MRoseSellsNJHomes

Rose-Colored Staging is honored to decorate the front lobby of Weichert, Realtors in Burlington, NJ for our annual Christmas Toy Drive!  This year, our gifts are going to the children at Providence House, which is a local women's shelter and The Children's Home in Mt. Holly.

The theme this year is, "May You Days BE Merry and Bright!" with the emphasis on the letter "B."  The items we are asking for all begin with the letter "B" and they are:

Books, Board Games, Basketballs, & Baby Dolls

For even MORE gift suggestions for The Children's Home, see this GIFT LIST.

All items must be brand-new and can be dropped off at Weichert, Realtors, 2313 Burlington Mt. Holly Rd (Rt. 541), Burlington, NJ. 

The 1st deadline for donations is 12/8; the second deadline will be 12/15.  Our charity would prefer to have most items by 12/8 for planning purposes.

Please join Rose-Colored Staging and Weichert, Realtors in bringing JOY into the lives of these precious children!  Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Merry Christmas Friends!

(...and please share this post with your friends & family-- spread the love around!)

Michele Rose is a Realtor and Professional Home Stager in Burlington County, NJ.  She has been assisting both buyers and sellers with their real estate needs since 2004.  In 2007, she founded Rose-Colored Staging, a home staging and redesign business, to help sellers successfully market their homes with professional home staging.  She also stages listings for fellow agents, getting those listings sold!

Also the perfect comfort food for the coming snowstorm in Burlington County!  This awesome recipe is from my friend Christine in Texas.  Perfect for the Super Bowl-- or any party for that matter, this chili is sure to please your family and guests!  Enjoy!

Christine's Award Winning Chili

Meats:
3 pounds chuck pot roast
2 pounds boneless pork ribs
2 pounds bulk Italian sausage

Veggies and liquid spices:
6 (15 ounce) cans chili beans, drained
2 (15 ounce) cans chili beans in spicy sauce
4 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 large yellow onion, chopped
6 stalks celery, chopped
2 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
4 green chile peppers, seeded and chopped (I used serranno)
2 tablespoons bacon bits
8 cubes beef bouillon
1 cup beer (Budweiser)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (use the thick one)
2 tablespoons minced garlic (from the jar with the "juice")
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco^TM)

Dry spice mix:
1/2 cup chili powder
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons white sugar

First, you're gonna need something like a big huge cast iron cauldron - use cast iron if you can.

Sear the pot roast and ribs in a little oil in a cast iron pan to seal the exterior. Then put the meat into a foil wrap and roast it in the oven until the meat can be pulled apart (the time differs depending on the amount of fat, so you have to just check every 30 minutes or so after the first hour).

In a dry cast iron pan, mix all the spices in the "Dry spice mix" list and roast the spices - mixing with a whisk. I put it on low heat and stir it every now and again for about 15 or 20 minutes.

Take the sausage (we just use mild country sausage that comes in the 1 lb. plastic tubes) and brown it in the bottom of the cast iron cauldron. Once the sausage is fully browned, mix in everything in the "veggies and liquid spices" list.  Make sure to keep stirring. Then add the roasted spices and meat. Just keep stirring every now and again - I let it simmer for about 3 hours and it was actually better the next day.

It's not too spicy, has great flavor and a little kick. Of course, you can make it hotter by adding in more spices.

Hope you enjoy it-- it was a blast to make and made the whole house smell fantastic!

Michele Rose is a Realtor and Professional Home Stager in Burlington County, NJ.  She has been assisting both buyers and sellers with their real estate needs for the last 5 years.  In 2007, she formed Rose-Colored Staging to help sellers market their homes with professional home staging.

Yes, a simple can or two of paint can totally transform your home!  Paint is, hands-down, the least expensive change to your home you can make, adding the biggest impact.  If you are not sure how much "bang for your buck" you can get just from picking up a roller, just take a look: 

This bathroom from a home in Mt. Holly was indeed hard on the eyes!  With outdated foil-like wallpaper, pink tile and flooring, everything about this bath would surely frighten most buyers away!  Since the very limited budget did not allow for updating anything else, we simply painted the walls white and replaced the blind.  We then used white accessories to calm down the pink that remained.

