Staging New Hampshire

Professional Home Stagers Provide, Prepare, and Present

Home staging is becoming more main stream here in New Hampshire thanks to media attention and real estate programs on television.  There are still many sellers, however, who are not sure exactly what home staging involves.  What does a professional home stager do? 

Here's my simple explanation:

1.  PROVIDES THE PLAN

A professional home stager provides you with a plan.   A professional staging consult will leave you with a complete list of suggested improvements that will increase your chances of selling sooner. 

2.  PREPARES THE PROPERTY

A professional home stager prepares your property.   Your house must be dressed to impress - with each room's space and function clearly defined.  A professional will highlight the positive and minimize the negative features.

3.  PRESENTS THE PRODUCT 

A professional home stager presents your product to buyers.   A professional creates emotional appeal and perceived value that guarantees a memorable first impression and stands out from the competition. 

US Navy Blue Angels - Portsmouth International Airport at Pease - August 28 & 29

The United States Navy Blue Angels are coming to Portsmouth, New Hampshire this weekend, August 28 and 29.  The Blue Angelslast appeared at Pease in 1989.  They will be headlining the first Pease air show in over twenty years. 

Motorists can expect extremely heavy traffic on both the Spaulding Turnpike and Interstate 95 when upward of 70,000 individuals converge on Pease for this highly anticipated Boston-Portsmouth Air Show.

  "We are delighted to be able to bring the world's most popular air show demonstration team to the people of New England," said Steve Wade, CEO, of the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire - sponsoring the event with the Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Performing in addition to the Blue Angels is New Hampshire resident and national aerobatic champion Rob Holland as well as a demonstration from the WWII era B-25 "Panchito".

There will be ground displays of many different aircraft including military jets, vintage warbirds, and civilian aircraft.

Many of the displays allow the public to walk through.

Tickets for the show went on sale in January and the flightline seat packages are all sold out.  

 General Admission Price:    Adults -  $25 

                                        Children (6-11),  Seniors (60+), and Military ID - $20 

                                        Children under 5 - Free

You can purchase tickets online through 8/27/10 at a discounted price.

For more information and to view a schedule of events visit the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show website.

Guy Fieri Brings DINERS, DRIVE-INS & DIVES to Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine!

Local fans of chef Guy Fieri and the show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives are in for a real treat!

In June Guy brought his popular Food Network television show to Kittery, Maine, to highlight one of my favorite places, Bob's Clam Hut. 

You can watch the show

 on the Food Network

  Monday, September 6

10:00pm

Bob's Clam Hut has been a favorite of seafood lovers since 1956.  Bob's is located on Route 1 in Kittery, Maine and is open year round. 

Bob's offers Senior Appreciation Days on Tuesdays and Kid's Night every Wednesday.

If you order at the side window, say "hello" to Lillian...

"Since Lillian started in 1986 she has taken orders at her own window. She is a big part of the tradition here at Bob's." 

For more information on Bob's Clam Hut, just click any of the "Bob's" photos above to visit their website.

Are you walking the dog or simply holding the leash?

My daughter, Jaime, recently took this picture of Zack, and it got me thinking...

Zack may believe he is walking the dog, but

the person really responsible for the walk is the one pushing the stroller. 

Whether it's selling your house,

raising your kids,

or running a successful business...

simply believing you are running the show is not enough. 

If you aren't the one pushing the stroller...you aren't the one deciding where you are going!

Facebook has added a new feature called "Facebook Places" and you may want to disable it.

Let me first say, I am not pretending to fully understand this new feature, Facebook Places.  I just heard about it today, checked around online, and made the decision to disable the feature on my Facebook page.

I am passing the information on so that you can make the decision for yourself whether this feature is something you want to use or disable.

My understanding is that Facebook Places is currently only available on an updated iPhone app and through the touch.facebook.com mobile site, if your browser supports geo-location and HTML5 features.  It allows you to check in at locations for Foursquare and other geo-based services. 

There are some people concerned that their location could be made public and their privacy infringed upon.

Facebook Places doesn't appear to be much of a threat, because you must first "check in" before any info regarding your location will be actually shared.  If someone else tries to post your location...it is my understanding that you will be notified and have the option of removing it.

Disabling Facebook Places is easily done through your Privacy Settings.

1.  Log in and go to your Account Menu.  Choose Privacy Settings.  Choose Customize Settings.

2.  In the "Things I Share" section, go to "Places I Check In" and choose the option you prefer.  I chose "only me" - not wishing to share the info at all.

3.  If you do not wish to be "included in the people here now"  you will need to uncheck the "enable" box.

 4.  If you don't want your friends sharing your location...

go to the section "Things Others Share" and

 DISABLE "Friends can check me into places".

