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kiki interiors

HOME STAGING

Worst upgrades for the resale of your home

worst-upgrades-for-resale-of-your-home

When it comes to selling your home there are some updates that are ‘money makers’ and there are others that are just a waste of money. You really want to spend your money on upgrades that not only look good but ones that will pay off!

Here are the 10 worst upgrades for selling your home.

 

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1.  Wall-to-wall carpet. 

If you are replacing your carpet flooring before you sell, hardwood is a must.  That is what buyers are looking for.  Carpet just doesn’t work for anyone with pets or allergies plus it’s tough to give it a quick clean.  If you have hardwood now, take a close look at it – does it need any repairs? refinishing?

 

 

2.  Whirlpool baths, indoor hot tubs and saunas. 

Once upon a time they were considered desirable but now many buyers find them passe and are afraid of what extra costs will be involved.

 

3.  Colourful bath fixtures. 

If you are updating the toilets, sinks and tubs in your bathrooms to get ready for sale (even if it is years away), keep the fixtures white – not almond, grey, pink etc…White is neutral and clean so it will appeal to everyone.

 

4.  Ornate chandeliers, wall paper, textured walls and bold paint colours. 

No.  Do not do this.  Keep it simple.  Stick with neutral paint colours.  Wall paper is just seen as a big removal project, textured walls were once a big trend but he trend is over and as for big splashy chandeliers – that’s a personal touch that should go with you when you move, so just put in a simple chandelier for the potential new owners.

 

5.  Expensive sound systems and home theaters. 

If you are doing updates for your home as you start to prepare it for sale, do not spend you money on this, it might attract some buyers but most audio/film buffs would rather just install this themselves. If you have a large basement that would really suit a home theater this is something your real estate agent could mention at open houses and showings.

6.  Vinyl Floors

Although it has come a long way in terms of style and it is practical for pets, kids, allergies and easy cleaning – it isn’t a feature that buyers like.  For only a bit more money, opt for ceramic, or hardwood. The new laminate floor that look like hardwood are a good option but at a certain price point, buyers expect to see hardwood so discuss that with your real estate agent.

 

7.  Removing bedrooms, turning a three bedroom into a two bedroom home. 

Even if one or two bedrooms are on the small side – do not eliminate one.  Fewer bedrooms means you will likely get less money on the resale market.  Plus anyone looking for a three bedroom will not see a two bedroom home.  Two bedroom condo apartments are popular but not two bedroom homes. Same goes for 4 bedroom homes – many families are looking for 4 bedrooms so don’t get rid of a bedroom.

8.  Swimming pools. 

There is a lot of discussion among Realtors about pools.  Buyers often love them or hate them – so if you have a big yard that would fit a pool, let your realtor ‘pitch’ that idea a open houses and showings. It’s not an upgrade worth putting in. If you have a pool – make sure it is clean, maintained and functioning.  Buyers will want to know about additional costs so be sure to have that data available.

 

 

9.  Appliance upgrades. 

Stainless steel is certainly the ‘colour’ of choice for buyers but don’t get crazy with professional grade appliances it’s really not necessary.  Plus built-in espresso machines are seen as a concern if they breakdown and wine fridges are a personal item (not everyone drinks wine).

10.  Odd rooms. 

If you are in an older home you probably have some attic space or neat little nook under the stares – do not spend the time, money or effort trying to convert these funky little spots into a room or bathroom.  Show your realtor these spaces and he/she will simply call them ‘storage’ which IS something buyers are all looking for.

 

This mistakes can be costly so be sure to talk with your realtor before making any huge mistakes….

 

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INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

D.I.Y project- wallpaper your furniture

diy-wallpaper-your-furniture

Who loves wallpaper? It’s great for adding some visual interest to a wall.  But …what about adding wallpaper to your furniture?

If you really want to transform your space you need to go BOLD! 

Check out this great Do-It-Yourself project that will make any piece of furniture stand out from the crowd.

