How to Make Love to Your House

Shop – January 7, 2012 – Zig-Zag Dog Gate

lorimatzke — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 10:56:03 +0000

Keep Fido safe without distracting from the beauty of your home with this Zig-Zag Dog Gate made of sustainably harvested Honduran pine. Available in Cinnamon or Dark Cherry from http://www.orvis.com with prices starting at $109.00

Shop – January 6, 2012 – Campfire Quilt by Donna Sharp

lorimatzke — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:34:34 +0000

Stay toasty warm this winter with the Campfire Quilt pieced together rag-style by Donna Sharp. On sale now through January 31st at http://www.paulshomefashions.com

Twin size starts at $186.99

2-Day Home Staging Workshops – Sign up now and $ave!

lorimatzke — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:04:37 +0000

As the only working home stagers in the industry who also offer Home Staging training, we not only teach you to efficiently prepare a house to show, but place an emphasis on the skills you need to willingly engage your client in the experience and help them become part of the solution.

This is just one of the many differences between our program…and all the rest.

For further information, please visit us at http://www.homestagingexpert.com/

UPCOMING DATES

Toronto – January 30 & 31

Miami – February 16 & 17

Dallas – February 27 & 28

About that Seven-Year Itch…

lorimatzke — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:53:39 +0000

Fifty years ago, the goal for the average American was to buy a house, pay off the mortgage, and live happily ever after. At the same time, divorce rates were at an all-time low. Life was good! But today we live in a disposable society. From our house to our spouse, our culture seems to have developed a very short attention span. Everything is replaceable, and even the statistics seem to indicate we are more willing to replace and move on than we are to stay committed and try to repair whatever it is that’s ailing.

To prove my point, consider this: A survey conducted by independent research firm Market Facts based in Schaumberg, Illinois, found that more than 1/3 of Americans have broken it off with a significant other and moved on in the past 10 years, citing the top three reasons as:

1) Infidelity!

2) Lack of Desire!

3) Grew Apart!

Now compare these findings to that of real estate expert, Elizabeth Weintraub of About.com, who identified what motivates a homeowner to end the relationship with their house including:

1) Longing to upgrade to a better product. (Infidelity!)

2) No longer attracted to the features of their home. (Lack of Desire!)

3) The house is no longer meeting their needs. (Grew apart!)

The same reasoning a person will use to dump a significant other, is the same rationalization a homeowner will use to unload their house. Interesting stuff, don’t cha think?

Eat – January 5, 2012 – Easy Beef Stew

lorimatzke — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:19:32 +0000

There is nothing like coming in from the cold to a hearty and heart-warming meal. Beef Stew is a cold weather favorite, and McCormick Seasonings makes it easy to cook up a pot of this all-time favorite classic.

EASY BEEF STEW

2 pounds boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 package McCormick® Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
3 cups water
5 cups frozen or fresh chunky cut vegetables for stew

1. Coat beef with flour. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in large nonstick skillet or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add 1/2 of the beef; brown on all sides. Repeat with remaining beef, adding remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Return all beef to skillet.

2. Stir in Seasoning Mix and water. Add vegetables; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Serve with warm dinner rolls for a memorable meal.

Shop – January 5, 2012 – Martha Stewart Glass & Mirror Cleaner

lorimatzke — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:00:32 +0000

Well, she’s done it again, that Martha! But this time, she’s actually bottled some of that home-spun know-how and turned out a line of organic cleaning products. Tough on dirt, but easy on the environment.

Visit http://www.marthastewartclean.com for details.

Shop – January 4, 2012 – Safavieh Classic Wool Rug

lorimatzke — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:28:15 +0000

Update your decor and warm up your floors with this Safavieh Classic Wool Rug. On clearance starting at $304.00 for a 5′ X 8′.

Order now before they’re gone from http://www.rugstudio.com

Order the Home Staging – Home Study Course NOW and $AVE!

lorimatzke — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:30:45 +0000

The Home Staging – Home Study Course is available through January 31, 2012 from http://www.homestagingexpert.com for only $299.00 and includes shipping and handling. But place your order soon…the price is increasing for the first time in 7 years on February 1, 2012.

Earn your Home Staging Designation from the Home Staging Experts and take charge of your professional destination this year!

Shop – January 3, 2012 – Java Hardwood Luggage Rack

lorimatzke — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:14:33 +0000

Winter is a great time to update your guest room for warm-weather guests. And while you’re at it, why not treat them to a real Bed & Breakfast – like experience with this beautiful, functional Java Hardwood Luggage Rack? Your guests will be impressed!

$49.00 at http://www.containerstore.com

Shop – January 2, 2012 – Snow Wolf Wheeled Shovel

lorimatzke — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:56:50 +0000

Don’t let our mild weather lull you into a false sense of security…before the snow hits, you have to be ready. The Snow Wolf Folding Wheeled Shovel makes clearing the path to your home easier and is three times faster than normal snow shovels.

Available from http://www.northerntool.com for $149.99