MRoseSellsNJHomes

Want to Know What Home Staging Is?  Well Let Me First Tell You What It Isn't!

Home Staging is often misunderstood... what exactly does it mean?  To some it means “moving furniture around”... at least that’s what people usually say to me when I tell them I’m a Home Stager.

Others, thanks to certain cable television shows, think that a Home Stager comes in and begins ripping out, knocking down and removing everything in sight.  Not necessarily true, although there are times when we wish we could.

And some think that Home Staging is about trickery, deception and dare I say “fraud”.  

And it is this last misconception that needs some addressing.  A recent post may have left some people with the notion that Staging is something akin to the man behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz.  I honestly do not think that the author meant to imply that Home Staging is about pulling the wool over a Buyer’s eyes.  I think/hope the point was to alert buyers to the need to see a property as it is.  

And in a sense, that is what our goal in staging is... to allow a Buyer to see ALL of the possibilities of a house.  

So, please indulge me while I address some issues mentioned in the post.  

Furniture- Stagers do not use “small furniture” to make the room appear larger.  And in fact, we are often left to deal with over-sized/over-stuffed furniture that the Seller has... furniture that they bought for their next larger home, but now makes their room appear too small.   When we do bring in furniture, it is size appropriate for the room.  

In Staging a Master Bedroom, I use nothing smaller than a queen sized bed so that a Buyer will be able to see that their bed will fit.  I’m not sure who would stage a Master Bedroom using a single bed, but if you see a room that has a single bed in it, it is most likely being shown as a child’s room or... it’s a really small master bedroom.

Camouflage or Cover Up- I tell my Sellers AND Realtors that baking cookies, simmering cinnamon sticks or lighting candles is no longer done.  Buyers are wise to this and that the best scent is the scent of CLEAN.  
         I also tell my clients to have all of the lights on and shades or drapes open.  And, what most sellers don’t want to hear but I tell them is that... Buyers will look in their closets and pantries.  This space is important to Buyers so Sellers need to pack up, donate or throw out items they don’t need.  It’s not about creating space that isn’t there... it’s allowing the space that IS there to be seen.

Activities and Props - Stagers show the possibilities of a space.  If the demographics show that Buyers for this property will more than likely have young children, we may show a bedroom as a child’s room, with toys and appropriate bedding.  If on the other hand, the Buyers may be empty nesters or retired, we may show a third bedroom as an office.  

Items that are there for Appearance Sake-  All reputable Home Stagers will not be party to or suggest covering up a flaw.    But these are items that are also addressed by the Listing Agent.   Mirrors and paintings are placed in areas that are aesthetically appealing and probably in the same places where a new home owner would place some artwork.    And, we will often use the same design principles and practices that the new owner would use when they move in.  

Yes... Buyers should take photos and take a tape measure when they’re seriously considering a property.    Yes.... drive by to get a feel for the neighborhood, but this has very little to do with staging.  Yes... go back more than once to view a house.

And yes,  we as Stagers have sometimes added to the misconception by our choice of phrases....

      “Let’s do this to make the room look larger.”

No... our goal is to show the room and all it has to offer not to deceive anyone into thinking the room is larger than it is.  After all, the size of the room is what it is.  

 

Staging is really more like Home Marketing or Home Styling.  We’re there to take what the property has and show it in its best light.  

 

 

 

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com

                     

                                   

 

 

 

Your Reputation is Only as Good as The WORST Thing You’ve Ever Done

    Yes, let me repeat that...Your reputation is only as good as the WORST thing you’ve ever done.  This is true in all aspects of life.  In the real estate business, your reputation is everything.  It provides you a platform for maintaining and growing your business.  It is what separates you from everyone else and allows you to shine above the crowd.  
    It takes years to develop your reputation.  Hours and hours of putting yourself out there and letting the world see how you can add value to their real estate experience.  You have zero control over what people may say about you, so it is of the utmost importance that you do everything possible to insure that everyone who who comes into your world, views you in a very positive light. We are also viewed by the quality of service provided by the people we refer our clients to.  In reality, it is generally only the referrals who don’t provide superior service that we are remembered by.
    We have all made mistakes and of course we learn from them, but it is how we respond to those mistakes that leaves the most important impression.  If we make a mistake and don’t deal with it head on, it will be the thing that we are remembered for.  
     At this moment, the headlines are filled with stories about two very significant situations that relate to some very horrible things that may or may not have been done by public figures.  The people involved had spent their careers building a strong reputation of achievement and success.  Some of the reputations that are being soiled are of people who were not directly involved in the accused acts.  They are being judged for their inaction in reporting the deeds committed by others.  Although no one has admitted or been convicted of doing anything wrong, it is likely that all of the individuals involved will be remembered for the worst elements of the current claims. 

