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HOME STAGING

HOME STAGING

10 Secrets About Staging Your Home For Resale

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Realistic or not…every home buyers dreams of purchasing a home that belongs in the pages of a magazine.  Staging your home or making it look it’s best, is one of the first steps to putting it on the market.  Since many eyes will be on your home during showings, open houses and all through marketing and promotional materials, this is why you will want your home to look show room ready!  Many sellers feel that doing aesthetic work in preparation to sell their home isn’t necessary and that the buyers themselves will want to make those changes themselves and to their taste – but to sell a home for top dollar in any market you must set yourself apart from the others.

1 – The Exterior Aka Curb appeal –

This is where you will make your first impression.  If the outside is unappealing that sends a strong message to buyers and they may decide to move on without even entering.  Create a lasting impression by maintaining the flower beds and lawn, sweeping the walkway and porch, power wash the siding and freshen up the door and shutters with paint.  Take a look at accessories like the door mat – is it tired looking? mailbox – is it rusted? door bell? – is it working? number plate? – is it visible, clean?

2 – Depersonalize –

Staging your home for sale is very different from decorating your ‘new’ home.  when you move in to your space you want to put your personal stamp on things, set up your furniture for your lifestyle and make it yours!  When staging your home you want to attract the most buyers using neutral tones and furniture placement that shows off flow and the size of the room – highlighting the best attributes if the home.  Keep your style and tastes to a minimum since many buyers with many different tastes will be viewing your space.

3 – Don’t leave the walls bare –

Yes, you want to depersonalize but don’t completely neuter your home and remove all warmth and signs of life.  Removing personal items like family photos, collections and religious symbols is very important but decor items like art, mirrors and clocks add some warmth to the space and can pull a room together.

 

4 – Create furniture groupings –

Sometimes when sellers want to make a room look and feel spacious they spread out the furniture creating a big open space in the middle.  This arrangement does leave a big, open space but it looks unfinished – which is a big turn off for buyers.  It’s best to create furniture groupings to help buyers envision how to use the space – for conversation, TV watching, reading and more….Be sure to not only have furniture positioned in ways that would make sense for intended use but also be sure to have clear and direct paths through the room – this will give a room a spacious look and feel.  You want buyers to envision the use of the space, how to live in the home and of course, highlight the size of the room but still keeping it cozy for conversation.

5 – Use paint to maximize the space –

The right paint colour can perform miracles.  The right paint colour can make a room appear larger.  We often recommend a fresh coat of paint throughout the home in a light tone but if you don’t want to pain the whole home – paint the space that you need to enlarge the same colour as the room that is adjacent to it.  The matching colours will help the potential buyer’s eyes flow seamlessly from one room into the next and make both rooms seem like one big space.  Bold colours do make a statement but they tend to make rooms feel smaller and more closed off, plus that also a personal statement and taste.

 

6 – Add extra lighting –

Lighting can make all of the difference between a good viewing and a bad one.  You want to make sure that buyers actually see the aspects and features of the home.  Natural light is a plus, so pull back the drapes, remove heavy curtains all together and bring up the blinds.  For artificial lighting, you need to have enough to make your home feel cozy during evening showings.  Add some floor lamps in dark corners, routinely check light bulbs, add high wattage bulbs or day light bulbs to existing fixtures.

7 – Clearly define every space –

Most of us have a room or space that is a catch-all and it serves many purposes but when it comes to selling your home – that space never translates well to buyers.  That catch-all room becomes a confusing space. Present that space as ‘something’ a guest room, a desk, craft room, study, ply room – it doesn’t really matter  but define what that space is.  Clear it out, remove the junk and set it up as a proper, usable space.

8- Assume every space will be viewed –

Sellers like to think that buyers will just look at the main areas of the home during a viewing.  In reality, buyers will look everywhere (especially if it is a 2nd or 3rd showing). So spend some time organizing cupboards, closets and other storage spaces.  Yes, you are living there but you can keep it neat and organized.  Start with a declutter – go through your clothes and linens (no sense in bring items you don’t need or want into your next home), donate or toss what you no longer need, pre-pack the extras that you want to keep and fold up the towels and bedsheets in the current linen closet – making a beautiful and organized closet.  Same for other storage spaces. A closet that is bursting at the seams sends the signal that there isn’t enough storage space.

