Living in Contra Costa County

Staged on Monday ~ SOLD on Friday!  Home Staging Success in Portland OR

As a home staging company based in Portland Oregon, we love helping our clients sell their homes faster!  This week we staged a home in Happy Valley Oregon that had been on the market for two months;  the listing agent told us that buyers weren't excited about the property, even though they'd had a good number of showings.  She said that buyers often commented that they didn't like the backyard.   As professional home stagers, we knew that by making the house itself look amazing, buyers wouldn't be as worried about the un-landscaped backyard.

Room Solutions Staging staged this home on Monday and provided new photos for the online listing;  and by Friday the house was under contract!  The listing agent told me that after our staging, potential buyers no longer even mentioned that backyard! 

Here are some Before & After photos that illustrate how simple staging can help buyers see themselves living in the home ... it's no longer an empty,  colorless shell when it's transformed by Portland home staging experts.

First impressions Count! Living room Before

After staging, buyers can now imagine enjoying this room!

The Dining room is empty & lifeless Before

Simple staging makes it feels like a great place to entertain family & friends!

The Family Room Before cut off traffic flow

Staging opened up the space and welcomes buyers in!

The Master Bedroom Before was empty & cold

But Staging brought the bedroom to life and showed its purpose to buyers

Home sellers and their listing agents who add home staging to their marketing tools are discovering that it's often the  "secret ingredient" that helps homes sell faster.  Be sure to make YOUR property stand out in the sea of homes for sale in your area -- call your local home staging experts!

~ Staging and Photos by Room Solutions Staging ~

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Room Solutions Staging offers home staging services to Portland Oregon homeowners, real estate agents, builders, banks,  and investors to prepare homes for the market.  Our home staging clients love our customer service and our home staging statistics!  Our home staging services in the Portland OR metro area include consultations, staging for both vacant and lived-in homes, and interior restyling service.  For a free home staging proposal, please contact us @ 503-246-1800.

There is no shortage of opinions on what sells a house.

Before we start let's level the playing field. Let's say all houses you look at are in a price range that is adequate, nothing completely out of whack. Pricing of course plays a part but I have too often seen other components being much more important to fall in love.

Location is paramount but I see very often that 2 or 3 locations in Corvallis, OR can be of equal benefit to a client and therefore, again, other features are more important.

These 10 points (in no particular order) in my opinion sell a house:

1.     Light: When people enter a house and it is bright, they love it. If it has big windows that offset even a dreary Oregon winter day, that is a winner

2.     Cleanliness and order: A house that is well cared for and tidy, uncluttered, sells much better than hastily put together piles of paper and unruly shoes. Order signals a house has been well cared for.

3.     Staging: that can be done with or without seller's things and furniture, important is that furniture is well placed, not overwhelming a room, giving the buyer space to imagine his own things in the room. A fresh approach, slipcovers etc. avoid a dated impression.

4.     Neutral smell: If a house smells of the scent the seller loves, it easily backfires. Curry, fish and unmade bed smell do not do well either.

5.     Maintenance: dirt and rot visibly in the face when you enter, drippping gutters, a mossed over roof and dirty windows make the impression the seller does not care, so what else can lure...

6.     Landscaping: the grass is mowed, leafs are raked, flowers are in full bloom and not past their prime, trees are pruned, the water hose tidily hung up... that is a winning concept. And in winter, a groomed impression can still be easily achieved.

7.     Updated kitchen: With comparably small investments you can update your kitchen and make it shine. Consider color, countertops and lighting.

8.     Updated baths: a new backsplash, a fresh wall color and updated fixtures are a small investment and go a long way

9.     Updated floors and fixtures: new carpet or even better new wood (laminate not so much!!) and new tile/vinyl are winners. The chandelier from the 80s in the entrance should go! Show your buyer that the house was updated periodically and is not stuck in the building decade!

