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Make your home Picture Perfect

A large majority of today’s buyers start their home search on the internet.  What does that mean to you? It means the first impression buyers get of your home could be photos posted online. And, they need to be pretty darn good to make your home stand out.

Would it be safe to say that if the home looks good in person, it will also look good in photos? There are a few things to remember to make the photos of your home the best they can be.

So, if you have a small room, edit the amount of furniture, and make sure what is in there is the proper scale. A large sectional sofa in a small family room is going to eat up even more space in a photo. And, an overly large room will appear even bigger if there is too much empty space.

A pop of color is crucial in photos. They have a tendency to wash out color, so the room you thought was colorful enough, may not photograph that way. The solution can be as simple as adding some colorful throw pillows on a couch, or a vibrant piece of art on the wall.

Light says cheery and dark says dreary! Natural light can cast an appealing glow on your home, so take advantage of it. Open those curtains and blinds, but the best time of day to have your home photographed is early morning or in the evening. The sun is lower, and your photos will be softer with less contrast.

Clutter is even more apparent in photos. It’s hard for buyers to concentrate on the home, when there are hairdryers on the bathroom counters, a collection of remote controls on the coffee table, or a dining room table stacked high with the family’s belongings.

People and pets in photos are a no-no. It may be that Grandpa hasn’t left his recliner in ten years, but his presence in the photo will be too distracting. And kitty needs to be moved off the bed, just long enough for photos to be taken. Be sure to watch out for reflections, too.  Many an unsuspecting agent or homeowner has been caught in a mirror!

Whether your agent takes the photos or a professional photographer is brought in, it is your responsibility to have the home in camera-ready condition. And, since these photos will either entice buyers to see your home or cause them to put your home in the “definitely not” pile, be sure you get to see the photos before they are posted. There are websites dedicated to bad MLS photos, and you wouldn’t want your home to wind up there. It’s the responsibility of you and your agent to make sure your home looks perfect in pictures.

When you put your home on the market, you are selling more than the physical structure.  Think of it as selling a lifestyle.  This is why preparing your home is so important.  As buyers walk through your home, they are trying to imagine themselves living there.  A savvy seller will help them along the way!

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

One of the ways is to set the dining room table.  The china doesn’t come with the house, so why would you do it?  Because buyers want to believe that if they buy your home they will finally be able to have those fabulous dinner parties they’ve been dreaming about.  You are not trying to deceive buyers; you are just providing a visual to stimulate their imagination.

What do cluttered bathrooms bring to mind? A family rushing

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Let’s face it, we love our television sets. In my staging career, this has been proven to me numerous times. I come into a home to make recommendations to make it show better, and clients seem so willing to add or remove whatever I suggest. Except the TV, that is. And, whatever they sit on to watch TV.

In recent years, televisions have certainly become more streamlined. Flat panel styles are much less intrusive than the large screen projection ones, or “the big black boxes”, as we stagers like to call them. But, I would guess that only about 20% of the homes I visit have made the switch to flat panels. That leaves a whole lot of family rooms whose main feature is the overly-large TV. In homes where all the furniture is aimed at the TV, it may cause buyers to overlook the features which are a part of the home. Buyers should be directed to that fabulous fireplace, or the incredible floor to ceiling windows.

Another distraction for buyers is the number of TVs in some homes. I had clients who had a TV in every room, including the dining room. Fortunately, we worked out a compromise, and they removed all but two. And, the big black box that swallowed up most of their small living room? It was one they agreed to remove, and it opened up the space to reveal a very nice sized room, which buyers appreciated, and the home sold quickly.

It’s never easy to have your home on the market. But, taking the steps necessary to get it sold quickly, means the inconvenience won’t last long, and the sooner you and your TV can be together again!

How we choose to live in our homes is our business…right? WRONG! If you are selling your home, you may have to make some lifestyle adjustments. For instance, that pool table you have in your living room might make sense to you, but, to a buyer, it can just be confusing. If you have a room with a chandelier hanging down, you should probably have it furnished as a dining room, even if you have not been using it that way.

Quite often, we have rooms in our homes that have to do double duty, or even triple duty. The room that functions as an office, guest, and exercise room, is sending a message to buyers that there are not enough rooms in your home. It is best to choose one function, and move the other items out.

I went on a staging consultation one time, and the homeowners had a bookcase in front of the fireplace. I asked them why, and they said they never used the fireplace and it was the only place the bookcase would fit. You can imagine how confounded buyers would be. A large TV placed in front of a window because that is the only spot where glare is not a problem, is fine for you and your family. But, when your home is for sale, there should be nothing in front of the windows. When buyers open your coat closet, it is best for them to see coats, not boxes of cereal or rolls of paper towel. The fax machine you keep on your kitchen counter will only raise questions as to why it is there.

Take the time to put your home in order, an order that will make sense to buyers. A little inconvenience is a small price to pay for getting your home sold quickly.

