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HOME STAGING

Home Staging for the Spring/Summer Real Estate Market

April 30, 2015

The Spring/Summer real estate market is a very busy time! When people purchase a home they buy a vision of their future. And most people’s vision of summer is a happy one…

Now that spring is here and summer is soon to follow, it’s the time to double-check your home staging .

Does it capitalize on the happy vibes of the season?

We hope you’ll take inspiration and ideas from these images, and make the most of the warmer weather inspiration to stage your home so you’ll land a purchase offer you love!

‘Summertime’ staging can incorporate a little whimsy without looking goofy. Try some humorous or nostalgic touches in small spaces or outdoors.

How about some silly sayings on your guest bath towels?

Or vintage beach scenes framed in the hallway?

A bench at the front porch with colourful pillows is always welcoming.

Embrace the beauty of the season and add some of those touches inside and out to create an inviting ‘dream’ home for potential buyers. But don’t get cluttered and carried away…..

Set the scene:

What do you think of when the nice weather arrives…..gardening, pool parties, entertaining, BBQ season…if your home features a large patio space highlight it with furniture and potted plants – set up the BBQ, too – set the scene. Have a pool ? Open it and set it up – it looks so much better and again it sets the tone and gets buyers mentally moving in….

For photos and open houses (private showings, too) set up your patio like you have company coming over (because, well, you do!) This shows off the fun and the function of your outdoor space – do the visualizing for the buyer. Same goes for setting up your 3 season porch or wrap around porch – highlight that feature with furniture and accessories!

Warm welcome:

Even small touches like summer wreath of fabric, floral wreath, shells, or bright summer flowers on the front door welcomes people touring your home. Pots of blooming plants near your entrance are a must if you’re working on boosting your curb appeal. You can take potted plants with you when you move, so splurge on pretty containers and interesting plants.

Focal points:

Even though it is the spring – summer market you can still draw attention to features and focal points like the fireplace – the yellow flowers attract the eye, the mirror makes the area bright, the light tones keep everything feeling fresh and big

Photo from the FrugalHomemaker.com

Use the right colours:

What a peaceful bedroom! In soft tones and gender neutral! Some pattern to keep it visually interesting but not overwhelming. The paint is also neutral but warm – the chair and over sized side table show off the function and size of the room. The bed linens are clean and crisp

Photo from Interior by Kenz.com

Use nature:

Small summer touches like flowers in any room – even the kitchen can add a splash of fun and summer whimsy!

Let the light in:

Pull back those drapes and let the light in! Open the windows and let in some fresh air, too!

Think ‘beachy’:

‘Coastal colours’ are perfect for staging – they are light, airy and bright. These tones help create a soothing and relaxing space. If a buyer has a feeling of calm and serenity they will certainly want to stay longer and tour the home.

Photo from Life On Virginia Street

Floral planning:

Potted plant and flowers look great! Think about size and scale to make sure your patio or porch don’t look small and you can clutter outdoor spaces with too many potted plants so keep it minimal and size appropriate. This arrangement is great because it really compliments the exterior tones of the home – the multi tonal brick with a red base and the black door look great with the deep purples and red tones and the fresh green is a bright pop – this arrangement would also transition well into the fall season.

Photo from Simply Flowers Inc.

We all love the summer – it’s light, fun and free so use that amazing summer feel and bring that into your home. Buying a home is an emotional experience so tap into that and make the most of it!

We hope you’ll find small and not-so-small ways to showcase the joys of summer for house hunters. No
matter where you live or what size, style or age your home is, there’s always opportunities to “summer-ize” it. Doing so will help buyers imagine their summer cookouts, stay-cations, and celebrations at your house once they’ve bought it!

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We Answer Wednesday – ‘Staging’ a vacation rental

April 29, 2015

“My husband and I have a vacation property – we love being there but we aren’t up there all of the time since we both still work full time. We will be renting it out to vacationers but there is a lot of competition in our area – how can we set ourselves apart?”

Great question! Vacations are what we all dream of …so your property needs to be that dream. Regardless of the location of your rental (mountain getaway or beach escape) your rental needs to look it’s best! If you are hoping to rent it for top dollar to make some extra income you will want to spend some money and effort up front to make it that dream vacation spot.

