Chance Gates' Blog

RISMEDIA, July 29, 2010—After getting the keys to their new homes, many first-time home buyers are excited about finally having the opportunity to personalize and furnish their new house. From coffee tables to lamps to lawnmowers, many previous renters leap into homeownership quickly realizing they need to do a lot of shopping to truly make their house a home.

“Whether you’ve been living in an apartment with roommates or at your parents’ house, many first-time home buyers do not think about all the items they need – and want – when moving into a house,” said Janice Jones, national vice president of merchandising for Centex. “With a little advance planning and budgeting, you won’t break the bank to make your new home a reflection of your personal style and showcase your pride of homeownership.”

A typical home buyer spends $7,400 on average on their home, with more than half of that spent in the first year after purchase, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

While many first-time home buyers may not have accounted for this level of spending, Jones offers advice on what types of items to purchase to not only properly maintain and live in the home, but also more importantly, items that help new homeowners feel like their house is a place to call home.

Furnishings
Many first-time home buyers no longer want their parents’ hand-me downs or their childhood bedroom set. From sofas to dining room sets to mattresses, many first-time home buyers take the opportunity to upgrade their furniture when moving into their new home. According to an NAHB study, furnishings take the biggest chunk of the budget, with home buyers spending about $5,300 on furnishings during the first year after buying a home. The biggest ticket item for all households is bedroom furnishings, including mattresses, followed by sofas.

Window coverings and linens
The median square footage of homes bought by first-time buyers is 1,500. So, you can only imagine the number of windows that need to be covered to ensure privacy and security in a home. According to Jones, many home buyers don’t account for this in their budget. Additionally, with the ability to now paint and decorate each room, new homeowners find that they want to purchase new bedroom and bathroom linens.

Garden tools
Since a first-time home buyer is likely to move into their home from an apartment, unless you plan on hiring a gardener, you’ll need to purchase a few basic gardening tools, including a lawnmower, garden hose, sprinkler and a shovel (for winter weather).

Flat screen TV
Let’s face it: many home buyers shop for their new home while taking into a consideration how a new, large, flat-screen television set will be situated in their new living space. So, it’s not a surprise that a hot item on the list is purchasing an entertainment system.

However, you’ll also need the basic appliances in your new home: a refrigerator, stove, and a washer/dryer. While many existing homes usually come with appliances, a home buyer needs to take inventory as to whether or not they will need to purchase these big ticket items before they purchase their new bedroom set.

Basic tool kit
Every home needs a well-stocked tool box. Many home improvement stores have sets you can purchase, but make sure it includes a hammer, screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, a tape measure and a staple gun.

“My biggest piece of advice for new home buyers is to be creative and tackle this room by room,” said Jones. “For example, after outfitting your home with the necessary items—like appliances and window coverings—move on to the kitchen and family room spaces. This area is the heart of your home where everyone gathers.

“Look for great values on the items you need that will be utilized most. Take your time and get the feel of how you want to use each space for both function and enjoyment. This strategy allows homeowners to stage their purchases and add new furnishings as the budget allows. Decorating your new home should be fun and a reflection of your personal style.”

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog.  You can email me @  chance at ballard-company.com or http://www.myspace.com/chancegates

For more information, visit www.centex.com.

In order to develop your budget, keep all of your receipts for a month or two. That way you can get a realistic sense of where you are in your current spending.

An Easy Start

Give couches and chairs a fresh start by draping fabric over them or decorating them with pillows or a small rug.

Paint is a cheap way to change the look of a room. (Stores will re-sell paint that wasn’t quite the right color for a previous customer but you may love it!)

Buy accessories like candles on sale at the end of the season before new colors come in.

Plants are a cheap way to dress up a room. (Just don’t forget to water them!) 

Diving In

Lighting: old lamps from thrift store or yard sale. Lampshades: glue old buttons or fabric on shade. 

Frame your own photos with cheap store frames that you can repaint. 

Go for a mis-matched look for dining room table chairs and dinnerware, buying these things from thrift stores. 

Super Saver

Get more decorating on the cheap ideas through books found at your local library.

Trade furniture with a friend or relative.

Before you buy, check for what you need on listserves like Craigslist or Freecycle.

Turn thrift store finds into something new. Teacups and bowls can be come a candle or plant holder.

Make your own curtains using fabric from thrift stores or use old sheets

All the tips came from feedthepig.org

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog.  You can email me @  chance at ballard-company.com or http://www.myspace.com/chancegates

Image by Keenahn via Flickr

RISMEDIA, June 7, 2010–Once everything is unloaded, you may feel overwhelmed by the stacks of boxes surrounding you. Unpacking in an organized manner can make the transition to your new home less stressful and can save a lot of time. Try these unpacking tips, courtesy of Lowe’s.

1. Unpack Essentials First
You should have a few boxes of essentials marked to be unpacked first. These boxes should include items like toiletries, pet supplies, tools, a couple changes of clothes and so forth. Go ahead and unpack these boxes right away and distribute these essential items to their respective rooms.

