Dealing With The Weeds

Spring is here, a reminder of longer days and warmer temperatures to come. It seems to have appeared instantly like the magician‘s hat produces a rabbit. I also think the same magician (mean spirited no doubt) waved his wand to quickly grow the bizillion weeds that have suddenly appeared all over our yard.  Did it really happen overnight? Where have I been? Truly wrapped up in my daily life as to ignore my surroundings?


Yep, I know I’ll have to take head on the challenges of putting my yard in order to bring it back to its tranquil beauty. There will be weed pulling, fertilizers to feed, edging, mowing, planting of new, and upkeep throughout the next few seasons until Winter settles in and I can ignore things again.

It’s much like this for seller’s who find themselves facing years of accumulation (weeds) and suddenly having to dig in and dispose of unwanted clutter to uncover the great features (landscape) of their home before selling. As a stager, I remind my clients that clearing the weeds brings forth the fruits of their labor, a thriving landscape of beauty that will attract the buyers. Once the home is sold they can move on and settle into their new home for a long Winter’s nap.

The Case For Home Staging

Because it's most likely been years since you've had to deal with buying or selling a house you need to know that the market is different today. Recently a Realtor friend and I were discussing the issues seller's face today and she mentioned with the current inventory (12 months) of homes for sale, it is absolutely necessary to invest and stage a home just to get the asking price. If the home doesn't present well it will sit on the market for a very long time, draining valuable time and money for both the homeowner and Realtor. The end result is typically a sale way below asking price.


Yet there are those who argue about how home staging is just a way to get home owners to spend more money that they can't recoup in a down market. How much would you spend to decrease your time on market by 78% (HomeGain)?

The mindset of letting the new home owner change it the way they want it won't fly if you're serious about selling sooner than later. Staging is NOT the complete gutting of your property nor an interior décor overhaul. It's more likely about a few upgrades, paint and depersonalizing. And if a property is move in ready a potential buyer will be more motivated into action knowing they can immediately settle in and make taste specific changes as they go. Staged properties are considered better maintained and move in ready (NAR) but if you are willing to reduce your price drastically, stay on the market a significantly longer time and increase your carrying costs then go with waiting it out for that homeowner with vision. Otherwise, hire a professional home stager to help you prepare and present your home with guidance in where to spend your dollars to receive the best ROI.

Painting Your Way to Profits

Painting your home before you put it on the market is one of the cheapest ways to get the highest possible price for your property.


For interiors, don't use the same color for the entire house - white walls are dull and boring. Use soft muted colors, they can still be neutral while greatly improving the look and feel of each room. In addition these colors show off typical white architectural millwork like baseboard, fireplace mantels, and window trim.

If you have a bold personal colored accent wall, walls, or a very personalized mural, consider painting over them. Buyers can better envision their belongings in a more neutral space and “freshly” painted is just another value to them. They won’t have to repaint upon immediately moving in.

If you absolutely cannot paint your white walls, draw some color through accessories such as artwork, pillows, throws, and candles. These will at the very least add some life to the room.

"To Chi Or Not To Chi?"...That Is The Question

I went to a RESA meeting yesterday where our guest speaker was a Feng Shui expert, a publisher on the subject, and in the field for the last 25 years. I’d say that qualifies her as an expert. The topic was staging with Feng Shui. Okay, I admit I was skeptical, I typically tell my clients to hide the crystals and Buddha statues, heck spelling Feng Shui alone was a challenge to me. But what I learned was interesting.

The words mean wind and water, essentials for living, wind as air we breathe and water to keep us alive and flowing. Chi is the energy that is always moving. The objective is to create balance in your life (your soul), if your home reflects the elements for balance it will be a positive energy thus welcoming potential buyers into action. Whoa, isn’t that what we stagers strive for? Creating a welcoming environment to move buyers into action?

This Eastern Religion believes that you should keep the energy flowing. Here are some examples: You don’t want to block areas of the house where you just come to an abrupt stop. For example like a closet upon direct entry into the house you should add a small concave mirror so the Chi flow will continue into the house. Arrange a couch in a position with its back against a wall or something behind it to protect your vulnerable backside. Leave the bedroom for sleeping, no TV’s in the bedroom. Engage the senses of smell with natural scents, and the sense of light which moves energy. Keep your front entry clean, turn on front porch lights if the viewing will be after dark, place a nice doormat in the entry, and have flowers or lush plants on either side of the entryway. To bring moving energy into the house, begin getting your own stuff out of the house to make room for the new owner's stuff. It not only sets in motion a powerful energy, but it also gives you a head start on your own packing.

