Here’s some fun things to do for Earth Day : )

Lowe’s: Free tree seedling.

Starbucks: Free iced/hot coffee or tea if you bring your own mug (or if you request it in a “for here” cup).

IPhone: Free national park apps.

Local Portland Activities:

Earth Day Bonus at Powell’s: Purchase three used books and take them home in a free, reusable Powell’s tote.
All locations.

Celebrate Earth Day at Tryon Creek: At Tryon Creek, you’ll find two days of Earth Day tribute! On Friday, bring your recyclable items (that cannot be taken curbside) to the Recycle Roundup, then go on a guided “It’s Earth Day!” story-stroll (pre-registration required). The hike is geared toward ages 3-6, but all are welcome. On Saturday, get hands-on involved in protecting our forest with the Stewardship Saturdays Trail Maintanence event. Recycle Roundup: Fri, April 22. 10 am -2 pm. “It’s Earth Day” Story and Stroll: Fri, April 22. Free, 1-2 pm. Stewardship Saturday: April 23, 9 am – noon.

These, and more cool things to do in Portland for Earth Day, are on this great website:

http://www.redtri.com/portland/earth-day-events-portland

When staging the home of a pet owner it is all about minimizing the pets presence, and creating a neutral zone that any buyer could see themselves living in (whether or not they adore dogs/cats/birds like the owner does). But, being a pet owner myself (of two high energy happy dogs), my staging eye is always on the lookout for the fun, the modern, and the functional when incorporating things for my pups into my own home.

So, for you fellow pet owner’s out there, here are some fun sites:

DOG MILK

Reviews of all sorts of fashionable dog gear and ideas for your home. Everything from different themed puppy beds, built in dog crates and cute dog wear.

I think this was made for places like Oregon where our winters are all cold and rain : )

MODERN CAT 

 Reviews all different cat things. Everything from the functional (a bookcase with hidden cat play areas, to the down right adorable.

Recently they even featured a unique Portland company that designs some really beautiful bamboo cat furniture like the Buddha: a wall perch nearly as pretty as your kitty.

Hope you guys enjoy : )

…with multiple offers!

3335 NE STANTON ST, Portland, OR 97212

I know sometimes people are nervous about investing in home staging -as if it is a gamble. This isn’t a game of odds, it’s not scratching a lottery ticket. Staging your home will help it sell.

 Buyers can have a difficult time envisioning themselves in an empty home, even a little bit of staging can define a room and allow a potential buyer’s imagination to take flight.

Spring is here, which means so are the birds and budding plants. It’s time to go for a walk, plant some seeds, read a good book outside, open the windows and let in a breeze, and….it’s also time for some spring cleaning.

So, here is a quick recipe for a green clean (for those so inclined):

General Cleaner:

½ cup vinegar

¼ cup baking soda

1/8 cup lemon juice

2.5 liters water

White Vinegar – is a natural deodorizer and just acidic enough to eat through dirt, grease and soup residue.

Baking Soda – also a deodorizer, mildly abrasive and softens water

Lemon Juice – removes rust, shines aluminum, cuts grease, and smells wonderful

There are many easy variations on cleaning with just these three ingredients, all are wonderfully toxic free, inexpensive, and healthy for your home. Happy Spring everyone : )

Recent staging:

More pictures of this lovely (and large) home, will be posted next week. 

Quick Tip #6

Last tip I recommended to clean and clean and clean again. This tip adds to that: clean away all those soaked in smells too. There are lots of things in the house that absorb odor, the fridge, the couch and carpet (especially for those of us with pets), the garbage disposal, etc. It is important to make sure your house smells as fresh and clean as it will look. So, open up some windows, air out that musty smell. Let your house breathe a little.

Bonus cleaning tip: Baking Soda

Boiling a little water with baking soda with cinnamon won’t just absorb odor, it will make an instant fresh-baked-cookie smelling air freshener.

An open container of baking soda will absorb odor in the fridge.

Baking soda mixed with vinegar will kill mold, and help remove stains.

Quick Tip #5

Perhaps I should say: “Clean Like You Want Your House To Sell” –but, while more accurate, that doesn’t have quite as nice of a ring to it.

I shouldn’t have to tell you a clean house will be more attractive to a potential buyer, but just to emphasize: a house can never be too clean. Deep clean every nook and cranny, rearrange furniture then scrub, vacuum, and mop again. This kind of cleaning can be tedious and time consuming, but it will make a huge difference in what a potential buyer thinks your home is worth.

Quick Tip #4

Must of us are surrounded by at least a little organized chaos. That’s the way some of us live our lives, and it’s easy to see it in our homes. Unfortunately, the line of “lived in cozy” can quickly cross over into the hazardous territory of clutter.

Sometimes it’s hard for use to step back and see it. The stacks of paper on the desk you meant to file a few weeks ago. The books sitting near the bookcase because you have just a few too many to all fit. The unmarked box you never got around to unpacking from when you first moved in. Should I go on? We all have some clutter and since it’s a part of our every day we stop really seeing it. But a potential buyer definitely will.

So, pack up a little of that excess. Start donating or throwing away what you don’t need. Clutter makes a room feel small, and draws attention to the tiny details of who the seller is, and not all those wonderful details of the home the buyer is looking at.