Janet Jones's (jljones13) Blog

Is Your Home/Listing an "Also-Ran"?    "Also-ran"--any horse in the back of the pack who really isn't in the race.  At the end of the day (the buyer's day, that is) is this where your home or your listing is? Not memorable?  Out of the prize money?  Is there much point in being in the race (on th...

Happy 4th of July!  And Happy 235th Birthday to the United States.  Today marks the 235th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Fifty-six brave men risked their lives, their families, and their livelihoods by signing the Declaration.  Many have taken up arms to ensure t...

The Return of Wallpaper I happen to love wallpaper.  I've hung and removed more than I can actually remember.  Wallpaper makes a definite impact that paint never can.  And now wallpaper is making a comeback.  I was reading this post by Shawn Gauthier on Houzz this morning and thought I'd share it...

If the Walls Could Talk. . . But They Are Talking Every Day Your Home is on the Market!Your home is on the market.  Every time a prospective buyer walks through a room your walls are talking to them.  What are they saying and are they really the words you want prospective buyers to hear?  And wha...

Make Your Own Headboard--Quickly and Easily Two days ago I did a post on an redesign for a guest bedroom where I created an inexpensive headboard with a custom look.  Today, I'll share with you the steps to do this simple project yourself:   Step 1:  Build the Frame.  Determine the dimensions of ...

Redesign for under $300--Turning a Teen’s Bedroom into a Cozy Guest Room.  What to do with the teenager's bedroom now that the teenager is an adult, away at college and has her own apartment?  This client wanted to turn it into a comfortable guest bedroom, but cost was an issue.  My suggestion wa...

 It A Window Box or a Graveyard? Something grew here once.  The only thing green in this photograph is the weed growing below the window box.  This look might be practical when the snow flies, but I took this photograph last week.  Summer is upon us, and if you have window boxes they should now b...

Stagers:  Does the Mirror Stay or Go? Julia Maher recently wrote that great blog on removing mirrors hanging over fireplaces when you get ready to sell:  Do You Really Want That Mirror On The Mantel? If You're Selling, Probably Not! I believe, in general, that mirrors and fireplaces don't mix.  B...

As a professional home stager I find it impossible to walk into any home and not start analyzing what needs to be done to stage it for sale--even if the home is not and never will be on the market!  I think it's an obsession many stagers I know seem to have.  Needless to say, I couldn't resist do...

Does your front entrance invite buyers in or scare them away?  I was inspired to write this post when I pulled into this driveway for a recent staging consultation.  Not one, but two "No Trespassing" signs?  This home has been on the market for over a year and a half.  And, no, it's not just thos...