Bottom line: it doesn't really matter whether or not you believe that Feng Shui methods are important to selling a home, many of the practices of Feng Shui we stagers already incorporate into our staging techniques minus the crystals, Buddhas, and “fisheye” mirrors. What I learned is there are some commonalities in home staging and Feng Shui, both are used for positive results. So invite the “Chi” into your home and welcome those potential buyers.

Staging Your Vacant Home: You May Just Get What You Pay For

In today’s market seller’s are already squeezed financially with a declined home value along with the usually costs associated with selling their house. So it’s no wonder when they do concede to the concept of staging their vacant property they will look for the lowest priced bid. After all, who doesn’t want to save money?


But seller’s beware, just like in some other industries for example remodeling, you often get what you pay for if you go with the lowest bid, a inferior result. When you’re comparing stagers and pricing in the bidding process, look a little deeper beyond the price. Will your house be staged for potential buyers? Typically today’s buyers are attracted to a home staged with updated furnishings and accessories, not outdated décor, artwork, and wildly patterned bed spreads. You know, more the model home look, clean and minimal.



A little Over The Top




Just Enough Class

 While it’s true that not all budgets will get the magazine designer look, getting the right look will more likely get your house the attention you want. Home staging has proven that it is a crucial key when it comes to achieving this goal. People pay more for a home that looks like it is worth the asking price. Home staging makes it happen.

Staging Your Home During The Holidays

Should You Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly?
The holiday season can certainly propose a hassle in maintaining a home's presentation for selling, but sellers need to keep in mind the hassle may bring forth the best holiday gift ever - a buyer. Home buyers looking to make a move are typically more serious at this time. If they're willing to head out and deal with the weather, and put a stop to their holiday celebrating to shop for a home, they're usually determined to find one and fast.

Here's 5 Easy Tips To Staging Your Home During The Holidays



1. Create a simple & elegant exterior. Keep your treasured plastic snowmen figurines and giant blow up Santa in their boxes this year. You’ll want house hunters to notice your house, not the decorations. Instead, use fresh greenery found at any fresh tree farm for garland with white (the ultimate neutral) twinkle lights and add a simple welcoming wreath to your front door. Make a simple wreath to hang on your front door with holiday colors that blend in with and dress up your home's exterior colors. I typically cringe when I see a floral wreath are on a front door, but for the holidays I can make an exception. And don't overdo the lights, you don’t need to light it up like an airport runway. For sophisticated taste and pops of color fill up your entryway pots with hearty mums or poinsettias.  

2. Keep the holiday spirit limited to just one main living area. Skip the urge to decorate each room in the home and show off all of your holiday snow globe collections. Collections equal clutter. Avoid filling banisters and staircases with garland or lighting. You don't want anything to obstruct the view of woodwork or other house features.

3. Keep the Holiday decor simple and avoid religious decorations. While a few tasteful decorations can enhance your home's attractiveness to buyers, too much holiday cheer may drive them away. Neutral holiday decorations such as greenery, lights, candles or other winter themed decorations can all help add that special holiday touch without alienating buyers. As in typical staging, religious crosses, statues and pictures should be out of view making your house as neutral as possible.


Pointsetta Diffuser


4. Appeal to the senses. The sense of smell creates emotion and if it‘s a pleasant smell a good memory. You want buyer’s to remember how your house made them feel. Many people suffer from allergic reactions to artificial sprays so try simmering cider with orange slices, cinnamon and cloves on the stove or use natural essential oils in a diffuser. Pier One has some great holiday reed scented diffusers. A good rule of thumb is to stick with one scent per floor of your house.

5. Pay attention to RMLS pictures. If you or your Realtor have taken photos of your home during the holidays, retake them directly after you've removed your decorations and upload the new ones. If your agent hasn't taken them yet, and you're getting ready to decorate, make sure they take them before you begin covering your home with green and red. There's nothing worse than online photos of homes with Christmas trees and wreathes on them in February.

So stage your house just right, and the holidays can bring in a wealth of serious buyers. So go on and deck those halls, just keep these holiday staging tips in mind when you do.