One other thing to consider...your location can be shared through the apps that your friends are using...like calendar and birthday and family tree applications.  If you would like to limit what personal information is passed through the apps of others:

Return to Privacy Settings page.  (See first picture)  At bottom of page, under Applications and Websites, click on Edit your settings.   There is a section called "Info accessible through your friends" with an Edit Settings box.  Here you can decide which information you want your friends' applications to have access to.

Seven Home Staging Steps That Will Sell Your New Hampshire Home

Home staging is preparing a house for sale.  It is not decorating, it is marketing...strategic marketing.   If you want to sell your New Hampshire home in the shortest time possible, a home staging consult, prior to listing, will give you all the information you need to guarantee that your product is ready for market.

Here are seven home staging steps that could mean the difference between SOLD and EXPIRED:

1.  Update Light Fixtures  

This is an area where a little money spent can make a huge difference and add tremendous perceived value to your house.  You can add thousands of dollars of value by only spending a few hundred dollars.

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2.  Identify Red Flags

A red flag is something that gives potential buyers the impression that there is an existing problem, was a problem in the past, or could be a problem in the future.  Common examples include water stains, storage or space issues, light switches to nowhere, protruding wiring, evidence of pets, and lack of light.

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3.  Pre-Pack Your Stuff

If you want buyers to consider making your house their new home, you need to remove all evidence of you and your family.  The mistake most sellers make is either not removing enough or removing too much, leaving the house cold and vacant. 

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4.  Define Space and Function

Only 10% of buyers can actually visualize a room any other way than how you show it to them.   Don't expect potential buyers to try and figure out how to better arrange the furniture.  It is very important, when preparing a house for sale, to clearly define the space and function of each room. 

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5.  Maintenance Means Money

Your house is only worth what buyers are willing to pay for it.  The more a buyer believes the house has been well maintained, the more valuable they perceive it to be.  Buyers should be greeted with a spotless, move-in ready home, which gives the appearance of being well maintained and cared for.

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6.  Don't Underestimate The Bathroom 

The most personal room in your house is the bathroom, and it is the last place buyers want to be reminded that you live there.  Buyers know that other people are living in the house and obviously use the bathrooms, but emotionally, they don't want to think about it. 

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 7.  Transform With Paint

The biggest bang for your buck is using paint to improve your home's appearance.  Paint will make a room cleaner, fresher, brighter, and more stylish.  It gives buyers the impression that the house has been well maintained and cared for.

Paint can be used to help minimize negative features and to help showcase positive features.  It can be used to create a flow throughout the house and to create a lasting positive impression.

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Consult with a professional home stager prior to listing your home for the best results!

New Hampshire Home Stager, Sharon Tara, earns Prestigious RESA-PRO^TM Designation

Portsmouth, NH  August 13, 2010  Sharon Tara, of Sharon Tara Transformations, has become the first home stager in New Hampshire to earn the RESA-PRO^TM designation from the Real Estate Staging Association.

As a RESA-PRO^TM stager, Sharon is held to the highest standards of business, ethics, and integrity.  Designees must meet strict legal and ethical guidelines that include but are not limited to:      

1. Must pass the RESA® Ethics Exam
2. Must agree to follow the  RESA® Code of Ethics
3. Must have business license and business insurance  
4. No lawsuits pending against business
5. Must complete a minimum of Continuing Education classes 

The RESA® Ethics class and exam is an extremely important factor in raising the bar for the home staging industry.  RESA-PRO^TM is the only designation governed and regulated by the Real Estate Staging Association®. 

Sharon Tara Transformations, located in Portsmouth, NH, offers professional home staging, redesign, and organization services to the Seacoast and surrounding areas.

Sharon adds,  "My services are not only invaluable to clients listing their home for sale, but also to homeowners with a design challenge or who want a fresh, new look." 

RESA® recently released statistics on the benefits of home staging. RESA studied 410 properties in North America and found on average staged properties are on the market 78% less time.

 "There is no doubt staging benefits buyers, sellers and agents. We strongly recommend anyone considering selling their property to work with a professional stager in their local area," said Shell Brodnax, RESA's CEO.

According to Sharon, "Preparing a home for sale is not about decorating and it's much more than fresh paint and a bowl of fruit on the table.  Home Staging is strategic marketing.  It's minimizing the negative and maximizing the positive features.  It's about creating emotional appeal and a greater sense of perceived value in the eyes of the buyer."

Carolyn Capalbo is a realtor in Northern Virginia that needs your help.  Lisa Udy, a fellow Rain member is actively trying to help her.