So ‘staging’ your vacation property for photos and for when your guests arrive is a great way to set yourself apart for the competition – the up front costs will be worth it in the end – you will be able to rent easily, you will get top dollar and you will get repeat renters. Want to be that hot rental spot that people pay top dollar for and book in advance?

Follow our tips:

Start by keeping it simple –

keep the colours fresh, patterns to a minimum and opt for decor that makes sense for the space. Stay with simple palettes and some pattern, stay away from wall paper and fussy details

A mountain home with some deer head silhouettes and ‘log’ inspired pieces makes sense plus natural materials like stone, wool, fur and wood – people will be paying for the mountain ambiance. Warm colour and lots of layered textures give that luxurious and cozy cabin feel.

For a beach house think coastal colours, soft light and airy. Light colours and organic elements really set the tone for the ‘beach house’ look and feel that vacationers will be looking for. Drift wood, cotton, canvas and sea shells work beautifully

Art pieces and accessories-

can really add to the cozy factor but don’t over do it – don’t get too many as it will appear cluttered and don’t purchase anything too expensive. Stay away from heavy and/or fussy drapery – especially if you have a view

Add some cute details that vacationers will remember – if they feel like they are welcomed, they really connect with the property and will want to return year after year

For bedding and bathrooms, keep it clean like you would see at a chic hotel. You can’t go wrong with white bedding and bath linens.

And pay for professional photos…..

the lighting and the quality are so much better. Photos are key here, so some staging techniques will really help. Most (if not all) of your inquiries will come from the Internet so your presence needs to be there and you really, really, really need to have spot-on photos. We know from looking at vacation rentals online how important photos are. Because of the distance your ‘renters’ will only see your property online, you don’t have the luxury of ‘maybe it looks better in person’.

Other great ideas:

– Be helpful:

-keep a binder with area hot spot – restaurants, movie theaters, shops, maps and more. Great local hot spots and fun areas for couples and/or couples to check out. Also think about laundry facilities – this is a big help to families especially. Also leave numbers in case of emergencies

– Amenities and comforts of home:

maybe when you are on vacation you want to be ‘unplugged’ but for some they may need to work a bit so having TVs, WiFi and more are also attractive.Maybe decks of cards and some basic board games, too

– Equipment:

stock the kitchen with crockery, cutlery, cooking tools and more are helpful. Near the beach – maybe have some sand toys for kids. First aid kits are also a good idea

– Research:

find out from a local vacation property manager what vacationers are requesting – hot tub? canoe? kayak? and try to offer those most requested items. Also get in touch with a rental equipment company since some guests may require special items like cribs or wheel chairs

– Maintenance:

make sure the property is clean inside and out! Grass cut and gardens maintained

– Decor:

it doesn’t need to be full of expensive pieces but find items that set the scene and the tone. Choose soft and light colours if by the beach, think nautical tones if lake side and richer and warmer tones for a mountain home. If you furniture is dated – cover it with slip covers (also easy to clean), old dining table – try paint or adding new chairs.

Some of my most memorable family vacations were when we could just relax and feel like we were at home. By creating the vacation property that vacationers dream of you will always have renters, you will be able to charge top dollar and you will be in high demand.

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HOME DECOR, HOME STAGING, TRENDS

Home Staging and Decor Trends

March 30, 2015

Decor Trends and Home Staging are really important when putting your home on the real estate market. A big part of staging your home is making it look current. In the final steps of prepping your home for the real estate market you want to make it pretty, buyer ready and photo ready. One way to do that is knowing what decor trends are out there and bring them into your home. Since 95% of buyers are online first trying to find the home of the dreams…you need to make your photos stand out and attract those buyers!

1. Outdoor spaces –

Assuming the weather is working in your favour – stage your outside. Staging is about creating the vision of what life in the home would look like and including the outdoor living areas is critical! This staging trend is probably one of the most essential and we see so many sellers not have their outdoor areas staged. Remember a photo is worth a thousand words.

Clean up the outside – rake, cut the grass, plant some colourful flowers, set up the patio and prepare it as though you have guests arriving any minute!