There is still a lot of warm weather ahead in most parts of the country.  If you are selling your home, don’t forget the “extra” living space you have. Of course, I’m referring to your deck or patio.  There are almost as many design magazines focusing on outdoor spaces, as there are for interiors.  If you are not utilizing this space, you are missing the opportunity to add square feet to your home.

Think of your deck or patio as an outdoor living room, and include comfortable seating, soft lighting, and stylish accessories.  Pots of colorful flowers are a great way to fill in those empty spaces, but make sure you keep them watered and pick off the dead blooms to preserve their beauty.  Dried up plants and flowers are a definite turn-off to buyers.  Keep walkways clear, and make sure leaves and other debris are swept up.

Once you have created this inviting area, it needs to be visible from indoors.  Keep blinds and curtains open, so the eyes of the buyers will travel to the outdoor space.  Make sure windows are clean and there is nothing obstructing the view.

So, when you are getting your home ready to sell, don’t forget your deck or patio. The space is already there, and with a little effort, you can extend your home.  Buyers will appreciate the extra living space, and your home will stand out from the competition.

I am asked quite often “What is the difference between decorating and staging?” I thought I would provide you with a quick explanation, and some definitions of other terms we use in staging.

Decorating is furnishing and accessorizing a space, with the taste and lifestyle of the homeowners in mind.

Staging is decorating, also, but in a manner which showcases the best features of the home, detracts from any negative features, and appeals to the greatest number of buyers.

Neutralizing is removing a particular style or theme. For example, if a home is decorated with a Southwest motif or a kitchen has a “cow” or “rooster” theme.

Depersonalizing is the removal of any items which speak loudly of who lives in the home. Family photos, memorabilia, travel souvenirs, trophies and awards, to name a few.

Scale is the term used to describe the relationship between the size of the room and the size of the furnishings. If the furniture is too big, or there is too much of it, it will make the room appear small and crowded. When the furniture is too small or there is not enough of it, the room can look bare and uninviting.

Balance refers to the placement of furniture in regard to other furniture or an architectural feature like a fireplace or built-in bookcases. Large pieces of furniture should be placed in a way in which the weight and height is even throughout the room.

Vignette is a word that stagers use to describe a smaller area furnished and/or accessorized which conveys a welcoming feeling on its own. A window seat accessorized with pillows, and a decorative tray containing a coffee cup and a book, would be considered a vignette.

Understanding these terms and recognizing the value of staging your home is vital in today’s market. If the task of getting your home ready is too overwhelming or you just don’t know where to begin, contact us for a referal to a professional stager in your area.

The majority of homeowners today have dogs, and as a professional home stager, I get asked all the time if this is a problem when selling a home. The answer is yes. Most sellers crate their dogs for showings, but this may not be the ideal solution. If the dog is barking the entire time the buyers are in the house, it will not be a pleasant experience, and may be too distracting for the buyers to give your home the attention they should. In order to test whether your dog will bark, ask your agent to come over when you are not home. Quite often, your dog does not behave the same as when you are present. Leaving the dog loose in the home, even if it is as non-threatening as can be, will still turn off buyers who have a fear of dogs. Or, if you have a particularly cute and friendly dog, they could very well upstage your home, when it comes to the attention it is given by buyers.

Another option some sellers choose is to put the dog in a laundry room or garage. This is limiting the buyers access to areas they have a right to see, and will want to see. Many times the size of the garage is a determining factor on whether a home will work or not. It is crucial that buyers have free access to all areas of your home, including the backyard. If you have a pen or kennel outside where your dog will be safe and secure, and buyers will not be fearful, this is an acceptable solution. It is not recommended that you chain or tie your dog up, as this could create a negative response from buyers.

The most desirable solution is to remove the dog from the home during the time of showings. There are different ways of doing this. If you are home during the day, you could take the dog for a walk or put him/her in the car and leave for the duration of the showing. If you are away at work, you might look into daycare for your dog, either at a reputable professional daycare facility, or perhaps a friend or family member could watch Fido. Another option is to find someone in your neighborhood, who would be willing to take your dog during showings.

Even if you wind up paying for someone to care for your dog, it will be well worth it, to allow buyers to have a pleasant experience viewing your home.

People who work from home cannot avail payday loans but are liable to a health insurance against their business cards.

Decorating your home to fit your lifestyle, and decorating your home to sell are VERY different! You may have displays of treasured collections, items you have picked up on your travels, or family memorabilia. There are two reasons to pack it all away when you put your home on the market. The first is that your display may be so interesting, that buyers pay more attention to it than your home. I did a consultation at a home that had a border of plates depicting different animals displayed along the top of the living room and dining room walls. I could just imagine the buyer’s focus directed at this collection instead of the features of the home. The second reason is for the safety of your possessions. The only way to guarantee that your belongings don’t get broken or stolen, is to pack them away out of sight.