This kitchen from a home in Willingboro has outdated metal cabinets, and a very dated counter.  And the green floral wallpaper was not doing it any favors!  Even the lovely little built-in hutch in the hall was lost in the chaos.  Renovating was not an option so we enhanced what we could by removing the wallpaper and painting the walls a beige color that actually made the cabinets look warmer and nicer.  We used the same beige color to make the hutch "pop" and with a bit of de-cluttering and red accents, this kitchen was ready to show! 

This last little gem was truly designed for the homeowner's taste-not the buyer's!  This bath would have been right at home at a bed & breakfast in Cape May, but in Eastampton, NJ, buyers were saying, "No Way!"  We removed the gold ceiling wallpaper, black floral wallpaper, and lace so we now have a clean, light and fresh bath, sure to appeal to the buyers!

 When getting your home ready to place on the market, it is not always necessary to completely update everything!  The goal is not to have a perfect house, but to have a house that allows buyers to imagine the possibilities-- to see themselves living there. 

If you are considering placing your home on the market, call Rose-Colored Staging for a consultation!  We can tell you what changes you should make to your home that will give you the most "bang for your buck" and will help get your house sold!

Michele Rose is a Realtor and Professional Home Stager in Burlington County, NJ.  She has been assisting both buyers and sellers with their real estate needs for the last 5 years.  In 2007, she formed Rose-Colored Staging to help sellers market their homes with professional home staging.

 Once my house was beautifully staged and had put on its "best face," the next step was making sure people saw it!  These are the steps I took to ensure that my home had many visitors and that I made the most of each visit:

•  What I did:  I determined that every time someone was going to see the house, whether it be other realtors or buyers, they would have yummy treats and made to feel welcome.  Whether it be cookies, muffins, juice, soda-- whatever can be put out on a pretty plate with matching paper cups and napkins makes buyers want to stay and enjoy your home. 

•  Buyers' response:  They were thrilled and so were their agents.  After touring many homes on a hot, sunny day, they loved those refreshments!  And later found out I was the only one to have snacks for them! 

•  What I did:  The two dogs and the cat were packed up and taken for a ride during every showing.  Most people do not have pets, therefore I cannot expect them to feel at home with mine.  All evidence of them (bowls, bedding, etc.) was hidden away.

•  Buyers' response:  They were shocked when they realized we did have pets.  All they saw was a clean, well-kept home.

•  What I did:  I created a feeling of a serene, comfortable, home.  Soft music played in the living room and master bedroom.  Everything was in place.  The buyers had no idea of the mad scramble to catch the cat, or that the nervous dog with the bladder problem had an accident, there was a large party the day before, the laundry that didn't get done, or the coffee that spilled!

•  Buyers' response:  The feedback was, "I feel such a sense of peace in this house!"  and "Phenomenal!"  Overwhelmingly, the buyers loved it. 

•  What I did:  I never, ever turned down a showing!  Never!  Even if it was last minute, I made it work by asking them to give me one hour.  On the weekends, the house was always ready-- just in case, since that is the time when most people are out looking.  And open houses?  YES!  Did them too!

•  Buyers' response:   They  were able to see the house on their schedule.  In fact, the buyers who ended up buying the house, also visited the open house the next day.  The house's availability to them was most important in their final decision!

 The Results:

 Of the last four showings, we had four offers; the accepted offer was just over asking price!  In a local market that is riddled with short sales and foreclosures, and houses that are just languishing, this house easily sold!  Was it worth all the craziness and work to get it ready?  Absolutely!  In fact, I have watched our competition continue to sit on the market .  Why didn't they stage?  I don't know-- but I'm glad they didn't!

Kitchen Before (from previous owners)                           Kitchen After Staging

Part One:  The Preparation

Part Two: The Staging

Michele Rose is a Realtor and Professional Home Stager in Burlington County, NJ.  She has been assisting both buyers and sellers with their real estate needs for the last 5 years.  In 2007, she formed Rose-Colored Staging to help sellers market their homes with professional home staging.

Disclaimer:  This is the true story of a somewhat obsessive home stager.  The level of staging in a home is set by the homeowner-- you can do as much or as little as you like.  I chose the "all-out, go for broke, I'm gonna sell this house if it's the last thing I do" approach.

My first hand experience with staging my NJ home continues!  Now that I have de-cluttered, it's time to actually stage the house. 

