Staging New Hampshire

Selling Your New Hampshire Home? Home Staging Consults Save Money

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:47:15 -0700

I was recently contacted by a homeowner whose house has been on the market for many months. The house is vacant, and the sellers were thinking that staging it could help. I don't carry an inventory of staging furniture, but I do provide consults for vacant properties. If, after a consult I feel furniture will help, I assist in the selection of furniture (either buying or renting.)

After our brief conversation I went online to see the MLS pics of the home in question.

It was obvious to me why this property was not seeing much action. The overall impression is not good. There are only a few photos, and they are not flattering. One of the pictures makes no sense at all.... a close-up of an unattractive feature.

A few days later I got an email saying they were going to look into renting furniture and probably didn't need my help.

I emailed back that I had seen their MLS pictures and adding furniture was not the answer. I told them that their money could be spent in other areas that would yield better results. Adding furniture to the home, in it's present condition, would be a waste of their money. (I'm thinking lipstick on a pig...)

No reply.

It's so frustrating to see sellers spending their money on the wrong things. For a lot less money than the cost of rental furniture, that house could be updated and made more appealing to buyers.

A Home Staging consult provides sellers with a plan of action....professional advice on where their money, time and effort will be best spent in order to present the most appealing product. Every house is different and needs to be addressed individually.

Selling your New Hampshire home? Home Staging Consults save money!

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New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Home Staging Advice: How To Have A Successful Yard Sale

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 13 May 2013 03:07:00 -0700

The weather is finally warming up here in New Hampshire and that means it's time for sailing! While my husband enjoys sailing on water, I prefer sailing the streets... for yard sales. Like a pirate, I go forth in search of treasure. It's hit or miss. I never know what I may find.

Quick little side story:

This past weekend my Uncle Jim and Aunt Claudette were at a yard sale and Claudette noticed a pair of wall plaques that looked familiar. She told Jim she had made similar plaques back in the '70s. Imagine her surprise when she turned one of them over and saw her name written on the back! She was so excited. She told the man having the yard sale "I'm Claudette, I made these!!" He charged her $10 for them.

What a jerk! He couldn't have just given them to her? Seriously....I would have happily given them to her...and it would have made me feel so good to do so.

I'm not only a shopper, I'm a seller too. I've had many sales over the years. Here are my tips for having a successful yard sale.

Writing a yard sale ad:

Advertise in the local paper and on Craig's List. Mention items of interest. (collections, antiques, appliances, tools, baby items, jewelry, etc.)

Multi-Family sales or "first time" sales will draw more people.

Either state that your sale is "rain or shine" or list a rain date.

List a start time but no end time so you can end when you want to.

If you don't want shoppers before the advertised start time, state in your ad: No Early Birds. FYI, some people will still show up early.

I suggest not putting your house number in the ad, only the Street name. That way dealers can't show up the day before. Make sure your house is clearly identified when you open for business.

Preparing For A Yard Sale

Have plenty of change (ones, fives, and coins).

Have bags available and also old newspaper for wrapping glassware.

It is best to have tables, but plywood placed over trash cans or boxes works well. Do what you can to have breakables off the ground.

The better the presentation, the more valuable the items will appear. (organizing stuff into sections...clothing, housewares, holiday, toys, tools, books, etc. is helpful)

If you have a garage, set up the day before. Place big items by the door, ready to move into the driveway once the doors open. Have all items priced. People do not like to ask price.

Clearly mark items in your garage that are not for sale. (or cover with a sheet)

Don't group items by price (everything on this table is $1) because it all gets moved around and it gets too hard to keep track of.

Don't overprice....a general rule is to price items 1/4 to 1/5 what they originally cost. If you really want it gone....price it cheap!

Be prepared to bargain. Regardless of your pricing some people will still offer less.

Have big (visable-from-a-distance) signs at both ends of the road. Make sure signs are weather resistant. I usually paint on a large piece of wood using bright colors. Arrows showing direction are helpful at intersections.

If you don't want people driving up your driveway, or on your lawn, block the entrance to the driveway.

Have a "FREE" box or area and add to it throughout the sale.

Don't place candles, crayons, or record albums in direct sun.

Have one cashier. People claim to have paid if more than one person is collecting money.

Put small pocketable items in zip lock bags or mount on cardboard. It is really sad to say, but people steal.

Have an extension cord available to prove that electrical items work.

