Home staging has become a cottage industry...and that is a good thing.  Staging, like most aspects of real estate, is about differentiating.  While your home is certainly special to you it is important to remove some of your personality from your home in order that buyers will be able to see it as "their" home.

There are many practical steps for staging a home - both inside and outside.  Obviously, curb appeal provides the first impression and in selling your home that often can be the difference between getting an offer and not. 

However, while the exterior is what attracts buyers initially it is what's inside that counts. Just like those we love, we need to see the inner beauty!  So showing buyers the inner beauty of your home is critical.  To be successful you must be able to show your home in its best light.

Several things you can do to make your home more attractive to buyers are:

• Remove clutter or excess furniture:  This will make rooms larger and allow buyers to see where they can place their own furniture;
• Odors:  If you have pets of any kind (yes, even fish tanks can smell) it is important to properly ventilate the home before and during the sales process.  You may need to have carpets professionally cleaned or use cleaning materials with live enzymes which will permanently remove the odors.  Don't use air fresheners.  They only cover up scents and most buyers can tell something is being covered up by all the vanilla candles, bowls of potpourri, or other plug-ins.
• Colors:  Keep colors to a minimum and preferably neurtal.  If carpets are worn, outdated or unusual colors replace them with neutral a color carpet.  Beige may seem dull but it neutral and most buyers would prefer to work with new neutral colored carpet than to think about having to spend money on new carpet.  Don't list your home saying "seller will credit for carpets."  you will get more money from them.
• De-cluttering:  This is really important.  Don't just consolidate all the extra furniture into the spare bedroom and jam it into the garage.  Move it off-site to storage or have that garage sale prior to putting the home on the market.  Who knows the extra dough might even cover some of the new carpet or paint you will be buying to spiff up the home.
• Minimize decorations:  Along the lines of de-cluttering you will want to reduce decorative items as well.  Keep items such as candles, pillows, magazines on tables to 3.  To much looks cluttered or messy.  Remove appliances in kitchen such as blenders, bean grinders, toasters, etc. from the kitchen counters to showcase the counter space rather than the appliances.

Preparing your home for sale is critical when bringing it to the market.  Presenting your home in the best possible light can make the difference between receiving a quick offer and a home that lingers on the market. 

Along with pricing your home to sell staging is one of the most important things you can do to get the most for your home.  If you would like help with staging or have questions about it I have some great resources that I would be glad to share.  Please let know and I will be glad to help you!  Together we can make your say, "TA DA!"

Last week I attended a lunch meeting at the Building Department called "Building 101."   It was put on by the Development Services Department and was intended primarily to teach the general public about the development and permitting processes in the City of Sacramento.  

Among the many things I learned were some answers to questions I am frequently asked by both homeowners and homebuyers.  Perhaps the most asked question I get is regarding building permits.  Specifically, when do I/we need one?

Simply put you will need a permit for new construction, remodeling and repairs to electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems.

Some typical projects requiring permits include:

• New homes and buildings
• Room additions and patios
• Enclosures and carports
• Decks and patio covers
• Garage conversions
• Landscape irrigation
• Retaining walls*
• Water services
• Sewer services
• Water heaters
• Fences*
• Fireplaces and fireplace inserts
• Skylights
• Sheds*
• Shower/tub enclosure replacements
• Swimming pools and spas
• Re-roofing
• Ceiling fan

A building permit is NOT required for:

• One story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, etc., providing the floor areas does not exceed 120 square feet
• Fences, other than masonry walls, under six feet in height
• Retaining walls not over four feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge
• Platforms, walkways, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below
• Painting, papering, and similar finish work

Please bear in mind this list is only meant to be a general guideline.  For specific information about permit requirements for your project you can call (916)808-5656 or visit one of the City's Permit Service Centers.

The City of Sacramento recommends that before you begin any project you check the zoning code, Design Review, and/or Historic Preservation for anything that may impact your specific property.  You can call them at (916)808-5656.

Lastly, please make sure to protect yourself by using a licensed, reputable contractor and architect.  You can go online to the California Contractors Licensing Board or the California Architects Board to verify licenses.

