In today’s real estate climate, staging is no longer the “nice bonus” that it once was - it’s a downright necessity. Preparing your home for sale by strategically coordinating how it presents itself to buyers is an art, and whether you undertake the task yourself (with the help of HGTV, design blogs, and Pinterest) or hire out a pro’s services, you should make sure that your house presents like the treasure that it is.

You know all the basics of good staging - neutralize EVERYTHING, fresh paint, white-glove cleaning, rent nicer furniture than you own, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. But do you know some of the absolute don’ts of staging? The reality is that there are a handful of items that, once spotted by a discerning prospective buyer, can absolutely tank your home sale. Any idea what these killer decor items are? Read on to find out.

Anything political or religious (or likely to provoke a rivalry?)

The goal of staging is to remove “you” from your home so that prospective buyers can imagine themselves perfectly within those four walls. Things that will absolutely interfere with the fantasy? Anything that sparks controversy, like religious or political items. It doesn’t matter how important these parts of your life are; it’s best to put them away anything that even hints at controversial subjects. A MAGA hat is an obvious one, but any red baseball cap is suspect these days. Same goes for candles, crosses, or any other symbols of faith. And you might be surprised to know, but your collection of college memorabilia might spark hostility in a buyer who attended a rival university and is intense enough to feel offended by your diploma hanging on the wall.

Large collections of… stuff

Big collections, of anything from Star Wars plastic toys to wall-to-wall bookshelves, is going to look strange to the buying public. Not only do your eccentricities become fodder for buyers’ scrutiny, but the space taken up by your collection (a large bookcase, a lit china cabinet, excessive shelving) can make the room look cluttered, which is always a staging DON’T. So maybe you keep your giant bookshelf, but you throw half the actual tomes in storage and put some pretty knick-knacks and succulents on the empty shelves to give the image of a more curated space. 

Any personal items. Like, ANY

Staging experts are not kidding when they tell you to take the family photos down off the walls and mantle. Basically, seeing pictures of the current owners is another psychological deterrent to prospective buyers imagining themselves in your home. Keep things as impersonal and neutral as possible in all aspects. 

Moving is stressful enough, let alone when you have a pet. Pet relocation is very challenging, between figuring out the logistics of how you will get your furbaby to its new home and worrying about your cat’s or dog’s stress level. Plus, there’s all the paperwork and hassles of proving that your pet is fit for travel, which can be a real headache during a trying time. Ideally you have already investigated the pet-friendliness of the community you will be joining, but if not, that’s just one more thing to worry about. Where are the dog parks? 

How to Organize Your Pet Relocation

Luckily, Northern Virginia is a very pet-friendly community, and you will likely find a welcoming environment for your furry friend. If you are moving to the area, you need resources to help you ensure that your pet arrives safely and has space to run, play, and feel like they are at home. 

A good pet relocation company is priceless when it comes to transporting your pet, especially on a long move. Air Club for Pets gets a shout-out because they are based nearby, right in Chantilly, and they’ll move your kitty or pup door-to-door with specially-built crates, VIP service during transport, and full-service health verification, meaning that they take care of providing adequate shot records and other proof that your animal is healthy and fit for travel. They transport pets both domestically and internationally, and they come highly recommended. 

Best Dog Parks in Northern Virginia

In Ashburn, you’ll love taking your doggie to One Loudoun Dog Park, which is fenced in and has plenty of shade for owners to relax during these hot summer days. Herndon’s Chandon Dog Park features restrooms for pet parents, benches, shade, water for thirsty pups, and a dedicated area for small dogs where they can frolic without fear. Grist Mill Dog Park in Alexandria has special landscaping, which means that little paws won’t get covered in mud, with fencing and strategically-placed trees to provide a canopy. And, in Arlington, the place to be is Benjamin Banneker Dog Park, which has amenities such as a watering station (and a nearby stream!), restrooms, benches, and space for small dogs. What more could you ask for? 

If you are relocating your pet to Northern Virginia, you need not fret about the mechanics of how it will get done, or that your pet won’t have a great place to play when they get here. One less thing to worry about when bringing your family to one of the country’s best places to live! 

