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Help with a speedy sale. HGTV is behind the new real estate marketing website . It compiles city-specific housing information along with articles, videos and news about buying and selling. As part of the launch, .’s editorial team devised these pointers for anyone looking to sell a home:
Give your house a makeover that adds value and keeps up with the Joneses. Don’t run out and install Italian marble. But if hardwood floors are the norm in your neighborhood, get them.
Staging works. It can be as easy as a fresh coat of paint, new cabinet hardware or strategically placed lighting. Think of it as a creative, inexpensive face-lift.
Find out what’s wrong with the house and get it fixed. Don’t wait until that serious buyer finds faulty wiring or a termite problem and then pulls the deal. Be proactive. Get an inspection before hitting the market.
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An idea that strikes while the iron is hot. Sunbeam has a new Hot Iron Storage Case that looks like something Maxwell Smart might tote around. Available in gray or blue, the mountable plastic box is literally a place to store your iron, even when it’s hot. It costs about $20 at Target and . The company also has these ironing safety reminders:
Always turn the steam lever and fabric selection dial off before plugging or unplugging an iron.
Never let the cord touch a hot surface.
Always unplug the iron when filling it with water or emptying it.
Never yank the cord from an outlet. Instead, grasp the plug and pull.
Always hold an iron by the handle, and never by the cord.
Keep irons away from anything flammable.
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Creative recycling. The Maids Home Service (themaids.com/800-843-6243) compiled this list of cleaning uses for ordinary household items.
Slip an old sock over your hand, dampen it with polish or window cleaner, then use it to wipe away fingerprints and dust.
Use old paintbrushes to remove dust from tiny crevices.
Use discarded toothbrushes to tackle soap scum around faucets and drains.
Use a hair dryer to blow dust off of silk flowers and plants.
