It is mid-January, the beginning of Masters prep time and you don't have a renter. This happens on occasion, and I simply plow through, knowing that a Masters-ready rental will likely find a perfect match, so I move forward with great anticipation.  It is also important to know that this year, Masters Sunday is Easter Sunday.  When that occurs, in years past, it has meant a slight decrease in folks renting homes during that Ea...

Hello January home preppers! Hopefully you're caught up on your needs for outside contractors. Now it's time to really review your linens as many larger sellers follow the tradition of January White Sales...discounting sheets and towels.  Remember that your housekeeper may be working on several houses during Masters.  Make his/her life easier.  In our home, all bath towels are white, so that the housekeeper can easily stock ba...

It's January!  Some of you who are reading this blog have a solid Masters contract in hand.  Others are hoping one comes through.  Wherever you are in the program, I encourage you to come along for the house preparation journey, taking you from this week all the way up to Masters week.   If you rent, you won't be in the last minute panic.  If you end up missing a year, you'll have a house that is in wonderful condition for you...

School is back in session, the summer is coming to a gradual end and the tournament seems far, far away but it is actually the time to list your home for the longest market exposure you can get.  

Hopefully your yard is in full bloom, your outdoor spaces are looking great, and the sun is highlighting your rooms in a very favorable light.  It's time to whip out those cameras and shoot photos of your yard while it is still in blo...

If you are like me, you are in the thick of wondering WHY on earth you do this rental thing.  (Yes.  Even me.)  This is the hard part...the last few strokes to the end.  But don't lose your game face.  Your house may look at bit "Storm Before the Calm"...with sheets and towels stacked in the living room, bedding folded on the dining room chairs until the morning you actually move out, etc...But you WILL get there!...

Week four of Masters prep has arrived.  This is generally the week where you live in a state of concern...what are you forgetting? (Keep a list on your kitchen counter and free your brain from the fear of forgetting)....Am I going to finish this? (If you've kept up with this blog fairly well, you will)....How do I finish and house while living in it? (I'll give some tips here.)

First on the list, this week is planting week.  Ho...

Welcome to March Week 3.  Hopefully you have dealt with the common areas of your home.  I was stunned to find my kitchen took two full days to complete!  So today I have just one more common area to tackle before beginning the bedrooms and baths.

I begin each bedroom by washing everything that is washable....comforters, bedskirts, mattress pads, etc...  Then I vacuum under the bed and all around each mattress.  Don't...

Mid March, the Ides of March,  is upon us!  Hopefully your yard is complete and waiting a week for the installation of annuals, your windows are showing off the beauty of your yard, and you are ready to finish the common areas of your home.  At this point, you are finalizing the organization of each room.  Yes, you will still live in these rooms, but you are making sure things are ready to go.  

In the livin...

March arrives and holds our feet to the fire!  But keep in mind, everything you do to ready your home this month will be enjoyed by you and your family for the rest of the year.  However, this morning starts the countdown....the final month of weekends.  

This is a good week to work on windows, inside and out.  If you are one who hires this out, good for you.  For those of you who don't hire out, this is the time to p...

As the end of February draws near, this is the week to tackle all things hidden, beginning with....smells.  Once the month of March begins, you'll need to create a home that does not smell of fried foods, ethnic foods, and other strong food scents.  If that is a love for your family, the weather has finally permitted outdoor preparation.  Move your frying to your grill and shut the doors to your home very tightly when cooking...