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.

Staging With A Theme

On a recent trip to Arizona for fun I thought I’d check out some model homes to see how the Southwestern stagers handled staging for mass appeal. For the most part a majority of the model homes (and I emphasize these are nice model homes) I viewed were tastefully done. The furniture was clean lined, neutral, the accessories were abundant and updated, they all were very appealing. The homes actually made me feel like I could envision myself living in them (and that‘s the point of staging), and for a brief moment of fantasy I embraced living in the DRY consistently warm, sunny environment of Arizona - minus the rattlesnakes.

But here’s what caught my eye and I thought it was an interesting reaction. One of the model homes had a “Sea” theme throughout. Did I miss the ocean border in Arizona in my geography class? Though the main color theme was white, a great neutral, the accent colors were quite vibrant and the sea theme accessories enveloped the home. Seashells, corral, palm trees and beach accessories really distracted me from seeing true features of the home. Though memorable because of the theme, not appealing, at least not to me.

Homes staged with a theme room or in whole will narrow the mass appeal. When you are staging a home for sale, remember not all prospective clients will embrace your beloved country antiques, nor the passion of your rooster collection. It’s a safe bet to keep it as neutral themed as possible, pack up your treasured collections and let your home’s features be what buyer’s remember.

Vulnerable

Changes are inevitable~ and I am learning that life lesson.... again...still~

I'd like to say I am learning it well, but it appears that my first response is one of resistance.

I like order and really, really hate surprises. Even the good ones. After the fact I adjust, but don't surprise me. It bugs me. I feel out of control and vulnerable. And who likes feeling vulnerable?

As I was working with a client this past week, I realized the vulnerability that moving from your home brings. It brings changes. Sometimes exciting, sometimes just not!

My recent client is from another country and just returned from purchasing a house overseas.  Moving back home after 6 years in the States.  Big change for their family. Vulnerable and overwhelming.  Here I am a stranger, although a professional, giving advice on how to re-think their home's look.  What will other people see when they walk in?  Is it inviting and spacious?  Such an important aspect when selling, but living in a home sometimes those highlights get lost in everyday life.  It is summer and kids are in and out and schedules are broken up with events, leaving no time for the daily organizing. Mom is beat, dad is busy and the kids are willy~nilly!

My role in a consultation is to learn the family...access the situation and their life style while keeping my focus of the purpose of staging. The homeowners have to be somewhat vulnerable to the advice, without losing their comfort in their own home. 

Balancing a 'staged' home with reality. 

Prioritizing what is really important.

First, selling their home for top dollar is right up there on the list. But a professional stager must understand the stress of moving and balance that with caring advice; move out some personal items?  Hard to do when those reflect a family experience or a memory.  But a potential buyer is not there to see your own personality, but to zero in on the home itself. 

How can the buyer picture their family in the home?  We as stagers pride ourselves in finding that balance of giving the homeowner an achievable 'to-do' list, without harming opinions, and discerning what a potential buyer will see when they walk through the door. We ask our clients to be a little vulnerable for the sake of selling their home.

Being vulnerable is just a part of it~ ahh. And surprise! Most likely, it is all worth it!

Vacant

Normally when I think of the word vacant, it conjures up a negative picture in my head. “She had a vacant stare” or ‘his head was vacant of ideas’. Not positive.

It denotes the idea that there is nothing happening, nothing going on when it should be. The word “vacant” alludes to the idea of an expectation falling flat. 

We’ve had the privilege of walking through many homes in our staging career and I have to admit, vacant is vacant.

Nothing is going on. It is difficult to picture what cozy happenings took place in a home’s space.

Was it comfortable and inviting or is this empty cold shell all this house has to offer?

The anticipation of walking into client’s home that is being lived in answers that question right away.  One can see life in their surroundings; artifacts from a journey, school books and toys of noisy children, or sleek metal and glass stating a simplistic choice of style.

But if a home is totally vacant, I leave wanting more. It can be considered a blank canvas, but a blank canvas to those without an artistic eye is overwhelming.

As professional stagers, we have the benefit of bringing a discerning eye to a home allowing us to visualize that “what could be”. 

By placing a few specifically chosen pieces of furniture and interesting accessories, a space becomes a place.

Correctly places ‘things’ bring character and expression, giving the idea of dimension to anyone walking through with the hope of making this house their own.

Vacant? Well, it is nice when you are looking for a hotel late at night~

veiled

I had been down that road before without really noticing anything exceptional. The advertisements and signs were eye catching yet a distraction and enticing, but almost unnoticed as I sped by.  Just busy stuff. Seen, but unseen really. How many times can I look at the same thing and really see it? becomes mundane and lacks interest after a while.

But on my trek back home on this spring day, I noticed something ahead that seemed out of place.  Past the horizon of blaring neon and bold printed words was majestic nature. I could barely see it, but at the end of the road was Mt. Hood quietly veiled in clouds. Almost surreal. Huge yet small so far away. Hidden but big as day!

Needing a quiet minute of respite, I set out for a bit~ just me and the journey. I was uninterrupted allowing me to really take notice of my surroundings.

