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HOME STAGING

Home Staging Tips for Selling Your Home Fast

October 13, 2020

When you’re at the store browsing for different things, do boring packages appeal to you? Of course not! Appealing packages that look like they contain excellent products draw your attention.

This tenet of buyer psychology also applies to people looking to buy a home.

Because of that, it’s essential that you make your home look as inviting as possible to encourage people to buy it. One way to do that is with home staging.

Keep reading to learn about five home staging tips for selling your home.

1. Focus on the Important Rooms

When you first begin the process of staging your home, it can be easy to go overboard. Although you should put a lot of detail into each room, understand that some rooms are more important than others.

Kitchens, living rooms, and master bedrooms are the most important rooms. These spaces will influence a buyer’s decision the most. Make sure that you go above and beyond in these rooms.

2. Remove Personal Items

One of the primary goals of staging a home is to make the buyer be able to visualize themselves living in that space. Charm and style can help you, but make sure to remove any signs that point to the fact that you live in the home.

Make an effort to put photographs of friends or family members, clothes, and toiletries out of sight.

3. Eliminate Clutter

When you want to sell your home, you want it to look as big as possible. Clutter not only makes your home look messy, but it also makes it appear smaller.

Tidy up your home until it looks as minimalistic as possible. You don’t need to get rid of the items forever, but storing them away should help your home sell.

4. Give Your Home a Deep Cleaning

Another staging tip is to clean your home like you’ve never done so before. When staging a home, you want every inch of your house to glisten, shine, and shout cleanliness.

A clean home shows the interested parties that you take the time to maintain the property. Make sure to clean everything, including those chores you always put off doing.

5. Create a Fresh Atmosphere

Aside from cleanliness, you also want your home to feel fresh and inviting. A bowl of fresh fruit on the counter, or a few flowers or plants can help your home feel new and alive.

Make sure to let the light in as well. Nobody wants to buy a home that feels dark and dingy. The right realtor can help you create an inviting atmosphere. Check out Jenjewell.ca to find a reputable real estate agent you can count on.

Try These Home Staging Tips for Selling Your Home

If you’re looking to sell your home, staging can help you do that. By following this guide and these five home staging tips for selling your home, you can be certain that someone will be interested in buying your house in no time.

Do you have any other home staging tips?

Make sure to share them with us in a comment down below.

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HOME STAGING

5 Home Staging Tricks

January 6, 2017

We have some home staging tricks to share with you! Home staging is a MUST in any real estate market! We have been staging homes for the resale (and new home market) for a number of years now and while styles and trends change there are definitely some tried and true home staging tricks that work every time!

Here are 5 Home Staging Tricks that work (every time)!

1. Inviting entry with potted plants or flowers –

This little trick makes everyone feel welcome, it adds a splash of colour and a ‘breath of fresh air’. The front door is the first impression so you want to start off on the right foot! Be sure to maintain these plants/flowers and keep it seasonal for maximum effect.

Photo from entrop.com

2. Extra pillows on the bed and the sofa –

Fluffy pillows have a real warmth to them and they certainly add that element to a living room, family room and bedroom. Throw pillows also allow you to add an extra design touch to a space – a pop of colour and some pattern make a space look instantly fresh and with a designer’s touch.

Photo from 2ladiesandachair.com

3. Clean white towels –

Ever notice that in boutique and luxury hotels you always see these plush, clean white towels and robes? Well, take that cue and stage your bathroom with some fresh and clean pure white towels, buyers will immediately think of luxury, relaxation or a spa experience – play into that feeling and use it to your advantage. This simple addition will make buyers associate that feeling with your bathroom.

Photo from flickr.com

4. Setting the table –

Staging is all about presenting the home in it’s best light, but we want to be sure to make buyers feel like this is their next home not like they are just visiting. By setting the table you are ‘setting the scene’, buyers will be able to better picture themselves hosting a dinner party, entertaining for the holidays or having Sunday family dinner. It’s another emotional connection made with staging that helps the buyers feel more at home.

Photo from rjkhomesolutions.com

5. Add a pop of colour in the kitchen –

The kitchen is one the hot spots when it comes to selling your home. Buyers want a clean and current looking kitchen, and they are willing to pay more for a home that has updated kitchens and bathrooms. But even the most stunning kitchen can look a little flat in the listing photos – try adding a fresh pop of colour, we love a bowl of lemons, yellow always photographs well and it really attracts the eye. But fresh flowers, fruit bowl, a tray with wine, a colourful tea kettle are all great ideas to add just a little accent to the kitchen without distracting or over powering the space.

Photo from ZDesign at Home

We all know that cleaning, decluttering and repairs are needed plus we know that updates in paint, flooring and lighting make great returns and great impressions on buyers. Current finishes in bathrooms and kitchens are also a hot commodity but there are certain staging tricks that really connect with buyers.

I hope these tips help you sell that house quickly and for top dollar!

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HOME STAGING

5 Easy Things To Do Before Showing Your Home

June 5, 2015

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

May 22, 2015

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

May 19, 2015

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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