There is nothing that can torpedo your day so quickly as expecting a piping-hot shower and getting blasted by a spray of freezing water instead. Such is life when you have a traditional hot water heater and lots of residents under your roof. Most newer hot water heaters have extended capacity, but if you are trying to soak in the warmth and relax your day away while someone is washing dishes and there’s also a load of laundry going, your appliance may just become overworked. You’ve undoubtedly heard of tankless hot water heaters and the endless hot water that they promise. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, you should know all the details before you commit.

What does “tankless” mean? 

A regular hot water heater uses gas or electricity to heat up a large amount of water at a given time (the size of your tank, basically). As space becomes available, cold water comes in and is heated gradually. If your hot water consumption exceeds the capacity of the tank, you’ll get nothing but cold. A tankless hot water heater, on the other hand, gives you hot water on demand. There is no storage tank (hence the name), and the water heats quickly when you turn on the tap thanks to a powerful jolt of heat en route. These heaters are about the size of a suitcase and can pump out between two and five gallons of hot water per minute.

Are they cost-effective?

According to realtor.com: “The U.S. Department of Energy says that if you use 41 gallons or less of hot water each day, tankless water heaters can be 24% to 34% more energy-efficient than conventional hot water storage tanks. If you use 86 gallons a day, the efficiency drops to 8% to 14%. The energy ratings institution Energy Star estimates a typical family can save $100 or more a year with a tankless water heater.”

All of this sounds great, but you need to factor into matters the reality that a tankless heater is far more expensive to purchase and install than a traditional model. All said, going tankless can cost up to three times the price of just replacing your old hot water heater. The unit itself sells for between $800 and $3,000, and installation and updating old fixtures can cost just as much. It could take you decades to reap the financial benefits of going tankless. 

What else should you consider?

Tankless hot water heaters are pricey to maintain; much more so than traditional heaters. It’s not unusual for a run-of-the-mill service call to cost you hundreds of dollars. And some appliance repair pros find them hard to deal with. Is the money you save monthly worth extra maintenance costs?

It’s nesting season for most domestic birds in the United States. It’s hard not to “awww” when one thinks of momma birds sitting on eggs, twiggy nests, and baby birds being born. Unfortunately, birds are looking for certain criteria in a nesting spot, and many of those items can be ticked off in areas around your home. This is definitely not as sweet as it sounds. There are a bevy of risks associated with birds’ nests around your home. Read more about it here. 

Why your casa becomes their casa

Nesting birds gravitate towards human homes for reasons with which we can definitely relate - they want to be safe, and they want protection from the hot sun. Cozy little stowaway zones like gaps in siding, behind shutters, openings in conduit, dryer vents, under decks, and even light fixtures provide shelter from predators and a cool place to raise a family.

Why is this a problem?

• Nests are a mess - this one is self-explanatory. The twigs, leaves, grass strands, and other organic matter that birds use to feather their nests. This stuff can fall out of the nest, creating pesky and persistent messes. Also, eggs and baby birds can fall out of poorly-structured or ill-built nests. The results can be very upsetting for homeowners who are left to clean up. 
• Birds are technically vermin - and like other vermin, they carry diseases that can be harmful to humans. Dried-up bird droppings, for example, contain a fungus, histoplasmosis, that can cause respiratory diseases. The poop can also contain a bacteria adjacent to salmonella, which can be carried through the HVAC system are aerosolized if birds roost nearby.
• Home damage is a possibility - once again, bird poop is the worst. “Bird droppings can corrode metal and concrete, while debris or feathers from nests can clog drains and gutters,” Chelle Hartzer, an entomologist for Orkin says. “Those clogs can lead to problems with your roof, basement, and foundation, and when birds get in your attic, they can destroy your insulation.”

How to stop birds from nesting on your property

There are plenty of humane options that you can use around your home to discourage birds from nesting without hurting them or their young. Bird spikes are a viable option for gutters and light fixtures. You can also install dryer vent screens, chimney caps, or sheet metal seals for gaps in your siding to close off possible roosting hotspots. The trouble is, it’s already nesting season right now, so your defense may come too late. Nesting birds - even pests like pigeons - are protected by federal law, meaning you cannot disturb a nest. During the mating off-season, using visual deterrents like Mylar tape, flashers, and lights at night can make your home less attractive to our feathered friends. 

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is an intellectually-rigorous academic system available at school levels for all children across the world. Based in Switzerland, the IB program offers a stimulating, enriching international education, culminating in an IB Diploma for graduating high school students that is recognized with favor at the best colleges and universities. Virginia has 50 IB World Schools of varying grade levels, but the most sought-after are the high school programs. Northern Virginia is home to a number of these. The following are some of the best IB schools in Northern Virginia.