9 – Organize personal items with storage pieces –

If you are still living in the home that you are selling you will still have some personal pieces like toys, mail, pet items and toiletries.  The best way to keep the home staged while you live there is to have some easy storage solutions.  Baskets are great for toys, a chest or trunk at the edge of a bed, baskets or boxes in bookcases are perfect for flyers, mail and school items.  For bigger items, like furniture try renting a POD or Storage unit.

10 – Fresh touches impress buyers –

Some fresh details make an impression on buyers like fresh flowers (perfect for open houses), fresh fruit in a bowl on an island is a great pop of colour and sets a friendly tone, plush towels in the bathrooms look clean and luxurious are just a few easy examples.  These quick fixes can really make a world of difference in how your property is viewed by buyers.

 

Buyers want that emotional connection once they walk into a home, that feeling is so important and home staging makes that connection with buyers – it’s a necessary step in the process of selling your home,

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HOME STAGING

5 Easy Things To Do Before Showing Your Home

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It is selling season and if you are selling your home you know how busy this time of year is!  Lost of Showings, Previews and Open Houses – exposure is key when selling your home!  But a last minute showing can be tricky!  Of course, you want your home to be seen but at the same time your home may not be up to par!  What do to?

During the week, we suggest a cleaning routine :including vacuuming as often as you can (at least the highest traffic areas, like a family room for instance), putting away clothes after each wearing (either in a hamper or back in the closet or dresser) to keep clutter under control, picking up toys and books before bed time (get the kids involved – they tidy up at school so why not at home?), wash dishes daily (if you have a chaotic schedule maybe use disposable paper plates in the short term) and wiping down surfaces like counter tops (kitchen and bath) and table tops.

To make the very best impression for buyers, try these 5 easy things.  They can be done in around 15-20 minutes, so even the very last minute showing can be a huge success!

1.  Keep the house clean.

I know easier said than done but if you tackle a bit of cleaning everyday, the house will never really get messy.  Be sure to always have the sinks and appliances clean – those two items really make an impact on buyers and it sets the tone for the rest of the house.  Stainless steel appliances? Be sure to use the right cleaners to remove finger prints and smudges. Cleaning these items alone really shouldn’t take more than 3 minutes!

2.  Sweep the kitchen floor (and eat-in area).

Will buyers be focusing on your floor? Maybe – Maybe not….but if they step in food or sticky residue from spilled apple juice, they will notice it and it will make a bad impression. It takes minutes to do and it make the kitchen (a buyer hot spot) look and feel so much better.  A quick sweep and spot mop should take 3-5 minutes.

3.  Empty all trashes.

Over flowing trash is just gross and it can smell.  It take minutes to empty the cans.  Get the kids involved, send them each to a trash can and have them meet you in the garage to dump and put them back.  Again it feels clean and looks so much better.  This should take roughly 5-7 minutes.

4.  Make it smell good.

Removing the garbage and regular cleaning certainly help to keep the house smelling clean.  Try to keep from cooking (right before a showing) fish, grease, burnt anything can be tough to get rid of, especially in a hurry.  You can use plug-ins but opt for natural scents as florals can be overwhelming but try opening the windows – nothing beats the smell of fresh air!  Another product that we love are scented flameless candles – they are battery operated, they look great and smell fantastic but DO NOT leave real lit candles in the home unattended. This should take a minute or two.

5.  Remove all clutter from counters and floors

Clutter is a huge distraction.  We tell our home staging clients that clutter sends a signal that the house is lacking in storage – no buyer will say “oh, they just have too much”, the buyer will say “there isn’t enough storage here”.  Storage is an important factor for buyers. Be sure to pay special attention the the kitchen counters. 

Keep extra baskets handy for toys, books, clothes and any other items that are on the floor.  Have a basket in each bedroom for a quick clean and pick up (be sure the basket can be tucked away in a closet). Depends on how much you have to do, 5 – ? minutes.

A few extra minutes or want to add another touch Leave out some cookies or small chocolates, bottled water for a welcome touch.  It will make a memorable impression …..