At the end of the sale place leftover items by the street with a big "free" sign. They usually disappear.

Always remove your signs when your sale is over.

I hope you find my tips helpful as you navigate the high seas of weekend merchandising! Best of luck!!

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Seacoast New Hampshire - One Dozen Places To Go On A Rainy Day

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:51:16 -0700

It is yet another rainy day here on the Seacoast of New Hampshire. If you are one of the lucky ones to have chosen this week for your vacation, you have my sympathy. At this point, what can you do but make the best of it.

With a prediction of more rain throughout the week, I thought you could use some suggestions on things to do in the area.

1. The Mall is the obvious choice, but keep in mind that others will have the same idea. Malls and movie theaters will be crowded. That said, there are three malls in the area, The Fox Run Mall, The Mall of NH, and The Maine Mall.

2. Manchester If you head to the Mall of NH in Manchester, you could also visit the Currier Museum of Art and SEE Science Center.

3. Barrington For less traditional (and less crowded) shopping, visit The Christmas Dove in Barrington. A Christmas wonderland, it is one of the largest Christmas stores in the country.

4. Dover Shopping on the Seacoast would not be complete without a visit to Salmon Falls Stoneware and Red's Shoe Barn in Dover. While there, you could also take the kids to The Childrens Museum of NH and The Woodman Institute .

Other historic and educational choices in the area include:

5. McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord

6. Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point in Rye

7. Albacore Submarine in Portsmouth

8. Kittery, Maine. In addition to all the outlet shopping, the granddaddy of shopping experiences on the Seacoast is Kittery Trading Post with three levels of the most extensive selection of outdoor recreational equipment, clothing and footwear in New England.

9. North Conway There's tons of outlet shopping at Settlers Green Outlet Village and White Mountain Outlets. One of my favorite stops, not to be missed, is Zeb's General Store.

10. Local beaches You can still have fun at the beach when the weather isn't cooperating. The children will enjoy hunting for shells and driftwood and the boardwalk at Hampton Beach offers great atmosphere and lots of arcade fun.

11. Weirs Beach in Laconia Home to Funspot , the largest arcade in the world. They have over 500 games, indoor golf, bowling, bingo and even a tavern.

12. Day Spa

If a day at the arcades with the kids isn't your idea of "vacation" then maybe some spa time would be appealing to you.

Adagio Spa Salon & Wellness Center in Barrington offers massage therapies and body treatments that will make you forget the rainy weather outside.

Don't let the weather ruin your vacation. Get creative and do something you otherwise wouldn't have had the chance to do. If you have children, the important thing to them is quality time with you...so make some memories!

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Portsmouth Farmer's Market

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:54:03 -0700

NH Seacoast Summer Fun - Portsmouth Farmer's Market

Every Saturday 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

at Portsmouth City Hall parking lot on Junkins Avenue

The Portsmouth Farmer's Market is a Summer staple....it's more than just a place to pick up produce. It's a gathering, a social event every Saturday, starting on May 4 and running until November 2. Local farmers and vendors from all over the Seacoast participate and bring with them far more than flowers, fruits and veggies.

Also available are prepared foods, honey and syrup, dairy, meat, fish, and eggs.... even quail eggs.

You can get cider, tea, artisanal beer, and wine.

At the Portsmouth Farmer's Market you will find everything from art and fine crafts to bodycare products.

One of my personal favorite items at the Portsmouth Farmer's Market is the maple soft serve ice cream. It's just one of the maple products available from Sugarmomma's Maple Farm who also sell maple cotton candy, popcorn and hot sauce!

Check out Bow Wow Bones....all natural healthy dog treats made by local disabled young adults.

There is usually musical entertainment adding to the festive atmosphere.

Whether you are looking for a tasty treat or looking to stock your pantry or simply just want to walk around and soak in the community spirit...it's a great place to visit on Saturday morning!

The Seacoast Growers Association Additional Information

Here's a useful tool: An interactive map for each week, showing a list of vendors and exactly where at the market they will be located. Click on any booth on the map and it takes you to the vendor description and contact information.

Here's a great gift idea: You can buy "Market Money" gift certificates for use at any of the four local farmer's markets.