    Do the right thing and your reputation will take care of itself.
   

Susan and Howard Meyers

The Hudson Company

851 Spruce Street

Winnetka, Illinois  60093

847.778.1394

 

 

STAGING SMALL SPACES.  PART 2--INVISIBLE BARRIERS (OR WHY DOES THE SPACE FEEL SO SMALL?)

My previous post, STAGING SMALL SPACES.  PART 1--FOCAL POINT, was an initial look at why the sellers should have staged this small second bedroom in their 950 square foot 2-bedroom, 2 bath unit before listing it for sale.  Having addressed how to correct the focal point, let's look at another issue--size. 

Why does this room appear to be much smaller than it actually is?  This room has what I refer to as "invisible barriers".  This is where furniture blocks the views of corners and/or walls, or constricts/prevents access to part of the space.  Wherever these occur, our brains construct a sort of invisible wall, and we experience the room inside of these "invisible walls". 

Seeing it is probably easier than explaining it.  Let's look at the room in detail:

• First, we have that dark cabinet in the corner.  Dark objects appear to "advance" so not only is it blocking the view of the corner, but it seems larger than it is.
  
• On the left side of the room is a dresser.  A standard dresser is 18" deep, so literally 18-20" of depth gets subtracted from our view, because with the TV (an advancing dark object) the whole unit has the visual footprint of an armoire.  You can't see the wall behind it so our brains register an invisible barrier at the front of the dresser. 
• A sofa or love seat is generally what I refer to as a "see over" piece of furniture; i.e., since you can see over it to a wall it doesn't create a barrier.  However, by positioning the love seat in front of the window the sellers have created a true barrier.  Since you know you need to access the windows and window covering you actually start experiencing the space as ending in front of the love seat. There is no space on either side of that love seat that allows access to the window wall. 
  

The photo on the right shows what your brain is actually registering upon entering this room.  I've made the invisible barriers quasi visible. 

Now, look at the red area on the floor--this is the visible floor space. This is also what our brains are using to "measure" the space.  There literally is no place to walk here.  Our brain takes all of these elements together--invisible barriers and visible floor space and returns one simple word, "small". 

It's pretty simple now to answer that question as to why this space feels like it does.  A few  simple decorating decisions that met the homeowners' needs now unfortunately communicate a totally different message to buyers. 

The computer-generated "after" I did of this room has quite a different feel to it:

1. All the corners are visible.
   
2. All of the furniture is "see over".  Since you have no reason to access the wall behind the love seat there is no barrier created by placing it along this wall.  This is further reinforced by the fact that you can see over the arm of the love seat to the corner of the room.  The TV is on a low cabinet which allows you to see over and around it directly out to the view of the mountain.  (A wall-mounted TV in this space would probably block part of the corner.) 
   
3. Notice the difference in the amount of visible floor space, highlighted in red, as compared to the original photo. 

If you want to make any small space appear larger then consider how you can incorporate these three concepts into it.  And remember that every space is unique so these concepts should only be applied after taking the entire space into consideration:

1. Try to clearly see all four corners.  Remove furniture and items such as potted plants that are great for decorating but not for selling. 
   
2. Expose as much of the the walls as possible by using "see over" furniture.  Remove large-scale pieces of furniture that "subtract" wall and floor space by creating invisible barriers.  This includes things like removing the tops from buffets and taking TV's out of armoires and/or entertainment systems and placing them on low stands. 
   
3. Open up as much floor space as possible.  Remove extraneous furniture and/or opt for furniture that has low visual weight--like the glass side table in this rendering.  Seeing through furniture prevents it from creating invisible barriers.   
   

The final part of this series:  Furniture arrangement. 

Professional athletes do it, and so should you--check out the competition before you throw your house into the MLS goulash of condos, townhouses and single family homes.  Yes, there's something for everyone listed on the Multiple Listing Service of most communities.  There's everything from fixer to estate and all things in between available, but where does your property fit into the mix?  That's where a little stealth snooping is in order.

First, zero in on what properties are for sale in your immediate neighborhood.  Set an appointment with your agent to tour most of them and pay special attention to the homes most like yours in size, condition and location.  If the competition has gleaming stainless steel appliances in a 21st century heart-of-the-home kitchen hub, while your kitchen is still sporting Harvest Gold from the 1970s, buyers will voice their choice with deafening silence--your phone will not ring, unless your price shouts, "I know this is a fixer and the price reflects it."

As one of my blog readers said in her comment, "Today's buyers want bling and a screaming good deal."  One without the other loses its appeal. 

After viewing the competition look at your home with "Buyers' Eyes."  Be ruthless; they will be.  Preparing the property for first impression wins is key.  Most buyers never return for a second look.  Capture them the first time, or lose them forever.

