We recently went through another round of decluttering at home, which sent us back to memories of our last yard sale — and the unusual tactic that helped us sell items quickly (along with the small oversight that almost turned the whole thing into a disaster). We also talk about how we sold both of our houses without a realtor, and we share five key considerations if you’re thinking about going the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) route yourself — including the big mistake we made the first time we listed our house. You’ll hear why we eventually stopped trying to keep one section of the yard pretty and opted for pure function instead, and Sherry shows off her new favorite footwear.
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What’s New
- Above are two photos we used in a yard sale listing a couple years ago while clearing out a storage room ahead of finishing our bonus room. Most of the items were decor and leftover props from our book, so we styled a neat arrangement and took a few good photos to attract buyers.
- If you’re interested in our approach to dramatically paring down toys and the surprising effects it had on family life, check out our earlier podcast episode, Episode #45, where we go into that process in more depth.
Can We Just Talk About
- The photo above shows the much-asked-about under-counter microwave we installed as part of our kitchen renovation. We chose this placement for a cleaner countertop and a more integrated look.
- Over the years we’ve experimented with several microwave placements: tucked into a pantry, hidden inside an upper cabinet, and installed in a custom spot that isn’t above the range. Each option has advantages and trade-offs depending on kitchen layout and family needs.
- If you have our second book, Lovable Livable Home, there’s a concise rundown of microwave placement pros and cons on page 114, including another take on the under-counter microwave idea.
What’s Not
- We also flagged a list of interior design trends that read better in theory than in everyday life. Some things look great in photos but aren’t as practical for real homes and busy lives.
Listener Question
- We’ve shared more details about how we sold our second house by owner and outlined a detailed timeline of how the sale progressed. Those notes cover the marketing steps we took, what worked, and what we could have handled differently.
- We also summarized the lessons learned from selling our first house by owner, including a candid look at how we handled — and sometimes mishandled — buyer showings and negotiations. If you’re considering FSBO, these practical examples are worth reviewing.
We’re Digging
- We finally solved our garden-hose chaos with a hose reel that tucks the hose neatly away. The old decorative hose pot was repurposed as an actual plant pot for a fern, which felt like a win.
- We briefly considered a closed box-style hose container but decided it would require constant cleaning of leaves and cobwebs — a chore we’d likely neglect. Sometimes the best solution is the one that fits your habits.
- Down the road we might upgrade to a wall-mounted reel to reduce leaf buildup around a cart-style base, but so far we’re thrilled with the convenience of the current reel.
- On the footwear front, Sherry’s been loving a pair of sandals that look like regular sandals but feel like flip-flops — comfortable, simple, and easy to slip on for backyard work and errands.
If you’re trying to track down a product or project we mentioned in an earlier episode but can’t remember which show notes to open, we maintain a master list of everything we’ve been digging across past episodes — a single reference point for projects, products, and inspiration.
We also want to thank The Annie Selke Companies for sponsoring this episode. They offer an assortment of bedding, furniture, rugs (including indoor/outdoor styles), and home accessories. Use the code YHL15 for 15% off qualifying orders as noted during the episode.
Thanks for listening, everyone!
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