2. Clean and Prep Your New Home
Though it’s tempting to dive right in and start unloading boxes, it’s a good idea to clean, prep and get organized. Here are some moving tips to help you prepare to unpack at your new home:

• It’s easier to wipe down shelves, clean windows, and mop under appliances before your belongings are in place.
• Complete any prep work. Line kitchen and bathroom shelves with paper. Consider installing closet systems in bedroom closets, if necessary. Once these jobs are done, you’ll be able to unpack more efficiently.
• Plan where to place certain items. For example, in the kitchen; put dishes and glassware in the cupboards above the dishwasher, coffee cups above the coffee pot, and so on. Deciding what goes where before unpacking will save you time in the long run.

3. Go Room by Room
Focus on one room at a time, and unpack essentials first. Though it can feel like an insurmountable task, rest assured: Your house is going to feel like home in no time!

Kitchen and Baths. In the kitchen, unpack most-used items first. Items that you won’t use immediately can be set aside to unpack at a later time. In the bathrooms, hang shower curtains, unpack toiletries and put out toilet paper and soap.

Bedrooms. In your bedrooms, have the beds set up and made with clean sheets by the first night. Unpacking your clothing and bedroom accessories can wait. Again, now is a good time to install a closet organization system.

Living Room. Unpacking the living room should be a combined effort by everyone in the household. There will be a lot of items to be placed and electronics to hook up.

Garage. Having an organized garage is important. If you haven’t set up shelves and hooks for placement of tools, yard supplies and sports equipment; do so now. Having organizational systems in place will help curb the tendency for making piles later.

4. Play Interior Designer
Place furniture so the room feels open and functional. Strive for balance by distributing heavier pieces of furniture around the room. Create a focal point or use a natural one like a fireplace.

When positioning furniture, it’s a good idea to make a sketch of the room, including desired locations of items. Erasing an armoire, rather than lifting it, could save you a trip to the chiropractor.

It takes time get settled in, but here are some quick and easy tips for making your house feel like home:

• Hang shades, blinds or curtains for instant privacy and a homey feel.
• Consider painting rooms a different color, or stenciling around an archway.
• Brighten up a room with self-adhesive wallpaper borders.
• Refinish old cabinets or add new knobs.
• Hang family photographs, mirrors and framed artwork.
• Add potted plants for extra color or to fill empty corners.

Helpful Tips for Setting Up
• As boxes are unpacked, take an inventory of everything you have to make sure nothing has been lost. If you have any broken or damaged items, make sure to keep them as evidence for insurance claims. Claims usually need to be filed within a set number of days after the move.
• Use a surge protector when setting up a computer or stereo equipment.
• As you unpack boxes, collapse them for storage or recycling.
• Start a log of home repairs and maintenance that needs to be done.
• Create a shopping list to make sure you have everything you need.

Chance Gates does welcome any questions or comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or on any articles that may be posted.  Send your  emails  to  chance at ballard-company.com

Image via Wikipedia

By Stephanie Andre

RISMEDIA, May 28, 2010—Homeowners looking to sell need to make sure their homes are as prepared as possible. Home staging is key toward that preparation.

Below are 28 key ways to stage a home:

1. Less is more – remove enough so that there is some empty space in closets, on shelves, and in cabinets.
2. Remove or hide all small kitchen appliances.
3. Remove all refrigerator art, family pictures, school schedules, magnets, calendars, etc.
4. Pack up all personal photos.
5. Remove personal necessity items from bathroom and enclosed showers… shampoo, toothpaste, hairbrushes, dirty towels, etc.
6. Remove and store seasonal clothes from closets.
7. Rent a storage space. Remove all visible storage boxes from closets and garage.
8. Remove unneeded furniture to make rooms look larger.
9. Remove dated or worn furnishings and accessories. Display only updated new looking items.
10. Remember the rule, “One will do”. When accessorizing surfaces, remember that for staging purposes one item is better than two or more. One vase or clock on a fireplace mantle shows off your home better that two or three items.
11. Use mirrors generously. A mirror at the end of a long hallway makes the home look larger and relieves any cramped feeling. A mirror opposite the bathroom vanity pushes walls back and makes small bathrooms larger.
12. Paint the interior of the house and the front door.
13. Repair, paint, or wash all exterior walls, doors, and trim.
14. Power-wash exterior concrete and other hardscape to unify surface color. It will make these areas look bigger.
15. Replace worn, stained carpeting and cracked floor tiles. Be sure that any remaining carpet, drapery or upholstery holds absolutely no odors.
16. Wash the windows, inside and out. Remove unnecessary screening.
17. Arrange a minimum number of towels in bathroom racks and put out fresh soap.
18. Inside, use fresh flowers in vases. Decorate outside with planters and potted plants.
19. Remove some furniture to open up the rooms. A good rule of thumb, consider eliminating half of all furniture and accessories.
20. Decorate the patio or deck with flowerpots and enough furniture to show that it is usable living space.
21. Furnish covered porches with small outdoor tables and chairs to turn them into obvious living spaces.
22. Landscape. Keep perspective in mind. From the house, looking out, plants and vertical elements should diminish in size as they retreat from the house. This elongates sightlines and visually moves property boundaries further from the house.
23. Air the home by opening windows and doors.
24. No drips! Repair all plumbing, faucets, running toilets.
25. Clean or repair/replace worn caulking around tubs, sinks, counter tops.
26. Deep-clean entire house, oven, fireplace, garage, etc.
27. Enhance fireplace firebox with candles or decorative logs.
28. Replace or supplement existing furniture and accessories with rentals From Brook Furniture Rental to achieve a desired appearance.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional; I encourage all questions and comments, on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog.

