Ana's Blog: August 2011

I have always been a huge fan but lately I am thinking maybe Anthony Bourdain should be required viewing.  Yes…he’s sarcasm on overdrive…yes he can seem crude to the over sensitive type… and yes he seems skeptical of all that is “sacred“… but the one thing he is not is a waste of time or another stupid uninformed celebrity  using his reach to preach his views on what we should or should not believe.  His program more often than not is the messenger of good, interesting and thought provoking information when it comes to viewing other cultures.  It’s not all about the food.  

In this week’s installment of No Reservations you could possibly walk away with a lesson or reminder of what we as Americans as a whole seem to have forgotten.  It was a look at Kurdistan, the semi autonomous region of Northern Iraq.  A region and people who have long fought and suffered to retain their identity as a people and live freely.

In one segment over a feast spread out before Bourdain, the subject of politics was discussed.  Aside from the stated fact the consensus of Kurds is they are grateful the U.S. took down Saddam, the stand out statement of this discussion was one made along these lines…everyone in Kurdistan is involved in politics “because they know what they spent to get this freedom.”

Now ascending my soapbox…..

 

In my opinion we as Americans have no notion of what that means any longer.  I go crazy when I hear some lame person, politician or celebrity declare they have the “courage” to speak up against whatever it is they are speaking up about.  Really?  What’s courageous about saying whatever you want in a society that was founded on the right of free speech to begin with.  Is someone going to show up at their home in the middle of the night and drag them away or kill them?

The courageous are those who fought and died (and still fight and die) to give even the stupid and ill informed the right to do it.  Ask the Kurds about sacrifice and courage.  When Saddam was committing his mass murders and gassings of the Kurdish people, where were these brave “courageous” types.  Were they in Kurdistan speaking up?  No wait… here at home “courageously” fighting for the right to line their own pockets.

Over the generations, Americans have sacrificed good men and women to spread the gift of freedom to others and preserve our own freedom.  A gift many take for granted each and every day.  We in our apathy re-elect the same scum over and over and then complain…complain…complain……Many Americans can tell you what happened  on American Idol and what Charlie Sheen just said but they don’t know who their own congressman and senators are.  America GET A GRIP! Look at who you have accepted as your “representatives” Maxine Waters?  just sayin…

Descending my soapbox now. Ahhh, I feel much better, can’t wait for next weeks episode!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging consultations on site and online.  We are located in Corona and serve the Inland Empire of Southern California and the Palm Springs area.  Call 951 833 8529. Email staging@accentpositives.com.  Visit www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com.

DOES THE HOUSE COME WITH THE TV?

I first posted this blog about a year and a half ago but it is always a relavent topic when preparing a home for sale.  Televisons seem to be getting bigger and bigger each year.  The bigger TVs have become so affordable to most that they are common place.  They have gotten so big that Tim "the tool man" Taylor would grunt his approval!

Today the average American home has more TVs than people.  Over half of all homes have at least 3 or more sets.  Even in homes of families considered below the poverty line, televisions are plentiful. 

Big screen, flat screen, everywhere a screen screen.  Those dang outlets are everywhere and such an eyesore when trying to present a property for sale.  Not to mention the sets themselves. 

Not everyone who buys a set takes into consideration how it looks and where it will look and fit best.  They wing it and many times end up with something too large for the space or too awkwardly shaped to fit against the wall leaving an eyesore of exposed cables and wires.  Poor choices are often made when it comes to the size and placement of furniture used to house the TV or set it on.

TVs are even being substituted for or presented as art.  I guess that's ok, I am not really of that mind but they certainly are more stylish than they used to be. 

You will see them over fireplaces like this.  Many times they are placed too high, a common mistake made with art pieces also.  You need to crane your neck to view the screen.  I am not a fan of this placement, as in this photo, I think it takes away from the lovely fireplace.  

I think the TV would look nicer in the big empty hole to the left.  If a TV is to be wall mounted, mount it as art at eye level. As a seller, I would want to have the prospective buyer notice the beautiful stonework that stays with the house, not the cool TV.

How many homes have you been in where the very first thing you see is the TV?   The picture below is a good example of how a large TV can really cut into small spaces if not placed in a more open location suited to its size.  This home has beautiful wood floors and a great view to the outdoors but as soon as the front door is opened and you step inside... boom! There it is!

Funny how house hunters can be put off by this but have the same going on in their own homes most likely. I always tell sellers to pack em up, all but one.  The horrified expressions are mind boggling.  It's like you may have told someone to pack grandma off to the old folks home. TVs in bedrooms and bathrooms detract and are huge dust collectors.

Buyers do like to be able to visualize where their set or sets will go though. If the spot where the set sits is awkward and cumbersome, consider moving the outlet to an area that makes more sense.  Builders choices and prior owners choices don't always make sense.  Moving an outlet is not a huge cost. 

The local cable company charges $19.95 to move an outlet to another wall or room and will put it on the regular cable bill.   A small price to pay for better flow and function.   The whole look and balance of a room could change on simply moving one outlet. this applys to lighting as well.

Many times it is hard to talk a client into these small but effective changes but it is worth the effort and result.  As a seller, you don't want the buyer wondering if the house or your TVs are for sale!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging consultations on site and online.  We are located in Corona and serve the Inland Empire of Southern California and the Palm Springs area.  Call 951 833 8529. Email staging@accentpositives.com.  Visit www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com.