Hi there… back again to talk about home staging. In the current real estate environment it is becoming more of a “must do” than a “nice to do”.
Staging is an investment in getting your home sold that will help you get your house sold more quickly and for a higher price than you might get otherwise. Remember, staging is always going to be cheaper than a price reduction.
As far as we can determine, Homebodies Realty is the only selling agent team in the Charlotte area that includes staging as an option when listing your home. We simply add 1% to the commission and handle the rest. Also, with other stagers you pay the cost of staging up front. With The Homebodies Team you only pay for the staging at the time of closing and do not pay for staging at all if your home does not sell. This really gives us, as your agents, a “vested” interest in the sale of your home. We give free staging advice to sellers whose home is still occupied and only provide full staging services in vacant homes.
If you watch the shows on HGTV or other cable channels you can pick up some helpful hints on getting your home ready to sell. However, sellers cannot always be objective about a house they have lived in and really need 3rd party advice to insure the most effective staging project.
According to the Association of Home Staging Professionals, HSP staged homes sell, on average, in 35 days and in this market it can save sellers lots of time & money.
A recent study by HomeGain.com shows that a $230 - $370 investment in paint and lightening and brightening a home will bring on average a 355% return, clean & de-clutter, a 587% return and professional staging can bring as much as 343% return on investment.
There are many people getting into home staging these days. Beware! Make sure your stager has references, photos of their work, great resources for labor such as cleaners, window washers, painters etc. and understands the real estate market.
Hope you are enjoying the tips we are sending along. I welcome your feedback.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Let There Be Light!
How time is flying and spring is just around the corner! The spring buying season is beginning to ramp up. Nicer weather and the government tax incentives (good through April 30th) are really going to get buyers and their checkbooks out!
As the days are getting longer it is really important to “let the sun shine in”. Bright, sun lit rooms feel larger, smell fresher, and set the stage for a happy, cheerful and “homey” feel. But beware… along with sunlight comes the downside of exposing flaws that a darker room would not reveal. The first is dirt & dust will stand out like a sore thumb. This may necessitate vacuuming and dusting more often than usual while your house is on the market. Also, scratches on hardwood floors, carpet stains, and paint imperfections become much more noticeable. Walk around your rooms in the bright sunlight and see what shows up. Uneven sheetrock and poor seams will even show up when exposed to the light. But most importantly make sure the windows are spotless. Clean windows imply clean everywhere. It sets the tone in the buyer’s mind even before they open the door that this is going to be a well maintained and clean home.
Almost as important as daylight is the artificial light which comes from lamps & light fixtures. Even though a showing may be mid-day with bright sunshine, the lighting inside plays a vital role. Whenever possible turn on lamps and bathroom fixtures. This helps to eliminate dark spots and makes a home feel much cozier and more inviting. And, even in these days of energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, be aware that the wrong bulb can create a cold “refrigerator light” that is not very appealing. I would recommend that while your home is on the market you replace the compact fluorescent bulbs with incandescent bulbs or at least make sure the bulbs you use are of a natural “daylight” quality. Make especially sure that any rooms without natural light are well lit such as bathrooms, garages and basements. You don’t want anyone feeling around for a light switch or walking into a dark “scary” basement. Many buyers just won’t make the trip and can miss seeing some of your homes best features.
Get it right by letting in the light!!
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts on home staging with you.
Have a great week.
As the days are getting longer it is really important to “let the sun shine in”. Bright, sun lit rooms feel larger, smell fresher, and set the stage for a happy, cheerful and “homey” feel. But beware… along with sunlight comes the downside of exposing flaws that a darker room would not reveal. The first is dirt & dust will stand out like a sore thumb. This may necessitate vacuuming and dusting more often than usual while your house is on the market. Also, scratches on hardwood floors, carpet stains, and paint imperfections become much more noticeable. Walk around your rooms in the bright sunlight and see what shows up. Uneven sheetrock and poor seams will even show up when exposed to the light. But most importantly make sure the windows are spotless. Clean windows imply clean everywhere. It sets the tone in the buyer’s mind even before they open the door that this is going to be a well maintained and clean home.