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HOME STAGING, HOME STYLING

The 6 Best Props To Stage Your Home

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When it comes to home staging – yes, there are a number of items that must be removed from the home such as personal photos, collectibles and of course, excess or bulky furniture.  But there are certain props that really enhance the look of the home regardless of the age or decor style.

These 6 DIY props can add memorable details and welcoming feelings to buyers and just help to set the scene and really make your photos stand out from the other houses for sale.

Books –

Too many books in a book case (or piles of them in office spaces and bedroom) can look junky and sloppy BUT sets of hardcover books can really complete the look of shelves or stacked on a coffee table. Check out garage sales or used book stores for affordable options be sure to check the condition of the spine (and check to make sure they don’t have a musty smell).  Stay away from controversial topics and titles.  We always look of books that are medium to large in scale, hard cover and in good shape.  Colourful spines can add a splash a colour to a bookcase or coffee table.

Bookcases are great for book storage but when it comes to staging you want every space to feel light and airy.  Full bookcases add a lot of bulk and heaviness to a room, so do a pre-pack of you books and leave your nicest ones on display.  Stack them creatively, play with colour and add some simple accessories.

Bowls of Lemons –

A big bowl of bright fresh lemons is a simple way to add some colour and a feeling freshness to a space like the kitchen or as a dining centerpiece.  Use decorative lemons – they last longer plus you get that brilliant yellow colour.  Why lemons? Well, no one is ever tempted to bite into a lemon.  And yes, I have found bite marks on several occasions in our decorative fruit especially apples but some pears too.  Use a bowl that works with your decor style – long, lean glass works well for contemporary spaces, wood or pottery looks great in a rustic or country home.

A low profile bowl with lemons really allows one to see that bright splash of colour.  This looks great in a kitchen, on a kitchen island, a dining table or even a coffee table like the image below

Plush towels –

New towels always look amazing in a bathroom.  Towels like everything else age, they are fine for every day use but when it comes to show casing your home old towels will just make the bathroom look tired and stale.  Aim for that ’boutique’ hotel look with clean, plush, white towels.  If your bathroom is already entirely white choose a grey or brown tone something that will give some contrast to the space but keep it neutral.

These white plush towels add a softness to this bathroom.  Bathrooms are full of hard surfaces like tile, cabinetry, porcelain and more…so adding some softness gives the room some balance.  The white towels in this bathroom also give a spa like feel

Large Painting –

This is probably a bit tougher to locate but try home decor stores or even online – the results are incredible!  Choose a large painting with soft tones (colour is fine but aim for softer hues).  We recommend a simple landscape (they are soothing) or just abstract with soft and blended brush strokes.  This will certainly make an impact but it won’t be alarming.

This living room with the large landscape art piece makes an impact but is still soothing and peaceful which is a great quality in a home.  The colours are soft and the blue tones are also used in the decor.  Large art pieces look great on big walls like the one here but they also look great above a fireplace or in a dining room above a sideboard

A Pair of Matching Table Lamps –

Take a look in any home design and decor magazine, you will always see matching pairs of lamps in a room.  You might be staging your home on a tight budget but you can’t have it looking that way!  A pair of matching table lamps will give you a designer look without spending a bundle.  Place them in a room where they can both be scene – flanking the sofa in the living room or flanking the bed are easy  ways to do just that and it makes a big impact!

This image shows the impact of what some beautiful matching table lamps can do in a room.  The reflective surface of these lamps adds some great light in the room too.

Plump Pillows –

Pillows really add extra dimension to decor and home staging.  Look for pillows with some colour, texture and even print.  But stay away from stiff or flat pillows and of course, going over board with too many pillows.  Pillows should enhance the look of the space!  Decor pillows look great on sofas, accent chairs and also beds and benches.  Be sure to ‘pump up’ those bed pillows too – volume from pillows adds a sense of luxury and comfort.

Seen here: there’s a mix of colour and pattern.  The turquoise makes a statement in this neutral tone room.  some home stagers may disagree but this colour choice brings life and a brightness to the room but be sure to carry this colour into other rooms as well to keep a fluid feel

In summary…putting it all together…

This neutral bedroom has a great mix of neutral tones – white, black and shades of beige.  The bed looks fantastic with the layering of pillows that are plump – bed and decor pillows.  The lean bedside tables and lamps match and fit in the space beautifully.  This is a  great example how to stage a bedroom in neutral tones, some texture, matching pieces, art and even flowers.