With the help of a professional, target who your buyer will be and set the stage to sell to the most likely candidate.  For instance, if you own a condo, it's unlikely a family of six will purchase it--it happens, but the law of averages favors a couple or single person.  Ditto for a home in the suburbs appeal to a growing family.   

You're familiar with the competition, your property is staged to compete and a target marketing campaign is ready to roll.  It's time to list your property with confidence, show it with ease and the quiet confidence your reserach and preparation will be rewarded with a timely sale.

Selling a home is a team effort with many hands involved.   Together, success will be ours.

 

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle- Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Chosen by MovingCost.com as one of the best Los Angeles realty blogs. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Lender411 blog review.  Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.

      

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One thing you should do when you first move into a house, whether it's brand new or older, is make it hard for burglars to feel good about it.  So, be burglar blockers - what to do when you first move in.

Burglars are opportunists.  Burglars are predators.  What do predators do?  They go after the weakest, slowest, sickest, least able to defend itself in any group.  Most of us live in groups - apartments, neighborhoods and  developments.

Like predators, burglars examine those groupings very carefully.  They are very smart, in a criminal way.  Once a target is identified, they watch and plan.  And take advantage.

On average, burglaries take between 6 and 10 minutes.  They are very good at understanding human tendencies.  They know right where to go and what exactly to look for when they enter your house.

This post will examine what to do to deter them from ENTERING your house altogether.  The next post will explain what to do INSIDE your house if you already live there.

Given the choice to enter two houses, the burglar will pick the easiest.  So, what can you do?

1.  IF THE HOUSE HAS AN ALARM SYSTEM, USE IT!  If it doesn't, consider installing one.  Put stickers on the windows and a sign in the front yard.  Just seeing that will deter a burglar.  They don't want to take the chance that you have a monitored system with a silent alarm that calls authorities.

A smart alarm-system installer will put the keypads in a spot where they cannot be seen from a window or the street.  When they are engaged, usually, a red light comes on.  If a burglar can look through the window and see the system is turned off, you defeat the purpose of having it!

On inspections, I often give people burglar advice.  Here is a client who listened to his home inspector!  This keypad is visible from a rear deck!  I suggested he cover the system window, and red light, so it cannot be seen from the door.  He listened!

2.  Add lighting!  Burglars hate light!  If you have enough light, consider changing them to motion sensor lights, particularly in the rear of the house, or on the rear deck.  Keep trees and bushes far away because in high winds you can get a lot of turning on and off of the lights!

3.  Get a dog.  A big, loud one is best.  But at least a loud one.  Even a small, yappie dog is a deterrent because burglars don't want noise.  They might have watched the house and know you aren't home.  But they can't count on a neighbor NOT hearing the dog and calling the police.

I have a friend who is a federal agent.  He says that stickers, like the one to the left, are very, very effective.

Forget your politics.  Consider putting one on the front door even if there are no weapons in the house!  No predator wants to deal with a circumstance in which he doesn't feel superior or stronger.  He wants risk free.

4.  Change the locks.  Better yet, install locks that cannot be bumped.  Do you know what bump keys are?  If you don't, read this!

This will sound like a small thing and it is not.  Look carefully at the photo on the right.  That is the strike plate on my rear door, which I installed when I put in the great Medeco locks.

There are four screws.  First, the strike plate is secured with 3" steel screws.  They sink deep and all the way into the double stud beside the door.  Busting through that door will make a LOT of noise!  Secondly, the interior space has its own steel surround.  It is 1" deep.  The striker of the lock goes way into the jam.  And it is further protected by steel, which is itself attached with those same 3" screws and ALSO screwed to the studs with 2" screws!

5.  Get to know your neighbors!  I have not one, but TWO trusted neighbors who have my house keys.  This is good for emergencies - ever lock yourself out?  But also to check the house if we aren't home.  In addition, you can hide a key in the yard.  There are various things you can buy to hide keys - the hollow rock or little magnet box.  Or simply put keys in a spot nobody is likely to check.  THE POLICE HIGHLY RECOMMEND AGAINST HAVING KEYS IN A COMBO BOX SOMEWHERE VISIBLE AND OUTSIDE THE HOUSE.  They are too easily compromised with bolt cutters and the like.

6.  Keep the front door and windows locked all the time.  If your house is being watched and it is evident you are in the back yard and not paying attention, remember, the burglar will be in your house for only a few minutes and is very familiar with human tendencies. 

HE IS AN OPPORTUNIST, SO DON'T GIVE HIM THAT OPPORTUNITY!

My recommendation:  examine your house.  In most areas, the police will come over and actually give you security advice if you ask them.  Take advantage of that!  They know your area pretty well.  Inform yourself and make changes.  You will feel better if you do.

