Has Your House Been Labeled? Top Five Tips To Sell Your House

Hunting for a new house can be so exciting! Potential buyers have a vision of a desired lifestyle, they crave the "perfect" house, they know everything will be better in "the new house." Isn't life grand? They've done everything by the book. They are ready to buy. Their realtor brings them to your house and then? No offer. Why? You may not know it yet, but your home may have just been labeled by the consumer. Or worse, YOU may have been labeled by the consumer!


As a consumer, I have visited Smelly House (not just a smell-- this odor remained on me after a 10 minute drive with all the windows open.) Don't wear open-toed shoes when house hunting! Which brings me to Squirrel House. I wanted to run away crying from that one. There was a home we visited when no sooner in the door I said, "Get out of here quick!" We don't like to discuss that one.



Ok, so maybe your house isn't that bad. But the gross and dirty are not the only houses being labeled by picky buyers. I visited Lightbulb House. Or actually, Lack-of-Lightbulbs House. No lie, the homeowner carried their one lamp into every room we visited. What did the house look like? You got me!?!? Bean and Rice House was a boy at his kitchen table eating beans and rice. Nothing horrible, just a distinct odor really. Pee Pee Bath House obviously had young boys. Nothing a good cleaning couldn't take care of. In Scary Bird House the guy said "not to worry 'cause they don't hurt ya." Not comforting!



There is a whole different list for carpet-- Bleach Stain On Carpet House, Pink Carpet House, No Carpet House, Pea Green Carpet House, Ugly Brown Carpet House, Nasty Carpet House.

I bought a condo that we called The Precious Moments Hallmark Store House. It was fairly clean and kind of smelled like a Hallmark Store. I could see past the cutesie wallpaper. She had a curio of Precious Moments figurines nestled in Easter grass surrounded by a picket fence and stuffed sheep animals. Why didn't that condo sell faster? Didn't exactly send a message of serious seller. She taught kindergarten for a living. I bet she was good at it.





One of my favorites is the Wedding House. Every room has pictures from their big day along with the unity candle, dried flowers, framed invitation, white gloves, the garter, the champagne glasses....the list goes on and on and guess what? No buyer wants to see that! I know it may seem harsh, but they don't care mainly because they weren't there. They simply can't relate.





The most annoying one is The House With Only 3 Bedrooms, But The Realtor Listed 4. How is this going to help the seller and the realtor? I'd really like to know. It didn't help the buyer who needed 4 bedrooms! What a letdown!

So how do you steer clear of being labeled?

My Top Five Suggestions Are:

1. Hire a good stager before you list your house.
How do I know this? I hired one! My sister to be exact. Michele Rose is a realtor and professional home stager. I sold my home in a tough market. And I would have sold sooner had I listened to her price suggestion from the beginning. Live and learn. We settled $100 over her initial price suggestion within 90 days.

Stagers are professionals who come to your home with an objective eye. They view your home as a buyer would and give you suggestions to make your home more appealing "to the masses." They generalize decor and creatively plan how to appeal to home buyers and their senses. It's worth the investment, and you will see a return, whether it be in terms of lesser days on the market or a higher offer than the average seller. Already listed? Never too late! Every house deserves to be staged. EVERY house!

2. Clean it!
De-clutter the home by packing collectibles and "stuff" neatly somewhere out of sight , deep clean the whole house including professional vent cleaning, professionally clean the carpet and floors, clean up the messy paint jobs and touch-ups and such, tidy the gardens, tidy the exterior, and powerwash.

3. Make it special.
Hang nice art in place of all your framed family photos, burn a lightly scented candle, leave some snacks like cookies and punch for potential buyers, fluff some pillows, decorate with hardback books, buy fresh flowers for the entry vase and please have all the lights on so we know you're inviting us to really look at your home.

4. Hide the unmentionables.
Take your pets and all signs of pets (some people don't like pets!) hide the cleaners, toiletries, dirty laundry, medicines, bills and anything with your name on it. This is no longer your home after all, it is your house-- a product that you are selling to a consumer. We don't want to see your cats litter box or your rash cream!

5. Listen to trusted professionals.
If you are not getting showings after you have completed a professional staging and you have "done everything right," and your realtor has marketed your home appropriately, then you may need to lower your price. It's hard to hear, but it's true and it gets you to where you want to be-- sold and moved!