10. Purpose and floor plan: If you have spaces in your house that people are left to interpret their uses, show purpose, a desk, a Fussball Table, a reading nook up, eliminate "dead" space. Master suites or at least a bedroom on the first floor, a separate guest area, a family room and living room, all these can make or break a sale.

It is said that in the first 90 seconds a buyer falls in love. That might be. But my experience is that people narrow choices down and the second time they go, rationality takes over and the above listed points take over.

Off to a showing now...

 

 

Annette Sievert, Broker

Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers

541 207 5551

asievert@valleybrokers.com

Selling a Home in Brentwood Ca

When Selling a Home some people wonder about the value of Staging.  This post takes a Tongue in Cheek approach about why not to stage when Selling a Home.

For more information about Selling a Home in Brentwood or Beyond and Free Home Evaluation go to Home Point Real Estate.  

1.  We want to test the market for 90 days.  And on the 91st day?  Price reduction--and 90 days worth of potential buyers who have already eliminated your property. 

2.  It costs too much money.  I have never seen a home where the staging costs would have exceeded the first price reduction.  And that doesn't even factor in the monthly carrying cost of the home. 

3.  We can't stage the house, we're living in it.  One common misconception is that staging is only for vacant homes.  Every home/condo can be staged, and you can actually live in it after staging.   

4.  We didn't have to stage any of the other properties we sold over the years.  Yes, once upon a time you could generate three offers by 5 p.m. on the same day your Realtor put the For Sale sign in your yard.  Not now.  Buyers are picky and they have a lot of homes to choose from. 

5.  Everyone loves our house so buyers will love it, too.   What you, your friends and relatives love about your house may not be what today's buyer wants.  Sellers are often baffled by the feedback they get after showings--amazed that buyers have found things they don't like about the property. 

6. We can clean the carpets and declutter without someone telling us how.  Yes, you can (and should) do this, but it is a tiny piece of staging.  Do you know what separates  "clutter" from "asset"?  And what about all the other things that staging encompasses, like traffic flows, highlighting architectural features, updating, and appealing to your target market?

7.  We have no desire to remove/change our _______________ (wallpaper/mirrored tile/gold faucets/paneling/dated light fixtures . . .).  And neither do buyers.  Better to keep your home or be ready to sell at a deep discount. 

8.  The view alone will sell this place.  Then why many months later are these great view homes/condos still on the market?  Could it be that buyers want something to go with the view--like a comfortable, move-in ready home?

9.  We would rather let the buyers makes their own paint/flooring choices.  And that equals a price reduction.  If buyers do make an offer on your home they will double or triple the cost of these items and reflect that in their discounted offer price--which includes a deduction for the inconvenience. 

10. Our home is professionally decorated.  A professionally decorated home is tailored to the owner's particular needs.  Does it work for the new buyer's needs?  You could see #1 above . . . .

These are all great reasons--

• for price reductions
• for extended time on the market
• for buyers not coming to look at your home
• for buyers not coming back for a second look

There are dozens of reasons not to stage, but only one good reason to stage--getting your home sold faster for the highest possible price.  Staging is preparing your home for sale and creating a home that buyers want to buy.  If you want to be in the best competitive position in this market today, consult with a professional home stager before listing your property for sale. 

 

 

 

 

Everyone knows first impressions mean a lot. When it comes to selling your home the first thing potential buyers see is the front of your house. For some this begins at the curb and for others it's the front door. For this reason it is incredibly important to remember these areas when getting your house ready to sell.

In fact having a terrific entry is so important Anita Cooper of Realty Biz News recently listed replacing the front entry door as one of the top three home improvement projects which "mostly pay for themselves."

2 Reasons the front door is so important when selling your home.

1. Most home owners begin their search either by looking online themselves or reviewing listings online sent to them by their realtors. The thumbnail accompanying the listing is generally a shot of the front of the house with the focal point of the photo being the front door. If potential buyers are not impressed with this first photo they often won't bother to look at the home any further.
2. Potential buyers spend a good amount of time at the front door waiting for their realtor to open the lock box and unlock the door. This gives them ample time to notice even small things, such as peeling paint, a broken door bell or the worn finish of the door hardware. This was just the case with a home I recently staged in Leander, Texas. Take a look.