Lee High School

Fairfax County

Lee High School is a public, diverse school located in Springfield, in Fairfax County. Well-trained teachers capably handle the varying needs of the large student population, while promoting engaging interactions with their academically-gifted students. Students love the mix of cultures represented in the student body, meaning that few kids have problems making friends. Lee offers AP classes as well.

Marshall High School

Falls Church

Ranked in the top high schools in the nation and considered to be in Virginia’s top five, Marshall High School is a fantastic choice for parents seeking a Northern Virginia IB program for their kids. Given a “Gold” award by U.S. News and World Report, there is no arguing that the academics at this public school are top-notch. It has a large and diverse student body that is welcoming to everyone, and grads of this school rave about the quality of experience they had within its halls. 

Cortona Academy

Herndon

This tiny (<400 students!) private school’s mottos is “Taking the Stress Out of Educating Teenagers.” It accepts students between grades 7 and 12, and the student/teacher ratio is a mere 7:1. Boarding is available for students who live outside the area. Juniors and seniors get 100 hours of free SAT prep time, and 100 percent of graduates go on to a 4-year college or university. The average graduate also receives tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships and/or grants. 

Oakton High School

Vienna

Oakton high school is considered the fifth-best high school in all of Virginia, with a Niche.com score of A+. Its college prep proficiency is just about unrivaled. As part of its mission statement, Oakton promises to provide rigorous, relevant, and well-rounded education for all students. Oakton underclassmen each prepare an Exhibition of Learning, to “display meaningful and well-developed projects showcasing their skills, passions, and most important learning across the disciplines.”

Oh, to swim in a crystal-clear, sparkling pool during these hot months of summer! It’s every homeowner’s dream. But, unless you have had a pool before, you probably don’t know what you are getting yourself into if you buy a pool home. Basically, the care and maintenance of a pool involves more work than you can imagine. And that’s if the pool is usable. Bringing a dirty or disintegrating pool back from the edge can be the stuff of which nightmares are made.

First thing you need to know: it’s one thing to buy a home with an intact pool that has been used regularly and is swimmable, and it’s another to buy one with a festering water pit in the backyard that needs extensive renovations. The work and cost can easily suck you dry. Let’s say that you buy a property that has been in foreclosure, with a rotting, green pool. If the pool has a fiberglass shell, draining it can cause the structure to shift. You have no choice, then, but to torturously clean it out. All rubbish and detritus will have to be skimmed out or manually removed, and then you are talking weeks’ worth of chemicals to get the water clear again. 

Even a pool in good working order costs a good amount of money to keep up and running. It’s not just about adding some chemicals every couple of weeks and running the filter. Per summer, you could be looking at - just for a normal pool - about five hundred dollars in repairs and maintenance, and two hundred dollars in chemicals that have to be monitored with an eagle eye to keep the water exactly where it needs to be. 

If you have questions before buying a house about whether the pool is potentially too big a responsibility for you, you can have a pool inspection done at the same time that you are having your other inspections carried out. A pool expert can examine the condition of the structure, the filtering system, the heat pump, and other costly components of the pool, and report back to let you know his or her recommendations. It’s important that you know you have the money to maintain your pool, or you won’t be using it at all. 

Despite all the warnings, it can’t be denied that swimming in your own personal pool is like nothing else in the world. Throwing pool parties, teaching your kids to swim, cooling off on hot days… it really can be just as wonderful as you imagine. It’s just important to go into owning a pool with your expectations in the right place. 

When you are cleaning out your house during annual decluttering, you probably set aside a large amount of stuff to donate. No matter your charity of choice (Goodwill, Salvation Army, local places), giving gently-used stuff to people in need is a great thing to do… and it’s tax-deductible! Donating clothing, housewares, and books, among other household objects, proves the old adage that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and keeps tons - literally! - of reusable items out of landfills. It’s charitable, environmentally friendly, easy enough… why not bring a big load to donate right now? Before you go, however, know that there are some items that you need to trash instead of donate. For various reasons - mostly hygiene and safety - there are some categories of items that should just be tossed. Read on to find out what they are.