By the way, when I was selling my house, it was labeled The Clean House. Now that's the kind of label I can live with!


Michele Rose is the founder and owner of Rose-Colored Staging and dedicated to "Presenting Your Home In The Best Possible Light." She is also a realtor with Weichert Realtors of Burlington.

Michele Rose can be reached at 609-456-5813 and you can view her staging portfolio at http://www.rose-coloredstaging.com/

Father's Day in Willingboro, NJ, BBQ Rib Recipe from Trisha Yearwood's Cousin Fred

Before Father's Day as teens and young adults, my sister and I would leaf through sales flyers. Our primary goal? To find camping equipment as we prepared for the annual Creation Festival at Agape Farm in Mount Union, Pa. We lost track of exactly how many times we went to "Creationfest" over the years, but I believe the count is about 14. A Christian Festival where participants camp with about 80,000 other campers, we would prepare for weeks with lists, shopping and plans knowing we would be united with other Christians in celebrating our Father.



I confess, Father's Day has not been a huge celebration day in my family. Dad and Mom had divorced when I was 15. He had left the day before my 14th birthday. Every June we were distracted by the excitement of celebrating God our Creator, our other Father. Dad wasn't in touch with us, and after some attempts, we were not in touch with him either.

Years later, after a long life, Dad phoned us, and worked his way back into our lives. So when he died, we all, including Mom, had built a relationship with him that was on the mend, wounds still healing. With Dad's estate money, I was able to move to a house in Willingboro from a small condo in Jackson, NJ. It is in Willingboro where I witnessed the art of celebrating Dad through the beloved BBQ.

Willingboro is very community-oriented despite the high population of over 30,000 everyone seems to know one another. I intend to move back to the area eventually, if not to Willingboro, at least close to it. Mom moved there a couple years ago and she has the best neighbors ever. Shop Rite on JFK Blvd. is a shoppers meeting place before every holiday and before Father's Day everyone is buying steak, ribs, BBQ sauces, the ingredients for collards, macaroni and cheese, fresh salads, chips, soda... you name it! I still drive over 20 miles to do all of my grocery shopping there.

Willingboro knows how to party, they know a good BBQ. I lived there for over 4 years and every Father's Day there is not a street without the smoky aroma of fresh barbecue, the sounds of music and children laughing, cars parked all along the curbs and a general knowledge that Dad is being celebrated today, Father's Day. I miss it. When I heard a lawnmower start around 1pm, I knew that Dad had already been to church with his family, Mom was preparing the salads and side dishes and Dad was doing what he always did every Sunday afternoon, mow the lawn. The difference is on that day, Father's Day, Dad would sit in an honorary lawn chair on his freshly mowed lawn eating his BBQ dinner with his family.

My Creation Festival days are a thing of the past. We attended in 1999 and camped in the handicapped section. It was a rough trip and we knew it was probably our last, leaving us to celebrate our Father in other ways. Likewise, I will never have a Father's Day celebration with my Dad. I've missed many Father's Days but I like to think that if he were still here, I would have tried a recipe such as the following. Let me know if you try it and Happy Father's Day!

From Country Living Magazine, Trisha Yearwood's Cousin Fred's Barbecued Pork Ribs

(For 12 servings, about 25 minutes working time and 5 hours total time)

6 lbs meaty pork rib slabs

4 tbls of seasoned salt

4 tbls of lemon-pepper seasoning (Lawry's)

1 cup lemon juice

1 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tbls Worcestershire sauce

Preheat electric or gas grill to 250 degrees. Rub both sides of pork with seasoned salt and lemon pepper. Place rib sections on grill.
In small bowl, mix lemon juice, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce to make Fred's special spray. Transfer mixture to a food-safe spray bottle and spritz ribs.

Cook ribs until they are browned, flipping occasionally and spritzing often about 1 1/2 hours. Put ribs in a 4 inch deep stainless steel pan with a lid. Spritz ribs once more and close lid completely. Increase grill temperature to 300 degrees and cook for 3 more hours.