What is a good rule to follow? Less is more! Do you have photos or artwork hung on every wall? This is a good place to start editing. Blank wall space allows the eye to rest, and makes it easier to take in the surroundings. It will also make a space appear larger. Remove anything hung on a wall, when that wall is less than two feet wide. Place artwork on the larger walls only. For tables, shelves, or other surfaces, stick with the “Rule of 3.” Remove all but three items from each table. For example—a coffee table might have a plant, a decorative bowl, and a large book. This rule works for the kitchen counters, or a fireplace mantle, too.

Remember, buyers will open closets and cabinets, and if everything is filled or overflowing, it will appear that your home does not have enough storage. Remove one third of everything in each closet, kitchen and bathroom cabinet or drawer, and pack them up. Is your garage or basement bulging at the seams? Buyers pay attention to these two areas, also. This would be a good time to clean out what you don’t want to move with you. You’ll be surprised at how much room you will have, and buyers will be impressed with the amount of space.

Getting your home ready to sell takes time and hard work, but when your home sells, you will be glad to have some of the packing already done.

photo credit: sego

If you are planning on selling your home, you might want to consider repainting the interior. Painting is one of the best ways to dramatically change the space, at a relatively low cost. But, the days of painting every room white are gone. An all-white house can easily be forgotten, since there is nothing to stand out in the mind of buyers. A perfect example of the power of paint would be in the condo or townhouse market. Since most units are identical, often the only thing that can make one unit more memorable than the rest is the color of the walls.

The question is what color paint do we use? The reason white was thought to be the best color is that white will go with everything, allowing the buyers to move right in. However, white is not very warm or inviting. Today’s savvy buyers are looking for more, and the answer is to go with other neutrals. Technically, the only true neutrals are black, white, and gray, which do not appear on the color wheel. The “new” neutrals are attained by mixing opposite colors on the color wheel. They range from beige, or tan, all the way to chocolate brown or slate gray, with a large array of shades in between. It is recommended that for small spaces, you stick with the light to medium value of these colors to create a more spacious-feeling area. And for those large, cold rooms, choose the darkest value of these colors to create a warmer and cozier space.

Creating contrast between wall color and trim color is a wonderful way to highlight architectural detail. Just be sure to keep the trim color the same throughout the home, to retain a sense of conformity. Painting different rooms’ different colors is acceptable, as long as you don’t stray too far in your color choices. That is where the neutrals are such good choices, because they do well together. All paint manufacturers offer a line of neutrals to take away that guesswork. As a home stager, one of my services is to assist sellers with their paint choices. There have been many homes, which after months of sitting on the market, sold quickly with just a simple change of wall color.

So, visit your neighborhood paint store and acquaint yourself with the “new” neutrals.

What exactly does a staging company do?

A staging company will analyze the home, determine what changes are needed to make it show the best it can, and implement the changes. The work can quite often be completed in one day. It is not always necessary to bring more items into the home. In most cases, the opposite is true and de-cluttering and editing is needed. The object is to highlight the best features of the home and detract from any negative ones.

Isn’t hiring a stager the responsibility of the REALTOR?

There is no steadfast rule, but REALTORS and sellers have the same goal; sell the home quickly and for the highest price. There are circumstances when a call should be made to a staging company before that call to a REALTOR. If a homeowner is willing to do some fix-up or remodeling before putting the home on the market, a staging company is a good source of information. Recommending paint and carpet colors that will appeal to the most buyers is just one of the ways they can help. They can also provide statistics showing which remodel projects produce the best return. Moving out early? They can suggest what furnishings, if any, should be left behind, making the home simpler to stage.

I’m good at decorating! Why can’t I stage my own home?

Decorating and staging are very different. Standard decorating takes into consideration the homeowner’s lifestyle, tastes, and possessions. Most people have an emotional attachment to their homes and it is reflected in their decorating. Staging a home means removing the personality of the homeowner in a way that allows buyers to more easily imagine themselves living in the home.

We are willing to do the work ourselves, but where do we start?

Most staging companies offer a detailed staging consultation for sellers who have the time to do the work themselves. This usually includes a walk-through analysis with the homeowner, starting with the curb appearance and covering the entire interior and exterior of the home. This should be followed up by a report, and the staging company should be available to answer questions or provide assistance if the homeowner needs it. A consultation takes between one hour and two, depending on the size of the home.

What other services do staging companies offer?

Other services vary from company to company. Interior redesign is becoming very popular as an inexpensive way to get a fresh new look for the home. Often finished in a day or less, one or more rooms are transformed using the homeowner’s own furnishings. Clients have described this process as “magic!” Other services include organization, move-in and down-sizing services, and color consultations.

What does it cost?

The cost depends on the amount of staging a seller wants done. Many only stage the rooms you see when you walk in the front door, making the most of the buyer’s first impression. After determining which rooms are to be staged, there are differences in the level of staging, ranging from a “light” staging to completely furnished. Also, some staging companies charge an hourly rate, some a flat half or full day fee, and still others charge a percentage of the price of the home. Most offer free estimates, which allow homeowners to know what the costs will be up front. One thing to keep in mind: the cost of staging is usually less than half the cost of the first price reduction!