Mattresses and boxsprings

You would have a hard time finding a place that takes donated sleeping furniture. It’s simply too hard for donation centers to check all donations for bedbugs, lice, and other vermin… and these things can spread quickly and infect an entire warehouse or store! The risk is too high. Call your trash company and ask if they do curbside pickup of your old bedding.

Car seats, strollers, cribs, and high chairs

Thrift stores won’t take anything that holds kids, because it’s just too difficult to keep up with the ever-evolving safety recalls and standards. Plus, with car seats, it can be impossible to tell if the seat has ever been in an accident, which can render the item useless and dangerous in the case of another collision. If you have an especially high-end pram or crib, consider re-selling it privately through eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace so that you can have a one-on-one conversation with the buyer about the history of the item. 

Dinosaur-age technology

Listen. The shelves of my local Goodwill are stuffed with old VCRS and a whole wall of cassette tapes. They aren’t moving, either. After all, who actually wants to embrace (way) outdated technology? Nobody wants your tube TV, either, no matter how much it was worth “in the day.” We live in a digital age, and ancient tech just doesn’t have a place in our society. Trash the stuff responsibly and organizations or properly chosen recycling centers can harvest your old technology for its best elements. Then it's better for all since there's a chance to reuse the important bits without allowing it to languish in thrift store purgatory.

Anything “naughty.” You know what I mean.

If it is vulgar… whether it’s a lewd saying on a novelty t-shirt or sweatshirt, or blue books, movies, or other forms of media, it isn’t meant to donate. A lot of donation centers are Christian organizations, and it’s just in poor taste to expose hapless volunteers to that sort of thing. If you have something of legitimate value, like tasteful erotic art or vintage men’s magazines (old issues of Playboy can fetch a pretty penny!), again, this is something that you should try selling privately. But please, do everyone a favor and don’t throw it in the donation bin! 

Large appliances

Nobody wants a used stove, air conditioner, washer, or dryer. You can try selling it privately if it has a lot of life left in it, but a thrift store or donation center has no room or way to handle huge, heavy items like this. If you really want it gone, call a scrap metal yard and arrange to have it picked up and out of your hair.

Donating is a great thing, but only if the stuff has value and doesn’t jeopardize anyone’s health, safety, or comfort. This list is a good guide of what to donate and what to trash. 

The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but the master bedroom is the soul. Humans spend one-third of their lives sleeping, and the place where we choose to bed down is generally very important to us. It’s a haven and a safe place, and it’s where we feel most like ourselves. Consequently, when a prospective buyer is looking at your home, you can imagine that they are paying very close attention to the master bedroom. But are you inadvertently freaking out your visitors with offensive items around the bedroom? Read on to find out more. 

Pet odors

If you keep your cat’s litter box in the bedroom - even if you think that you keep it scrupulously clean - you’d better remove it and thoroughly clean the room before your open house. While many pet owners become “nose blind” to the scents of their beloved furry friends, other people are extremely sensitive… and grossed out by them, especially in the room where they will be sleeping. 

Medical equipment

If you have sleep apnea, a common medical issue, you probably have your CPAP machine by the bed, right? Well, stow that puppy away before a showing. You may need it to keep breathing while you sleep, but sensitive buyers will be grossed out by medical equipment in the bedroom. It’s just too personal, as well as provoking feelings apart from the soothing, calm ones that your bedroom should inspire.

Anything that implies S-E-X

If it’s naughty or salacious, you should lock it up before you show the house. Prospective new owners do NOT want to think about your sex life. It’s not you, personally; it’s a psychological thing. This means that any boudoir photos you had taken and framed for your spouse should be stuck in the storage unit, any mirrors above the bed should be taken down, and, god forbid, do NOT leave out any sex toys, lubricants, handcuffs, feathery whips, or literally anything else that could make something think dirty thoughts. You risk deeply embarrassing and/or offending your guests, and tanking the sale of the house. 

Laundry - clean OR dirty

Put your darn clothes away! Would-be buyers do NOT want to see your soiled clothing balled up in a full hamper at the foot of the bed. On the other hand, neither do they want to see the socks that you have matched up but not yet put away sitting on the dresser. Like some of the other items mentioned, clothing just makes the whole scene too personal. Make sure that everything is folded and put away before visitors arrive. 