Prospectors Grille and Saloon, Restaurant and Bar in Mount Laurel, New Jersey

In a Wawa in Pemberton Boro, I spotted a guy wearing a big black cowboy hat, a huge belt buckle keeping the already tight-fitted jeans up, matching cowboy boots and a white shirt with shiny embellishments that looked like he had been the victim of The Bedazzler. I admit, I don't quite get it. Country line dancing, western clothing- I truly am not a fan, however add steak to the mix and I may become a believer in all that is country.

Prosepectors Grille and Saloon located in Mount Laurel, NJ on Route 38 will bring out the cowboy or cowgirl in anyone. My sister Michele Rose and our good friend Rick, decided to try this steakhouse known for it's big produce bar (salad bar) smoky steaks, and country western atmosphere. Thursday's Special is the Mesquite T-Bone Steak and we couldn't have been more pleased. Grilled to perfection with choice of soup, side salad or produce bar plus a side dish for $18.99. We added bourbon sauce which we think had a hint of mint and very yummy. The baked potatoes were huge and again, perfect. Along with your meal, they bring a basket of rolls that have a sweet butter taste and were absolutely excellent. We opted to try their new appetizer, Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Chips, very similar to that of TGIFridays. We decided it didn't quite live up to TGIF's though it was tasty. Personally, I would have added a touch of garlic, onion and some fresh cracked pepper.

The Produce Bar is a whole other story. Packed with fresh greens of spring mix, romaine, spinach, fresh vegetables, fruits, cheeses, pastas, dressings, toppings, and more, trust me, you could make a meal of it for their price of $9.99. They even had cubed grilled chicken to add to your already hearty salad.

Honestly, I want to go back and just order the salad bar (or more appropriately, The Produce Bar.)

Along with great food and atmosphere, Prospectors holds events in The Club, and at The Pavillion which is an open air type of bar. Their calendar is posted on their personal website, http://www.prospectorsrestaurant.com/

Prospectors offers a full Lunch and Dinner Menu, Produce Bar, Appetizers, Burgers, Sandwiches, Steaks, Seafood, Pastas, Chicken, Ribs, Combinations and even Meatloaf! A fantastic looking dessert tray was passed up by us after this very satisfying meal. Next time, I'll save some room for dessert.

Budd's KNP Farmer's Market, Country Store, Kids Pick Your Own

A little hot spot off the beaten path turns out to be a fabulous find by my sister, Michele Rose.

She was on a quest for local honey (a teaspoon a day to battle her seasonal allergies) only to discover a goldmine! Budd's KNP Farms Country Market and Country Kitchen not only carries Bob's Buzzy Bee's Honey made in Yardville, NJ but they carry an entire inventory of products including their low milk price of only $2.99 a gallon! One visit and I was already hooked on this little gem of a country store. "Old-fashioned" is right up my alley.

With many to choose from, we bought a beautiful hanging petunia plant for Mom. We have had their skim milk, eggs, honey, banana nut bread, homemade chocolate and mint chocolate chip ice cream, key lime pie (I had never had it, and though slightly tart, it was delicious.) One day we split a footlong hoagie for $3.99 with a bag of chips (chips that looked and tasted homemade) and to my surprise, a warm chocolate chip cookie that the cashier gave us while we waited for our sandwich to be made! (I'm really beginning to like this place.)

Groceries, Deli, Dairy, Breads, Homemade Baked Goods, Jellies, Jams, Sauces, Soda, Snacks, Pet Products, Fresh Jersey Produce, Seafood, Tobacco, Florals and Plants and a whole lot more!

A Mom-and-Pop kind of place, they cook and bake on the premises for take-out only and I was told that if it's not on the menu, just ask and they'll whip something up for you in the kitchen. Budd's Chuckwagon lists a full hot and cold menu including breakfast (which is available all day) lunch, dinner, and snacks. There are outdoor picnic tables for dining and you are welcome to bring your own bottle. They even do party trays!

Listed with Jersey Fresh and

Pick Your Own, this is a great place for the whole family!

They accept debit and credit cards with a $2.00 service fee, and of course, cash. Family First WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted. For squirmy little ones, there are restrooms available.

Budd's KNP Farms is at 131-132 Vincentown Road in Pemberton New Jersey. 

Contact numbers are: 609-894-4817 and 1-800-274-2102, email at Buddsknpfarms@verizon.net.

