Victoria Goldstein- Realtor

So, yesterday, I created a post on the home at 7436 Tamara Lane in Tobyhanna, PA that got a lot more comments than expected and I am truly so grateful and will be working to get back to everyone as I can. Your comments have been super helpful and I will most definitely be speaking to my sellers and going over all your opinions. Thank you all so much!

I hope you are all enjoying this lovely evening in the Poconos!

🍂 THE LEAVES ARE FALLING… SO LET’S PUT THEM TO WORK! 🍂

Looking for an easy fall weekend project that adds instant curb appeal without spending a fortune? This week’s FRI-DIY #3 is one of my favorites: create beautiful fall planters for your front door using something you already have in your yard—leaves! 🏡🌼

🛠️ FRI-DIY #3: FALL PLANTERS MADE SIMPLE

💰 Budget: $70–$150 for TWO planters
⏱️ Time: About 1 hour
⭐ Difficulty: SUPER EASY

🛒 WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• 2 large outdoor planters — $50–$100
• 2 bags of garden soil — $10 total
• 2 mums — $10–$20 total
• A rake 🍂 — hopefully you already own one!

👇 HERE'S HOW TO DO IT:

1️⃣ RAKE YOUR LEAVES 🍂
Start by cleaning up your yard and gathering those fallen leaves. FREE MATERIAL! And hey, you were going to rake them anyway. 😉

2️⃣ FILL YOUR PLANTERS
Fill each planter approximately 75% full with dry leaves. This gives your planter volume without having to fill the entire container with soil.

3️⃣ ADD YOUR SOIL 🌱
Pour your garden soil over the leaves, leaving approximately 3–4 inches from the top for your mum.

4️⃣ ADD YOUR MUM 🌼
Remove the mum from its nursery container and place it into the planter. Add a little more soil around the sides if needed, gently press it down, and give it a good watering.

5️⃣ PLACE THEM BY YOUR FRONT DOOR 🏡
Put one on each side of your entryway and step back!

✨ That's it! A simple weekend project that makes your home feel instantly more welcoming and gives your front entrance some serious fall curb appeal.

And the best part? You're turning something you normally throw away into part of your project! 🍂

🍁 LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT FALL WEEKEND PROJECT?

Save this post for your fall home projects, weekend DIY projects, easy curb appeal ideas, budget-friendly home improvements, and fall decorating inspiration.

NOW I WANT TO KNOW:
🌼 Orange, pink, red or white mums?
Which would you put by your front door? 👇

And what should FRI-DIY tackle next? 🔨

🚨 WHAT AM I MISSING?

I need some honest feedback. 👀

I’ve got a 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom home in Tobyhanna with a beautiful stone fireplace, oversized primary suite, private backyard, spacious deck, and an amenity-filled Pocono community…

So why hasn’t someone else fallen in love with it yet? 🤔

I genuinely want to know.

If you’ve been looking for a home in the Poconos, tell me what would make you stop scrolling and book the showing. 👇

📩 Comment below or message me privately — I’m listening.

Home link in the comments!

YOUR LIFE IS GOING TO CHANGE. YOUR HOUSE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHANGE WITH IT.🏡

This 5-bedroom East Stroudsburg home gives you something that's getting harder to find: ROOM.

Room for kids.
Room for guests.
Room for working from home.
Room for hobbies.
Room for college housing.
Room for an investment strategy.

And with a full attic + basement, there's even more space waiting for your ideas.

Add in the original hardwood floors, historic woodwork, and 31 original windows—and you've got a home with plenty of character AND potential.

📍 East Stroudsburg Borough
💰 $299,000

Don't just ask, “Do I like this house?”
Ask, “What could this house do for me?”

📩 Message me to see it in person.
Link in the comments

🛠️ FRIDIY #2 — Front Door Makeover
Same door. Whole new look. 🏡

One of the very first things buyers will see when touring your home is of course THE FRONT DOOR! Make sure to put your best Door forward 😉

You don’t need to replace your front door to make a big difference. A fresh coat of paint + new hardware can completely change the look of your entryway!