2.White Kitchens –

Huge ‘trend’ now for home owners is light, white, bright kitchens! In a recent Houzz survey an overwhelming amount of respondents desired a white kitchen in their home. When the kitchen comprises almost 30% of the buyer’s decision (according to NAR – National Association of Realtors) a little more expense in this main area makes a world of difference in price!

Can’t replace the entire kitchen or paint the cabinets? Look at updating the back splash (or adding one) in a light tone, update the kitchen lighting to make the kitchen light and bright, paint the walls in a lighter tone and/or update the hardware.

3. Birds On Display –

The bird in the pillow is just a taste of what we will see more of in the future. Whereas last year’s trend was the white porcelain deer head on the wall and horses, this year’s trend is sweet, little birds. Right now, birds are hot for spring and every spring we tend to see animals and florals pop into all decor.

If you home is going on the market in the spring – think about adding some ‘nods’ to spring like floral, birds or any botanical elements. Currently, the hot trend is peacock but any bird in spring is up to date

4. Metallic accents –

Framed mirrors, art or brass bar carts add warmth and sophistication in any room. Metal accents add an element of shine to any room and they add some sophistication too. Right now warm metals are hot like gold, brass and copper. So think about adding a few touches of those in decor pieces, frames of mirrors, lamp bases even occasional tables.

5. Pops of colour –

Colour can help you stand out from the crowd. Even a neutral space could benefit from a floral arrangement in bright yellow or orange. If your home decor style can handle it, try adding some colourful pillows to the sofa or bed and a throw blanket. Colours like yellow, orange and bright green are perfect for spring but coral, aqua and purple can also make a big impact when used in small doses.

6.Dual Coffee Tables –

Placing two coffee tables next to each other to scale a larger space is a much better staging solution than just one. This is also a great way to add surface space to a small room. Look for side tables, benches even stools (as long as they are the right height, 16″ to 21″) to be used as a coffee table

7. Clear Tables, Chairs, Lamps and More –

Glass has always been an excellent staging tool because of it’s reflective nature and ability to create more light in what would probably be a dark corner. Glass is great because it gives the surface space without the bulk. If you are selling a condo or a smaller space – try a glass dining table and pair any style of chair you like. It makes the room look nice and big and you still are showing off how to live in the space. Glass furniture comes in a variety of styles too, and price points! You can use the ‘buddy system’ too so if you have a glass dining table add some glass elsewhere maybe a side table or in a lamp….

8. The Navy Comeback –

Navy blue is making a come back in a huge way! Navy just stole our hearts originally via patterns like chevron, ikat (see below) and floral but now it’s really making it’s presence known as a “new neutral” that pairs well with yellow, turquoise, coral, chartreuse, wheat …almost all of the spring 2015 hues that add pop to a space. Navy is one of those versatile colors that can work with bright or earth tone accents (just open your latest Pottery Barn catalog to see it with earth tones). If your space has a lot of neutral beige, cream or sand tones add navy for a rich contrast and timeless combination.

Photo from EmilyClark.com

Just a few tips and tricks can make all the difference…

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HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

7 Easy Tips to Make Small Rooms Feel Big

March 16, 2015

Just because the rooms in your house are small, doesn’t mean they can’t look big. You can make any space look bigger by using these simple tricks. Transform your small rooms into an inviting, seemingly spacious home. These tips are perfect for anyone looking to sell their home

1. Lighting.

It all starts with light. Lightness evokes space, while darkness constraints and hides it. So first, use all the natural light you can. Don’t block off windows with heavy or dark curtains or furniture. Instead, frame your furniture around the windows and other appropriate lighting fixtures. A bright room always feels more airy than a dark one. Let the natural light in – open up those blinds and drapes (this is also important for photos) For your photos – have window dressing pulled back and have all the lights on!

2. Color.

With that same idea, use light colors in your home. Your walls, floors, and ceilings are most important because they take up a lot of space. For maximum impact, your walls and ceiling should be a neutral, light shade that radiates light and your floors will be on the lighter side as well. A paint job on the walls will make a world of difference and if the floors are a dark color this makes the room feel heavy, try using a large, light-colored area rug. You can use dark colors in your furnishings, but keep them minimal.

