I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. Very difficult with transparent or semi-transparent stains since they contain little colorant and react with the wood. You could try a solid, or go the other way and simply use a bleaching agent to even everything out. Otherwise, Ace Hardware sells quarts of their exterior stains. Most others only sell gallons, but Lowes does have 4 oz samples of a few Cabot clear finishes. I ended up finding a paint store that was willing to experiment a bit for me before I bought.

I think the stains in both wood and carpeted floors are definitely a large issue for lesser price offers. Best to get a professional estimate of cost to replace. But there are also other problems in the condo as well, like the dated kitchen and bath. For example, the bubbling effect of the kitchen cabinet on the side of the refrigerator. Something troubling happened here and it has not been fixed. As a buyer I would wonder, If these are the things I can see that have not been addressed, what else has been neglected and lurks where I cannot see. Hence the additional price drop to cover the unknown. You do not do yourself a service by leaving these things for the new buyer. You could have a home inspection done to really find out the issues regarding the condo and get them addressed. Plus you would have that inspection report to show to potential buyers if there are very few issues. Something else to think about is getting a one year Homeowner's Warranty Policy for the new owner. These policies can also be taken out while the condo is for sale. My friend got such a policy because Realtors were in and out and she could not be there often. Good thing too because one of the agents who showed the house, used the bathroom, left and the toilet continued to fill flooding the floors over a couple of weeks. There were notices posted to not use the bathrooms, as it was not a public restroom. Luckily the Homeowner's Warranty covered the damages. Without the Warranty she could not have proved which agent had done this and the repair bill would have been her's.

Hello. Yes with all the different woods none will be exact in colour by any means. But the darker the colour the closer it will be as there is more room to vary and get away with it. I guess it all depends on what colour of stain you consider to be dark in colour. I would do samples with each different type of wood you have with the selected stain. Then at least you know what it looks like. What maybe be of concern (or at least in my findings and strictly my opinion here) is that with all the varying wood types and colours they have can to me bring too many colours into play which i sometimes find they fight with each other instead of blending and flowing in a space. But rather, all the different colours can make a space have no flow, sequence, or symmetry. Size and space of coarse play a part in all this and the extend of the varying colours as well as several other factors but I am sure you get the just of it. Another option you can do is match the lighter looking stains appearance on the select wood to the darkest looking one. Yes it will require purchasing several small quantity containers of maybe 2-4 different colours (these could be stains, dyes, or colourants that are comparable with the stain). Also, you could stain all the trim one colour and then "shade" the lighter coloured pieces. For that you will need an help or a cup gun and compressor. This option would definitely be achievable if you have experience with this sort of application technique. The only downfall to "shading" in my opinion is you loose grain the more you shade but your woods you are using don't really have a lot of grain. They to me have more colour contract in the pieces rather than grain. But the best piece of advice no matter what you decide for colour and application is to do samples until you are pleased with what the wood will look like with the other types. Lastly, there is no real right or wrong. People's personal dwellings and buildings are supposed to be their own, have their own taste, likes, personality to it, and to make them feel comfortable, warm, at ease, and relaxed. And whatever colours, designs, or touches the owners add, take away, or create in their space is what makes it their own place to call home. Have fun with it. Embrace making it your own. It's all yours to enjoy and best of luck with it all.

And gray doesn't tone down red (gray actually turns red to PINK)...GREEN tones down red. A floor that dark won't matter what colour base you work with. It will look 'black' most of the time anyways. Any flooring professional worth his/her salt will offer MANY stain patches on your freshly sanded floors. They will then apply a single coat of finish. They will go home for the night. You will 'live' with the patches for a day or two and then pick the colour patch that you like THE MOST. The professional will then come back, sand off the patches and then start the staining process using the mix you like the most. Always, and I mean ALWAYS visit the site every evening during the refinishing process. You want to ensure the stain colour put down + 1 coat (over the entire floor) is REALLY what you want. If you feel the colour isn't working for you, it is BEST to figure that out after day 1...not day 3.