When potential buyers see neglected repairs such as a broken door bell or peeling paint they start wondering what else needs repaired. Even minor things such as these will have the buyer keeping a mental tally of how much less they plan to offer.

While replacing a front door may be the optimal solution it often doesn't fit into the budget. But there are plenty of other ways to add appeal to your entry.

How to stage your front door.

• Repaint. Paint is a home sellers best friend. It is inexpensive, DIY friendly and makes a huge difference.
• Add a potted plant or flowers.
• Change the door hardware.
• Put out a new welcome mat.

See what a difference these simple changes made to this front door.

First a complimentary shade of green paint was applied to the door along with a vining plant attached to a topiary trellace. Then door hardware was replaced with a new set in an oil rubbed bronze finish. Last a door mat was added.

Now that the home has a welcoming entry buyers will be imagining themselves welcoming their guests through the door. This is exactly what home staging is designed to do. Make potential buyers begin to see themselves living in your house. This helps them form an emotional attachment to the house and emotions equal offers.

If you know exactly why you are selling then it is easier for you to follow the right plan of action for getting what you want.

If you are a seller who needs to close a sale as quickly as possible, then you should know that getting the highest price possible is not one of your priorities. It does not mean that you won’t or cannot get the highest price, but it means that the price is not the deciding factor. A buyer who can give you a quick closing time will appeal much more to you than a buyer who can offer you more money but the negotiation and closing time drag on.

It’s always good to know how low you will go, in terms of selling price. This will help to eliminate some of the offers that you find simply offensive or ridiculous. Even though you should consider all offers seriously and take into consideration the terms of each offer, sometimes, if you know the bottom line and are strict about it, you can save yourself time.

Once you know what your limits and reasons are, discuss them with your agent so that they can help you set your goals realistically. If you decide to list your home on your own, make sure you do research on the current market, and you get the proper advice you need in terms of legal issues, etc. The key is to be realistic and to know what your goals are so they can be met.

Kamal Salim
Team Kamal - 14 Agents for the price of 1
Keller Williams Properties
1625 N. Commerce Parkway, Suite 207
Weston, FL 33326

Cell:          954-297 3630
Office:      800-962-0574
E-Mail:     info@kamalsalim.com
Website:  www.eleganthomesforsale.com 


Find out how much your home is worth

 

In Staging we talk a lot about de-personalizing a home. We talk about creating a neutral envelope and about helping the buyer focus on their lifestyle while they view the home.

That's all true, but we never forget to leave in the warmth. It can be a fine line and if you cross it, you lose that 'feeling'.... the feeling of 'home'.

So don't forget that lov'n feeling when you prepare your home for sale. Your home should look and feel like a home that is working for the present owner.

 

A child's room should be tidy and uncluttered but still have that 'cute' appealing look that makes a buyer imagine how pleased their child would be in the room.

 A Kitchen should be spotlessly clean and ready for the closest of inspections but not stripped completely. Here we walk a fine line between looking like a model home and looking like a kitchen that is functioning well for the owner.

If the style of your home means you entertain in the kitchen, add some 'dining' touches to elevate the space. Upgrade the chandelier and the table and chairs.

 

 

 

Make sure the Great Room looks spacious with good traffic flow but don't make it cold.

Show them where they can relax and watch a game or a movie with friends and family.

Turn on the fireplace if it's cold outside.

 

Master Bedrooms, no matter what the size, need to show the buyer their retreat from the world. Don't crowd it with excess furniture. Make sure the closet shows it holds a couples clothes.

If your bedding is tired, use the new bedding now. It will help you sell. Add touches of romance with candles.

Get the kids toys or the office area out of the room.

Yes, do remove family pictures, religious items and used soaps or tooth brushes.

