Stop House Abuse!
August 7, 2009 by Elaine Manes · 4 Comments
As a home stager, it’s my job to help sellers get their homes in the best condition possible. Too often, removing clutter and rearranging furniture is not enough. Many homes suffer from longtime neglect, and even abuse. Broken windows, damaged doors, stained carpet, missing switch plates, lights that don’t work, all tell buyers that the [...]
The Psychology of Selling!
May 11, 2009 by Elaine Manes · Leave a Comment
During the years I’ve been a stager, I have noticed something about sellers. They generally fall into two categories: those who are ready to sell and those who aren’t. I can usually tell within minutes of meeting a seller, which one they fall into. The sad thing is, buyers can usually tell, too. If [...]
How You Can Go With the Flow!!!
March 25, 2009 by Elaine Manes · 1 Comment
If you ask buyers what they are looking for in a home, it’s almost guaranteed they will mention “good flow.” But, what exactly does that mean? If you have visited a model home lately, you probably noticed how floor plans have changed in the last decade or so. You’ll find large entries, living rooms and [...]
It’s All about Space!
February 27, 2009 by Elaine Manes · Leave a Comment
When getting our homes ready to sell, we sometimes get hung up on paint colors, furniture placement, and décor. But, buyers can repaint if they want to, and the furniture and décor generally leave with the seller. So, what are we really selling, and what is it that buyers really want? The answer is space. Have [...]
Is Staging Just a Trend?
January 28, 2009 by Elaine Manes · 4 Comments
Will home staging follow the way of the mullet, acid wash jeans, and pet rocks? Here today, gone tomorrow? I believe staging is here to stay for the same reason you would get your car washed before selling it, or take a shower before going out on a date. It just makes sense to present [...]
Selling in the New Year!
January 5, 2009 by Elaine Manes · Leave a Comment
When you sell your home is not as important as how you sell your home. Whether the market is sluggish or red hot, your home will sell faster and for more money if you put some effort into improving the condition. This does not mean pouring thousands of dollars into remodeling. Sometimes, it’s as simple [...]
7 Tips for Holiday Home Selling!
November 24, 2008 by Elaine Manes · 2 Comments
A common question I get asked is “Should we decorate for the holidays while our home is on the market?” My answer is always “Yes, within reason!” Here are a few simple rules to follow: If you live in a condo or small home, make sure your decorations are small in scale, too. Consider a [...]
Selling Tips for Little or No Money!
November 3, 2008 by Elaine Manes · Leave a Comment
When selling, it would be great to update your home, and make it more desirable to buyers. But, in reality, most sellers have no budget or a very small one to work with. The good news is that there is still hope. There are many things homeowners can do to prepare their home for the [...]
Themes and Collections: Neutralize Them!!!
October 14, 2008 by Elaine Manes · Leave a Comment
One of the terms we professional stagers use often is “neutralize.” It means to stage the home in a way which will appeal to the greatest number of buyers. One of the easiest ways to do this is to eliminate themed rooms and collections. Themed rooms are easy to recognize. A few of the more [...]
Is Your Home “Picture Perfect”?
September 22, 2008 by Elaine Manes · 2 Comments
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 [...]