Phiroum Svy, Covington, WA. Residential Homes, Associate Broker

The kitchen is the most popular room in the entire house that buyers look first. First impression goes a long way in this room, so make it worthwile when preparing your house for sale. Here is some basic tips to prepare your kitchen for a good first impression.

First and foremost clear the appliances from all countertops. That means putting away the microwave, toaster, blender, coffe pot, napkin holder, salt/pepper, rice cooker, bread maker, or dish rack. If you can't see the space, you can't possibly sell it!. It is hard to live like this, but it's only temporary, and remember, the way you live is not the way you stage your house to sell. Fresh fruit or vegetables(lemon/limes) makes a great decorative piece on on your kitchen counter instead.

I am sorry to say that your refrigerator is no longer a bulletin board. You know what I mean.

Pet dishes must be removed. I was in an open house once, and guess what? The agent allowed the owners to keep the dogs dishes out. It didn't take long for someone to knock it over and spilled the water dish. Not everyone will love pets.

Remove excess from storage cabinets and bins. This gives the illusion of more space for all necessary aplliances and dishware.

Love hanging pot? NOT! They need to go away, along with dish towels, papertowels, and paper towel holders.

Set the kitchen table with a flower centerpiece. Per place setting, place a place, glass, and cloth napkin.

One more piece of tip is move that water dspenser to the garage. Overall, it is possible to stage your home to sell and make it look like a model home. Just takes some time and creative imagination.

Accredited Staging Professional

The Covington Library has free events each week for you to take advantage of. Here is this weeks event starting March 31, 2009 through April 6th, 2009.

Wee Ones Story Times
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Start Time: 10:05 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Newborn through prewalkers with adult
Enjoy bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and a wee bit of story in this 20-minute session. A fun way to bond with your baby through books.
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Story Time will be held in the Story Time room

Pajamarama Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: All ages welcome
Children are invited to come in their jammies to enjoy stories, songs and activities that build language skills.
Age(s): Children & Families

Young Toddler Story Times
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Start Time: 10:45 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: For walking babies/young toddlers (or waddlers) up to 24 months with adult
Enjoy bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and a wee bit of story in this 20-minute session. A fun way to start your child on the...
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Held in the Story Time room.

Study Zone
Event Type: Study Zone (K-12)
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Start Time: 6:30 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Grades K-12
Drop-in during scheduled Study Zone hours for free homework help from volunteer tutors.
High School Math on Wednesdays and Thursdays only.
Age(s): Teens, Children & Families

Annual Poetry Contest (Ongoing Event)
Event Type: Adult Programs
Date: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - Thursday, April 30, 2009
Library: Covington Library
Description: In Honor of National Poetry Month, the Black Diamond, Covington and Maple Valley Libraries are hosting a poetry contest for all ages during the month of April. Four gift certificate prizes will be awa...
Age(s): Children & Families, Teens, Adults

Toddler Tales Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Start Time: 10:05 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Ages 2 to 3 with adult
Nurture a love of books as you and your toddler enjoy reading, rhymes, songs and movement activities.
Age(s): Children & Families

Preschool Pizzazz Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Start Time: 10:45 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Ages 4 to 6 with adult, younger siblings welcome
Help your preschooler get ready to read! Enjoy stories, songs and activities that build language skills.
Age(s): Children & Families

Game On!
Event Type: Teen Programs/Games
Date: Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Start Time: 4:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Play videogames at the library! We have a Wii, a PS2, Xbox 360s, GameCubes and tons of great games. Just show up and play. It's free!
Age(s): Teens

Study Zone
Event Type: Study Zone (K-12)
Date: Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Start Time: 6:30 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Grades K-12
Drop-in during scheduled Study Zone hours for free homework help from volunteer tutors.
High School Math on Wednesdays and Thursdays only.
Age(s): Teens, Children & Families

Spanish/English Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Everyone welcome, children must be accompanied by adult
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and activities in Spanish and English.
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Registration not required.

Study Zone
Event Type: Study Zone (K-12)
Date: Thursday, April 02, 2009
Start Time: 6:30 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Grades K-12
Drop-in during scheduled Study Zone hours for free homework help from volunteer tutors.
High School Math on Wednesdays and Thursdays only.
Age(s): Teens, Children & Families

Poetry Workshop-The Extraordinary in the Everyday
Event Type: Adult Programs
Date: Thursday, April 02, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: In this workshop we will look at several poems by well-known poets that bear witness to the difficulties and simple beauties of our daily lives. We will talk about the different ways of being careful ...
Age(s): Adults, Teens, Children & Families

Super Saturdays Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Saturday, April 04, 2009
Start Time: 3:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: All ages welcome
Enjoy stories, songs and activities that tickle the imagination.
Age(s): Children & Families

Talk Time
Event Type: Talk Time
Date: Monday, April 06, 2009
Start Time: 10:30 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Free conversation class to improve basic English. Meet people from around the world and learn about American culture.
Age(s): Adults
Other: Registration not required.

e-Bay II - Beyond the Basics of eBay Selling
Event Type: Adult Programs
Date: Monday, April 06, 2009
Start Time: 6:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Taught by award winning eBay instructor and author Kevin Boyd.
Quickly shift your eBay selling into high gear! Learn advanced selling and photography tips and best practices for creating compelling l...
Age(s): Adults

Every house has potential storage space that goes to waste. You just need to find that space and put it to work.