3. Clutter.

Get rid of it! For most people, this means packing up about half of the miscellaneous objects scattered around the house. It will probably look a little empty to you, but it will only look like more space. This is this process as a pre-pack and the bonus is you get a great head start and you won’t be lugging all sort of extra unnecessary ‘stuff’ with you to the next space.

4. Mirrors.

It’s a classic trick, but it’s still around because it works. First, make sure there is a large mirror in the bathroom, which is likely the smallest room in the house. Another one in the bedroom, above the dresser, is preferable. Then, in the living room or dining room, if a mirror might work with the space, add it. You could place one over a side table or find an artistic mirror to hang near photos. Because mirrors reflect light and images, they create the illusion of a bigger space. Mirrors are also great in an entry. But don’t put one in every room, the buyers will catch on

5. Furniture.

First, reduce the amount of furniture in rooms that look cluttered. Less furniture means more space. Then, look at your floor plan. You want open arrangements that don’t block off space. Boxy areas reduce traffic flow and impede movement. By increasing flow, you can make your house look bigger. Don’t get stuck on how you live in the space – think mass appeal how would this lay out work for most people and in spaces like a family room and living room think about TV placement (this is a top question that buyers ask themselves – where would I put my TV?)

6. Cleanliness.

An airy, clean room will always feel bigger than dusty, stale one. So with that in mind, do a thorough cleaning job, getting into all those overlooked areas like corners, fans and lights, behind furniture, and the tops of shelves. Any little carpet stains, nicks in the walls, or bits of dirt and dust will draw your eye away from the open space and into the dirty details. And open those windows and let some fresh air in, that can do wonders too

7. Books.

On bookshelves, place bigger and darker books on bottom and smaller, lighter books on top. Its a simple trick that transfers weight to the bottom, leaving the top more open and light. And don’t over crowd them – it looks messy and it sends the message to buyers that this home is lacking in storage.

I hope these tips help your rooms feel and look bigger,

SHOP NEUTRAL HOME DECOR…

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HOME STYLING, WE ANSWER WEDNESDAY

How to style my fireplace mantel

February 25, 2015

“This winter, my fireplace has been working over time! I love snuggling up to my fireplace on cold winter days but my mantel is a mess. I want it to look good, can you send me some easy ideas to make my fireplace mantel pretty?”

Great question! I think a lot of people have this problem. The mantel should really highlight and bring focus to the fireplace not be an eye sore in the room. We see this all the time when people use the mantel as a bit of a random collect-all area or a high ‘hiding’ space that the little ones can’t reach!

A mantel isn’t the place to pile up mismatched knick knacks or to leave bare, to gather dust…

It’s an eye-level stage of sorts, and a prime spot for showing off artful accents and collected treasures. Use the fireplace’s facade as a cue to your color palette.

Then select one large item to feature–a light or open sculptural piece is best because it won’t block the other objects. Pair it with a themed collection, like a few framed family photos or a grouping of different-sized glass vases. An oversized mirror or piece of art makes an ideal backdrop.

To keep it super simple but make an impact: follow this image – even if this more traditional style isn’t to your taste, take the principles of layering and add a modern or country twist…..

Create 3 layers of décor …

Always includes layers 1 and 2.

Layer 3 is optional depending on your decorating style.

1. Start with an anchor piece

– An oversized mirror is an easy option. It let’s light bounce around the room and it works with any decor style. We like a piece with an interesting frame. This image shows a dark frame which give some contrast in this very light tone-on-tone room but you could add a bold art piece that would give you the same impact

2. The weight and height.

This image is demonstrating formal balance, that means you have two pieces (floral arrangements) that are the same colours, size, height, scale – identical and they are on each end of the mantel. Creating a ‘frame’ for other, smaller display items. These pieces could be vases, tall candles or candle sticks, sculptural items…it doesn’t matter just be sure to keep the height to the sides and make sure the items fit on the mantel (you don’t want anything to hang over)

3. (Optional) Filler.

Now this can get a bit tricky…you want to fill that open space under the mirror and between the flanking vases with decor pieces. Notice here everything is shorter, so not to block the mirror but the pieces have an airy quality – the glass candle sticks, the white planters and the silver circle pieces aren’t heavy or bulky. We see 3 main style of items and a few votive candles that are carefully displayed

Here’s an example of a mantel with layers 1 and 2 but not 3. Again these principles of layering can be used in all decor styles, just replace the pieces with items in your taste and style.