Almost as important as daylight is the artificial light which comes from lamps & light fixtures. Even though a showing may be mid-day with bright sunshine, the lighting inside plays a vital role. Whenever possible turn on lamps and bathroom fixtures. This helps to eliminate dark spots and makes a home feel much cozier and more inviting. And, even in these days of energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, be aware that the wrong bulb can create a cold “refrigerator light” that is not very appealing. I would recommend that while your home is on the market you replace the compact fluorescent bulbs with incandescent bulbs or at least make sure the bulbs you use are of a natural “daylight” quality. Make especially sure that any rooms without natural light are well lit such as bathrooms, garages and basements. You don’t want anyone feeling around for a light switch or walking into a dark “scary” basement. Many buyers just won’t make the trip and can miss seeing some of your homes best features.
Get it right by letting in the light!!
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts on home staging with you.
Have a great week.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
“Set to Sell” ~ Our Staging Business
It’s me again, Steve and staging from “Set to Sell”. Don’t know if I had mentioned this before but “Set to Sell” is the name of our staging company and we love the work. It is a wonderful adjunct to residential real estate sales… like a hand in a glove.
One of the first things we tell clients who are staging their homes to sell, this is NOT DECORATING! It is creating an illusion, like a frame in which a potential buyer can picture his or herself and their family. Instead of choosing colors and arrangements that appeal to you, choose items that accent and highlight the notable features of your home. For instance, make sure that a fireplace is in clear sight and it is not obstructed by improper furniture arrangement. Pare the mantle down to a few simple objects with a subtle framed mirror or painting hung above. Paint the mantle with a fresh coat to make it pop and make sure the firebox is clean and in good repair. Often an appropriate sized floral arrangement with vibrant colors can add interest and draw attention to this feature.
Windows are also very important to many buyers. Heavily lined draperies should be removed or fully opened to let in as much light as possible. If the windows have wonderful views, raise the blinds and let in the light. Whenever possible, “float” furniture in the room, pull it away from the walls and anchor it with an area rug. This will make the room cozier! The furniture placement will be more deliberate and help eliminate the “furniture store” look.
Make a list of your homes best features. Walk out the front door and back in as a buyer. Do all of these features stand out without having to be pointed out? If they don’t, your work is not done. Hardwood floors, large walk-in closets, and open floor plans are all hot buttons for today’s buyers. Make sure your home stands out!
Next week I am going to be writing about “lighting the way for a sale”.
Thanks,
Steve
One of the first things we tell clients who are staging their homes to sell, this is NOT DECORATING! It is creating an illusion, like a frame in which a potential buyer can picture his or herself and their family. Instead of choosing colors and arrangements that appeal to you, choose items that accent and highlight the notable features of your home. For instance, make sure that a fireplace is in clear sight and it is not obstructed by improper furniture arrangement. Pare the mantle down to a few simple objects with a subtle framed mirror or painting hung above. Paint the mantle with a fresh coat to make it pop and make sure the firebox is clean and in good repair. Often an appropriate sized floral arrangement with vibrant colors can add interest and draw attention to this feature.
Windows are also very important to many buyers. Heavily lined draperies should be removed or fully opened to let in as much light as possible. If the windows have wonderful views, raise the blinds and let in the light. Whenever possible, “float” furniture in the room, pull it away from the walls and anchor it with an area rug. This will make the room cozier! The furniture placement will be more deliberate and help eliminate the “furniture store” look.
Make a list of your homes best features. Walk out the front door and back in as a buyer. Do all of these features stand out without having to be pointed out? If they don’t, your work is not done. Hardwood floors, large walk-in closets, and open floor plans are all hot buttons for today’s buyers. Make sure your home stands out!
Next week I am going to be writing about “lighting the way for a sale”.