If you can't make it to Portsmouth on Saturday, here are three other Seacoast Markets:

Durham: Mondays 2:15 - 6:00

Dover: Wednesday 2:15 - 6:00

Exeter: Thursday 2:15 - 6:00

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Selling Your New Hampshire Home - Buyer's Perception is the Seller's Reality

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:14:58 -0700

Selling Your New Hampshire Home - Buyer's Perception is the Seller's Reality

Gary Woltal has written another great post that really hit home for this New Hampshire Home Stager! I love the picture he used to illustrate his point...."optical illusion" pics fascinate me. You can't sell your house using optical illusion, but you can sell your house using the home staging basics: Preparation and Presentation!

Your house is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. A buyer is only willing to pay what they PERCEIVE the house to be worth. Perception is everything.....

The buyer's perception is the seller's true reality.

Via Gary Woltal - Assoc. Broker REALTOR® SFR Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):

Growing up, I loved looking through pages and pages of those books on "optical illusions." It made me appreciate that one's first impression taking something in with our senses is more than meets the eye. It made me conclude in life also for me and others,

Perception Is Reality ALL The Time.

You may be able to influence another's perception of something like a first impression, or drive up curb appeal with a house, but darn if you can't change it, once someone's mind is made up. In real estate, some people turn around right away in the doorway with a bad smell and don't even look at the house thinking they can fix it. They DON'T WANT to fix it. They don't like it.

With ourselves and our perceptions, TRY to force yourself to look at something a different way. An opportunity rather than a challenge. Something POSITIVE from the set back. A "golden chance" to have a new start from a terrible ending.

Remember, we live in our minds from our own experiences we have had and CHANGING our perspective on something can open whole new worlds for us. The REALITY is what we believe!!

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Kick Off The Summer at Children's Day 2013 in Portsmouth New Hampshire

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 03 May 2013 11:26:31 -0700

Kick off The Summer at Children's Day 2013 in Portsmouth New Hampshire

What better way to kick off the Summer than to spend an afternoon having quality family fun!

Children's Day 2013 is Sunday, May 5, downtown Portsmouth from noon until 4pm.

This event is unlike all other Portsmouth events in that it's geared totally towards kids, twelve and under. It's not a booth and/or vendor type of event. It's an entertainment and activity driven event. Your kids can participate in the things that appeal to them.

Festivities begin at noon at the docks of the Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. where beloved characters Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eyore, Dora the Explorer, Elmo, Curious George, and Nemo arrive from Character Island via the M/V Thomas Laighton. After meeting the characters, kids simply follow the Children's Day Map which guides them through all the activities and entertainment.

This year's activities include:

Boat rides on the M/V Thomas Laighton (must purchase tickets)

Bike safety fun and bike helmet fittings with the Kiwanis Club

Scavenger and Treasure Hunts

Extreme Air of NH Jump Rope Event

Karate Games

T'shirt Coloring

Meet the Seacoast Maverick's baseball team and sign up for a chance to be Bat Boy or Bat Girl for the season

Captain Kidd and the Pirates of the Piscataqua will be at Tugboat Alley on Bow Street

Pleasant Street Block Party

Coloring Contest at Citizens Bank

Portsmouth Lion's Club Free Vision Screening

Open House at the Firehouse on Court Street

Crafts, balloons, ice cream, performers, face painting, free gifts....much more!

The Grand Finale is at 3:30 at the M/V Thomas Laighton, as the characters say goodbye and board the ship to leave. Raffle winners will be announced at 3:40.

Children's Day in Portsmouth New Hampshire is a day centered around the kids, but it's fun for the whole family!

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Home Staging in New Hampshire - The Fact is Size Doesn't Matter!

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:44:59 -0700

Home Staging in New Hampshire - The Fact is Size Doesn't Matter!

One of the greatest misconceptions about Home Staging is that it's for high end or high square footage homes. Home Staging is for ALL homes....all prices, all sizes. As a New Hampshire Home Stager my consults have been with sellers overlooking the ocean and sellers in trailer parks.

When you list your home for sale you are selling a product. Home Staging is simply the preparation and presentation of that product, regardless of it's size.

To quote my Canadian Home Staging friend, Janice Ankrett, "Size doesn't matter....really."

Via Janice Ankrett Burlington Ontario Accredited Staging Professional (Janice Ankrett Home Staging):

It doesn't matter what size the home is, Staging makes a difference.

Remember, the seller of a townhouse wants and needs the equity from their home just as much as the seller of a larger high end home.

The same Staging principles apply no matter what size the rooms.

Traffic flow is important in every home.

Buyers are still looking for spacious rooms for the size of the house.

   Storage matters to all Buyers.

