Chris Twing

Why you shouldn’t paint everything white when selling your home in central Texas.

We’ve all been told at one time or another, when selling our homes, to keep things light and neutral. This does not mean painting every wall in the place white. But why not you’re wondering?

3 Reasons you shouldn’t paint everything white.

1.We get plenty of sunshine.

There are places in the country that don’t see a lot of sunshine but central Texas in not one of them. This means we don’t have to paint everything white to keep it light and bright.

2.White is not welcoming.

When walls are painted white they give the room a sterile feel. The room comes off feeling more like a hospital and not a place you want to spend time in, let alone live in.

3.White isn’t the only neutral.

Most people think neutral refers to white, beige and grey however there is much more in the paint can than meets the eye. Neutral can also mean earth tones such as muted greens, soft yellows and pale blues.

If white is out than what is in? The Spring 2012 issue of Do It Yourself Magazine had a terrific article about the “new neutrals.” Here are a few Benjamin Moore colors they suggest.

If you're planning to sell your home anytime within the next year now is the perfect time to take care of painting. Need help choosing the perfect color for your home? Professional home stagers are a terrific resource and choosing paint colors is normally included as part of a home staging consultation.

Which master bedroom would you rather buy?

Option 1

Option 2

I think we all know the answer to that question however both bedrooms are in the same house . . . it's the same room.

Staging a master bedroom is about more than decluttering. You need to create a space that feels luxurious and inviting. In this Leander, Texas home Twing Home Staging & Redesign was able to give a luxurious and inviting feel with a few budget friendly updates.

Why this room works?

• As I've said before every room needs a focal point and in a master bedroom it should always be the bed. Your eye is drawn to the bed with an inexpensive DIY headboard.
• The sheen of the new linens and lamps creates a feeling of luxury.
• The room looks finished and inviting through the addition of artwork and accessories.

Do you need help getting your Leander or Cedar Park home ready to sell? Twing Staging & Redesign offers both full service professional home staging and DIY packages. See what we can do for you by clicking here.

Ask any realtor, new or old, and they will tell you spring is the busiest time in the real estate market. While “spring” is traditionally thought of as March, April and May the spring real estate market in Central Texas really begins in early to mid-February.

Whether you have decided to put your home on the market this spring or are just considering it NOW is the time to get the ball rolling. Here are the four things you should do this month.

Declutter

• Put things away
• Remove anything that doesn’t add to the function or décor of a room
• Be sure walkways (inside) are open and you can move freely through and around every room
• Clean out storage spaces such as closets, the garage, attic and storage sheds

Clean (spring cleaning is coming early this year!)

• Windows (inside and out)
• Appliances (inside, outside, under and behind)
• Baseboards
• Cupboards (inside and out)
• Fans and light fixtures
• Air vents and filters
• Remove cobwebs from corners and ceilings
• Have carpets, furniture and tile grout steam cleaned
• Launder curtains and drapes

Honey Do’s

• Complete any small repairs such as paint touch ups, fixing leaky faucets or patching holes in the drywall

Create Curb Appeal

• Clean planting beds by pulling weeds and turning mulch or adding new mulch
• Edge, trim and mow grass
• Trim bushes (check to see if your bushes can be pruned this time of year)
• Add cold hard annuals such as pansies

With these four things out of the way you can turn your attention to the décor knowing you now have a clean, decluttered, and well repaired home.

Click here to see examples of their work.

Looking for home staging tips? Please visit the Twing Staging & Redesign Blog.