I thought about it often this week, wondering how many times I don't see things that are huge.

It makes me think of the unfinished project in our laundry room. About 4 years ago we added onto our home and undertook a huge kitchen remodel, gutting the place and reconfiguring space with our updated style.  Choosing and sorting through ideas and finding just the right thing, I paid attention to everything related to remodeling.

However, 4 years later we still have one more task to finish; the trim around the counter in the laundry room.  Why can I walk by it day after day and not even take notice of the rough edge?  I'm used to it.  It is common. Normal. Unnoticed for the most part.

But if I had to sell my fun little home, it would be the first thing we would complete. But now, hey, its not such a big deal. I can walk by it and not give it another thought.

As stagers, we are trained to find the mundane, the small stuff and the big stuff. The distractions.  We love the challenge of seeing things in a different light. We walk into a home and that is the hunt. Sometimes it slaps us in the face and other times we just stop and notice. We find the unnoticed so that those who come through your home as potential buyers are not distracted, but enticed.  

Affirmation

Why is it that even though we know something, we still struggle with doubt?  There have been many situations when I knew the answer to a posing question, yet still felt compelled to seek out confirmation.  I want validation, I want to be affirmed. 
The question can be simple such as choosing something to wear. I often find myself asking my daughter if my decision is ok...? Am I going to embarass myself with my choice.  Or it can be more difficult; a life changing question.  A question that we think we know the answer to, but still seek out someone with a whit of sensibilities to confirm and direct us to what we really knew was the best choice anyway.  Affirmation.
When I go to a client's home for a staging consultation, I give confirmation. I tediously look through each room, discerning the feel of the space. In our homes, we surround ourselves with comforts or visuals that give a heartstring's snapshot of a memory.  But if it comes time to sell a home, those visuals need to be downplayed. A miniature lighthouse display on a mantle or a photo spread of the grandkids might be better in a box for a while, as you have potential clients coming through your home.

There can be times my suggestions are met with surprise or a little push back. There is wonder at my mere suggestion of putting away the 4 foot cat scratch post. 
Yet more often than not I am met with "Oh, we thinking of doing that but didn't know if it is important." Validation. Comfort
Often we just need someone to come along and tell us its ok.

traffic

There is a long list of pet peeves in my personal file. They are quirky unimportant things in the scheme of life...but... I don't like it when people who don't know me try to pronounce my last name and jumble mumble a guess. Rarely is it correct.  So annoying!  I don't like it when strangers are in my 'bubble' and stand too close to me. Eww!
O, and this; I especially don't like sitting in church or another large gathering and have a tall person sit right in front of me. Really? There should be rules that those (fortunate) taller people must sit in the back!  I'm barely 5 feet tall on a good day!
And I really really don't care much for clutter!
Sometimes I will be just strolling through my own home when I stumble on someone's shoes left helter-skelter in the way.  Now I must admit, I've been known to assume those shoes were left by someone else (insert "husband") only to look down and notice the shoes are mine! (Sorry honey!)
But when I am going from point A to point B...don't slow me down. I'm usually scrambling to get out the door and hope to leave my home neat and tidy.
I like coming home to a spiffy house. It makes me feel good.  Cozy in fact!  I find it restful and pleasing!
So when we are hired to assist a homeowner with a staging consultation, one of the many things we look for is 'stuff'.  Is there stuff blocking our way through the house?  How is the flow of traffic? Can we get from the entry easily to the main living room, flowing through to the kitchen?  Or do we trip over mulitple area rugs, a basket of shoes and the dog bed to find the charm of a home.
Sometimes we understandably become so comfortable in our own home that it is difficult to see the forest through the trees, ya know?  We can all be a little lax in picking up everything unless we have guests coming.  Goodness gracious~ then I go into high gear to make sure things are neaty all hidden in their place. (I blame my mother for this but that is another blog!)
Flow of traffic is vital in staging a home.  As homeowners we get used to things being cozy that basics are overlooked.  The minor things that make us comfortable can make for some lousy online photos.
When someone enters your home, is the first thing they see the back of a couch?  Does someone have to weave and dodge just to get through to the next room? Take a minute to walk through your traffic pattern and see if moving something over, or switching a chair with the sofa might make the flow better. If you have to turn sideways to squeeze between your dresser and your bed, it is might be time to rethink the layout.
Often times it just takes a little tweaking to open up a space.
No one likes to be stuck in traffic.