Check out their site: http://www.Buddsknpfarms.com

Thanksgiving & Black Friday Sales: Bargains For Both In-Store & Online Shoppers

Two years ago, my sister and I attempted our first Black Friday Sales.

We loaded ourselves with coffee and staked out our favorite stores. We found crowds, shelves emptied, hot dry air piped through the stores, and checkout lines that wrapped the entirety. We went home with one purchase; a sewing machine that I have yet to attempt but swear I will someday. For now, it sits in my closet. It became our one and only Black Friday “shopping spree.” A bit disappointing since we view ourselves as savvy bargain hunters!

The success of Black Friday is measured in terms of whether the retailers will end the year “in the black” or “in the red.” Black=profit, red=loss. Not only has Black Friday hit the internet, but it may even offer more for the avid bargain hunter. The day after Thanksgiving, and as my mother will announce every year like clockwork, “Thanksgiving is early this year” or “Thanksgiving is late this year,” Black Friday is the official kick-off to the shopping season.

What was once only a day, is now a season. Some stores offer Black Friday sales the weekend prior Thanksgiving and others are offering Black Friday prices as early as 1am on Thanksgiving Day. With Black Friday and Black Friday weekend sales, this has made way for Cyber Monday where there are sales that may not be as doorbusting as Black Friday, but certainly deserve a peek. “Doorbusters” or “earlybird” means these items may be worth the trip to the store before you’ve fully digested your turkey dinner.

Your first and possibly your only stop in the road to sale discovery is http://www.black-friday.net/. It lists numerous stores and their specific items on sale but also offers a notification system that will send you their sale ads via email as soon as they are available. Make sure you sign up! These sales are either strictly online, strictly in-store, or offered in both. There’s even a category list so you can compare prices. Walmart is offering Blackberrys with a $100.00 gift card only before Thanksgiving. MacMall is offering 12 whole weeks of Black Friday sales! Best Buy, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Home Depot, Lowes, Michaels, JoAnn Fabric, AJ Wright, Old Navy, Target, Kmart, Kohl’s, Macys, Tommy Hilfiger, Staples, Sears, Pep Boys, Modells, even Rite Aid. Many more, so go check it out!

Also remember to check out the Deal of the Day on specific sites. Deals before Thanksgiving are great, but remember, there are other companies who haven’t released their Black Friday ads yet so get on the mailing list. Companies like Bath & Body Works, Barnes and Noble, BJ’s, Ikea, Linens & Things, Office Max, and Zales ads will be available to you via email notification.

If you know your generous-sized mother-in-law needs a robe, go ahead and sign up for mailings from Woman Within, or if crazy Uncle Larry collects nostalgic 50’s reproduction collectibles, sign up for Betty‘s Attic. Many of the offers online are simply an email away! Also, when ordering multiple items from the same store, consider your coupon offers. I have used the same coupon code 3 times in the same day when ordering clothing by phone. Place your first item order with the coupon code, then call back and when they ask if you’d like to add to your prior order, say “No, this is a separate order” then use the same code you used earlier. It works, and I’ve saved hundreds. Try it with other stores and see if it works.

The sales are out there. Do you believe you will be the one in three to win the doorbuster race at Sears early Friday morning after practically devouring your Aunt Mable’s Table the night before? If you love the thrill of the hunt, go ahead! If you want more certainty in the comfort of home while eating leftover pumpkin pie in your jammies then by all means, get comfortable with credit card in hand. I vote for jammies! And don’t forget Ebay.

A special thanks to my friend Andy who informed me of online Black Friday sales.

Home Is Where The Pines Are

Home is where I grew up, where I learned lessons, made memories, and where the pines grow.

The Pinelands of New Jersey, better known to the locals as The Pine Barrens is where I began. At age 42, I find I am living in my mother’s old house, the house we fondly call, “The Little House in The Big Woods” named after the popular Little House on the Prairie series of the 1970’s. And yes, I had a colonial dress with matching bonnet as every girl did in the mid 70’s resembling Holly Hobbie and her best friend Heather. Or at least I hoped.

What brought me home? That’s a good question. It’s a rather long and tiresome tale. I’ll try not to bore you with the details. Let’s just say, I am in transition right now and it was most convenient to come home. Mom isn’t here anymore. Don’t despair-She lives in a lovely one-story ranch in a town that has sidewalks, neatly paved roads, asphalt driveways and a house with a garage. Isn’t that standard living? It’s not when you come from the Pine Barrens.