This country style mantel uses all 3 layers. The pops of black help anchor the space and the textural elements with the mantels itself, the greenery and the woven chargers add some warmth and the display items compliment the decor style and they relate to one another.

It important to keep scale in mind not only as the objects relate to the fireplace, but also as they relate to one another. All of the items should overlap each other so that they feel connected to each other and act as a cohesive unit. Think of it as a step-down effect from the tallest point in the center of the mantel to the shortest point on the outside edges. You want to take small, gradual steps without any jarring height decreases.

Do you have a TV on your mantel but you still want to create a beautiful styled mantel? Yes, you can!

See this image, that’s a TV anchored by 2 beautiful vases with height, texture and a pop of bright yellow. Yellow is an excellent choice here because it is the most intense colour on the colour wheel and that means your eyes can’t help but be drawn to it. So when the TV isn’t on, these vases stand out and look beautiful

Once you’re comfortable with the process, think about what you might want to showcase on your mantel and where these items might fit within the layers mentioned above. Consider using a mantel to showcase art,
collectibles, seasonal decor, fresh flowers or even family heirlooms. Then sit back and admire your work!

SHOP DECOR FOR THE FIREPLACE…

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BATHROOMS, HOME STAGING, KITCHENS

Kitchen and Bathroom ‘Facelift’ Ideas

October 20, 2014

Kitchens and bathrooms do help sell houses, although they may not be the main deciding factor, they are strong contenders when buyers consider what property they will now call home. Buyers consider these rooms when they are house hunting because of the difficulty of renovating them and the expense that would be required. If you have been diligent in the upkeep and upgrades of your home then this week’s notes will not be as difficult.

However, if you have never updated your home or maintained the repairs in the baths and kitchens, then this could be a pricey section! Truth be told, you will pay to do upgrades in these rooms, either when it comes time to sell and you have to reduce the price to reflect the work needed, or over the years while you live there and have been paying to maintain and upgrade.

Homeowners typically should be spending 1-3% of their market value every year to upgrade and maintain their property in good condition. So if this has not been done, it will need to be.

What types of upgrades can you do?

Updating Appliances in all the same color, this includes the hood fan. Especially if they are more than 10 years old.
Replace or Repair all damaged tiles or flooring
Repaint kitchen cabinets (or do touch ups)
Consider a kitchen update if older than 7 years. New kitchens price at $5,000 and up, depending on if you are installing them yourself. This is not recommended for beginners no matter how keen you are!
Install new counter tops or call a Granite company for a granite looking overlay that is less than the price of real granite
Update flooring, even a small bathroom looks like a new world with brand new floors
Update light fixtures
Paint the ceilings
Take off old tiles in the bathtub or shower and add a new surround. A simple do it yourself kit can be purchased for around $300.00
Add under cabinet lighting
Add new shower faucets and shower rods
Re-grout your existing tile if it is still in good shape, adding a new grout color can go far
Fresh paint colors in warm neutrals make a room look 100 x better for a small investment of time and money
Update faucets to the latest trends
Tighten all knobs, or replace for a modest cost. Knobs range from $3.00 to over $10.00 per piece, so it is a small investment for a great improvement
Replace toilet seats, especially if they are cracked, wooden or themed
Add new blinds or window coverings
New sinks, curtain rods and towel bars also make a great first impression

Remember you are giving the buyers every reason to buy your house, so carefully consider the first impression and ask yourself what do you look for when you are the buyer? How do you compare houses when you are the buyer? Then create a property that will attract buyers. It’s as simple as that.

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HOME STAGING

Stand out from the Crowd in the Spring Selling Market

March 9, 2013

So Spring is almost here! Youpeee! So is the Spring Real Estate market! So are you thinking of selling your home? Well, if you are one big factor you need to take into consideration is that there will be a lot of competition in the spring market.

Why the spring?

Well, the sun is out, the snow is gone (or at least on it’s way out), the grass maybe out and so might the flowers. Generally our homes show much better too.

So why do you need to stand out?