 

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com

You are getting your house ready to sell.  You have read a lot of advice on things that you should do and buy in order to improve your home and its appearance.  Oh, those ideas are so wonderful but you have at least 3 problems with those ideas. 

First: there is going to be a change and change is difficult.  We just get very comfortable with the way things are and making a change is a little like rattling our brains. 

Second:  Getting the house ready might cost money.  No, not might, it will cost money.  The amount depends on you, the Seller, your ability to make money available and the current state of your home.  It might be a case of spend a little now to get a much better return later.

Third:  It is not just that it is work to do but it will take your time and physical effort.  Painting, shopping, rearranging furniture, raking, washing - all 'ing' words that sound like a lot of effort.  It is going to be worth it when Buyers come into your house and do their own ING - as in Buying. 

As real estate agents and stagers we don't often hear you argue making improvement from those three vantages.  You know that if you talk about resisting change sounds like you might be 100 years old and boring; not spending money sounds like you are too cheap and not willing to work to sell your home sounds like you are lazy.  What do you say?   You may fall back on Good Money and Good Enough. 

 

Good Money

• Often we hear an excuse such as "But I paid good money for this X."  This means that you have not yet got your value out of it and that it is still too good to throw away.
• What is good money?  What is value and what is the real cost of keeping something that isn't what you want or need?
• Sometimes when I hear (even myself) say "But I spent good money on this."  I want to respond "as opposed to what. drug money?"

Good Enough

• This is when we keep some things that are not wonderful or even make us happy but they are ‘good enough' to have around the house.  
• What this is really saying in a loud way is that you don't value your home or your ‘audience' enough to make the effort.  
• Remember when you are sick and feeling blah - your ragged housecoat is good enough for dragging yourself around the house.  Imagine how much better you would feel after a shower, a change of pajamas and a decent robe.  Well, the same applies to your house and how it will make you and Buyers feel.  

When it comes to getting your house ready for sale

Be ready for change, to spend money and to exert a little effort. 

Photo credit:  International Money Pile in Cash and Coins

Valerie Zinger  email: vzinger@royallepage.com  (613-723-5300)

Royal LePage Gale Real Estate,  Ottawa, Ontario, Canada  

How to Create an Outdoor Living Space: Ideas and Inspiration. (Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis, MN)

 In my personal opinion outdoor square footage is as valuable as the indoor square footage in the Spring, Summer and Fall. It is a space so valuable to me I can't imagine not making it as cozy as a room in my home.

When you go to sell your house of course it is not "counted" as square footage but can it add value in the buyer's eyes? Absolutely. They see it as another living space already done for them and most people love the outdoors, especially for entertaining.

So how do you create one? Here's what I did.............

1)      Find comfortable furniture. This is key. If the furniture makes your back side sore after a short period of time you won't spend any time there and you'll be heading inside for the comfy furniture.

 

 

 

 

2)      Color.Who doesn't love color outside. It is all around you in nature and why not add it to your outdoor living space. Multi-color pillows is a quick fix and of course the easiest way to create color is flowers. Flowers, flowers, and more flowers in my opinion. And don't be shy with the throw pillows. Flowers come in multiple colors so use multiple colored pillows as well.

 

  

 

 

3)      Lighting. This sets the mood as well as extends the hours of enjoyment in your space.  As the sun slowly sets a couple lights turned on in your space create atmosphere and warmth. You'll find yourself lingering over a board game or curled up with a book long after the sun has gone down. Or, if you are like my husband, we now have a TV cable outside and watching baseball lying on the outdoor sofa at night is almost better than being at the game.

 

 

 

 

4)      Water Feature.This brings tranquility. Who doesn't love hearing the soft sound of water in the background. I made my water feature a personal one, a St. Bernard drinking from a fountain.  It looks just like one of my St. Bernards and now that he has passed away I bring out my ‘Roby' fountain every Spring and think of him.

 

 

 

5)      Incorporate Flea Market Finds. Not only will they save you money they add character and charm as well. Here a flea market table is one of my favorite things on the patio. A flea market wood crate that holds flowers adds extra color. An old wood bench can make a great coffee table or put a few colorful pillows on it for additional seating.

 

 

6)      A St. Bernard.Oh, just kidding.......just passing through. LOL

 

 

 

7)      And if you have the space, a small bistro table in the sunshine to enjoy the morning paper with a cup of coffee.

 

 

 

 

I hope these ideas inspire you to create an outdoor living space or jazz up the one you already have. Spring is finally here in the North so get out and enjoy!

If you would like assistance with your outdoor space Rooms With Style would be happy to help.

 

 

Premier Home Staging and Redesign Firm Serving the Entire Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN Area

Shar Sitter Website: http://roomswithstyle.com/ Portfolio:  Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis, MN Email: Shar@roomswithstyle.com Although each house is unique there is one common goal...using our expertise to get your home sold as quickly as possible.