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218 Cape Saint John Road, Annapolis, MD 21401

MLS ID: AA6896964

What a home! What a location! What amenities!

This Contemporary is located in the water-privileged community of CAPE SAINT JOHN!

4 Bedrooms (or 3 Bedrooms and Home Office) and 2.5 Baths. It has gorgeous water views of the South River! The deck off the back extends the full length of the home.

In addition to the community amenities dock, this property is one of only a few with access to a semi-private pier to dock a boat (26’+) and with mooring area, too.

It boasts features such as: a new roof; a custom-designed stacked-stone, wood-burning fireplace; updated Kitchen, ceramic tiled Kitchen floors with radiant-heat; 3/4" thick, wide-plank floors throughout the main level; surround sound in the great room; skylights in the Living Room and Master Bedroom; and more!

The community amenities include a tot lot; small craft storage areas; pier/dock; boat ramp; sandy beach with volleyball area; and covered pavilion with picnic tables and BBQs!

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Staging this home was a real pleasure. The Sellers’ furniture and decor compliments the interior spaces. The color palette they chose is neutral and comfortable. The workmanship of the renovations is top-notch. As a result, we were able to present a highly-marketable property which has received accolades from prospective Buyers as well as their Agents.

If you’re “in town” – give me a ring! I’d love to show it to you!

Home Staging Tips: #2 – The Living Room

Ready to tackle the Living Room? Then, let’s go!

OK, we’re headed for the room most often used for “hanging out” – where you’d often watch television, enjoy a fire, or maybe leaf through a good magazine. I realize in some cases, this could be your formal Living Room – that’s OK. You might refer to it as the Great Room or the Family Room – that’s OK, too.

GOAL: To make the space comfortable and inviting.

So, gather these cleaning supplies and products and follow me to the Living Room:

> Swiffer (for hardwood floors) > Old English > Microfiber Dust Cloth > Rag > Old English Scratch Remover (conceals scratched or worn wood, comes in light or dark wood tones) > Feather Duster > Telescoping Duster > Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (removes scuffs on walls and doors – be careful not to “overdo”) > Soot Eraser Sponge (good for soot on fireplace bricks) > Scrubbing Bubbles (try cleaning the fireplace brick fronts using warm water and a small brush) >  Woolite (for minor stains, try a mild solution of Woolite and water, along with a damp cloth. Test a small area first before attempting to remove the stain.) > Kidd Kutter (removes grease, oil, tar and wax) > Goo Gone (for gooey, sticky, gummy and greasy cleaning problems. Removes chewing gum, grease, tar, stickers, labels, tape residue, oil, blood, lipstick and mascara, shoe polish, crayon, and bumper stickers. And, works on carpets, upholstery, clothing, wood, and cement.) > Gonzo Odor Eliminator (Absorbs smoke odors, eliminates musty odors caused by mold and mildew, and, helps with pet odors, too! All-natural, odorless, non-toxic volcanic crystals are environmentally safe for pets.)

CLEAN:

> Floors > Walls > Trim > Baseboards > Wood Paneling > Ceilings (knock down any cob webs) > Door (both sides) > Door Jambs > Air Returns > Floor Vents > Windows (inside and out) > Screens > Window Sills > Window Treatments (consider removing them altogether; or washing and ironing before putting them back up) > Mini-Blinds/Blinds > Shelves/Built-ins > Cabinets > Closets (inside and out) > Upholstery and Leather > Tables > Ceiling Fans

ACTION ITEMS:

Complete any outstanding projects (improvement projects).

Wood Paneling? Consider removing it or painting it. Why? Paneled walls always come across as outdated. Options: Remove, repair and paint walls. Paint a soft (universal) color; keeping trim white. Remove the trim and put up bead-board (wainscoting) over the existing paneling; then, install trim (white).

Patch all holes and cracks in the walls.

Paint walls a neutral color. Avoid white for the walls. Instead, choose a soft (universal) color. Recommendation: Benjamin Moore’s Richmond Bisque.

Touch up any wood trim. Trim, ceilings and doors should be white. Using the same trim color throughout the home is preferable.