Even just a few new pieces can make a big difference in the overall presentation of your home – best wishes!


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HOME STAGING

How to make an old home look (and feel) new

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My husband is a real estate agent and he often finds himself in homes that just look old and tired but many seem to have great potential, they just need a few updates to bring it into current day style.  He shares a lot of easy tips and tricks with his clients on how to make an old home look and feel new again without compromising on character.  As an interior decorator and home stager, I couldn’t agree with him more. Plus these are great tips if you are thinking of selling your home in the not-so-distant future – keep it current looking – buyers will take notice

Here are some easy tricks to get an old home feeling new, again….

1 – Clean or replace carpets.

Make the space feel fresh with new carpet. It will instantly add a brand-new feeling to your home. If you are living there and like carpet than that’s fine but if this is an update for sale – price out replacing the carpet with hardwood or a laminate (that looks like hardwood).

2 – Make it cohesive.

A lot can be lost through the years—an update here and an update there can leave your house in a state of mismatched chaos. Determine whether you want room-by-room finishes to be the same throughout the house. The cohesive pattern will help your home feel polished, thus giving it new life.

 

3 –  Install new doors.

If you really want to go all out, replace your doors with Shaker-style doors or six-panel ones. A front door can also add a lot of curb appeal. If that doesn’t fit in your budget – paint the front door!

 

 

4 –  Update outlets, light switches, and plates

My husband and I have found that this is something that made a significant difference in all three of the older homes we’ve lived in. Some may have yellowed, been painted over, or have had various shapes and styles.
Update your house by switching all of the light switches and plates. Note: If you’re not experienced in doing this, hire a licensed electrician or find a great online video source and watch a few tutorials. It’s relatively simple, yet tedious work. We also updated yellowed alarms, thermostats, doorbells and smoke detectors.

 

5 – Repair walls.

In the past, we had purchased our home, it was apparent that years of poor quality DIY patching had taken place.
We had our painter fix the blemishes and fill all 240 nail holes. Yes, 240. Now when the light shines on them, it looks like new drywall.

6 –  Add light…

Whether it’s adding curtains, replacing light bulbs, or removing screens, adding light in your home is an easy way to breathe new life into each room. Remove vertical blinds they are so dated!

7 – …and paint.

A current and cohesive paint palette brings your home into the present and makes it feel fresh. If you stay away from yellow based tones that is recommended, when this get ‘yellowed’ they look aged.

 

8 –  Remove dated fixtures.

Updating lights and hardware on kitchen and bathroom cabinets are easy ways to make your home feel like new.

 

9 –  Refinish hardwood.

Choose an appropriate stain and give your hardwoods new life. I remember being astonished at how inexpensive it was to do the living room in our previous home and it made such a huge difference!

 

 

Every house needs a little sprucing up, I hope this inside info helps you out!

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HOME STAGING, KITCHENS

Home Staging Tips for the Kitchen

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We all know the importance of the kitchen.  It is the heart of the home and when it comes to the real estate market it is a hot spot.  Meaning it is one of the top areas that buyers are looking at when it comes to shopping for a new home. So when it comes to prepping your home for the resale market do not over look the kitchen.  In fact really focus on highlighting it’s features and making it look it’s best!

Here are some ideas

1.  Add some colour.

Yes, you need to declutter those counter tops but add a few splashes of colour here and there.  it will add warmth to the room and photograph well. When I stage a property, we use kitchen accessories like cookbook, small plants and fruit.

Photo from the Old Pained Cottage

2.  Bring attention to the features like an island.

Have matching stools at your island, enough that they fit comfortably (approx 2 feet per stool) and be sure that the stools aren’t overly bulky for the island either.  Also play with some colour with flowers so maybe even place settings

3.  Set the scene.

If you have a dining or eat-in area in the kitchen space – show it off!  Set the table or add a simple centerpiece to bring focus to the area.  Be sure that the furniture fits nicely in the space – not too big, not too small.