Whether you are moving into a home or simply fixing up your existing home to meet your specific design tastes, painting and decorating can be great fun and very satisfying.  But, before you begin your project you need to be aware of the possibilities of lead in your home if it was built prior to 1978. 

Lead, like most toxic substances when kept under control it poses little risk.  However, there are specific actions you should take for you and your family if you are contemplating work on a pre-1978 home. 

Before the work begins:

• If your home was built pre-1978 presume the paint is lead-based unless testing proves otherwise; it is recommended testing be done by a State-Certified professional;
• Contain the work area by covering interior and exterior exposed areas with plastic sheeting; secure with duct tape;
• Turn off forced-air heating and air conditioning.

During work on lead-based painted surfaces:

• Keep all non-workers outside of the work area;
• Wear protective clothing and shoes while doing the work;
• Use a properly fitted respirator equipped with HEPA filters
• Water-mist the work area as you scrape to reduce dust; collect all chips and dust on plastic sheeting;
• Be cautious when using paint strippers since they contain toxic chemicals;
• Don't eat, drink or smoke in the work area;
• Don't dry-sand, blast or power-wash to remove lead-based paint;

When work has been completed:

• Remove the plastic sheeting used to protect surfaces by rolling or folding inward;
• Dispose of construction debris in a heavy-duty plastic bag and tightly secure it;
• Wash the exposed areas with a general household cleaner diluted in a bucket of water; use a wet sponge or wet cloth to remove all the dust and dispose of the waste water to the sewer;
• Vacuum carpeted areas with a HEPA vacuum cleaner;
• Change clothes and shoes before leaving the work area and machine wash them separately;
• Shower and wash your hair after finishing work;
• Consider hiring a State-Certified professional to test the area for lead dust contamination after the final clean up;

Today I attended the inaugural "Lunch and Learn" program hosted by the Development Services Department of the City of Sacramento.  This was the first of the Development Services Department's "Community and Staff Brown Bag Education Series." 

The purpose of the series is to introduce to community residents, developers and interest parties to the process one goes through to build or remodel a home or commercial property in the City of Sacramento.  Or, as they said, "To continuously provide our customers with the tools to get them to success."  The Department's motto is, "We help build a great city." 

It was encouraging to listen to Bill Thomas the director of Development Services as he outlined the program and the topics to be discussed. 

Topics included:

•  "MATRIX":  a new and novel program established by the City of Sacramento to create a team concept within the department to expedite the development process;
• Application Process: When do I need a building permit;
• Development Review Process for residential and commercial projects; and
• Submittal Requirements:  What do I need?

The reasons by the customer friendly Development Services Department are essentially that in order to build a great city you must plan for it while allowing developers to get their projects done in a timely and orderly manner. 

Permit Services Manager Richard Heins presented detailed information and answered questions about the actual building permit process.  His department is incredibly busy.  In 2005 they handled almost 50,000 customers - not including 65,213 phone calls received by the Help Desk.  In 2005 the department issued 18,450 permits and processed 20,092 permit applications essentially issuing a permit every 61/2 minutes.

Keith Winkle, the City's Chief Plumbing Inspector, took us through the building inspection process.  Again, in 2005 the City's building inspectors handled 98,639 requested inspections, approving 59,775 or an average of 402 inspections per day.  Keith stressed the reason for field inspections is not to slow the building process but to check for building code compliance and to protect the public's health, safety and welfare. 

The City of Sacramento is working hard to create a positive environment for well planned growth and development.  The Development Services Department is leading the way. 

For the two dozen of us at the meeting it was a refreshing and eye opening discussion about the City's development process.  I would highly recommend you attend one of these sessions if development is in your future.  Take the time to go to "lunch and learn."  You will be glad you did. 

Throughout the year but particularly during the winter in Sacramento we often run into problems with ants.  The rains drive the little creatures inside like the rest of us.  If you suffer from ants you are not alone.  Ants are one of the most prevalent pests in the Sacramento area.

Spraying chemicals is the most common way we try to get rid of them.  However, it is not the most effective way to rid your home of the pests.  The most essential thing you can do is to prevent them from entering your home.  And, while ants are annoying when they breach your house they are often very beneficial outside because they feed on fleas, termites, and other pests in your garden.