Plenty of natural light makes all houses feel better.

Collections distract the Buyer's focus from the features of the house.

Poor maintenance depreciates both homes.

Strong odors from food or pets smell just as bad to Buyers in both houses.

Furniture placement can affect the appearance of any size of room.

A professionally decorated home is still focused on living and a Staged home is still focused on Selling.

The investment in a Staging Consult improves the presentation of the home no matter what the size or list price.

Improve your chances by calling today.



Serving Burlington,Oakville, Milton, Hamilton & surrounding areas.     905-467-5353

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

New Hampshire Home Staging Tip For BUYERS - Seller's Loss is Your Gain

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 03:59:53 -0700

New Hampshire Home Staging Tip For BUYERS - Seller's Loss is Your Gain

Only 10% of people can visualize. This means that 90% of people cannot visualize. In real estate terms....most potential buyers can't imagine a house any other way than how it's shown to them. I've long forgotten where this statistic comes from, but ask any Home Stager and they will confirm it. Most people can't see past what's actually there to what could be there.

It's a rare buyer who sees potential.

As a Seacoast, New Hampshire, Home Stager I provide this information to sellers to help them better understand the importance of preparation and presentation in marketing their product. It's pretty basic stuff....if buyers don't like what they see in pictures (confusing floor plan, lack of space, dated or neglected appearance) they won't call for a showing. Visual appeal is very important to a sale.

Buyers can also benefit from this information. Buyers who make the effort to see potential, can find great deals on homes that other buyers have quickly pushed aside. Look past the STUFF...look past the old furnishings and the kids' toys...look past the need for minor updates and improvements. Imagine the rooms freshly painted. Look for homes with great features and details that other buyers didn't take the time to notice. There are great deals to be had on homes that have spent a long time on the market and suffered multiple price reductions.

It's a wise buyer who sees past the poor presentation

and knows there's a deal to be had at the seller's expense.

New Hampshire Home Staging Tip For BUYERS - Seller's Loss is Your Gain

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Selling Your New Hampshire Home Requires Strategic Planning

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 04:25:49 -0700

Selling Your New Hampshire Home Requires Strategic Planning

Planning to sell your house in the near future? There’s more to marketing real estate than a “For Sale” sign and a few pictures. Having an agent with a proven track record and proven plan of action is the fastest way to get your New Hampshire house sold.

In this informative post, New Hampshire real estate professional, Donna Rattee, shares her three step plan for preparing your home for sale.

Via Donna Rattee - "Turning Dreams Into Reality" (Keller Williams Coastal Realty):

Don't think for a minute that putting up a For Sale sign is going to sell your home. Selling your home takes planning and strategy.

Selling your home in the real estate market we are currently in is a bit easier than during the past couple of years. Houses are going on the market and sellers are selling their homes quicker than they have in awhile. The average "days on the market" during the past 9 months has varied from a third of the houses selling in zero to 90 days and another 12% staying on the market for as long as a year. There are categories in between, but if selling your home in 90 days is appealing, then you want to put a strategy in place.

My three vital steps to prepare for selling your home are:

Selling your home from the front yard;

Selling your home by creating a blank canvas on the inside;

Selling your home by appealing to all 5 senses: Sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.

Selling your home from the curb

Stand on the curb and take an objective look at the outside of the house. Is the lawn green? Does the fence need a fresh coat of paint? Is there color at the front door that would invite someone to come up the walkway? If you want to make selling your home easy, then preparing and taking these steps is critical. In the fall have the grass cut very short and then fertilize using a weed inhibitor so that the lawn comes in healthy and green in the spring. Plant fall mums to add color or plant fresh bulbs. Mature landscaping that blossoms and adds color in the spring helps when selling your home within the next year. Make sure you prepare any fencing, decks or doors and then apply that fresh coat of paint.

Selling your home in the front entry

Consider selling your home as really just selling a house. You want to create a blank canvas for the new homeowner who walks in the front door. Stand in your front entry as if you are an outsider. Take all the family photos off the walls and remove all clutter. The pile of books and magazines you enjoy are better off packed in a box in the garage. Better yet, drop them off at your local doctor's office or gym, they'll enjoy the donation. You can start your packing and organizing in the fall by removing all your nicknacks and either having a yard sale, or placing things in storage. Selling your home is so much easier when you have plans in place and action steps to take. Selling your home can be daunting! Take six or nine months to prepare for selling your home. Create a checklist so you can cross items off as you go, giving yourself a sense of accomplishment.