So what is to love about the Pine Barrens? I found it surprising when chatting it up online for the first time that people from other states had never heard the term “Pine Barrens.”

Doesn’t everyone know about the Pine Barrens of New Jersey? Apparently not. I assumed the Pine Barrens were as popular as the Ozarks, the Appalachians, hey, maybe even the Amish. “Pineys” are an unknown people to the rest of the USA. I know, shocking, isn’t it?

So, having no children to share my knowledge with (another boring and tiresome tale) I will share it with anyone who happens to stumble upon my humble little blog. I will research the history of the Pine Barrens of Burlington County and surrounding areas of Burlington County. I will share my favorite places and my favorite things about Burlington County, and perhaps even encourage the reader to visit or even nestle into the beautiful Pine Barrens or as I call it, “home.”

All photos of our Little House in the Big Woods were taken in the 1960's. Our house was one of three houses on our dirt street and had been built by a Philadelphia policeman in the early 1950's. Our home like many in Browns Mills was used as a summer retreat and served as a half-way point to the Jersey Shore. When not "down the shore" the residents enjoyed the local lakes.

October Happenings in Burlington County, NJ: Festivals, Craft Shows, & More!

It never fails. There will come a crisp evening every September when someone in my family will walk through the front door and say,

"It smells like Halloween." No explanation is necessary. We just say, "Awww, it does?"

Translation: It smells just like it did when were trick-or-treating 35 years ago with the smell of fireplaces and leaves.

There is something special about the Fall. It is a time to celebrate the year's harvest and prepare for the cold winter ahead. It's also a reminder of the upcoming holiday season.

Burlington County offers a variety of Fall Festivals, Craft shows, and Halloween activities for the whole family:

One year my sister and I stumbled upon the Cranberry Festival on Farnsworth Avenue in historic Bordentown City. I found a footstool made of an old Pepsi crate and always keep it in front of my favorite rocker. This year's festival is on October 3 and 4. They offer hundreds of crafters, food vendors, a classic car show and children's events.

October 10, visit the historic Kirby's Mill in Medford for the Apple Festival and try some home-churned apple ice cream, apple cider donuts, apple cobbler and more! Over 100 artists and crafters will have display booths with one-of-a-kind items for your early holiday shopping. Musicians will serenade you while you enjoy this fabulous annual event!

October 10 is also the Fall Home Brew Contest in Mt. Holly at the High Street Grill for tasting and judging the People's Choice, see who the professionals pick, beer tickets and a fall inspired buffet.

The Witches and Wizards Costume Ball is for adults who want to get into the Halloween spirit with fire dancers, palm and tarot readings, ghost stories, and a costume contest. Held at Mill Race Village in Mt. Holly on October 15.

The Mt. Holly Historic Prison offers Haunted Tours on weekends from October 9 to the 31st beginning at dusk.

Enjoy live music at the Celtic Café Concert on Union Street at the Friend's Meeting Hall on October 16 in Medford.
Octoberfest is to be held in neighboring Haddonfield on October 17 with over 100 crafters, vendors and skateboard demonstrations. Stop by the Haddonfield Farmer's Market for some fresh produce before you head home.

In neighboring Chatsworth, the Annual Cranberry Festival is October 17 and 18th with crafters, vendors and antiques.

My cousin informed us of a wondeful mission project. The International Gift Sale held on October 18 and sponsored by Faith Presbyterian Church in Medford, helps sell handcrafted items to support the international economy for struggling countries. It's the perfect place to find unique Christmas presents and holiday décor and it's for an excellent cause!

October 18 at 9am is the Fall Foliage Family Float Festival! (Say it 3 times real fast) Smithville is offering free canoes and kayaks for all of the family to enjoy the foliage views from the Rancocas Creek. Don't forget to check out the re-enactments and Star cyclists.

October 25 in Bordentown: Check out the Halloween Parade, a Ghost Walk, and Bordentown's House Decorating Contest.

No matter how you spend your free time this Harvest season, be sure to walk outside on a crisp autumn night and take in the fall air and know that it smells like Halloween.