If You Really Don't Want to Remove Your Wallpaper...
March 13, 2008
As most of you may be aware, wallpaper is generally passe. However, there are still many homes that we are called upon to list for sale that have wallpapered walls - and the homeowner still loves. I remember a staging workshop that I attended in the 1980s in which Barbara Swartz showed her video about "Preparing Your Home for Sale." One scene, which was meant to be a bit tongue in cheek involved Barbara walking though the home making suggestions. The breakfast area had a fairly bright wallpaper with huge flowers. Barbara told the homeowner that it must be removed. The homeowner's reaction was "But I love it." It is Barbara's next line that I shall never forget "Perhaps we can carefully remove it, roll it up, and you can take it with you." This small example illustrates the need to remind homeowners/sellers that they are moving on.
However, some wallpapers are indeed still appropriate decor, but over time the seams have came apart. If the wallpaper is intact except for a few seams, here is a suggested way to repair these loose seams.
Apply a seam adhesive, which provides a solid bond and keeps the seam from lifting again. You can generally find this adhesive at paint stores and home centers for less than $10.
Squirt the adhesive directly onto the wall behind the loose seam, and then press the edges back into place. Use a roller and firmly press the paper against the wall and smooth out any air bubbles. Wipe away excess adhesive with a damp sponge.
This is an easy fix and will create the neat appearance that makes you home show well maintained.
As most of you may be aware, wallpaper is generally passe. However, there are still many homes that we are called upon to list for sale that have wallpapered walls - and the homeowner still loves. I remember a staging workshop that I attended in the 1980s in which Barbara Swartz showed her video about "Preparing Your Home for Sale." One scene, which was meant to be a bit tongue in cheek involved Barbara walking though the home making suggestions. The breakfast area had a fairly bright wallpaper with huge flowers. Barbara told the homeowner that it must be removed. The homeowner's reaction was "But I love it." It is Barbara's next line that I shall never forget "Perhaps we can carefully remove it, roll it up, and you can take it with you." This small example illustrates the need to remind homeowners/sellers that they are moving on.
However, some wallpapers are indeed still appropriate decor, but over time the seams have came apart. If the wallpaper is intact except for a few seams, here is a suggested way to repair these loose seams.
Apply a seam adhesive, which provides a solid bond and keeps the seam from lifting again. You can generally find this adhesive at paint stores and home centers for less than $10.
Squirt the adhesive directly onto the wall behind the loose seam, and then press the edges back into place. Use a roller and firmly press the paper against the wall and smooth out any air bubbles. Wipe away excess adhesive with a damp sponge.
This is an easy fix and will create the neat appearance that makes you home show well maintained.
posted by shirley harry at 9:25 AM
1 Comments:
Greetings, Shirley,
We don't have ANY wallpaper in the house, but I wanted to add a public comment on how informative your blog site is! I read on and on about many interesting topics related to the real estate world. You have opened a whole new world for me as a result of your talk on blogging Tuesday, and I am amazed at the research necessary to keep up a daily column like this. I believe the reason you are not receiving comments is that people like to read, but not take the time to write. I hope that many in Tuesday's group do take time to look you up and write, in appreciation of all they learned about the Internet. I was sharing your information with Monte and others who came to do the museum mail-out Tuesday night. This is a really new way for me to write a thank you note to you, but you have me trying to keep up with the times. Thanks for your leadership and sharing all this information. Regards, Nelda
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