 First Challenge:  No Storage Space

When a seller has packed loads of stuff to store until moving day, they have a couple of options:

•  Rent a storage unit or store it with a friend or relative until moving day.  This is not always an option.  So, the next best thing--

•  Designate a space in the basement or garage where storage bins can be neatly stacked, away from the main living areas of the home.

Uh-oh!  I do not have a garage or basement-- a good reason why I'm moving.  I not only have my own stuff but a ton of staging accessories for my home staging business.  What to do?

So, sad but true, I broke my own rule, and used an extra bedroom to store everything.  Now, the bedroom is the same size as the one next to it, which is good.  I contained everything neatly against the back wall, taking up less than half the room.  And-- I certainly did not include pictures of this room in my marketing!  My hope was that the buyers would be so "wowed" by the first floor that once upstairs, they would overlook the one room that wasn't "up to snuff." 

Second Challenge:  Staging with Pets

Any evidence of our beloved furry members of the family must be hidden.  It's true.  And it's difficult.  Bedding, toys, food and water bowls, litter box, hair, chews, and the pets themselves.  Here's what we did:

• The bedding and clean litter box were hidden under beds; toys into storage trunks.

• We took both dogs and the cat for a car ride during every showing. 

NOTE:  Hiding things under the bed only works if the bed skirt is long enough to cover.

If the skirt's not long enough, you're not hiding anything!

 Third Challenge:  Living Staged

Now, all was in place-- the rooms were decorated to appeal to buyers, everything was clean and smelling fresh.  Now, how to keep it up?

The best thing I can tell you is:  baskets and storage benches/ottomans are your best friend!  You can quickly and easily toss stuff into them before showings.  Toiletries, laundry, toys, mail and bills, remotes and chargers, shoes, just about anything that can add clutter can get tossed into a bin and hidden.

Living staged is a bit odd.  I have towels and table settings that are only for show.  I routinely hide all evidence that anyone eats here, sleeps here, or uses the bathroom in any way.  The house needs to be ready for those agents who give very little notice when requesting a showing.  I have become a master of hiding things, cleaning quickly, and freshening a room.

It is exhausting.

Statistically, homes that have been staged spend less time on the market so that's really good news for me!  I have to say, when the house is really clean, beautifully decorated, and you're careful about the upkeep, it is a very nice way to live!

 Stay tuned for my next post:

My First Hand Experience with Staging my NJ Home-Part Three:  The Showings!

Part One: The Preparation

 Michele Rose is a Realtor and Professional Home Stager in Burlington County, NJ.  She has been assisting both buyers and sellers with their real estate needs for the last 5 years.  In 2007, she formed Rose-Colored Staging to help sellers market their homes with professional home staging.

I have been selling homes as a Realtor in Burlington County for 5 years and have been staging homes for the real estate market for 2 years.  I have helped many sellers determine what repairs to make, what needs to be updated, and what it would take to market their homes with staging.

 And then it happened... (queue the scary music)

My own home is for sale!  I know the stats-- staged homes sell faster and for more money.  As part of my marketing plan, I needed to stage the house!  So-- would I be able to take what I dished out?  Live what I preached?  Take my own advice?  (Here's where my clients gleefully cheer, "ha-ha, now SHE has to do it!)

OK, first things first.  De-cluttering.  We all hear the word; we all know we have to do it, but until you're selling your home, you usually aren't forced to do it.

What needed to go?

•  The family photos:  Packed away!  People are distracted by faces and I want them to focus on the house.  Also, my goal is to help buyers see themselves living in my house, not me.  Family photos may give buyers the sense they are invading on my territory.  I did leave out a couple of travel photos-- my theory is that pictures of me in exotic locations may help buyers envision a lifestyle that can be theirs!  (Because my life is soooo glamorous... )

•  Extra furniture:  I determined what I really want to move with me.  Did I buy it in the last decade?  Have the kids and pets wreaked havoc on it?  Do I use it?  Is there really room in my new home for it?  If not, it was sold in the moving sale or on Craigslist, or donated. 

•  Anything that doesn't bring on my "happy face":  I use this method all the time in de-cluttering.  When I consider the item, I take note of what my face does.  Do I scrunch up my face and think, "oh yeah, Aunt Mable gave me that."  Do I get a worried look and think, "what am I going to do with that?"  Or-- do I smile and say, "Oh, I always loved that!"  I pay attention to my face and if the item doesn't make me smile, it is outta here!  I keep only the things that bring me joy!