Wash all windows (inside and out, as applicable). Clean all screens (repair or replace, as necessary).

Hardwood flooring is always a coveted feature for Buyers. Make them look their best; for quick touch-ups, use Quick Shine with a wet Swiffer. If they need refinishing, you should do so.

Carpeting needs to be in good condition. Replace old, worn or stained carpeting. New carpeting gives the Buyer the impression of “a well-cared home.” Carpeting should be the same neutral color throughout the home. Even if the carpeting is in good condition; but, is an undesirable color, it needs to be replaced. Strong or outdated colors such as mauve, red, burgundy, dark blue, teal, black, pink, etc. should be replaced with a neutral color.

Remove excess furniture. Make sure traffic flow is unobstructed, allowing the Buyer to walk into the room, around the furniture, and exit any door leading to the outside.

Clear coffee and end tables of all items except a lamp and small decor item.

Are you a collector? That’s great! Pack your pieces carefully, we don’t want anything to happen to them in the move – they are going to look great in your new home! ;)

Purge, then organize, all newspapers, magazines and toys; put into individual baskets.

If family photos will be used; confine them to one area (either on a sofa table, bookcase or shelf. Do not place family photos on the mantle.

Place a large mirror or print on the mantle with a grouping of pillar candles (three) of varying heights and sizes.

Mini-blinds should be kept in the “down and open” position.

Avoid placing furniture on an angle. In most cases it is best to place furniture flush against the wall; as angled furniture appears to minimize square footage. Remember, you are selling square footage – so, we want to maximize the look and feel of “space.”

Replace any burned-out light bulbs. Keep extra ones (of each type) on hand.

PROPS YOU MIGHT USE:

> Sofa > Loveseat > Sofa Table > Upholstered Chair > Coffee Table > End/Side Table > Table Lamps > Floor (or Reading) Lamp > Television > Greenery (Ivy, Geraniums, and Orchids are a few to consider) > Grasses/Reeds > Mirror > Art/Framed prints > Fresh pillar candles (varying in height) > Accent Pillows and Throws > Hardbound Books > Picture Books > Magazines > Reading Glasses > Sculptures > Sea shells > Wicker baskets (for functionality, as well as, staging purposes) > Game Boards

Depending upon the size of the room, an area rug might be used to connect the main furniture pieces.

RESULT: A bright, cozy living space.

 

NOTEWORTHY:

New carpeting does not need to be expensive. Placing a 9-lb. (or better) carpet pad under the carpet can give the look and feel of a more expensive product. There are many carpet retailers that offer financing options; some allowing deferred payment.

Home Staging Tips: #1 – The Bathroom

The Bathroom has to be one of the least glamorous rooms of a house; but, the potential impact it can have on a prospective Buyers’ decision to buy can be huge.

In response to a recent study where Buyers were asked what conveys cleanliness to them when looking at a potential new home, their response: “The Kitchen Sink, the Laundry Room and the Bathrooms.”

You will notice a recurring theme throughout these tips: CLEAN! And, I’m not talking your once-a-week surface cleaning…I’m talking DETAILED CLEANING.

GOAL: To create a spa-like experience for prospective Buyers.

So, arm yourself with the following list of supplies and products and follow me to the bathroom:

> Gloves > Sponges (I use three different ones: one for the sinks and surfaces; one for the toilets; and one for the tub/shower) > Scrub brush > an old Toothbrush (great for corners, along baseboards, around the toilet base, and grout) > Paper Towels > Telescoping Duster > Bathroom Cleanser (preferably one with bleach; a disinfectant – I like Soft Scrub) > Glass Cleaner (e.g., Windex) > Clorox Bleach Pen (great for cleaning grout) > Zap Restorer and Cleaner (removes rust, iron stains, calcium deposits, hard water stains, lime scale, soap scum, mold and mildew, and ground-in dirt on porcelain, fiberglass, tile and grout) > Easy Off – BAM (for shower doors). Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to assist with tough spots. > Gonzo Odor Eliminator (Absorbs smoke odors, eliminates musty odors caused by mold and mildew, and, helps with pet odors, too! All-natural, odorless, non-toxic volcanic crystals are environmentally safe for pets.)