4.  Need some updates on a tight budget?

Try smaller budget updates that make an impact like new hardware – an easy install and easy to find in a hardware store.  Update lighting too – over the island, in the eat in area and in the kitchen. The faucet may also benefit from an upgrade too

5.  Keep it clean and clutter free.

Remove notes and flyers, magnets, coupons etc…from your fridge surface it looks messy and cluttered.  Plus it takes away from the rest of the kitchen – it’s distracting

6.  Lighten and brighten.

A dark, dreary kitchen is never a turn-on so keep it light and bright.  Be sure your lighting is on full working order – no broken fixtures or burnt out bulbs but think about paint!  A fresh coat of paint is an instant facelift and in a kitchen it’s a pretty easy project.  Stick to light neutral tones and it will add instant life to your kitchen

7.  Counter top upgrade.

Many buyers are looking for stone countertops.  Granite and quartz are items that will help sell your home faster. Consider installing granite or quartz but if you can’t afford it, try getting a quote for buyers – your agent can pass it along to those who are interested.

8.  Install a simple back splash.

If your home doesn’t have a back splash – consider installing one.  Again, stick with something neutral and timeless, subway tile is an affordable option and it is a classic plus it works with every style.  A back splash can set you apart from the competition, too, many newly built town homes in suburban communities a back splash is an ‘extra’ so many buyers don’t get one.  Stand out from the crowd!

9. Show off functionality.

Small kitchens can still be functional it’s all about storage and set up.  If you are lacking in storage or surface space try adding a furniture piece that can offer both.  In this image – this ‘mobile’ island offers a great prep or serving space (add a chair) plus it has a lower shelf that has some storage.  This piece is perfect because it doesn’t add bulk and the reflective surface adds some brightness too

Photo from Better Homes and Gardens

When it comes to staging your home from the resale market – turn that kitchen into a dream kitchen !  Be sure to include a good clean and fixing any small repairs like shipped doors, squeaky hinges, loose knobs, leaky faucet and more….


SHOP FOR THE KITCHEN…

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HOME STAGING

Home Staging for the Spring/Summer Real Estate Market

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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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HOME STAGING, WE ANSWER WEDNESDAY

We Answer Wednesday – ‘Staging’ a vacation rental

we-answer-wednesday-staging-vacation

“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 STAGING

Home For Sale? Open House Tips

home-for-sale-open-house-tips

If your home is up for sale on the market – this is a busy and possibly stressful time for you. On top of your everyday responsibilities you also have to deal with the showings and open houses at your home. You have your next property in mind and you have prepped and staged this house for sale.  Getting ready for every showing is work!

You want to sell your house and you know in order to do that buyers need to see it but prepping for a viewing can be very stressful and a bit hectic – so much to do!  You want your home to look it’s best –  Here is what you don’t want to happen. A showing is suddenly scheduled for that evening and you realize you have zero clean towels in your house. So now, not only do you have to pick up, wipe down surfaces, etc — you also have a load of laundry to do as well.

Have an open house box!

Sounds easy, right? It is!

Here’s what you need:

– a box, like a Banker’s box is a perfect size and it has a lid
– a set of clean, fresh white towels (one set for each bathroom)
– small (cutlery size) baskets (one for each bathroom)
– clean tea towels
– a mason jar for counter clutter like coins, small pieces of paper, elastics etc…
– a large envelope to store papers from the counter like school news letters, mail etc…
– Clorox wipes or Lysol wipes for quick counter top cleaning

Before you begin showing your home, take an empty box and fill it with clean bath, hand and dish towels. When you have a showing scheduled, walk around to each bathroom and the kitchen grabbing all the dirty linens, and putting out the clean linens – get the kids involved and have them grab the ‘dirty’ towels. Just throw the dirty towels in this box to pull back out after the showing is over. So the clean towels in the Open House Box never actually get used, only shown.

Store the box in a closet that isn’t a huge feature like a guest room closet – once the show is over.  Collect all of the ‘showing props’ like the clean towels, tea towels etc… and put it all back in the box.

So easy!

Here are some other easy tips for managing your personal items when living in the house that you are selling:

1 – Containers.  Small and big are needed to just keep things tidy.  This is especially useful in the bathroom for make -up, tooth brushes, personal care items and toilet paper.  If leaving your items out, having them in containers looks much better but if you want to tuck them away, having them in containers makes it easy!

