THE HONEY-DO LIST

THE DADDY OF ALL NEWSLETTERS

You Can Do It, We Can Help

It’s that time of year again–the sun is shining, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and suddenly, everyone’s better half is profoundly interested in Home Depot commercials.

When summer hits, when the livin’ is easy and the fish are jumping, your front lawn isn’t just what separates your home from the street. Oh, no, y’all, it’s a modern-day Colosseum, where you and your neighbors become gladiators, fighting it out over whose grass is the greenest and whose castle has the most curb appeal.

That’s why this week, we’re talking about the Honey Do list, those simple tool-based tasks you ask your partner to complete because they’ll help you (or your clients) best showcase that place called home.

So, put on your socks and sandals (seriously, please don’t), because nothing says Happy Father’s Day like a Honey Do list.

THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Quick Weekend Fixes

Listen, nobody has to tell me the market is less than ideal right now. I know. You know. We all know. Regardless of interest rates and despite the fact that the middle class is being priced out of a high percentage of homes, that doesn’t mean we should all just give up and live like bears.

According to services platform Thumbtack, nine out of ten current homeowners have plans to do some property improvements this year, and I bet a whole bunch of them begin this weekend. Try and keep Dad from trying out his new bandsaw, I dare you.

Figuring out where to get started can give you agita, so let me help focus your efforts. Whether you’re a homeowner who wants an update, or an agent advising a seller on quick and dirty fixes, here are some weekend renos that will improve the look and function of your home. Best part is, they’ll leave you with enough money in the bank to finally buy your guy that Big Green Egg he’s been coveting. Because when your house looks and feels good and there’s steak on the grill, everyone’s happy.

Let’s get ‘er done.

• Paint your walls. Oh, my stars and stripes, I cannot think of a quicker way to update your home's décor. Best part is, this is a project where even the kids can help. What hue should you paint? Well, that’s up to you, but you can’t go wrong with a pop of color.

• Replace those ugly light fixtures. Updated light fixtures will up your game in terms of style and sophistication. If you're not sure what style to choose, consider the overall décor of the room and choose a fixture that complements it. While some designers are gonna wanna fight me on this, I just say no to brass.

• Update your hardware. Hardware is like software—it requires an occasional update. Installing new door knobs, cabinet pulls, and drawer pulls can give your home a fresh look, and practically the only tool you’ll need is a screwdriver (or a power drill, if you’re fancy). Here’s what’s hot.

• Rearrange your furniture. Remember how empowered you felt as a kid when you’d rearrange your bedroom, then you’d call your mom in for the big reveal? You can recapture that high as an adult. Changing up your furniture placement can make a huge difference in the look and feel of a room. Not sure about the best placement? Then book a consultation with a stager. Imagine how great the reveal to your folks will feel after that!

• Purge, purge, purge. If adding on isn’t an option, you can make your home feel more spacious by decluttering. Marie Kondo yourself, y’all. Even if you’re not in the market to sell, look at your home through a buyer’s eyes. Donate or sell any items that you don't use or need. I promise you’ll be so happy when you have less stuff to dust.

• Hit the garden department. Got a yard? Then give it a facelift by planting new flowers, shrubs, or trees. Or, update the hardscape if you’re in a water conservation area. Feeling really ambitious? Add a patio or deck to create a more inviting outdoor space. (Remember, no one’s ever mad at more.)

So why not get to work this weekend? In forty-eight hours, you could easily improve the look and function of your home without spending a ton of money.

And again, never forget, when in doubt, paint it out.

@glenndabaker

Want to take 20 years off the age of your house in a snap? #GlenndaBaker #RealEstate #AtlantaRealEstate #RealEstateTikTok #SherwinWiliams

PRIMARY BATHROOM OR KITCHEN

The Sophie’s Choice of Renovations

When your seller asks which is the more important update, here’s what you tell them:

@glenndabaker

Where is your biggest bang for the buck on a renovation? #GlenndaBaker #RealEstate #AtlantaRealEstate #DIY #HomeRenovation #RealEstateTikTok

WHEN THE MATH ISN’T MATHING

I’m Still Mad about the Hair, FYI

Today’s storytime is about something that makes my head spin around and snot fly out of my nose.

Everybody has seen HGTV and everybody has seen Fixer Upper. I mean, Chip and Joanna Gaines are household names. Because of them, when you hear “Waco, Texas,” you now think of the Magnolia brand, and not the Branch Davidians. To quote Martha Stewart, that’s a good thing.

What I like about shows like Fixer Upper is that they demonstrate what you can do when you put a little elbow grease into your home. These shows give viewers ideas, they spark inspiration. That’s a positive in my book. I always say, improve your space, improve your life. And who among us didn’t start a Pinterest board after we started watching?

Now, what gets me good and riled up is how shows like this can create unrealistic expectations because, remember this is reality television and not reality. So, there's someone who buys a $50,000 house and they put in $12,000 worth of shiplap. And, just like that, they have a $500,000 farmhouse.

No, ma’am.

That is not reality, just like in the Hallmark movie where they stand in the snow and she gets this beautiful kiss from her man. Remember, this is the man who inspired her to leave her six-figure job in the city and move back to her country hometown where she hopes to make that same income canning peaches from his failing family fruit farm.

Well, as they stand in that peach orchard and the snow swirls in all directions, he leans her back for that smooch and her hair is perfect, just smooth barrel curls far as the eye can see.

That's not reality.

I'm telling you right now if I'm standing in the snow and some guy is kissing me, (A) I'm freezing my ass off, and, (B) my hair is huge. No one’s even mentioning that if those trees are planted in a place where it’s snowing that hard, this might not be a conducive climate for peaches, which is why the farm’s been failing in the first damn place.

My point is that there is this vision of perfection, whether it's houses or husbands, and the reality is that you only get out what you put in.

So, if you think you're gonna spend $50,000 on a house and you install $12,000 worth of shiplap, that the math will math in such a way that you’re suddenly going to have a $500,000 farmhouse, you are sorely mistaken. Just like if you think that you're going to find that husband who’s going to kiss you in the snow with your perfect hair, you've been hit by the Hallmark daze and you need a blunt object to get you out of it.

That said, shiplap’s a great weekend project. Here’s a Hallmark-vibed tutorial, complete with dad jokes.

Happy Father’s Day, y’all!

The Guy Who’s Got Glennda’s Back

I could not be more tickled to put the guy behind the camera in front of it today! That’s right, I’m talking to Denver Bailey today. Yes, that Denver.

He’s the founder of Enjoy New Media, a video production studio that's all about creating captivating content for digital media. With a knack for directing product commercials and crafting short-form vertical videos for platforms like TikTok, Denver brings brands to life in a way that's both engaging, authentic, and story-driven. (I am living proof.) His impressive roster of clients includes renowned brands such as Jazwares, Spin Master, WeightWatchers, and T-Mobile. You likely know him as the mastermind behind yours truly’s TikTok videos.

Now let’s see me chat with the man with the plan!

GLENNDAISM

Everyone Has a Story, What’s Yours?