In conclusion, you can be a good host and also more likely to sell your home by carefully considering a few common things that might be hanging around your master bedroom. You don’t want to offend or disturb your buyers, right? Then make sure that your bedroom is as clean, impersonal, and “normal” as you possibly can. 

Summer is in its first blush. School is about to let out, and everyone’s thoughts are turning towards warmer weather… and summer vacation! Most families will take the opportunity for a getaway during the warm months, and many already have booked their accommodations. In this day and age, lodgings have evolved far beyond hotels, motels, and the Holiday Inn. A lot of travelers will book vacation homes for their holidays, generally through Airbnb or a similar site. When booking a vacation home rental, it’s important to know the signs of a scam so that you don’t get cheated. The following are signs that you should run, not walk from these rentals. 

The photos are mind-blowing for the price - or there aren’t enough.

It’s like the old adage goes… if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you have spotted a rental for a great price and the pictures look like something out of a luxury show-book, you book at your own peril. It’s way too easy nowadays for scammers to digitally manipulate photos to make a dump look like a palace, or just to flat-out use fake pics. 

Alternately, beware of a listing that isn’t generous with the photos. Most vacation-goers want to be absolutely bombarded with pics that show off every gorgeous angle of the rental in which they’ll be staying. If there are just a handful of snapshots (say, less than ten), you have the right to wonder whether the owners are trying to hide something. After all, you want to know just what to expect. 

There are no reviews.

While it’s true that every new rental has to establish cred somehow, don’t be the one who falls for a listing that nobody else has written about. The best-case scenario is that the property is a scam (see above); the worst-case scenario is that it doesn’t even exist. To differentiate between a property new to the market and a fake, reach out to the owners, who should have their contact information listed. Ask for more information, and whether the owners have other properties that are well-reviewed. 

The listing is all over the web.

Be wary when you find a vacation home listing on more than one platform, especially if it is on three or more. This is a major red flag that could mean a shady owner is trying to escape bad reviews on one (or more!) site and therefore is bouncing around everywhere looking for fresh bait. The way to quickly suss this out is to copy and paste the rental’s description into Google and see if it pops up elsewhere. Be diligent looking for hidden ugly reviews. 

These are a few signs to watch out for when booking a vacation rental for your summer vacation. Don’t allow yourself to be scammed… keep a few things in mind as you search, and you will hopefully be rewarded with a tasteful, clean, wonderful rental that you’ll remember long after the summer fades!

Summer is finally here, and we couldn’t be more excited! With the warmer weather comes open windows, swimsuits… and more time in your backyard or other outdoor space. We have the tips you need to make sure that your patio, garden, lanai, or yard is as welcoming as the inside of your house, and the tricks to make outdoor inconveniences no trouble at all! 

Let it glow, let it glow.

Everyone knows that light is a critical component of wellbeing and happiness in a space. Who hasn’t suffered a migraine from long-term exposure to harsh fluorescents in an office setting? Outdoors, depending on the time of day you choose to indulge, too much or too little lighting can be a problem. You are going to want shade from the intense beams of the sun, and you’re going to want to study how the light moves around your yard over the course of the day. Depending on your results, you may want to get crafty and build a pavilion or pergola, or at least stick out a spacious sun umbrella. At nighttime, you want light that will read “cozy” and not “bright.” Lanterns and candles are always good bets, but fairy lights will give you a bit more light that’s fully customizable. 

Good fences make good neighbors.

Privacy is a must-have for the ideal outdoor space. After all, you want this space to feel like an extension of your home. It’s hard to do that when you can see your neighbors sunbathing topless while you are reading. Fences are the obvious solution to this, but not the only one. If you have only a balcony, a nice trellis will not only block others’ views, but can bring some much-needed greenery to your small space. Bushes, shrubs, trees, and other forms of foliage can also allow you and your neighbors some semblance of privacy without putting stakes in the ground. 

Make plants on point.

Nowadays, it seems like everyone wants to try out their green thumb. And although plants can reduce stress by surrounding you with friendly greenery, there CAN be too much of a good thing. If you went to Home Depot and went ham in the garden center, you may be left with a fussy, hard-to-maintain patch that causes you more grief than good. It’s especially important to consider a plant’s mature dimensions when you plant it. What is small and cute can quickly grow huge and unwieldy, and this is a design mistake. Allow plants plenty of room, and consider perennials that will grow back year after year. 

What will you be doing with your outdoor space this year? Time to think about it!