Shopping estate sales is a great way to find unique items, but it can be tricky. Here are some tips to help: Get there early. Just like farmer’s markets, antique shows and auctions, getting there early is the only way you will get to see the whole selection of items. Come prepared with reusable shopping bags, a measuring tape, and some key measurements in your home. Good things usually go fast, and sometimes you have to make a quick decision. But, if you come prepared, you won’t have to worry if that armoire is going to fit in your living room. And if you like something, claim it! Until it is in your bag or has a sold sign on it, it’s up for grabs. Happy shopping!

My number one favorite tool is the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It truly is a miracle worker. Also, a rubber edged squeegee makes quick work of dirty windows and mirrors. Plain old dishwashing liquid works wonders on all sorts of surfaces, just dilute with water and put in a spray bottle and use for countertops and other hard surfaces.  Bleach is genius, especially in the bathroom. Spray it on anything that looks gross and just wait for it to disappear, then rinse with water. Corral in all your cleaners in a bucket with rubber gloves and a few good sponges and cloths and you are set to tackle any mess!

First of all, I think there’s really no reason to pay to belong to a shopping site. Here are some great free options I’ve found:

Fab.com. Available by invitation only, www.fab.com  focuses mainly on home design but also has some fashion sales. They feature limited time sales and pop-up shops which last slightly longer than the sales.

OneKingsLane.com. Affordable options from high end designers, www.onekingslane sales focus on home goods like Frette linens, rugs from Jaipur and furniture from Aidan Gray.

Moda Operandi. Every once in a while there’s a great deal on this site, but mostly I like it for fantasy window shopping. If you’ve ever wondered what Fendi is selling this year, check this site out!

Zulily.com. Almost all the moms I know are on zulily. Great deals on kids clothes, toys, and fashion for women.

For your safety and others, be sure to put these things away:

·         Cash

·         Jewelry and Jewelry boxes

·         Liquor or Wine

·         Weapons

·         Political Memorabilia

·         Religious Items

·         Prescriptions, Medications or Over the Counter Drugs

·         Pets or Pet Supplies

·         Anything Valuable or Irreplaceable

·         Credit Cards, Credit Card Bills or Computer Passwords

This only works if you’ve done the daily (and yes annoying) upkeep that you have to do when your home is on the market, such as: make all the beds, put away all dishes, vacuum and dust.

Okay, the realtor just called, so you:

Grab a laundry basket, throw any and all clutter in and shove it in your car. Use pre-moistened wipes (like Pledge, Fantastic or Wet-Ones) and wipe down kitchen and bath surfaces, spots on the floor and any table that needs a polish. Spray down linens with Febreze and open all your curtains. Turn on all your lights and grab any pets. Jump in the car and go!

1.       There is no such thing as a hiding place in your home. Prospective buyers look everywhere, so make sure everywhere is presentable.

2.       Depersonalize your home. Buyers want to buy their new home, not your old home.

3.       Hide all evidence of housework. No one wants to think about housework when they’re out shopping.

4.       The more space you create, the bigger the house feels, the bigger it feels, the more money people will spend.