2 – Keep the office tidy with boxes for loose papers and other documents you don’t want left out in the open. Keep pens and pencils in a holder too – a messy office can send the message that there isn’t room for everything and leave a bad impression

3 – Keep the lights on!  Even on a sunny day but especially for evening showings – the light will make everything look bigger and brighter

4 – Big baskets are your best solution for showing a family home.  Just toss all of the toys in some baskets,try not to have too many just a few that are big enough to fit the kids’ things.

5 –  Please take the pets out!  Not everyone loves your pets and even if they are friendly, the presence of pets can be distracting and uncomfortable.  So make arrangements for your pets – maybe during the day a neighbour could help out by taking them or maybe you can take them with you while the open house is happening.

Home selling is stressful but following these staging tips will help ease that stress and help you get your house sold!

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HOME STAGING

Selling Your Home? 9 Tips to Increase the Value of Your Home

selling-your-home-9-tips-to-increase

If you are considering selling your home in the near future – start prepping now! Don’t leave it to the last minute….to get your home in tip top shape that buyers are looking for – is a lot of work! It really is best to get a head start so that there isn’t as much to do closer to the time when you want to list your property.

It can be confusing to know where to spend you money, time and energy but here are the top tips to increase to value of your home

1 – Fix ALL repairs.

Not sure what’s wrong with your home? Perhaps hire a home inspector to inspect your home and take a look at his report.  Leaky pipes, the roof, electrical panels etc…are the types of repairs that scare of buyers.  But be sure to take acre of cosmetic repairs too like cracked tiles.

2 – Add a fresh coat of paint.

It’s worth it.  The cost of pain is minimal and it makes every space look clean and bright.  Stick to neutrals and a white trim

3 – Replace carpet.

If you have old wall to wall carpet remove it.  Carpet is a big turn off for a lot of buyers as it get dusty and an old carpet doesn’t usually show well.  Opt for hardwood or laminate (perfect for a family home).  This improvement is what most buyers are looking for and it improves the quality of the air and it’s low maintenance

4 – Low maintenance landscaping.

Add some plants and perhaps some shrubs/trees.  It improves the curb appeal and again, it is something that the buyer won’t have to do.  If you want top dollar for your home, you need to do the work! Plus pull out that patio furniture (make sure to clean it) and set the scene –

5 – Enhance those kitchens and bathrooms.

You don’t need a total overhaul necessarily but pay attention to updating the bathroom.  Make sure it’s clean, has white fixtures like tuns, toilets and sinks and chrome or brushed nickel accents.  A simple and neutral bathroom always presents better than a dated one.  for the kitchen, small updates like a new back splash in a neutral tile, updated hardware and lighting – make a huge differences.  If you have older appliances that you can’t afford to replace make sure they are in good working condition and clean

6 – Other upgrades.

Lighting is huge – look for simple chrome or brushed nickel finishes.  And make sure you are using maximum wattage so the home looks bright! If you can upgrade your cabinets- do it, remember light and neutral, you want mass appeal.

7 – Don’t forget the exterior.

Does your front door need a fresh coat of paint? How about those lights and mailbox, have they seen better days? Do you have an address plate? Does your grip set (door handle and key slot) work smoothly? – Don’t let real estate agents get frustrated by trying to enter your home for showings, not a good first impression!

8 – Let there be light!

Are there dark rooms in your home? Consider hiring an electrician to add some overhead lighting in darker rooms. In older homes, we don’t often see overhead lighting in family rooms, secondary bedrooms and living rooms – so stand out from the crowd.

9 – Stage your home.

Even if you are still living in the space with your furniture and accessories, hire a stager for a consultation.  They can help you will ideas to be present your home, and they can give you some great tips to appeal to buyers. A home staging team can help you in the beginning too – buy selecting the right paint colours, lighting, hardware and other updates to improve the look and value of your home.  they are a great resource for knowing what’s trending in the eyes of the buyer.

You want your home to look it’s best especially when it is up for sale.  Start the process of prepping your home for the real sale market in advance to save your self some time, energy and stick to a budget.

 

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HOME DECOR, HOME STAGING, TRENDS

Home Staging and Decor Trends

home-staging-and-decor-trends

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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