Because there is so much out there, buyers have a huge selection and after a while the homes can all start to look the same.

So how can you stand out from the others?

Try home staging. Staging is a way to show your home in the best possible way. Staging is best if it is done by a professional – they know what they are doing, they have experience, they work with Realtors and know what buyers are looking for but they are also an objective eye, they don’t take things personally. you want someone who can highlight the features of your home, make it attractive for your target buyers and make it look incredible in photos, open houses and showings.

Realtors know that a properly staged home will sell faster and for more money. Why is that?

Because any property that shows well will get a lot of showing requests, the more buyers through a home will likely results in quick offers and/or multiple offers. when you are in a multiple offer situation, as a seller this means you will likely get above asking.

Some stats to consider:

“98% of the houses staged have sold over the asking price.” HGTV’s Designed to Sell

“87% of people said that home presentation makes a difference in most sales.” AOL Money and Finance Poll

“Homes that sold after four weeks on the market sold for 6% less than ones within the first four weeks!” Survey by the National Association of Realtors

“Buyers willing to spend the money for an ‘ideal’ home, but not the time to renovate. The poll showed that 63 per cent of buyers preferred a higher priced home that does not require any renovations over a lower priced fixer-upper.” Maritz Research Staging Polls

“Elements that create 72% of the first impression inside the home are within the control of the seller – well–trained staging consultants know how to show these to their best advantage.” 1999 Proctor & Gamble Survey

So what can you do to present your home in the best light?

– Start by decluttering the main areas like the bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, finished basement etc…Don’t worry about spaces like the garage.

– Give the entire home a top to bottom good cleaning think about getting a professional cleaning for the rugs

– Pay attention to the details like cracked tiles, leaky faucets, touch up paint and this is where an objective eye really helps, we get so used to living in our own space that we overlook all of the little creaks and cracks that a buyer would see.

– Remove the personalize items like family photos and collectibles, you’ll be taking those with you to your next place so think of it as pre-packing

– Updates, you don’t need piles of money to make your home look and feel current, small fixes like replacing old brass or plastic knobs and handles with chrome will really make any space feel more current. Updating light fixtures and removing wallpaper boarders can make a huge difference. Adding or updating a dated kitchen backsplash can also make a big difference!

– Think about getting a fresh paint job in the home. On a tight budget? Paint the rooms that really need it

– Other add-ons, try adding some fresh colour with flowers, or a fruit bowl, or some throw pillows on sofas and beds.

– Make sure the home is well lit, pull back the drapes and let the light in and make sure the light bulbs are all working (replace the burn out ones). If you have any dark corners in important rooms try adding a floor lamp.

Selling your home can be very stressful but if it is presented in the right way, you shouldn’t be on the market long….happy selling and happy spring staging!

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HOME STAGING

Do NOT Try This At home!! 8 Biggest Home Staging Mistakes

February 25, 2013

Take a look at these 8 home staging mistakes home owners make before putting their homes on the market.

A staged home spends less time on the market so take this advice and although some tips may seem expensive or time consuming, it won’t be too long and it will be worth your while.

8 Home staging mistakes (to avoid):

1 –Just because you love it does not mean that everyone else will too.

Ensure your property appeals to a broad market of buyers. In other words, keep it neutral, a bright colour reflects your personality and style which can be too much for buyers to get past.

This room looks great but the dark paint colour on the wall is a bit personalize and may turn off some buyers. If thiese walls were painted in a lighter and neutral tone the room would look bigger and brighter.

2 –Edit your storage places too.

Buyers will poke around, opening kitchen and bathroom cabinets and closets spaces too. Be sure to spend some time organizing those area too. A cramped spaces sends the message to buyers that there is a lack of storage.

This room doesn’t present well. It would be very challenging for buyers to see past this mess. even though the furniture doesn’t come with the house – this much clutter says to buyers that there isn’t enough space. Be sure to clean, declutter and organize!

3 –Scale and size of furniture.

Be sure that items such as furniture, plants and other decor pieces are in proportion with the room. You are selling the house (the space) not the items in it. Even if the rooms look somewhat empty, that is way better than over stuffed rooms. Story your larger pieces in a temporary storage locker or ask friends and family if they have some storage space you could borrow.

