If you think the clear bathroom door brings light into the rest of the house, you may be right.  However, privacy will always trump light when it comes to bathrooms.  I never went back to that house and thought it was a unique ‘feature’.  Later in my search, I came across another bathroom, this time in the basement, with the clear glass door.  Was this just an Ottawa phenomena?  Apparently not.  I recently saw a home on a TV make-over show that had the same issue.

If your bathroom door is clear glass or you see a house that you want to buy with a clear glass bathroom door, you have three choices - leave it and learn to live with voyeurism,  remove the door and replace with something more standard and private or frost the glass so that it is not transparent.  A bathroom is not the place to play….

Peekaboo, I see you.

Photo credit:  bathroom @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/littleghoti/488561616/

When it is a French Fry.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Photo credit:  french fries @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuart_spivack/2932206250/

You have found deals on shampoo, deodorant, toilet cleaner, etc and bought several bottles of each.  If you are going to sell your house, stop buying large quantities of products.  A stockpile makes your space look cluttered.  Having two of each is like royalty… 

An Heir and a Spare is enough.

Residential              17 Units

Detached                   6 Units; Average Price Sold $619,000, Average DOM – 27

Row                           8 Units; Average Price Sold $519,000, Average DOM – 31

Semi Detached        3 Units; Average Price Sold $697,000, Average DOM – 5

Condos                    29 Units; Average Price Sold $374,220, Average DOM – 25

Photo credit:  Adrice Smitton

In trying to convince the owners to pack these and all little ornaments and souvenirs, I said “Don’t leave anything out and available that could fit in a purse or pocket.”  It is not that the people house hunting are thieves.  In fact, so few things are stolen that one forgets that this could happen.  But…..  there is always a first time and no home owner wants this to happen to them.  

I also advise clients to put away anything of extreme value (vases, paintings, etc).  Buyers like to touch things and why risk damage to your valuables. 

My clients asked if I would follow every visitor during an Open House.  It is not possible to do this.  When more than one visitor arrives, it is better to be centrally located.  Often, visitors roam freely while agents locate themselves near the only exit.  It would be impossible to miss a TV going out the door but I have never heard of a purse being inspected or a pocket being turned inside out.

Why risk it?  Pack up your worries.

Photo credit:  My sister’s S&P Shaker Collection @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/randysonofrobert/2758366145/

Did you know that you can wash the plastic liner behind your shower curtain.  After washing it in the machine with a few towels, rehang the curtain.  You know not to put it in the dryer.  Most mildew and spots on the curtain will be gone.  If not, an investment of less than $10 to buy a new liner will be well worth the money.  Boy can those curtains stink!

Why save $10 to lose a $289,000 sale?

Residential              61 Units

Detached                 44 Units; Average Price Sold $550,660, Average DOM – 24

Row                           1 Unit

Semi Detached       16 Units; Average Price Sold $387,036, Average DOM – 29

Condos                    16 Units; Average Price Sold $334,593, Average DOM – 30

Photo credit:  Adrice Smitton

The first reason is because you have a sentimental attachment to the current fixture and want to take it with you.  If so, take it down before the house goes on the market and replace is with something suitable for the home and the price you are asking. 

The second reason to upgrade the fixture is because the one you have now is old, dated and unsuitable for current design.  Go to a lighting store and see what is in style.  Find one within your budget. 

Finally, there are some newer homes where owners have never installed a light fixture.  There is a metal plate in the ceiling covering the opening for the installation.  If you have one of these, please find a nice new fixture and install it before putting your house on the market. 

There is almost nothing worse than a bad fixture except no fixture or the promise by the owner (through exclusions) that the one in the house will be removed before possession.  Good style does not have to cost a fortune. 

Photo credit:  dining room grandma’s light fixture @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/eponabri/2249768758/

Have you heard of Toto plumbing fixtures?  Are you selling in an up market and want your bathroom to stand out among the competition?  Look for the Japanese bathroom fixture brand Toto.  They are enormously popular in high end homes and motels. It may be a case of “Snobism” but

A Toto may give you a Royal Flush

Residential              363 Units

Detached                 297 Units; Average Price Sold $382,082, Average DOM – 34

Row                           52 Units; Average Price Sold $264,309, Average DOM – 24

Semi Detached       14 Units; Average Price Sold $316,978, Average DOM – 11

Condos                       49 Units (mostly row unit style) – Average Price Sold - $316,978, DOM - 26

Photo credit:  Adrice Smitton