Do-It-Yourself:
Stage Your Home for Sale

First impressions begin outside the home. Here are some tips for drawing a potential
buyer inside.
Think curb appeal. Prune trees and bushes back, especially if they block windows. Weed and mulch flower beds. Keep lawn freshly cut and fertilized.
Check the perimeter. Move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, car parts, toys into the garage or a shed. If it’s winter, small barbecue grills, bags of charcoal, and extra lawn chairs should be stored. Freshen paint on doors and window trims, check and repair areas with dry rot.
Look up. Check the roof for excessive moss, replace lost shingles. Clean gutters.
Cast a fresh eye. Once inside, create the feeling that anyone can live in your home. Ask yourself, how would a buyer view your home? Ask a friend or selling agent for a critical assessment, and then follow their advicecake.
Remove clutter. This means take family photos off the wall, remove knick-knacks and collectibles off the shelves, afghans and decorative doilies from furniture. Dust, patch, and paint newly exposed surfaces as necessary.
Make a clean sweep. Deep clean rugs, draperies and furniture, especially if you have pets. If your dog sheds or your cat uses the sofa as a scratching post, consider renting new furniture. For the kitchen and bath, display new towels, and don’t forget to clean sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and shower stalls. Change the shower curtain, too. Nobody likes the smell of mildew.
flower
Freshen up. Before you show your house, bake cookies, brew a pot of coffee, light vanilla-scented candles, or plug in air fresheners. For the holidays, simmer a batch of apple cider on the stove and set out small paper cups to sample.

 

 
 
 
  

bread

Banana Bread

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 5 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup margarine
  • 1 cup mashed bananas
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter or margarine.
  3. Beat the egg slightly, and mix into the creamed mixture with the bananas.
  4. Mix in sifted ingredients until just combined. Stir in milk and nuts.
  5. Spread batter into one greased and floured 9x5 inch loaf pan.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until top is brown and cracks along the top.

    rolls

Cinnamon Rolls

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups bread flour
  • 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
  •  
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
  •  
  • 1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons milk

DIRECTIONS

  1. In the pan of your bread machine, combine water, melted butter, vanilla pudding, warm milk, egg, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt, bread flour and yeast. Set machine to Dough cycle; press Start.
  2. When Dough cycle has finished, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 17x10 inch rectangle. Spread with softened butter. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over dough.
  3. Roll up dough, beginning with long side. Slice into 16 one inch slices and place in 9x13 buttered pan. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  4. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes. While rolls bake, stir together cream cheese, softened butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and milk. Remove rolls from oven and top with frosting.