RISMEDIA, May 24, 2010–When you’re packing up your belongings for moving day, sometimes it’s best to leave it to the professionals – or leave it behind entirely. These moving/packing tips will help you discern what not to pack.

Items that Require Disassembly or Special Packaging
Items requiring professional disassembly and/or crating (such as slate pool tables, chandeliers, or large glass table tops) are best left to the professionals.

Heat-Sensitive Items
Do not pack heat-sensitive items like candles, CDs, computer peripherals, etc. If you must take these items to your new home, bring them with you in your climate-controlled car or truck.

Irreplaceable Papers and Objects
Don’t pack any irreplaceable items. Whether these items have significant monetary value, are financial/personal in nature, or have sentimental value, you’ll probably want to keep these items on your person or have them shipped via a trackable shipping service:
• Address books
• Financial papers
• Cameras
• Car keys
• Cash
• Computer software and disks
• Jewelry
• Letters, personal papers and diaries
• Medical records
• Photos and photo albums

Hazardous, Flammable and Spillable Items
Don’t put yourself and your family in danger. Leave hazardous items behind when you move. Ask your neighbors if they can use these items; otherwise, dispose of them properly with assistance from your recycling company or the EPA. Plan to purchase new items once you arrive at your new home.
• Flammable, corrosive or explosive items
• Lamp oil
• Aerosols
• Motor oil
• Ammonia
• Paint thinner
• Nail polish remover
• Car batteries
• Paints
• Charcoal
• Pesticides
• Charcoal lighter fluid
• Poisons
• Cleaning solvents
• Pool chemicals
• Fertilizer
• Gasoline
• Sterno
• Kerosene
• Weed killer

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional; I encourage all questions and comments, on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog.

I decided that it would be kind of fun remembering some of my fatherhood experience.  One of my many lessons I learned about with my first child goes like this.

As a new farther I found one of the easiest ways of giving my son a bath was to take him into the shower with me.  When I was done I would call to my wife who would come and dry him off, and get him ready for his day.

One morning the baby needed his diaper to be changed.  I figured I needed to shower anyway, I’ll just take him into the shower with me.  The first alarm was the wife telling me “I’m crazy just change the diaper then go shower”.  I was a young man and didn’t believe the wife knew what she was talking about.  The shower is started and set to the proper temperature, as I am taking the diaper off I noticed how the soiled diaper was really pasty.  This set off the second alarm that maybe this was not a good idea, but I’m still confident that this will work.  The third alarm goes off when, right before I climb into the shower, a clump of poop falls on my foot.  I figured I’ll wash my foot, when I’m in the shower no problem.  Notice how I didn’t listen to the third alarm either. Now the fourth alarm really should have stopped me, but I was a young man and could not bring myself to admit that the wife was right.  I was climbing into the shower, I placed my dirty foot into the water to triple check and make sure the water was not to hot.  After all I don’t want the baby to get burned.  When I did this I noticed the poop wasn’t coming off my foot.   I’m not confident now; I’m just hoping that by placing the baby’s bottom closer to the shower that the water pressure will be enough.    I placed the baby up with his behind getting a steady stream of water. OH NO!  It’s not coming off.

Meaningless to say after taking a shower, I got to clean the bathtub. Guys I hate to say it but every once in a while the wife is going to be right.  My new wife tries to tell me that she is right about 80% of the time.  I’m not a young man anymore and I have learned that about 95% of the time I need to apologize.  That is probably the biggest difference between the two marriages; one last less than two years and the other is still going strong after 12.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional I encourage all questions and commnets about the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted here.  I can be reached by email at chance@ballard-company.com or http://www.myspace.com/chancegates

It is time to take a break from Reno/Sparks real estate and talk about the Reno Wine Walk

This Saturday  March 20     2 to 5 pm

$20 a glass per person.

Take a stroll along the river walk and savor Reno’s exciting urban renaissance.

go to http://www.winewalkreno.com/ to find where to purchase your commemorative wine glass and map.

The Reno Wine Walk is held  on the third Saturday of every month.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate consultant I always welcome any comments or questions on the Reno/Sparks real estate or any of the articles I posted.  You can email me directly at  chance at ballard-company.com