According to Master Gardeners affiliated with the University of California's Intergrated Pest Management Program there are some less toxic and very effective ways of keeping ants out of your home.  They are:

1. Caulk cracks and crevices that provide entry points;
2. Store food that would attract ants in closed containers;
3. Clean up grease and spills right away;
4. Find and remove indoor nesting sites - potted plants are often a prime source;
5. Ant-proof kitchen garbage containers with sticky barriers of petroleum jelly under the rim and pet dishes by placing them in a moat of water; and
6. Remove sweet food sources next to your house such as ripened fruit on trees and aphid-infested bushes.

And, if the pesky ants invade your home:

1. Sponge invaders with soapy water as soon as they enter;
2. Plug up ant entry ways with caulk or petroleum jelly;
3. Clean up food sources;
4. Rely on baits to control the ant colony; and
5. Indoor sprays are not recommended.

Hopefully, by following these few environmentally friendly ways of dealing with the little critters will succeed.  But, if you want more information and tips on less toxic ways to control pests around your home please call the Master Gardeners Program at (916)875-6913 or visit their website at www.ipm.ucdavis.edu.

Above Left: The Sacramento River as it winds it way south toward Sacramento

Above Right:  The bank of the Sacramento River in Old Sacramento.

Being located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers, Sacramento is blessed with an abundance of water. We are also cursed by the abundance of water.

Obviously, proximity to rivers and streams can result in flooding.  Though it is rare in the Sacrament area, prudence requires residents to be prepared.  In the event of a flood are you ready?

While less than 25% of the City of Sacramento is within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), any property in or out of the zone is at potential risk because the city is protected by levees. 

According to FEMA, Sacramento is in a 100-year regulatory floodplain.  What does that mean?  That means that in any given year there is a one in 100 chance of the area flooding. 

There are three things you can do to be prepared in he event of a flooding emergency:

1. Make sure you have adequately insured in the event of a flood;
2. At a time of rising river levels the National Weather Service Alerts local entities of the pending problems. Warnings are provided by sirens as well as warnings on television and radio stations.  The emergency broadcast station for Sacramento is KFBK Radio 1530 A.M.
3. Plan ahead.  Be prepared.  Keep emergency supplies on hand such as, battery operated radio, flashlights, first aid kits, extra batteries, food and clean drinking water.  For more detailed preparations visit FEMA's "Are You Ready?" webpage for more information.

In Sacramento, thanks to our abundance of water and some of the most fertile land in the world, we live in a phenomenal climate. Yet, we are susceptible to potential flooding. No one wants to go through a disaster but being prepared in the event of one is important.  Be vigiliant and be safe.

One of he first things new homeowners like to do is paint their new home.  Painting is one of the great do-it-yourself projects that turns your new house into a "home" or spruces up your current residence. 

We get a lot of satisfaction when we see the results of our efforts.  But who among us has not finished a painting project and wondered "what the heck am I going to do with these half cans of paint I have left?"  Well, proper disposal of paints, solvents, and thinners is important to protect our groundwater, streams and rivers. 

Adopting environmentally friendly options for handling paints and solvents can be achieved with relative ease by the following:

• To begin with avoid buying too much paint.  It saves money and reduces leftover material.
• Brush out as much paint as possible before cleaning brushes.
• Prior to cleaning spray equipment with water or solvents drain and recycle excess paint.
• Carefully store leftover paint for future use or give it away to someone who can use it.
• Discard dry paint cans and disposable brushes in the trash.
• Recycle empty spray cans by using either the city or county curbside recycling program. 

Sacramento area residents can recycle paint at the following locations (call for current hours):

• North Area Recovery Station - 4450 Roseville Rd. (916)875-5555
• City of Folsom (Folsom residents only) - Call (916)355-8397 to schedule a pick up appointment
• City of Galt - (209)366-7260
• Kelly-Moore E-Coat - Call (916)921-0165 for an appointment.  Paint must be in the original 1 or 5 gallon can with a factory label. 

So, have fun painting but remember to help protect our community for all of us and future generations.  Let's all do our part to paint without polluting.