Wallpaper is a great way to add some whimsy, pattern, colour and design to a space.  We have seen so many accent walls with wallpaper but wallpaper-ing your furniture is still a newer trend.  We love the look and it is a great way to add a unique touch to a space!

 

Check out online sites for fabulous wallpaper options and breathe new life into an aging cabinet or a funky yard sale find. This is perfect for a cabinet, dresser or end table but nothing too ornate – keep it simple.

1.  Lightly sand the surface. Be sure to unhinge the cabinet doors and remove the hardware.

2.  Apply two coats of an oil-based primer, waiting an hour between coats.

3.  Cut the wallpaper to size using a straightedge blade. 

4.  Paint on a tin layer of mod podge and apply the wallpaper – starting in the center and working to the edges, this helps to flatten out the air bubbles.

5. Wait 24 hrs before applying a coat of acrylic sealant.

 

 

Wall paper on furniture really makes a piece look special but also custom.  We are loving these bookcases with a wallpaper backing. It adds so much visual interest to the piece and the room.  You can add a small amount of wallpaper that suits your taste to a basic bookcase and really make it yours!

 

Wallpaper on furniture is perfect for a child’s room too – chose so bold and playful options and add them to draw fronts.

 

Another super simple project for those who aren’t as crafty.  Try framing small samples of wallpaper (or even craft paper) and hang it on the wall.  I did this in my daughter’s bedroom and it looks great.  It’s an easy art project plus it’s fun to mix up all of the prints in one space.

 

 

Wallpaper offers you so many options – the selection and styles are so varied.  This is a great project fro the DIYer that loves to make a statement!

 

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HOME DECOR, HOME STAGING

Home Decor vs Home Staging

home-decor-vs-home-staging

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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HOME STAGING

The 5 F-words of home staging

5-f-words-of-home-staging

 

Home staging is a MUST in any real estate market. If you are having trouble remembering what needs to be done when staging your home? Follow the 5 F’s of Home Staging.

1 – FLOORS

Hardwood flooring is the most popular and therefore the best option for your flooring choice. The floors are beautiful, they add warmth, value and are preferred especially with the increase of allergens in the home – hardwood is much easier to clean. Have as few types of flooring as possible in one home, as multiple materials can make a home look small and choppy.

 

2 – FOCAL POINT

Create a focal point in each room such as a fireplace, a bay window. Make sure the focal point in obvious and highlighted for the buyer to see. this is where staging and furniture placement really work in your favour. As the owner of the home, circulate and take notes of what you feel are the best features/focal points of each room – this can really help your stager, since you bought this home you probably fell in love with some of the features.

 

 

3 – FUNCTION

Make sure the function of each room is clear. If the space is not defined, buyers are left wondering what to do with a certain room. Doubling up functions of a room is not always recommended but in smaller spaces it is often necessary but again be clear, if the room is a sitting room plus an office make the room tidy and organized so the buyers can tell it apart from a catch-all space. For example, in a open concept place an area rug in the living room can help to define the living room apart from the dining room without building walls and blocking the flow

 

4 – FLOW

The house must have good flow in order to attract an offer. You can achieve this through paint (keep each room more or less in the same colour palette). Other tips – allow 3 feet for pathways in and out of a room; chairs and sofas should be no more than 8 feet apart and allow 18 inches between sofa and coffee table. These tips helps create a free flowing space with good energy and a space that feels large but still inviting.

 

 

5 – FURNITURE PLACEMENT

Make sure the furniture highlights the room’s best features and doesn’t obstruct or cramp a room. Look at the room and pay attention to features such as the dining room fixture, it will tell you where to place the table. Create conversation groupings no larger than 10-12 feet square. Create a focal point such as a tall vase by the fireplace or pillows in the window seat. An appointment with a home stager can help you put together a great furniture plan offering flow and presentation to buyers

 

Don’t FLIP OUT – FOCUS on these 5F’s and your home be ignored on the real estate market – stand out from the crowd with home staging!

 

 

 

 

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