Selling your home with all five senses in mind

Selling your home and being sensitive to buyers coming in makes for an easier sale. Remember you are selling your home, not just a house. You have appealed to the sight and touch with the curb appeal and the de-cluttering. Now don't let the smell of wet dog or a cat litter box turn people away. Selling your home with the fresh aroma of baked apple pie when you know you have a showing, or fresh baked cookies for buyers to eat when they come in will create an emotional reminder of your home. I also suggest having light instrumental music playing in the background. Selling your home in 90 days or less is easier when these emotional triggers are in place to leave most buyers with a calm feeling and a positive memory of your home.

Two sides to selling your home

Selling your home is a financial transaction but it is also a very emotional one. Your home is where you have lived, cried and celebrated. When selling your home, you want to create a space for the new homeowner to feel those same things. You want them to walk in and feel like they could make it their home. Selling your home is therefore a very fine line to walk and most home sellers don't think of it this way. If you consider these aspects when you are selling your home, your home will stand out among the others.

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Interesting Study Reveals How Home Buyers Look At Listings Online

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 04:50:03 -0700

Interesting Study Reveals How Buyers Look At Listings Online

Nearly all home buyers begin their search online. This is not new information.

What is new information is HOW buyers are looking at listings online. Knowing exactly how buyers scan listings can be very useful information in real estate marketing. What part of a listing do buyers go to first and where do they spend the most time?

Prof. Michael Seiler, Old Dominion University at Norfolk, Virginia tracked the eye movement of people viewing online home listings in his study "Toward an Understanding of Real Estate Home Buyer Internet Search Behavior: An Application of Ocular Tracking Technology."

Do you know which part of a listing gets the most attention and which part is most overlooked?

According to Prof. Seiler's study:

" Home buyers focus primarily on the photo of the home and

secondarily on the quantitative description of the property. Real estate agent remarks are

substantially lower on the list of priorities. Just over 40% of participants did not view the real

estate agent remarks."

I was surprised to learn that 41.5% of home buyers didn't even view the agent remarks section.

The power is in the pictures. This study shows viewers spending 60% of their time on photos.

As a New Hampshire Home Stager I know the importance of mls photos and I agree with Prof. Seiler..."if you don't have an eye catching photo of the home, the battle is lost before it begins."

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

New Hampshire Home Staging Advice: Little Details Make Big Impressions

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:05:29 -0700

New Hampshire Home Staging Advice: Little Details Make Big Impressions

At the beginning of each Home Staging Consult I explain to my clients that I will address everything that can be done to improve their odds of a successful sale. Some of the things I point out seem a bit ridiculous.

Many times sellers roll their eyes saying "Seriously? That's going to keep someone from buying my house?"

On their own, little things appear harmless. On their own, the seller is right, they won't kill a deal.

BUT, numerous little details add up to something big...a bad impression. A bad impression will kill a deal.

Small details paint a picture. Whether that picture is accurate, or not, doesn't matter. Once buyers form a negative picture in their head, it's there to stay.

Just a few examples of little details I've suggested be addressed prior to listing: Chipped paint on wall corners, dirty light switches, sticky kitchen cabinets, missing hardware, a wire sticking out of the wall where there was once a speaker, ceiling water stains, doors that won't close, a dripping faucet, a hole in the wall inside a closet, cracked tile.

Small repairs like these are easy to complete, but their importance is often underestimated by sellers. Once potential buyers form an impression of a house as not having been cared for, they start to question what else may have been neglected.

Once maintenance is questioned, it lowers the buyer's perceived value of the house.

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Everybody Plays The Fool Sometime....Who Are The Fools of Real Estate?

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 03:56:25 -0700

To quote Aaron Neville, "Everybody plays the fool sometime..."

Maybe it was your love life and your heart got the better of you. Maybe it was too much alcohol at your office Christmas party.

If you're human you've been the fool...probably more than once.

What about real estate....who are some of the fools of real estate?

"Wise men profit more by fools than fools by wise men."

Marcus Porcius Cato

It's a wise buyer who sees past the poor presentation and knows there's a deal to be had at the sellers expense.

"The wise does at once what the fool does at last."

Baltasar Gracian

Too many sellers learn the hard way that they should have priced lower or made improvements. They should have listened to their agent and stager!

"A fool and his money are soon parted."