Once I determined what I'm keeping, I packed away anything that is not useful or beautiful and left out only my best items for staging.  I packed anything smaller than my hand-- it's a much cleaner look to have one beautiful item on display rather than several small ones.   

OK, now that's done and I have a lot less I have to deal with!  I can tell you it's a really good feeling to unload stuff that's just been taking up space!  What wasn't packed or sold, got donated or trashed.  It is also much easier to keep everything clean since there's not nearly as much stuff!

Next on the list:  Repairs, painting, and updating.  Carpets and windows were replaced, bathrooms updated, painting done just about everywhere.  A ton of work, really.  Still recuperating.  And this was all BEFORE the actual staging of the home began!

 Am I going to be able to keep this up?

 Stay tuned for my next post:

My First Hand Experience with Staging my NJ Home-- Part Two:  The Staging

Michele Rose is a Realtor and Professional Home Stager in Burlington County, NJ.  She has been assisting both buyers and sellers with their real estate needs for the last 5 years.  In 2007, she formed Rose-Colored Staging to help sellers market their homes with professional home staging.

I recently was the victim of a sty in my eye-ick, right?  Now, I remember my dad always said when this happens, rub a gold ring on it and it will go away.  He even used to keep a gold ring in the medicine cabinet!  Well, I did... and it worked.  I don't know why or how, but it worked.  

So what does this have to do with real estate?

Well, I've been wanting to start a newsletter to send to my email list and I thought it would be fun (along with real estate info) to include a helpful household tip-something tried and true that makes life a little easier. 

Recognizing my limited knowledge :-), I'd like to open this up to you all (or "y'all" for some of you!) to contribute your fun little hints for around the house.  Nothing "magical," just home remedies, cleaning helps, health helps, garden tips, etc. that might be Useful.  When we have a great big list, we'll all have great tips to pass on to our mailing list!

So to start us off, here are a few:

1.   Plant a banana peel right next to a rose bush-they love it!

2.   Quarter an orange or other citrus fruit and run it through the garbage disposal to freshen and clean it.

3.   Sprinkle coffee grounds around acid loving plants such as azaleas, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons to give them a treat.

4.   To freshen your microwave, heat vanilla extract in a mug or bowl for a few seconds (don't burn it!)

5.   If your heating and air conditioning unit is in an enclosed area (like a laundry room), place an air freshener near it-the scent will be gently circulated throughout the house.

6.   When shopping for flowers for the garden, don't forget to add white and yellow, especially along walkways.  They will brighten your garden in the evening when all the other flowers have faded into the background.

7.   Stubborn stains on clothes?  Lestoil directly on stains, even old ones, does the trick and usually does not fade the fabric.   

I'm sure I have others but that's enough to get us started.  So how about you?

What are your tips and tricks for around the house?    

I just started a new staging job with a new client, a really nice woman who found me in her internet search for a home stager.  We met for the initial consultation, she gave me a tour of the house, and all was going well.  With a staging plan in place, as I prepared to leave, my new client said to me with such relief in her voice, "You are so nice!  I was afraid you would be mean!"

 Mean?

As I stood there (I'm sure with my mouth hanging open), she went on to explain.  She had seen the television shows with the not-so-nice stagers who criticize people's homes and unbeknownst to me, she was nervous about inviting me in.

So, I've been contemplating this.

I've always known home sellers might be a bit anxious to have a professional home stager come into their home, telling them what they need to change in order to make their home more appealing to buyers.  I always try to reassure my clients-it's not about good or bad design.  It is very possible for a house to be perfectly, beautifully designed and still not appeal to the widest array of buyers.  Staging takes out the seller's personal taste and lets buyers imagine themselves living there.   

So, a little nervous about inviting me in, yes, I expect that.  But, afraid I would be mean?  I felt terrible she had this impression of stagers.  I also began to wonder how many sellers (and real estate agents too, for that matter) hesitate to hire a stager because of this fear?

 Don't believe everything you see on TV!  The reality is this:

A stager's job is not to be mean and criticize; a stager's job is to tell you the truth about your home and its appeal to homebuyers, and then formulate a plan to make your home show as well as it possibly can.  We all have the same goal:  for your home to sell as fast as possible for the most money possible.

A good home stager will work with you in a positive way to bring out the best in your home and should be able to do it without giving you nightmares!