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Updating Your Thrift Store Finds!

Friday, December 27, 2019
by Scott Darling



 

No matter how you’ve acquired a piece of old furniture or other used decorative items--a family piece, great yard sale finds, or online--there is almost always a way to update it to fit into your decor!  Here are a few tips and idea links for making your new old treasure sparkle! 

 

  • - Before you buy any used item, inspect it as well as you can for broken/missing parts or loose hardware.  With the exception that you’re certain you can repair it yourself; it might be better left for someone else with experience. 
     

  • - Laminated pieces that are in bad condition will never repair well.  Not only that, but laminate furniture is usually not made of solid wood underneath and won’t have a lot of life left in them unless they’re in perfect condition.   
     

  • - Cleaning is probably the first thing you’ll need to do. The Creek Line Home blog has some great solutions for cleaning thoroughly, as well as removing odors.  
     

  • - Does your piece need a little work?  Unless you love the look of distressed furniture, you will want to repair cracks, rings and replace missing wood.   
     

  • - Cushioned dining chairs are easily made over by removing the seat and covering the cushion with new fabric. (If the foam is very worn, you may need to replace that.) Pull it tightly and attach with a staple gun.  Painting the chair is easier without the cushion, but if you’re keeping the original finish, just re-attach the seat. 
     

  • - Decoupage is another way to bring an old wooden piece back to life.  Choose practically any kind of paper, and using a decoupage medium, cover the whole thing, or, like Miss Mustard Seed, just highlight certain parts, while leaving the rest painted. 
     

  • - Don’t pass up a good lamp! Many can be painted and outfitted with a new shade and serve you for years.  If the electrical parts are fried, lamp kits are available in-home stores and online. 

  • Spray paint is perfect for hard-to paint items such as candlesticks and decorative items, metal furniture pieces, and wicker furniture.   
     

  • - Chalk paint has become a popular choice for DIY furniture makeover enthusiasts, but there is a bit of prep work in spite of it being an “easy” way to paint. 
     

  • - Outdated art can even be made new again!  These ideas are amazing, and you’ll have what looks like commissioned pieces for just a few dollars and a little work. 

 

However, you decided to upgrade a piece, you will be getting exactly what you want for your home at a fraction of the cost of buying new.  Go online and look for ideas, and when you see an old and worn piece, you’ll be ready to give it new life! 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: roccommunitysummit.org

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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for November 2019

Wednesday, December 18, 2019
by Scott Darling

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for November 2019

Chester County PA single-family homes saw pending sales increase by 33.5% in November 2019 when compared to November 2018. 500 homes sold in November with a median sales price of $371,000.  The average sales price increased by 9.4%, and homes were on the market 15 days less.

If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More. 

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Go Green this Holiday Season!

Tuesday, December 10, 2019
by Scott Darling

 

We don’t need an official statistic to tell us that trash in the US increases during the holidays, but some reports say that over 1 million tons of extra waste are generated in the United States from Thanksgiving to the New Year!  How can we reduce that number?  It may take some effort on our part, but we can cut back on what we use and throw away during the holidays! 

  • - Not only will ditching store-bought gift wrap save room in the trash bin, but it will also save money! Check out these alternatives from How Stuff Works. In case you must buy something, look for inexpensive reusable tins, boxes and gift bags. 
     

  • - Besides gift cards, give presents that are about presence:  trips, a year’s pass to a museum or local amusement park, memberships to spas, or concert tickets.
     

  • - Thrift-shopping is one way to reuse items, and treasures can be found by visiting them often.  Don’t forget local social media “yard sale” groups, as well as websites that allow people to sell used items. 
     

  • - Don’t forget the batteries but make them rechargeable! This type of battery is becoming more affordable, especially in the smaller battery sizes, and it keeps nasty battery waste from going to our landfills. 
     

  • - It is irritating to get the lights up and half a strand dies as soon as they’re plugged in, but don’t throw them out!  Read about how to check them over,, as well as tools that are made specifically for repairing lights.  If they are truly burnt out, find a recycling center for them instead of sending them out with the garbage.
     

  • - Break out the “good” dishes instead of using disposables!  Ask everyone to pitch in once the meal is over, and clean-up will be a breeze. 
     

  • - Food waste is something we don’t think about often, but we can cut back on what we throw away by planning well and thinking creatively with leftovers.  Find helpful tips and recipes, as well as the Guest-Imator tool at savethefood.com. 
     

  • - Live trees are used in almost half of American homes, but they shouldn’t be sent to a landfill.  Learn about different ways to reuse the tree, or contact a conservation group to see if they can use it for wildlife. 

 

Cutting back during the holidays goes against what our society tells us about how we should spend these next few weeks, but even little things like using unconventional gift wrapping for just three gifts adds up, according to Visual.ly.  Commit to making three changes this year, and next year, add three more to your list.  Consider it a gift to the environment. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: nausetdisposal.com

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Making an Offer is a Process!

Thursday, December 5, 2019
by Scott Darling


While you’re on the house hunt, every property you see just might be “the one.”  It’s a good idea to learn the different aspects of buying a house before you get into them.  Many discover that after they’ve made an offer of purchase, the process isn’t exactly as they’d envisioned! You’ll feel confident when you get to this step by following this guide: 

 

  • - The offer itself isn’t just a price you’re willing to pay for the property; closing date, closing cost contribution, contingencies, or the earnest money deposit are all things that are normally included when the offer is submitted to the seller. 
     

  • - Talk with your agent before you come to your initial price, because you don’t want to insult the seller with a very low offer, nor do you want to pay too much for the house. 
     

  • - Although you won’t always get a complete answer, knowing why the house is on the market can give you some leverage, so ask anyway. Some sellers are in a time crunch and are eager to sell and may take your first offer. 
     

  • - Keep in mind that there are legal aspects to writing a proposal.  Your Realtor will know all the aspects of this part of the process and will take you through each step. 
     

  • - It is very likely that the seller won’t accept your price if it’s less than what they’re asking.  If they want to sell and have no higher offers, they may choose to send a counteroffer.  The counteroffer step is nothing to worry about, if the negotiations are getting you somewhere.   
     

  • - Some sellers will counteroffer with their original asking price.  If this happens, you may have to walk away, as they have shown they’re not interested in moving away from what they want for the property.
     

  • - Don’t forget that you may not be the only buyers interested in the home!  Realtor.com® offers some advice on how sellers might handle multiple offers and some ideas on how to make your offer stand out. 

 

When your offer is accepted, it’s exciting, but there is still work to do!  Hopefully, you have pre-approval for a mortgage, making the buying process a much smoother one.  There are added costs associated with buying a home, so be sure you have your finances in order.  

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: michiganfirstmortgage.com

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