I’m not great with tools. I’m awkward with a hammer, I can never get the pliers to stay in the right setting, and ask me to use the cordless drill without supervision – well, I’m hopeless.

But the more home improvement projects I work on, the more I realize how important it is to have an arsenal of quality tools on hand.  If you have a home that you plan on doing lots of updated on, having the right tools is even more important.  So, here are some tools I’m learning I can’t live without, and some recommendations on how you can round out your own DIY tool box:

Stud Finder - I think I’ve mentioned this one before, but I really really love stud finders. They make hanging pictures, shelves, and whatever so much easier. All you have to do is drag the flat tool across the wall until it beeps, that’s where your stud is.

I’m sad to have just found out that the house I just moved in to, a house from the early 1900’s, is not stud finder friendly. It’s an older lath and plaster constructed home, which according to my smart builder friends, won’t allow you to use a stud finder. Total bummer!

Staple Gun – Just got my first staple gun, and it’s already coming to good use.  I reupholstered a small stool I salvaged from the thrift store with a great new fabric. It also comes in handy for lots of other little jobs around the house.

Cordless Drill -  Whether you are framing a wall, building furniture, or, like I once used it for, creating drainage holes in the bottom of some pots, you’re going to be so happy to have a cordless drill. You have to make sure you have one battery charging while you are using the other, but the convenience of this tool is unparalleled.
Along with the drill, I also recommend getting a good set of bits for your drill, that way you’ll be set for any project that comes you way.

A Great Pair of Gloves –Don’t be afraid to spend a few more dollars the next time you’re at a hardware store to outfit yourself with some quality hand protection. A good pair of gloves will help you through gardening, demolition, framing, and just about any other house project you can think of.

Some other tools you might want to consider are torpedo levels for projects involving leveling awkward small spaces (plus this small level will fit in your pocket), a jig saw, a ratcheting screwdriver, and you’d be surprised how often you might need a rubber mallet.

Another smart option for investing in more expensive tools is to consider buying reconditioned tools. The team over at OneProject Closer .com has done a good job of putting together links to many different tool companies that provide this option. Often refurbished tools are just as good as brand new ones, they just have a lower price.

And, as I mentioned in an older post about renting tools, you may be lucky enough to live near a tool library where you can rent tools for free. Or at least a Home Depot where you can pay to rent tools.

With all the right home improvement tools, you’ll be prepared for anything that comes your way this spring during your remodeling adventures.

I’m in the process of moving. Again.  Its easy to get stressed out when your home is in boxes, and having moved my fair share of times throughout the years (twice since I’ve been authoring this blog alone), I’m more than willing to admit it does not get any easier. 

It may be getting harder in fact, as I find I’m accumulating more and more stuff.  I was lucky enough to have friends to recruit to help me face the daunting task of getting my drawers and closets and bookshelves into boxes.  Sometimes you need an outsider’s opinion to help you through the purging process, so you don’t convince yourself everything you own has sentimental value and is worth keeping (my preferred approach). 

Practice Purging

Photo Credit: OneClick

Since I find myself too close to the situation, often without even realizing it, an impartial observer can be crucial to help you evaluate what is junk and what is not. After all, who wants to waste time and energy moving junk from place to place?  The Unclutterer suggests that moving is a great opportunity to prioritize your belongings and get organized. 

Organization is not my strong suit, but using some simple guidelines, I was able to feel a little bit like I could take control of the situation.  Unclutterers suggest asking yourself simple questions like:

• Have I used or worn this in the past year?
• Do I absolutely need this item in my new home?
• Do I really like this item?
• Does this item work as intended?

(If the answer is no, that’s your cue to junk it.) 

Take Things One Step at a Time

I’m proud to report I purged a lot over the eventful moving weekend.  And I’m not ashamed to admit it felt good. Really good.  Make it feel even better by taking advantage of craigslist: list items on there and you might even find you make some extra spending cash.  And if you’ve got the time and the ambition, a yard sale is an equally feel good approach. 

Moving your home can be stressful, but it dosen’t have be if you invest the time to get yourself organized, get some unbiased help, make a plan, and stick to the plan.  Deep breaths can do wonders too.

Helpful Resources If You’re Moving

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Resources to help homeowners avoid problems, such as fraud, during the moving process.
MyMovingQuote.com: Website that offers free estimates from movers in your area.
American Moving and Storage Association: Helpful resources on planning your move.

I’ve been working on some new resources for homeowners, and have been thinking about a basic checklist for homeowners to follow during the process.

Contractor Hiring Process Checklist

1. Receive at least three estimates on your project
2. Ask each contractor the same questions, and give them the same project parameters to get the most accurate and comparable estimates
3. Verify professional licenses
4. Ask for and check references
5. Do a background check through the Better Business Bureau, or another agency.
6. Verify Insurance and Bonding
7. Make sure you are given a contract, and make sure all parties agree to and sign it.

To me these are the essential parts of the hiring process for homeowners. Not doing these things can mean disastrous results and a frustrating process. Everyone has heard horror stories about contractor fraud, and to avoid it, it’s very important for homeowners to take the time to consider a checklist like this.

Can anyone think of anything I’m missing? Or is this a good bare basics summary of essentials that all homeowners need to consider?

To stage or not to stage?

To hire a professional home stager, or do it yourself?

These are just some of the questions that plague the minds of individuals in the market to sell their homes. Just how worth it is home staging though?  Before you spend the money, it would be nice to know if you could count on a return on your investment, right?

The trouble is, home staging is a loosely defined art at best.  There are some common sense tips floating around out there, but what kind of measurable result will forking over the cash for the professional contribute towards your home’s resale value?  The answer to this question is subject to debate naturally, but if you ask this blogger, if you’ve got even a bit of the do-it-yourself-ing spirit, this is one area where you can save yourself some money. 

Photo Credit: The Home Stager

Where should you start to stage it yourself? Think in terms of marketability: what colors, patterns, features etc. are going to appeal to the widest possible audience while still making your place seem ‘homey?’

You don’t have to be afraid anymore, here are some tips to get you started:

• Get curb appeal: clean up the yard, put down new sod, new house numbers, welcome mat etc.

• Fresh Color: Paint to make your home feel newer and more open and inviting

• Purge: 86 anything old or worn out, this includes carpeting, furniture, tile etc.  This also applies to anything that personalizes your house.  For example, family photos and fridge magnets should be out in hurry.  Potential buyers won’t be able to visualize themselves living in your home if you’re still there. 

• Naked Windows: get rid of window treatments. All of them.  You want your home to seem bigger and more open.  Nothing shrinks a room more than giant valances and heavy drapery. 

• Smell the sell: Seriously, bake some chocolate chip cookies and let the warm fuzzies do the selling for you.  Ok, so maybe your place dosen’t have to smell like freshly baking cookies, but it couldn’t hurt, and it certainly shouldn’t smell bad. Double check that everything is clean and fresh, and keep Fido outside. As much as we may love our furry friends, buyers may not dig the dander, or the odor that comes along with them.

• Size matters: The furniture you use should appropriately fit the space without overwhelming it.

• Lighten up: Never underestimate the power of good lighting.  This might bring out the warm fuzzies even more than the cookies.  For a really simple way to apply this tip, just turn on all the lights, even if you’re showing your house during the day.