Thomas Tusser

Time on market costs money. NOT investing in improvements costs money. Those who try hardest to save money usually spend more in the long run.

"The fool wonders, the wise man asks."

Benjamin Disraeli

There are no stupid questions....ask your agent, ask your home stager, ask the home inspector! Ask, listen, and act!

"Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed."

Mark Twain

Think about it...those bad agents and bad listings out there make you and your listings look better!

HaPpY ApRiL FoOls DaY!!!

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Painting Your Fireplace - It's Easy and Affordable!

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:23:49 -0700

Painting Your Fireplace - It's Easy and Affordable!

Whether you are selling your house or simply want a new, fresh look...painting the fireplace can result in a very dramatic transformation.

Although the concept of painting brick is a frightening one for most homeowners, there is a product, Brick Anew, that is both affordable and easy to use. The problem with products like this is that without a testimonial from someone you trust who has used it, you fear it's claims may be too good to be true.

I recently did a Home Staging consult for a couple who had the saddest "fireplace" I had ever seen.

I suggested they talk to a contractor about adding some molding and a mantel.

Coincidentally, I had just seen a recommendation for Brick Anew on facebook from Shell Brodnax so I told my clients I would send them the info. I had no personal experience with the product, but I trusted Shell and told them they should consider painting the brick.

They called me after visiting the Brick Anew website to get my opinion on color. They received the painting kit promptly, and completed the project with ease.

They were very happy with the results and highly recommend Brick Anew!

Brick Anew works on all types of brick, even previously painted. The kit covers approx. a 10' x 10' fireplace.

The step-by-step process takes about 5-6 hours.

Cost is only $199.50 and shipping is FREE!

New woodwork, new carpet, new light fixtures and polishing the stove were very important aspects of this transformation, but the painted brick really brought it all together.

Update Your Home by Painting the Fireplace - It's Easy and Affordable

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

Creating Perceived Value That Exceeds Buyer Expectation

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 08:17:44 -0700

Creating Perceived Value That Exceeds Buyer Expectation

Selling your house is no different from selling any other product. It's presentation and marketing that win over potential buyers.

Yesterday I read a great post, The Higher The Price, The Higher The Expectation written by Janice Ankrett, Burlington Ontario Home Stager. It got me thinking about meeting buyer expectation.

Based on price and location, buyers form an idea of what to expect before they actually see a house. Janice is right....the more expensive the home, the more high-end features they will expect....and the less forgiving they will be when they don't find them. However, lower priced homes are just as susceptible to the power of perception.

Whether your house is listed for $100,000 or $4,000,000 buyers need to believe the house is worth it's asking price.

Suggesting the house has been well maintained creates an impression of value.

Being very clean and having fresh paint is a great start. Carpet and flooring must be in good condition. Updated light fixtures and hardware add a lot of value for little investment. Organized cabinets, drawers and closets will make a lasting impression.

What a buyer perceives your home to be worth is key. If you can create perceived value that meets, or exceeds, buyer expectation you will sell in a very short period of time.

As a Home Stager, I help sellers create perceived value.

Creating Perceived Value That Exceeds Buyer Expectation

______________________________________________________________________________

New Hampshire Home Staging FAQ

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524

You Don't Want To Remove Wallpaper? News Flash: Buyers Don't Either!

Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 05:18:22 -0800

You Don't Want To Remove Wallpaper? News Flash: Buyers Don't Either!

As a Professional Home Stager in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire, I've had this discussion numerous times.

I've worked with many sellers who either don't want to spend the money or don't want to devote the time and effort to making improvements prior to listing their house for sale.

Whatever their excuse...."it's too big of a job" or "that will cost too much money"...my response is usually the same:

"That's exactly how a potential buyer will feel. What makes you think they will want to deal with it?"

Unless you are pricing the house as a fixer upper or marketing to flippers, don't expect buyers to be willing to make the necessary improvements.

Buyers find it hard to believe that a home has been well maintained when it still has wallpaper from 1980.

Making necessary improvements prior to listing will result in more appealing MLS photos and increase the perceived value of your house.

My advice to sellers who choose not to make improvements: Get price quotes from contractors so you'll have the info when buyers want to reduce your asking price to compensate for the improvements.

You Don't Want To Remove Wallpaper? News Flash: Buyers Don't Either!

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Portsmouth Rye Greenland North Hampton Dover Rochester Somersworth

603.661.8524