+ By –

I remember when I was a kid, Chicago Bulls Superstar, Orlando “O” Woodridge came to speak at my Junior High School. The Big O said, “don’t do drugs!” As a young lad, I listened intently and vowed to be like O. However, the next day, The Big O was on the front cover of the sports section of the Chicago Sun-Times for having done Coke. Say it ain’t so O, say it ain’t so. With Michael Jordan arriving, the Bulls decided to do addition by subtraction. Which is probably why most of you don’t know who Orlando Woodridge was. “Be like Mike”, ended up as a much better slogan for the youngsters. And MJ got the Coke endorsement instead of O even though he was an avid Coke user. Bottom line, O didn’t need all those drugs, and the Bulls didn’t need an unsavory character. Addition by subtraction for both.

I recently wrote about our 14-year-old dog Chloe. Many of you wrote about her with concern and were delighted with her happy ending. For those of you who didn’t read about her miraculous recovery, you can do so here. Chloe was scheduled to be put down but had an extraordinary recovery 45 minutes before the vet was coming over to put her down. Now, we’ve switched up her diet, and today she goes to the spa and gets an oxygen treatment in – how I should say it – places unknown. Chloe lost a few pounds from the oxygen treatment and with a healthier diet. The groomers and friends say she looks so young and has aged gracefully. Ah, conversations in the Palm Beaches. That extra weight was unneeded. Addition by subtraction again.

Years ago, we had a dog named Ozzie. The long story can be found here but the bottom line is we were not a good fit for each other. We found Ozzie a home. Our Golden, Savannah, was happy to have Ozzie not nipping at her ear and Ozzie had a big yard to run around in. Yes – you are getting the drift… + by -.

As my mom says, “you look like a 2-ton baker”, when I’m even slightly overweight (yes – I’ve had counseling). Still, you do feel better when you get rid of the excess baggage. Here are 14 items that you are better off shedding, then to have at all.

1. AC Control Panel
If it’s beige and has dials, say adios. Go to Home Depot and look for something digital and sleek for $50.

2. Intercom
Back in the early 1980’s my dad built a house in Highland Park Illinois. He installed an internal doorbell ring, and each family member had a certain number code. Mine for instance was four rings. Problem was the dog just barked and you couldn’t hear if it was three or four. Things advanced and the intercom came into play. But into the early 2000’s, texting or calling with your iPhone replaced the intercom. Nothing says dated like an old intercom. Take it out.

3. Central Vac
Not only is carpeting passe, but so is Central Vac. The hoses kind of ruined the corners of walls. With less carpeting in most homes, a power standup vacuum is all that is needed.

4. Built ins
Big built in cabinets had their place in the sun. With everything meant to be floating on the wall, it’s more of a detriment. Best to take them down.

5. Popcorn Ceilings
Actually not as straightforward as it seems, If the ceiling is on a steep angle, sometimes it looks bowed and can be worse.

6. Carpeting
From dust mites to stains to odors – society finally figured out how filthy carpeting is. Especially if you have a pet.

7. Wet Bar
The style Gods deemed this out of style 5-6 years ago.

8. Hurricane Shutters
Panels for certain. But even accordion shutters don’t have much value anymore. The percentage of homes with impact glass is high. Every home built since 2007 has them and many older homes have been retrofitted. Don’t listen to this advice until you replace your shutters with glass.

9. Linoleum
We got a new listing with some last week. Really!?

10. Doorbell
Personal pet peeve is these white plastic squares or rectangular yellowish rubber builder grade doorbells.

11. Dated furniture
If you aren’t taking it with you to the next house, get rid of it now.

12. Old Clothes

Do you really want to be wearing old clothes? Do they even fit? Less looks more in the closet. If you are staying, you’ll find the clothes that you really wear. If you are selling, you’ll get more for your home because the buyer will love their organized roomy closet.

13. Dated bedspreads
Same thing here. If you are going to buy a new bedspread, do it now. A new bedspread can change a primary bedroom and bring up the value.

14. Murals
Nobody cares about the mural you had custom designed inspired by your trip to Italy. Better to have the wall painted a neutral color so the Buyer can visualize themselves there.

Follow this formula and you’ll not only live better but also sell for more money when the time comes. If you have trouble getting started with these 14 pieces of advice, then take some motivation from Mike. Just Do It!