Show the buyers a home you find comfortable, a home that works for you. Just don't show them those dirty sneakers, over flowing hampers, wet towels or make them smell last nights dinner. Leave the warmth but not the drudgery.

Leave that lov'n feeling.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Flufftastic Fairy Says: Make the Most of Your Small Space - the Dining Room

We live in a small house, just over 1000 sq feet. It was built in the '40's and has a lot of character, that's why we love it!

Unfortunately there isn't always room for all my stuff...

Many people have the same problem and here are some ideas to make your small Dining Room more efficient! (Here are some tips for your Living Room & Kitchen)

Paint the walls and ceiling in the same shade, that way corners and boundaries disappear. Lighter shades are better for small rooms, but dining rooms can be intimate and moody with a darker shade. As long as everything (fabric, drapes, paint) is in the same tones the room will still appear larger. Midtone paints tend to change colours with the light creating different moods. If you use darker colours, don't paint trim white, it is an eyestopper and you want the eye to keep traveling to make the room seem larger.

Find a cushioned, banquet or bench, with storage, so the table can slide over it when not in use. Benches provide more seating and banquets can provide a lounging area.

Use glass topped tables if possible to let light flow and the space look larger.

The table is the centerpiece of the room, try to find a round or oval table with leaves that store under or have a drop leaf.

 

 

 

If you are changing flooring, lay it at an angle or place it parallel to the shortest wall to lengthen its appearance. Get an area rug that covers most of the floor. Large area rugs make the room look larger and won't catch the legs of chairs when pulled out.

Use chairs with a lower back and no arms. That way there is nothing to stop the eye.

Use one piece of large art as a focal point instead of a cluster of small prints. Lots of small pictures give a cluttered appearance.

Replace solid doors with glass paned or sliding doors to let in the light! More light makes a room look larger.

Pass-throughs adjoining kitchen walls can become a serving place if topped with granite.

Depending on the view, use draperies to either enhance (same shade as walls) or distract (bold colours, eye stopping).

Buffets are always a good idea for storage and display, or built ins painted the same colour as the wall will always add storage but not shorten the room. When adding accessories, make sure the wall behind can still be seen, then the room won't appear shorter. If you want to draw the eye to the back, line it with a bold wall paper!

Add a mirror, they will always make a room look larger!

Stripes also work on making a room longer (horizontal) or taller (vertical). Paintable wall paper can be used so you have tone one tone and just add texture to the room.

A crystal chandelier will add light but keep sight lines flowing. A fixture with a shade will block sight lines. narrow pendant lighting also keeps the flow.

A beautifully set table will draw the eye to the center of the room, not the tight quarters.

To find out where you can find these items, scroll over the pictures!

 

The Flufftastic Fairy Says:

Hope you're having a good day!

Peg Barcelo-Jackson

Home Staging in Edmonton, Alberta!

Call me for all of your Creative Home Staging needs in the Edmonton area!

780.710.6369

Fluff My House!

Home Staging Inc.

Edmonton, AB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 10 of My Fave posts:

The Flufftastic Fairy Says: Make the Most of Your Small Space - the Dining Room

The Flufftastic Fairy Says: Make the Most of Your Small Space - the Master Bed Room

The Flufftastic Fairy Says: Make the Most of Your Small Space - the Kitchen

The Flufftastic Fairy Says: Make the Most of Your Small Space - the Living Room

A Red Letter Day! Thanx to Active Rain, Fluff My House! is on the first page of Google!

My First Trade Show Experience! Positive Networking in Many Ways!

I Believe in the Magic of the Rain!

Attitude is Everything!

Are You Worthy of Love and Belonging? The Power of Vulnerability...

Understanding Human Behaviour,What Are Your Clients Really Feeling and Why?

 

Featured Posts! (It can happen...)

The Flufftastic Fairy Says: Make the Most of Your Small Space - the Dining Room

What's the Deal With Stik.com?

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Unlike the 7 Words From George Carlin,These Are 7 Words You Can Use!

Are You A Crayon, Or An Aspirin? Defining Your USP!