Thanks,
Steve
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Choosing Paint Colors and Accessorizing Your Home
Well, it’s me Steve again going on about home staging. I hope someone out there is enjoying reading my blog as much as I enjoy writing it! You can sign up to “follow” my blog so that you do not miss any important tips! And as a side note, we staged a home several weeks ago who’s major complaint from potential buyers was that that the rooms seemed small. Now that the rooms have furniture in them including king & queen beds, no one seems concerned with room size. Empty rooms can be quite deceptive.
Well… where were we? Oh yes, we have talked about organizing and removing clutter and about how cheap and effective paint can be. However, paint alone may not get the total job done. What I am talking about is how to choose and use color. Remember, a neutral palate is best but accent colors can add depth, warmth and a little drama and glamour to an otherwise dull space. My recommendation is to start with a color that already exists in your room, be it upholstery, draperies, throw pillows, an area rug or even strong color in a painting or flower arrangement that give the room a “spark”. Say for example you have a relatively new sofa that looks good in the room, the right size and proportion and it has a great patterned fabric, use this as your starting point. Choose a nice neutral color that will create the ideal “background” for this furniture piece.
Choose a dominant color in the sofa and use this as your secondary color. If this color is not too jarring, think about painting one wall of the room, preferably the dominant wall as you enter the room, with this color. It provides great connectivity and will make a room more intimate and cozy. It is often interpreted by buyers as “a designer touch”.
Arrange the remainder of the existing furniture to insure the room is not crowded or that traffic flow in not impeded in any way. You may choose throw pillows on other furniture that re-introduce the color to create a cohesive feel or perhaps place an area rug that ties the seating group together. Never hesitate to place an area rug over carpeting. It can add great character and anchor the furniture and can often be purchased relatively inexpensively.
Inexpensive drapery treatments can add great perceived value also, particularly if the view or lighting the windows provide is not optimal. They can be used to add color, texture and pattern to a room. In uncarpeted areas, they serve to deaden the “hollow” sound hardwood or tile floors can create.
Lastly, make your accessorizing deliberate. Place groupings, whether pictures or an assortment of plates, books or object d’art in groups of three. Pairs give symmetry, odd numbers give interest. A simple vase of French tulips picking up the wall or upholstery color can make a big difference. Red roses or calla lilies can add color and drama. Less is always best when accessorizing. My mother always said that a “good piece of well placed jewelry could make a cheap dress look like a million bucks”. The same rule applies to accessorizing your home.
Go and tour some builder model homes. You will find many uses of color in the way I describe and also it will give you some ideas on furniture arranging.
Well, enough for today. I hope I will hear from someone out there that has a suggestion or needs a little help with home staging. Bye for now.
Well… where were we? Oh yes, we have talked about organizing and removing clutter and about how cheap and effective paint can be. However, paint alone may not get the total job done. What I am talking about is how to choose and use color. Remember, a neutral palate is best but accent colors can add depth, warmth and a little drama and glamour to an otherwise dull space. My recommendation is to start with a color that already exists in your room, be it upholstery, draperies, throw pillows, an area rug or even strong color in a painting or flower arrangement that give the room a “spark”. Say for example you have a relatively new sofa that looks good in the room, the right size and proportion and it has a great patterned fabric, use this as your starting point. Choose a nice neutral color that will create the ideal “background” for this furniture piece.
Choose a dominant color in the sofa and use this as your secondary color. If this color is not too jarring, think about painting one wall of the room, preferably the dominant wall as you enter the room, with this color. It provides great connectivity and will make a room more intimate and cozy. It is often interpreted by buyers as “a designer touch”.
Arrange the remainder of the existing furniture to insure the room is not crowded or that traffic flow in not impeded in any way. You may choose throw pillows on other furniture that re-introduce the color to create a cohesive feel or perhaps place an area rug that ties the seating group together. Never hesitate to place an area rug over carpeting. It can add great character and anchor the furniture and can often be purchased relatively inexpensively.
