Staging New Hampshire

Little things have an impact--both positive and negative--on your home's appearance.  Read about two of the "little things".

 Below are two little things you can do to make a difference in your home--even if you aren't planning to sell:

•·         Positive Impact

It will not come as a surprise that fresh flowers are always welcome in a home, but to make them even more meaningful (not to mention more economical) pick seasonal bouquets from your own yard!  Believe it or not, this detail is often noticed and commented on by potential buyers.  They not only love the extra touch, but appreciate that it is something they can do without any additional expense when they purchase your property!  Make simple bouquets for the entry and as centerpieces on dining and kitchen tables.  Use single stems on bedroom nightstands and bathroom vanities.  Try using a different flower or different combination of flowers for each location.  Potential buyers, guests, and even you will appreciate and enjoy this "little thing".

•·         Negative Impact

Again, you won't be surprised to learn that "lots of little things" (aka clutter) have a negative impact on buyers.  But did you know that they can also have a negative impact on the people living in the home?  Try substituting one large item for every three to five smaller items throughout your house.  Do this with wall ornaments and art, collections on shelves, mantles and table surfaces.  The look will be simpler, and consequently calmer, to anyone observing or living with the "little things".

 Try this for yourself.  Remember, "Little things mean a lot!"

Submitted by Kim Dillon, ASP, Creative Eye Home Staging.  Creative Eye serves Chester County and surrounding areas of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and parts of Maryland.

A Stager's Advice to Realtors

Lately I've been on the agent circuit, having done recent home staging presentations for local Keller Williams, Re/Max and Prudential GA Realty offices.  On the third presentation I realized that there are several key points that I always emphasize when I have the chance.  I'd like to share them with you.  Here they are:

• Never lose sight of the fact that the photos you post to your listings are infinitely more important than the VTs.  Why?  Because buyers shopping on the internet will always click on the photos first since they pop up immediately and do not require time to load.  If they like what they see of the photos, they will then click on the VT.  Always place your best photos at the top of the page and make sure they are just as impressive as the VT.
• A nicely decorated home and a staged home are NOT the same thing.  In the three years I've been staging homes, my most difficult clients have always been those who have spent big bucks to have their homes professionally decorated.  Yes, they are lovely, but they are also highly personalized.  Decorating is all about surrounding yourself with colors, furniture, accessories, window treatments, etc. that please you.  While you are living in the home, that's fine; when you are selling your home, having a beautifully decorated, personalized home can prevent offers.   Bring in a trained stager who knows the difference and can prepare the home in the proper way by neutralizing and depersonalizing it.  Once your client moves, he/she can call in a decorator to repersonalize the new home.
• Remind your clients what, exactly, they are selling; namely space, architectural detail, floor plans and views.  If clutter is rampant, buyers will never see the space.  If the rooms are crammed with furniture and lighting is poor, the architectural detail will never be noticed.  If there is an overabundance of rugs and furniture is not placed properly for traffic flow, the floor plan will be overlooked.  If windows are dirty and/or covered with tacky blinds or overbearing window treatments, the views will never be seen. 
• Homeowners will work much more diligently to make necessary changes in the presentation of their homes when a 3rd party stager is brought in.  Agents repeatedly tell me they are surprised and even shocked that the homeowners will "take" the staging suggestions from me after a staging consultation.  I don't say this to toot my own horn, but I know this is typically the case when homeowners work with stagers.  There is something about bringing in the "expert" that causes them to take note, even though you may have told them the same thing.  (I'm sure the case is similar when they hear directly from the home inspector or mortgage broker.  They are all ears!)
• Having your clients work with a home stager will help to preserve your relationship with the homeowners.  You have other battles to fight with them -- namely pricing, so take the day off (or go on a listing appointment) while your stager plays the "presentation game" with your clients.

There's lots more, but these are just a few things that come up repeatedly.  Remember that your goal and your stager's goal are one and the same -- to get the house sold.  Call a stager today!

 

Patsy Overton, ASP, IAHSP

Accredited Staging Professional

Patsy@SSSHomeStaging.com    770-843-2307    www.SSSHomeStaging.com

                   

 

 

 If there is an issue with your home, don't hide it fix it.

 If you can't afford to fix it, disclose the problem.

Your Realtor can help you with this.

 

 

The home in the picture had a crack in the wall that was letting in moisture. That moisture had damaged the flooring.

The seller did the responsible thing and had a specialist come in and fix the wall. That gave them a certificate to show the buyers. The seller then replaced the damaged flooring.

As a Home Stager I see homes with varying issues.

 I always advise my client to take care of the issue before they go on the market. If they do not have the budget to fix the problem I advise them to at least get an estimate on the work to show the buyer.

Some think Staging is about hiding things - that we stage over problems.

NO!!

Staging is about highlighting the architectural features of a home.

During a consult we identify the features that should be highlighted and the negative features that may slow the sale of the home.

If there is a window that looks in a neighbor's window we do not hide the view. We show the buyer they can have light and privacy by, for example, tilting a blind or hanging a sheer. The window is still there and visible but the buyer knows how to deal with it.

We do not hang pictures to hide a dent in the wall. A picture is placed to accent a fireplace or sofa or table or just add colour to a room.

Staging shows off the great things about your house.

Staging shows how to live with the so so aspects of your house.

Staging does not hide things from the buyer!

 

 

 

Serving Burlington,Oakville, Milton, Hamilton & surrounding areas.