If it’s true that cleanliness is next to Godliness, then selling our house is practically turning us into saints. Not that we weren’t teetering on clean freak status before, but I’ve always considered myself more tidy than clean (i.e. clutter’s a no-no, but the tub can go unscrubbed a little longer than I’d like to admit to my mom). But now that we’ve got strangers touring the place it has kicked us into cleaning hyper drive – which I should note is much needed considering that having a newborn all but halted it for a good while this summer.
Yes, that’s me breaking out the ladder to give a good wash to the outside of our sunroom sliders. Goodbye grime, hello sold house! Okay, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but here’s hoping my ladder hopping efforts don’t go unnoticed.
I’ll spare you photos of our other cleaning adventures (polishing all of the stainless steel fixtures, wiping down all of the kitchen cabinets, vacuuming, vacuuming, and more vacuuming…) and instead will subject you to photos of some of the curb appeal-ization that’s been going down ’round here. For example, got mulch?
It took me three separate trips to Lowe’s to get enough of it to spruce up our plant beds (I don’t normally go for the artificial color-boosted mulch, but it was on sale for the same price as the regular stuff and I figured this was one instance where “long lasting color” could do me some good). At least by the end of the day we had a crisper looking yard staring back at us.
Speaking of the yard, I’ve also been in the process of re-growing grass in some spots that the hot weather killed this summer. It’s been going surprisingly well – especially considering that our county is on emergency water restriction due to a long sweltering summer. Now I’m just crossing my fingers that mowing over it as much as I’ve had to (to keep that “maintained yard” look that buyers like) doesn’t harm those wee sprouts too much. Note: we just seeded and waited for rain- no sprinkler or fertilizer usage was required. Thankfully we’ve had our fair share of showers in the past three weeks and we’ve learned that grass really wants to grow in bare dirt. So rain plus grass seed usually equals luck.
And when I’m not mowing, I can usually be found blowing the driveway clear of acorns. We’re in the middle of our annual bombardment, courtesy of the oak trees surrounding our house, so our driveway gets littered with ’em quite quickly. Just check out the collection I’m working on at the driveway’s back corner where everything gets blown. Methinks the squirrels should hoist me over their shoulders and sing “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow” for this service to them:
As much as keeping the house in ready-for-a-showing shape is exhausting, we have to admit that it is nice to live in an über-tidy house almost 24/7. And we’ve got our fingers crossed that the extra effort will pay off soon when it comes to wooing a buyer. Ok, off to remake the bed…
Penny M says
Geez, collect the acorns and use them as decor. My grandmother said “Everyone needs to eat a peck of dirt before they die.” Don’t sweat the small stuff. Clara will be fine with a bug or two. You were, I was. Acorns are dropping in your yard – for free! Pick them up!!! Now!
Mandi says
I really like the color mulch (I’m a black-mulch girl myself, it goes with the look/colors here better – but the brown is nice with your yard!) I’ve been using it for several years, and while I don’t think it quite meets its claim of lasting a year, it does last the season. I usually pull off the old mulch, add a little compost and stir things up around a bush, and then lay down the old stuff neatly, with a layer of freshly colored stuff on the very top. Makes the most of the new bags. And really as home purchases go, the cost differential is very small for this product (at least, where I live.)
Stacy says
I love that mulch & use it at my house. We will see how well it holds up.
And as for your acorns….. I have the same problem. Our driveways look identical. There’s not enough squirrels in the area to take care of my acorn problem. Must be a Richmond thing.
Melissa Arlena says
I swear this year we have so many more acorns then in previous years. It sounds like an assault on my house all day long :) I did learn to be careful when mowing too close to the house because they became projectile missiles straight back at me!
Kristen says
I’m not sure where to post this, but I figure this is as good as any since it’s about selling your house. The NYT posted an article in their Real Estate section about a loan program for fixer-uppers. I know you’re looking for a house that you would be able to update (much like your current one), so this may be worth taking a look at!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/realestate/mortgages/17mort.html?_r=1&ref=realestate
YoungHouseLove says
Cool! Off to check it out!
xo,
s
Avione says
Y’alls house is my husband and my dream house. Cozy, brick, enclosed sitting area, great foresty surroundings…if there was a spring or creek near by it would be, seriously, a dream come true.
One question…I noticed that the brick around the bottom of your house is lightened. Is there a way to bring back the original color?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Avione,
A good power-washing should take that brick back to its original glory! If only we had a moment to tackle that…
xo,
s
Ginner says
Oh my gosh! Can I have your acorns! Did you throw them away already? I read a blog recently that used acorns to make a wreath. I have no acorns…but I want to make that wreath. I will pay you for shipping and handling! :) ps. I’m being completely serious.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Ginner,
We blew them back into the woods behind our house among the moist dirt and leaves so we’re afraid they’re not in any shape to ship. So sorry! Maybe you can order them online somewhere though- like from an eBay vendor? Maybe googling “acorn vase filler” or “acorns in bulk” will help? Good luck!
xo,
s
theWoolACORN says
*SWOONS*
The acorns… I personally would throw you over my shoulder and sing “For he’s a jolly good fellow” but you’d have to look at my photos to see why.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, love it! John’s pretty skinny too. You could totally lift him.
xo,
s
Melisa says
I didn’t go through all of the comments so forgive me if this is a repeat, but if you bake those acorns on low heat, glue them to a straw wreath and paint it a seasonal color (although lime green looks awesome too!), it makes a really great door wreath! Just hang it with a wide ribbon!
annette moore says
I was wondering why you chose the trim color you did on this house (your old one). We are going to paint ours. Our house is brick, two story with black shutters, etc. and we just painted the door red. I was going to go more white. Was wondering if there was a reason, so I could consider it. Thanks!!!
YoungHouseLove says
It was painted that beige color when we got the house (and was it really good condition) so we worked with it. White would look nice and crisp though, for sure!
xo,
s