Ha! I got a gig from a presentation! AR people lit a fire...

 

 

 

 

 

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Selling a Brentwood Ca Home

When Selling a Home staging can be a powerful too. This is the first post (or at least the best) I have seen on curb appeal.  Well if you are considering Selling a Home read this post and let me know what you think.

For more information on the Selling a Home in Brentwood Ca or beyond and a Free Home Evaluation go to Home Point Real Estate.

 

The Importance of Curb Appeal…

This is one of the most important aspects in Selling your home.  You must draw that prospective buyer out of their car, unto the sidewalk, and up to the front door.  Landscaping, color, walkway, driveway, the neighbors… all give a feel to the home.  A potential buyer will look for the home that views pristine from the street to the doorknob on the front door.

There may be a good reason your home is taking longer to sell than average. What is the first thing you notice when you drive up to the home?  How does the outside of the home make you feel?  Do you want to get out and see it? How does it look compared to the other homes in the neighborhood?  These are questions you need to ask yourself when preparing your own home for sale.  Can you put on the “potential buyer” glasses and really look at your home.

Well, you can’t change the neighborhood, and you probably didn’t budget for a complete front yard makeover.  So what can you do?

***View your home from across the street or as far away as you can.  Take a look from at least 3 angles such as the right side, front and center and left side. Now take a really good look at it.

#1. Can you see it?  If you can’t see your home, you can’t sell it. Trees and shrubs are great and should be trimmed so that you can still see the house.  I usually suggest trimming trees up to the rain gutter line or the top of the highest window.  Shrubs should follow a same line as the bottom of a window trim. If a lot of trimming needs to be done, do it several weeks before you put the home on the market so that the plants have a chance to recover.

#2. How is the paint?  Is it a neutral color?  Does it flow with the rest of the homes on the street?  Painting your house bright Blue will attract attention for sure, but not when you are selling.  Remember, with potential buyers… neutral is still key.  Start with the trim if you can’t paint the whole house. Focus especially around the front door and front porch. It can also be as simple as painting the front door a different color.  That can be a quick and easy fix.

#3. How is the driveway?  Does it have cracks, oil stains, garbage cans?  Your driveway is the largest hard scape area near the home, the material and look of the driveway and garage have a huge impact on curb appeal.  Clean it up and clear everything off.

#4.  How is the landscaping? Make sure that the grass is well watered, edged, and mowed. Flowers, flowers and more flowers. These little pops of color make us happy and cheerful.  Add some pots near the garage and plant away. Rebark to also add a fresh feel.

#5.  Can prospective buyers find your front door? Is your walkway to the front door defined?  Does it lead buyers to the front door or front entry? Make sure people know where your front door is, and then work on drawing people toward the front door. If the front entry area has a patio, create an outdoor sitting area to show another living space.

Curb appeal is really only part of the whole package, which means the small details are as important as the big picture. A manicured front yard means a manicured home in a buyer’s eyes.

Finally, don’t forget to tidy up. Remove the garbage cans, hide the hose, pick up the paper, etc. Curb appeal means a place that looks neat and clean, the kind of place you’d like to live.

Now… how does the inside look? Call a professional home stager today for a consultation on curb appeal or for staging your entire property.

Lori Kim Polk is owner of Premiere Home Staging, a full service Home Staging and Design Corporation and nationally recognized leader within the home staging industry located in Roseville, California.  Lori Kim has a warehouse full of unique accessories and quality artwork to better serve their growing list of clients in the Sacramento areas. She has been featured in Staging Standard Magazine, Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News and Review, KFBK radio and SMUD's Home of the Future.  Proudly serving realtors, homeowners and investors in Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, Sacramento, and surrounding areas with exceptional home staging.

Lori Kim has helped stage and market hundreds of homes in the Sacramento, Roseville, and surrounding areas since 2005. Our stats say it all.....current DOM with our staging is 18 days.  Call us today at 916-300-0402  for our premier services. "We are changing this market one home at a time!"

  

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