CLEAN:

> Floors > Walls > Ceilings (knock down any cob webs) > Door (both sides) > Door Jambs > Exhaust Vents > Tub (make sure to run the jets in the tub to make sure there are no surprises) > Shower (clean the grout) > Shower Doors > Sinks > Faucets > Toilets > Vanity Drawers and Cabinets (inside and out) > Mirrors > Windows (inside and out) > Window Sills > Screens > Window Treatments (consider removing them altogether; or washing and ironing before putting them back up) > Shelves/Built-ins > Linen Closets (inside and out)

ACTION ITEMS:

Complete any outstanding projects (improvement projects).

Wallpaper? Remove it! Why? Wallpaper is considered a custom decor choice; and, will rarely be the choice of the Buyer.

Patch all holes and cracks in the walls.

Paint walls a neutral color. Avoid white for the walls. Instead, choose a soft (universal) color. Recommendation: Benjamin Moore’s Richmond Bisque.

Touch up any wood trim. Trim, ceilings and doors should be white. Using the same trim color throughout the home is preferable.

Wash all windows (inside and out, as applicable).

Replace outdated light fixtures.

Replace pitted or tarnished faucets.

Consider replacing the hardware on the cabinets for an inexpensive (but, effective) way to update the look of a bathroom.

Re-caulk, as necessary.

Remove all cleaning supplies from sight. If the next-best-place for them is under the Vanity (arrange them NEATLY in a container).

Vanity Cabinets should be neat and organized: Clutter-free.

Linen Closets should be tidy: Make sure the contents are appropriate to what should be in a linen closet. APPROPRIATE: Bath Linens (towels, washcloths); Bed Linens (sheets, pillow cases); Bar soap. INAPPROPRIATE: Clothes; Food; Craft supplies.

Tuck all wastebaskets away (place under the Vanity, if possible). When the house is shown, the wastebaskets should be emptied of all debris and lined with waste liners that “fit” the size of the wastebasket.

Remove family or personal photos.

Put away all toilet brushes and plungers.

Remove all toilet and tank covers and take up all rugs.

Remove items typically found on the floor (e.g., scales, hampers).

No personal items should be in plain view. These items should be collected and placed in a basket that fits easily under the sink (inside the Vanity).

If you have a “Kid’s Bathroom” – I strongly recommend you change it into an “Adult Bathroom.” Themed-rooms are a turn-off for Buyers.

Shower curtains should be fabric (preferably, white). No “busy” patterns. I’ve seen some striped patterns actually work nicely.

Place a full roll of toilet paper on the holder.

If candles are in the bathroom, then, they should be new candles (not ones that have been previously burned).

Place a fresh soap pump at each sink.

Place clean, fresh towels on every towel bar. Rule of thumb: If the walls are white, the towels should be a color. If the walls have color (or a pattern) the towels should always be white. My preference: white ones.

Add a touch of green to the room (e.g., potted ivy).

Place all toilet seats in the “down” position.

Replace any burned-out light bulbs. Keep extra ones (of each type) on hand.

PROPS YOU MIGHT USE:

> Plush, thirsty towels > Greenery (Bamboo, ivy and palm frawns are a few to consider) > Grasses/Reeds > Art/Framed prints > Soap pumps > Fresh pillar candles (varying in height) > Fabric shower curtains > Roll of toilet papers > Polished river stones > Sea shells > Wicker baskets (for functionality, as well as, staging purposes)

RESULT: A clean, tidy, staged bathroom will create a “spa-like” experience for the Buyer.

NOTEWORTHY:

Remove Throw Rugs (Scatter Rugs) and Runners: Rugs are “eye-clutter” and a safety hazard when Buyers are moving through a house. One rug inside the front door (main entrance into the house), one runner in a hallway, one rug in front of the kitchen sink (if necessary), and in front of any door leading outside should be it. Keep in mind if you leave an area rug in a room, the Buyer is only seeing the size of the room based on its size and shape.