Inexpensive drapery treatments can add great perceived value also, particularly if the view or lighting the windows provide is not optimal. They can be used to add color, texture and pattern to a room. In uncarpeted areas, they serve to deaden the “hollow” sound hardwood or tile floors can create.
Lastly, make your accessorizing deliberate. Place groupings, whether pictures or an assortment of plates, books or object d’art in groups of three. Pairs give symmetry, odd numbers give interest. A simple vase of French tulips picking up the wall or upholstery color can make a big difference. Red roses or calla lilies can add color and drama. Less is always best when accessorizing. My mother always said that a “good piece of well placed jewelry could make a cheap dress look like a million bucks”. The same rule applies to accessorizing your home.
Go and tour some builder model homes. You will find many uses of color in the way I describe and also it will give you some ideas on furniture arranging.
Well, enough for today. I hope I will hear from someone out there that has a suggestion or needs a little help with home staging. Bye for now.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
An Easy Step to Make Your Home More Valuable, Paint!
Hi… here I am again with my second blog attempt. As you may remember, home staging is my passion! As a realtor, on a daily basis I see the value it has in helping homes stand out in the market, sell quicker, and for more money.
Last week we talked about organization and simplifying your environment. Today I want to talk about the second most important step you can take to make your home more marketable… paint!
We often tell clients buying a home, “paint is cheap”, but many times it becomes a stumbling block. They cannot see the value of the home because they just can’t get past the color. “It won’t match my upholstery”, “I don’t want to move in and then move the furniture out again to paint”, “Painting is expensive and messy” are all lines we frequently hear.
Here are a few simple rules to remember.
1) If it doesn’t look fresh and clean… paint it!
2) If the color in a room is anything but neutral… paint it! (However, avoid white. It tends to be cold. Unless in a contemporary setting, it is not warm and inviting.)
3) If your house looks like a circus with different colors at every turn… paint it! The house will appear bigger and more cohesive.
4) Start at the curb of your house and do a walk-thru as if you were a potential buyer seeing it for the first time. A fresh coat of paint on the shutters and especially the front door and door surround will make a great first impression.
5) Wallpaper is out of style! Take it down or paint over it. We have lost sales on many homes due to the fear of wallpaper removal.
6) If ceilings are stained or have any faint marks from a corrected leak or other damage… paint it! This is a red flag for many buyers.
A few dollars and a little effort can bring many dollars in increased value. Buyers today want “move-in ready” and as little time and expense after the sale as possible. Remember… don’t decorate for you, decorate for the buyer.
Thanks for stopping by.
Last week we talked about organization and simplifying your environment. Today I want to talk about the second most important step you can take to make your home more marketable… paint!
We often tell clients buying a home, “paint is cheap”, but many times it becomes a stumbling block. They cannot see the value of the home because they just can’t get past the color. “It won’t match my upholstery”, “I don’t want to move in and then move the furniture out again to paint”, “Painting is expensive and messy” are all lines we frequently hear.
Here are a few simple rules to remember.
1) If it doesn’t look fresh and clean… paint it!
2) If the color in a room is anything but neutral… paint it! (However, avoid white. It tends to be cold. Unless in a contemporary setting, it is not warm and inviting.)
3) If your house looks like a circus with different colors at every turn… paint it! The house will appear bigger and more cohesive.
4) Start at the curb of your house and do a walk-thru as if you were a potential buyer seeing it for the first time. A fresh coat of paint on the shutters and especially the front door and door surround will make a great first impression.
5) Wallpaper is out of style! Take it down or paint over it. We have lost sales on many homes due to the fear of wallpaper removal.
6) If ceilings are stained or have any faint marks from a corrected leak or other damage… paint it! This is a red flag for many buyers.
A few dollars and a little effort can bring many dollars in increased value. Buyers today want “move-in ready” and as little time and expense after the sale as possible. Remember… don’t decorate for you, decorate for the buyer.
Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Staging Your Home Begins With Decluttering!
Hi, I’m Steve Brooks, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. Along with my partner Marty Dukes, we are the “Homebodies Team”. I have never written a blog before and hope those of you reading this, find it informative and helpful.
We are the only Real Estate Team I know that offers staging services as a part of the listing agreement. Our experiences have really opened our eyes to the benefits of home staging. A home that shows to “its best advantage” will sell quicker and for a higher price than a home that leaves too much to the prospective buyers’ imagination.
Staging a home does not begin with adding things, it usually begins with taking things away. DECLUTTER! Nowhere is the term “less is more” more appropriate than in home staging. Remember, you are trying to sell your home not the stuff in it. Remove any items that distract from the strong features of the home or stand in the way of traffic flow. Remove items that make a room seem smaller than it actually is; such as overstuffed furniture or an inappropriately scaled entertainment center. Go through the closets and view them as a potential buyer would. Pack up out-of-season clothing (you are going to have to pack them anyway), get clutter up off the floor and clean and neatly stack items on the shelving above. Spend $10 on nice hangers and hang clothes by type. For example, pants, skirts, shirts, dresses etc. Using the same hangers make the items hang at the same height and look better organized and do not distract the buyers’ eye. Clean out the pantry; stacking items in a neat and orderly fashion and remove all items from the floor. Remove and pack all items from the cupboards which are not in daily use. Pack extra place settings, seasonal items etc. and store off premises.
Try when possible to put all toys in one room where they can easily be stored in the event of a showing. Keep bathrooms clean and free of clutter. Keep kitchen countertops free of clutter and sparkling clean. Store countertop appliances in cupboards or pantry in some of the space you have created from “downsizing” these areas.
And lastly, the garage. It should be neat, organized, clean and look spacious. If you have a 2 car garage, insure that potential buyers see that two cars will fit. Make sure the lighting is adequate. A painted garage floor always gets a good response!
I could go on all day but next week I will talk more about de-cluttering as well as the use of paint and color to make your home look updated and fresh.
Thanks for reading!
We are the only Real Estate Team I know that offers staging services as a part of the listing agreement. Our experiences have really opened our eyes to the benefits of home staging. A home that shows to “its best advantage” will sell quicker and for a higher price than a home that leaves too much to the prospective buyers’ imagination.
Staging a home does not begin with adding things, it usually begins with taking things away. DECLUTTER! Nowhere is the term “less is more” more appropriate than in home staging. Remember, you are trying to sell your home not the stuff in it. Remove any items that distract from the strong features of the home or stand in the way of traffic flow. Remove items that make a room seem smaller than it actually is; such as overstuffed furniture or an inappropriately scaled entertainment center. Go through the closets and view them as a potential buyer would. Pack up out-of-season clothing (you are going to have to pack them anyway), get clutter up off the floor and clean and neatly stack items on the shelving above. Spend $10 on nice hangers and hang clothes by type. For example, pants, skirts, shirts, dresses etc. Using the same hangers make the items hang at the same height and look better organized and do not distract the buyers’ eye. Clean out the pantry; stacking items in a neat and orderly fashion and remove all items from the floor. Remove and pack all items from the cupboards which are not in daily use. Pack extra place settings, seasonal items etc. and store off premises.
Try when possible to put all toys in one room where they can easily be stored in the event of a showing. Keep bathrooms clean and free of clutter. Keep kitchen countertops free of clutter and sparkling clean. Store countertop appliances in cupboards or pantry in some of the space you have created from “downsizing” these areas.
And lastly, the garage. It should be neat, organized, clean and look spacious. If you have a 2 car garage, insure that potential buyers see that two cars will fit. Make sure the lighting is adequate. A painted garage floor always gets a good response!
I could go on all day but next week I will talk more about de-cluttering as well as the use of paint and color to make your home look updated and fresh.
Thanks for reading!
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