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Saturday, October 11, 2008

Spring cleaning kickoff: remember the big picture

Much as I like to pretend otherwise, there's more to giving your home a good clean than dusting off that vintage-ceramic-deer collection and scrubbing down the bathroom. This year, before you tackle the superficial tasks, take a look at Erin Doland's (of Unclutterer fame) list of what she calls "systems" upkeep tasks. The idea is, if you keep your major appliances and, well, infrastructure clean and tuned up, they'll operate better, save you money, and even keep you healthier. Some of the projects she suggests you take on: changing the filters in your range hood, clothes dryer, furnace, and air conditioning units; making an appointment to have your home's security system professionally tested; getting your lawn mower serviced and ready for summer; checking dates on fire extinguishers (may we recommend purchasing the Home Hero if yours has expired—or you don't know how to use it?) and replacing batteries in smoke detectors. For Erin's full list, visit her column on Realsimple.com. Dusting can wait just a few more days, I promise.
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From the Community…

Comments 1-3 of 3
  • Alyce S's Avatar
    Posted by Alyce S Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:53pm PDT

    great site love lots of useful information

    Report Abuse
  • Matt S.'s Avatar
    Posted by Matt S. Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:11am PDT

    Dusting can't wait.... I don't agree with that.. http://tubeforme.com/

    Report Abuse
  • CynthiaS's Avatar
    Posted by CynthiaS Tue Apr 1, 2008 4:31am PDT

    TIME SENSITIVE PLEASE READ: Dear Valerie, Please forgive me for posting this here but there is NO WAY to reach you all listed anywhere and this is time-sensitive – about a bloggers only telephone news conference tomorrow at 8 PM. First though, congratulations on a gorgeous and intriguing HOME section – and on still caring about homes at all after living in 8 apartments in a row!

    I want to invite you to a bloggers-only news conference about a new decorating and home sale show on TLC called DATE MY HOUSE. I think you might have fun with this chance to talk to The Bachelor’s Bob Guiney and designer Nadia Geller about their new show. It’s a great premise, offering viewers the opportunity to watch a family trying to sell their home as they work with Bob and Nadia to do what’s necessary to be sure it sells. That includes offering possible buyers a “date” with the house – a dinner party, an overnight, something to see if the house suits them. It’s a chance to talk in detail about how television can offer a peek, often instructive, behind the scenes in the marketing of real estate and to hear what they do to “make over” homes for optimum marketability. There’s much to ask about those home makeovers and the buyer “dates” they’ve set up, what they’ve learned about making the most of a space – and a sale, and how it turns into a TV show. I hope that you’ll at least consider participating. It’s very short notice I know but a great opportunity. Let me know if time prevents you from joining us; you can send questions to me and I’ll ask them for you. But I really hope you can be part of this. The “official” invitation is below – but you can reach me at cindy@echoditto.com. Please consider being part of this!

    Best,

    Cindy Samuels

    Get the latest on how to make a house for sale irresistible; join our bloggers-only telephone news conference covering home makeovers, room staging and other strategies, and the new TV show that shows us how it all happens. It may be tougher for most people to sell their houses than it used to be, but most people don’t have The Bachelor’s Bob Guiney or designer Nadia Geller on their side – and their house has probably never been on a “date.”

    Bob and Nadia, an up-and-coming designer, will preside over Date My House; a new TLC program that works with sellers to do whatever it takes to sell their home. This call is a chance to find out just what strategies work and how to organize a “date” that lets prospective buyers get to know the house and see if it’s the one for them.

    Whether you’re a decorator or a realtor, whether your readers have a home for sale or just an urge to redecorate, this news conference will offer information they can use. It should also be fun, for you and your readers. I hope you’ll join us.

    Once more, here’s the information:

    WHO: Bloggers only

    WHAT: Telephone news conference with The Bachelor’s Bob Guiney or designer Nadia Geller

    WHEN: Wednesday, April 2 at 8 pm EDT (5 pm Pacific)

    WHERE: Call-in number and password to be provided upon RSVP

    WHY: To provide interviews with Bob Guiney and designer Nadia Geller

    This call will be recorded and posted as a podcast, so that, if you like, you can embed it or link to it.

    Please let me know of your interest. This is going to be fun!

    Cynthia Samuels for Date My House

    cindy@echoditto.com

    202-236-1844

    Report Abuse
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At Home Byte

No, I'm not turning into a Buddhist monk, giving away everything except the shirt on mine and my kids' backs. I've just come to my senses. If I own a lot less, life will become simpler. -Blond & Blithe