You need to make sure that a room has good flow. The buyers (during the showings) need to be able to walk around freely without obstacles. There is a lot of furniture is this room and although very attractive it’s too much for when you are selling your home.

4 — Clean, clean, clean.

I know this means something different to everyone so keep your self and your home on a regular cleaning schedule – if you have to contact a professional to help you out – do it, it will be worth the extra cost. Be sure your home is in ‘showing condition’ at all times. You may receive a call from your realtor about a showing while you are at work and your dishes from breakfast are still in the sink – that leaves a very bad impression.

You really need to be on top of your house work while you are selling. No one wants to come to view a property with dirty rooms, dishes all over the place etc…This leaves a really bad first impression.

5 — Your pet may be your best friends but he isn’t every one’s.

Some buyers are immediately turned off by any signs of animals in a home so keep pet hair to a minimum by vacuuming everyday, crating your furry friends or keeping them outside of the home while it is up for sale. When we were selling our home a few years ago, I went as far as paying my younger brother to “babysit” them during my open house.

6 — Pay attention to the details.

Don’t hide your flaws , either repair them before you go on market or have your price reflect that there is some work to be done. It is tough for a realtor to justify selling a house for top dollar when it is not in top condition.

7 — Upgrade periodically.

Change up your light fixtures, hardware, taps, faucets and drapery. You will likely get a better reaction from buyers plus it shows that the house has been maintained and cared for. Plus buyers are willing to pay more for a property that has already been updated. Not sure where to update or what to do? This is where your real estate agent and home stager can really come into play.

A new light fixture can make a huge difference in a house. It gives the whole home a fresh feel and look – opt for a style that is transitional (that means it works with different decor styles and this way this will work for most people).

8 — Don’t rush.

Get your house on the market once it is ready. Meaning get the little jobs done, listen to your realtor and home stager to help you get top dollar, an incomplete house is exactly that and buyers will not respond in a positive way. So take that time to finish up incomplete projects or tackle the to-do list from your stager – painting and small repairs can set up apart. Any time of year is a good time to sell, but when there is a lot of competition on the market (such as the spring season) you must be in peak performance.

Consider a fresh paint job in the home in a neutral tone, this instantly gives the whole home a fresh new feel and it looks clean and bright!

Selling can feel personal but it isn’t – you need to now think of your house as a product that is up for sale. Like a product in a store you want it to sell so put the time in to make it a product that a buyer will want! Be sure to avoid these home staging mistakes,

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HOME DECOR, HOME STAGING

Home Decor vs Home Staging

May 16, 2012

I get asked this question all of the time especially from clients looking to sell their home. Just this week, in fact, I had to deal with some sellers who were confused (and a bit argumentative) that the terms home staging and home decor were the same thing – they are not!

Most people are very surprised to hear that they are almost the opposite of each other.

Preparing a home to sell is very different than preparing a home to live in.

So this image is a great looking living room BUT if this person was selling, we would highly recommend painting those walls in a more neutral and lighter tone. We would also suggest removing the personal photos from the side table.

Home Decor –

When you move into a home (and everyone does this, it’s totally normal) you want it to work for your lifestyle and reflect your personal tastes. You likely bought the home in the first place because it accommodated your lifestyle. Maybe you don’t need a kitchen nook but and office or a piano would be better for you, maybe you love bold and bright colours all over the walls, maybe you don’t have a dining set but a pool table instead – those are all your taste and lifestyle choices – that is home decorating.

Buyers are looking for light, clean and bright homes with neutral and quality finishes.

Home staging –

When it comes to selling your home, buyers will focus on the crazy colours, the choice and location of furniture even though they are just buying the home not the contents inside.

Visualization is so important. The buyers need to see themselves in the space and mentally move in. So keeping it clean, neutral and some furniture (in a simple set up) that can help buyers visualize their furniture in (hopefully) their new home. The furniture, art and accessories should compliment the home and not be the primary focus – what are you trying to sell ? the home, or the furniture?

If you are selling your home and want top dollar (who doesn’t) you must put some work into it – re-paint in a neutral tone, clean the house, place furniture in areas or in a formation that would work for most buyers – this is called home staging.

