The acclaimed sketch comedy series "Portlandia" has long made itself at home in the hearts of people who like to laugh at left-coast obsessions and hipster eccentricities. And in its latest episode, "House For Sale" (directed by Steve Buscemi), it explores ideas of home, from tiny houses to fixer-uppers found via Zillow.

Here are five things we learned from the show, which stars former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Fred Armisen and musician/actress Carrie Brownstein, who is currently on tour with Sleater-Kinney:

1. Don't let little problems keep you from seeing the big picture.

But when the warning signs are real and say things like "condemned," well, maybe a walk-through isn't the best idea.

2. If you're writing a heartfelt letter to a seller, get advice from a pro.

Sometimes the way to win a bidding war for a hot house is to aim for the heart with a personal note. Figuring out what to say is tough enough: Just try remembering how to write it by hand!

3. Learn the lingo.

Wondering what terms like "escrow" really mean? Make sure you get the answers from a source that you trust.

4. Not all fixer-uppers are houses.

Some of them are houseguests with boundary issues.

5. Staging a home properly can make all the difference.

Sellers should make sure their houses look their best, and sometimes may ask staging professionals to assist them. But not all staging "experts" are created equal. Some offer advice like this: "Antlers, antlers, antlers. I can't say it enough."

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