Here’s how to do it 👇

🛒 What you’ll need:

Exterior/interior door & trim paint
Primer
New handleset
Degreaser
220-grit sanding sponge
Paint roller + angled brush
Screwdriver

💰 Estimated cost: $150–$200
⏱️ Time: 2-4 Hours
⭐ Difficulty: Moderate

STEP 1 — Remove the hardware
Unscrew and remove the existing handleset, deadbolt, and any additional hardware. Set everything aside.

STEP 2 — Clean the door
Use a degreaser to remove dirt, dust, and grime. Rinse with clean water and let the door dry completely.

STEP 3 — Sand the door
Lightly sand the entire door with a 220-grit sanding sponge to smooth the surface and help the primer and paint adhere. Wipe away dust with a damp cloth.

STEP 4 — Prime the door
Apply a coat of primer using an angled brush for the edges, panels, and details, then a roller for the flat surfaces. Let it dry.

STEP 5 — Paint 2 coats
Start with the angled brush on the edges, panels, and details. Then use a roller on the flat surfaces. Apply the first coat, let it dry completely, and repeat with a second coat for a smooth, even finish.

STEP 6 — Add your new hardware
Once the paint is fully dry, install your new handleset and deadbolt according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Test the latch and lock before you’re finished.

✨ Small upgrades. Big impact.

Would you paint your front door BLACK, WHITE, or a BOLD COLOR? 👀

🛠️ FRI-DIY #1: Upgrade Your House Numbers

Project: Replace outdated house numbers with modern numbers.

Budget: $15–$30
Time: 30 minutes- 1 Hour
Difficulty: ⭐☆☆☆☆
**This is for those who have existing house numbers on their home!

What you'll need:

New exterior house numbers — $12–$20 (Lowes has good options, Amazon is a bit pricey IMO)
Drill — already own
Drill bit — already own
Pencil — already own
Measuring tape — already own
Level — optional
(If you do not own these items, I know most Dollar Trees now sell Measuring Tapes and Levels, and typically Home Depot/ Lowes will have some sort of drill on sale :D )

Steps:

1. Remove the old numbers.
Unscrew the existing numbers and fill any large holes with exterior-grade wood filler and caulk. Be sure to sand to make it look nice, the goal is not see these holes again :D

2. Decide on placement.
Place the new numbers where they're clearly visible from the street. Keep them aligned and evenly spaced.

3. Mark your holes.
Hold each number in position and mark the mounting holes with a pencil.

4. Drill pilot holes.
Drill small pilot holes at each mark. This prevents the siding/ trim/ wood from splitting.

5. Install the numbers.
Secure each number using the hardware provided.

6. Step back.
Make sure they're level, evenly spaced and visible from the road.

💰 TOTAL COST: $15–$30

Why I picked this project:
It's cheap, takes less than an hour, and gives your home's exterior an immediate little facelift.

BONUS: If you're selling your house, this is one of those tiny details buyers notice without necessarily realizing they're noticing it. I cannot tell you how many times buyers and I have to go searching for home numbers!!! Thank goodness for google maps lol! 😀
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🛠️ INTRODUCING: FRI-DIY 🛠️

Because not every home improvement project needs a contractor… or a $5,000 budget!

Starting this Friday, I’m bringing you Fri-DIY — simple homeowner projects you can actually tackle yourself over the weekend!

Every Friday, I’ll give you:

🔨 A project you can realistically do yourself
💰 A REALISTIC price breakdown
🛒 Exactly what you need to buy
📋 Step-by-step instructions
⏱️ How long it should take
🏡 And whether it’s actually worth doing if you’re thinking about selling

No complicated Pinterest projects.
No “just hire someone” advice.
No $10,000 renovations.

Just simple upgrades that make your home look, feel & function better.

And yes… I’ll be testing some of these myself. 😅

Follow along and send me your DIY questions/ Requests!

First Fri-DIY drops NOW. 👀🔨