Neutralize and De-personalize-

Remove the personal touches from your house. That includes: bold paint colours and accent walls, personal family photos that are on display, religious items, collectibles and any unusual furniture arrangement (see the comment about an eat-in kitchen as an office). You need to make this house as appealing as possible and buyers will see it in photos first and those photos need to shine!

For selling your home (and staging your home) this dining space looks great! It’s light, neutral and minimal decor. The drapery is pulled back and letting the light in.

Going overboard with decor –

I also get sellers who want more and more furniture and art and accessories – every corner and every wall space covered or filled – again that’s not home staging. Yes, once the new owners move into any space they will fill it up with items and accessories of their choice but when a home is shown/viewed by potential buyers and there isn’t any wall space or any room to move – they feel cramped and overwhelmed.

No one ever says to their agent – “It’s cramped, dark, dirty and feels small – I love it!” If you follow your home stagers advice your home will be more sale-able – it will appeal to more buyers and you will get good offers.

This personalized family gallery wall is so cute but NOT for selling your home. You don’t want buyers to feel like they are visiting, you want them to imagine their life in the house. So personal decor like this gallery wall would have to be packed away. Instead replace it will landscapes or simple photography (not family images) – the gallery formation is fine and it’s still a popular look – just be aware of what’s on display.

Mass appeal –

I hear from sellers all of the time ‘well, this is how I would do it if I were living here’ – that’s great but you have decided not to live here anymore SO you need to move on and allow someone else in and live how they would live in the space.

A home stager is an impartial party who can help you place furniture (or just give you ideas) to create flow and mass appeal, they can also recommend paint colours for creating a calm and soothing space, they can also give you great ideas to create curb appeal.

How you live in a home and how you sell a house are very different….

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BATHROOMS, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, KITCHENS

Countertops can make a huge difference!

October 28, 2009

Today our granite counter tops arrived!

As I mentioned in my previous blog posting, I am living in a renovation zone but things have picked up and starting to really come together.

This afternoon our granite counter tops (kitchen and bathroom) were installed and I cannot get over the difference! We had laminate counter tops in both rooms, the kitchen counter top was a solid grey which was probably not the best choice as it does not hide stains very well and every scratch is seen from a mile away; the bathroom counter top was a laminate but in aqua, white and peach speckled design. My husband and I were looking for a more modern look but we also love the natural look of granite and stone.

Looking for granite Counter tops….

We went to a few granite showrooms but everything we saw was quite typical, since our cabinetry was so plain we really wanted something special! We actually went to a granite supplier and had the opportunity to peruse their slabs and select ours directly from their supply. We found the perfect counter tops for our home and now that they are in the transformation is truly incredible.

Granite Counter tops made a huge difference….

What difference can a counter top really make? In our case we selected a slab of granite that was lighter in colour from the original laminate and now our open concept kitchen look enormous. Our stone back splash really stands out and the stainless steel accents add some sparkle. The whole kitchen comes together and is a true show stopper! The bathroom renovation was a complete overhaul (bye bye Barbie bathroom) but my husband was really worried about how the white wall tiles, grey floor tiles and blue glass accent tile would all come together – the ‘biano antico’ granite counter top was the key element for bringing all the pieces together.

When it comes to selecting your kitchen counter tops there are no right or wrong

choice but here are some tips:

1 – Colour –

Typically you want to choose a counter top that on the opposite side of the colour wheel from your cabinets, for example a dark espresso stain looks best with a lighter counter top but if you are selecting from granite you have some flexibility because granite has some many colours and fishers that you can choose from a variety of cabinet colours. But light can absolutely work with light but I always like something to ground the room so it could be the floors, paint or backsplash.

2 – Stay away from a single colour laminate.

A solid coloured laminate counter top does not stand the test of time very well, stains and scratches are nearly impossible to hide with this type of counter top. If granite is too pricey, keep in mind that there are many laminate options that look (and can feel) like a granite counter top.

3 – Looking for something different?

Try exotic granite or other natural stone such as marble or soapstone or even more cutting edge – concrete. With the increased popularity of granite certain colours are seen more frequently but there is a lot to choose from, so look around at other options.

Here are the after photos of my bathroom and kitchen :-

I can’t get over how different the house looks with these new counter tops!

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