner can still take on certain tasks during the day or night (diaper changes or baths, for example), to take some of the burden off you. And remember, this too shall pass. Your baby will soon be a child, and then a teen, and then your sleepless nights will have a whole new cause.
Are you thinking of selling your home? If so, you have most likely chosen a realtor, gone over a listing price, and thought of where you want to move to once you’ve sold. But, have you considered the competition? Today, there are tons of homes on the market to choose from. Buyers can view many homes in one day, virtually seeing blocks worth of houses. Will yours get lost in the crowd or stand out amongst the rest? If possible, check out similar homes that are also on the market. Compare what they have to what you have, including listing price, square footage, bedrooms, etc. Most importantly, see how their house is displayed. Meaning, was it clean or a mess? Were you initially impressed at the set up or let down once you walked in? Now think of how you want your house to look and what you can do to get it ready to make that great first impression.
Home staging is a technique that many realtors and decorating professionals suggest when you put your house on the market. It is more than simply cleaning up or doing small repairs. Use these tips to not only save you money, but to maximize your profits by making your home be the one that gets sold. Start on the outside. Look over the front of your house and weed the garden, add inexpensive flowers or potted plants near the front door, and mow the lawn. Remember that while the realtor is getting your house key out and unlocking the front door, your potential buyers will be looking around. On the inside of your house pack away personal items, like family photos, children’s artwork off of the front of the refrigerator, and knick knacks. You aren’t trying to display your personality or show off your belongings. You want to showcase the house and its potential, not impress buyers on who you are. Replace family photos with simple cut outs from magazines of flowers or art in the same frames. Clean out your closets by packing up clothing and items you won’t need in the next few weeks to come. Box up toys and children’s items, too. Not only will this help you when it comes time to moving, since you will already have these things packed up, but it helps not limit their rooms to just “kids rooms”. Let your buyers see the full potential each area has. Wash all linens and if needed, purchase new ones- especially for the Master bedroom. Inexpensive “bed-in-a-bag” linens can transform this space.
Consider getting new curtains or drapes, and hang the curtain rod higher than the window and wider as well. This makes the window space appear larger, and by opening the blinds, it allows natural light to come through. Turn on lights and ceiling fans, eliminate any odors, and stow away any dirty laundry. Don’t forget your garage! Potential buyers look everywhere. Keeping this in mind, don’t overlook your cabinets, drawers, and pantry. Simply organize these areas by cleaning them out, turning cans and other items to face front, and align them neatly. Fold towels in the linen closet. Bathrooms can’t be clean enough! Only hang your prettiest towels on the rods, and don’t leave the damp ones hanging over the shower door. And put the toilet seat covers down! Nothing turns buyers off more than seeing bad habits.
Empty all the trash completely, even if it’s only one or two small things in there. Slip covers for your couches and furniture are not only inexpensive, but make some furniture look brand new and inviting. Maximize space by rearranging furniture if needed, or removing some pieces. Large China cabinets take up a lot of space and can be moved into storage for now. Finally, if you are having an Open House, play relaxing classical music softly throughout the home. This is an old, yet still quite popular trick that many new home builders use for their model homes. Let your realtor take over during this time, and leave the property while the Open House is going on. By the end of the day when you return, you may get the good news of receiving an offer!