Extend upper kitchen cabinet all the way to the ceiling to stor items you rarely use. Use a step stool to access the space.

Equip your cabinets with features that maximize storage. For deep cabinets, install pull-out shelves or baskets that use up all of the space; for tall shelf spaces, use stacking platforms. Corner cabinets can be fitted with lazy susans.

Make closets more accessible. Low closet doors complicate access to the top shelf of a closet. Oversize door....even ceiling-height models, make it easier to store bulky items on high shelves.

Go to the garage. Even in garages where parking is a tight fit, there is room in the space above the car's hood for wall-mounted cabinets to store little used items.(closed cabinets are preferable to open shelves that oculd allow contents to roll onto your car).

Incorportate storage into the furniture you buy. A front hallway bench can hold gloves, scarves, and hats. Coffee tables with storage compartments can hide back issues magazines. Kids' rooms gain the equivalent of an additional dresser when a captain's bed is substitured for the usual box spring and mattress.

Here is this weeks Covington Library Events. Please take advanatage of these free events and Story Time for Children.

Wee Ones Story Times
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Start Time: 10:05 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Newborn through prewalkers with adult
Enjoy bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and a wee bit of story in this 20-minute session. A fun way to bond with your baby through books.

Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Story Time will be held in the Story Time room

Young Toddler Story Times
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Start Time: 10:45 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: For walking babies/young toddlers (or waddlers) up to 24 months with adult
Enjoy bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and a wee bit of story in this 20-minute session. A fun way to start your child on the...
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Held in the Story Time room.

Pajamarama Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: All ages welcome
Children are invited to come in their jammies to enjoy stories, songs and activities that build language skills.


Age(s): Children & Families

Toddler Tales Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Start Time: 10:05 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Ages 2 to 3 with adult
Nurture a love of books as you and your toddler enjoy reading, rhymes, songs and movement activities.
Age(s): Children & Families

Preschool Pizzazz Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Start Time: 10:45 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Ages 4 to 6 with adult, younger siblings welcome
Help your preschooler get ready to read! Enjoy stories, songs and activities that build language skills.

Age(s): Children & Families

Spanish/English Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Everyone welcome, children must be accompanied by adult
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and activities in Spanish and English.
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Registration not required.

Super Saturdays Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Start Time: 3:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: All ages welcome
Enjoy stories, songs and activities that tickle the imagination.
Age(s): Children & Families

Home improvement doesn't have to be costly.

Here are some home improvement ideas that will have a positive effect on your home's overall cachet. By concentrating on certain types of upgrades you'll not only create a more comfortable living space for yourself, but you'll make it more sellable if and when the time arises.

Repainting or replacing the front door will dramatically improve the exterior appearance of your home. It will enhance an area that everyone sees, no matter if they're driving by or walking up. Upgrading the hardware on the door is also a nice touch.

Planting seeds will go a long way in your landcaping. Greens and colors will lift the curb appeal of your home. If weather doesn't permit in your area, concentrate on potted plants by your front door.

Painting inside walls. Stick to lighter colors to make the rooms bigger. Take one room at a time to stick to your budget.

Lighting is Everything. The ambience inside the home, especially at night, is highly dependant on lighting.

Fix the Fixtures. Fixtures such as faucets, towel racks, lights and showerheads have the ability to spruce up both the look and functionality. Throw in newly painted walls and some decorative accents and your bathroom will feel brand new.

New flooring is major "bang for your buck" when it comes to increase your home value. Instead of replacing it, have your carpets and hardwood floors professionally cleaned by a quality and reputable company.

Since acoustic ceilings are no longer en vogue, removing them is a great way to improve the look of your home. You can do this project yourself, but beware. It is not only a messy endeavor, but some acoustic ceilings contain asbestos. We suggest hiring a qualified and recommended painter to do the job for you. If budget is an issue, you can always do one or two rooms at a time, as opposed to the whole house.

Windows to the World. New windows not only improve your view from inside, they may just save you some money on your energy bill. While you're at it, you may also want to consider adding interior trim to your new windows, or replacing any outdated window treatments.

Rearrange for Change. One of the least expensive upgrades is a simple rearranging of your furniture and decor. It costs nothing and it might actually result in either selling or donating items you no longer like or want.

Don't Forget the Garage. The garage is a part of the home that is often neglected. If this sounds familiar, you may want to think about organizing the interior. Have a garage sale and use the proceeds to repaint the garage door or replace it.

I hope this is helpful and will fit your budget.