Nest

I happily live in a location that allows me to peer through the now fallen foliage to spy on the local highway. I can give a quick traffic report to my family during the dark evening hours letting them know they should go the back way.
We didn't always have such a view. I used to have a itsy bitsy window above my kitchen sink and would stand on my tippy toes to see out.
It wasn't until we remodeled & added on to our home that we were allowed this privileged view. Actually, having a peek at the highway is only available for a few months out of the year. What is truly a blessing is the ability to look through our wall of windows to follow the progress of my favorite maple tree as it goes through the seasons; from neon (literally!) green leaves through the ever changing brilliant hues of oranges and reds to the now bare branches that reveal the bird's nest snuggled and tucked away.
I didn't even realize that tree was host to a robin's home. Though the tree itself is beautiful, this twigged treasure was hidden.
As stagers, we see many homes in the same way. There are beautiful colors and accents to catch our eye, but the real jewel of a home shouldn't be a hidden surprise.
If you have a home you are preparing to list soon, take a good hard look at what 'gem' your home is hiding. It could be a picture window with a large couch blocking it. Or a large but undefined master bedroom that is a combination office and work out room too.
A key to selling a home is making an emotional connection to the potential buyers. Show off the space and the value your home offers. Don't make buyers look for it or worse yet, discover it in another home.
Peel away the veil that hides your home's treasure.

Noticed

Making an entrance! Should someone be a little late, sneaking in unnoticed; otherwise known as being fashionably late? (In those situations, it is usually because one doesn't really want to be 'there' anyway!) Or is this a situation when someone could be comfortable enough to be the life of the party, arriving with confidence knowing that they will be well received?
Have you ever experienced not knowing what to wear to a certain event? It is common to be either overdressed for the occasion or feeling like you did not see the small print that said 'black tie'. Uuh!
This is when it would be nice to have a personal assistant. Someone that would intervene for you, gathering information as to who might be on the guest list and knowing the agenda so you can then make an intelligent decision on how to prepare yourself.
A professional stager is just like that. By working with the homeowner, a stager offers key insight into how your home should be presented.
Just as a realtor has access to the comps in the area, a professional stagers offers assistance on how to dress your house. You don't have to wonder if you should remove that wallpaper...(chances are you should, please!) or if the wall color is too bold.
That is the role a home stager plays. Yeah, the 'life of the party' is a great way to think when you are putting your house on the market. Just as there are many situations and people pulling for your attention, there are a lot of houses begging for a buyer! By keeping in mind potential buyers who might be on the general guest in a neighborhood and the charm of each individual home, a professional home stager is able to be your liaison. The personal assistant; giving you confidence that your home will be the life of the party.

Re-design

What a delight it has been to assist our clients with their redesigning desires this summer. So many are taking this time to re-think their home's interior. With constant bombardment on how to spend money lately, we find many are using their budget to update what they have. Instead of taking on a huge project, it is more convenient to work on a few key areas allowing their home reflect their personality.

You don't have to break the bank to make an impact. So if you are not planning to sell for a bit, surround yourself with personalized color and individual comfort. Done well, it can have a positive impact on how you feel when you walk in your door, and isn't that what home is all about??!
A recent conversation with a client was a great reminder. Sometimes we are more worried about what others will think instead of going with what we love.
Hesitating to put your favorite color on the wall is silly if your only reason is that you don't want to be known as the house with the crazy wall color. But this client really loved a color and stated that it made her happy!! So, go with it! If you plan on staying put for a while, you might as well enjoy your home while you are there. Should you plan to sell your home, that is the time to think neutral.
If a sassy color is something that causes you to pause before painting, ask yourself why. A little bit of sass now and then in the right place might just be the ticket to getting you through the day. We suggest a smaller room such as a bath or bedroom as a start. Also, keep in mind I am not talking of an explosion of color. Just some attitude!
After all, a can of paint is relatively inexpensive and makes quite an impact. Remember shocking pink from top to bottom might be a bit too sassy, but a splash of boldness could just be the perfect look that reflects your personality!

Value

Recently I corresponded with a business associate regarding the housing market. I mentioned of the importance of staging every home and I was met with the reply that staging right now isn't necessary. Hm~
A well considered opinion. Someone's perception of value.
But when did good taste and positive impression become unimportant?
I sure do understand the initial knee-jerk reaction that money is tight and priorities must be established! Absolutely.
We are working through that in our own home and budget. "Do we really need that? " Decisions are tougher now, given more thought due to money flow.
But priorities are shifting also.
What was once important, maybe doesn't seem vital. However, what was a luxury, can also become almost a necessity. I've learned that opportunities lost can bring regret.
Example; We would love a vacation. We look forward to the family time of relaxing, balanced with some crazy flashlight in hand-late night bike rides. Making homemade donuts we shouldn't eat, but feel justified cuz, 'Hey, we're on vacation!"
While a vacation might be a stretch, it is an investment in family & memories. Those don't fade or change with the economic situation.
Those decisions are made not only with what joy we receive, but with the notion it is worth it!
Staging is like that.
It might be a stretch, but it is an investment. There are a lot, and I mean a lot of homes for sale out there. And while spending any extra time or money now seems unimportant, those who are spending their money to purchase their new house are even more careful with their money.

Value is perceived and perception is valuable.

Time

Time is a blessing and a curse. It can consume or give a sense of freedom. It can bring the comfort of boundary, holding things in order. Or time gives us feeling of claustrophobia. Most of us live with the underlying sense of time, constantly aware of how it holds us in its grip throughout our day.
We wake up wondering what time it is. We arrange our schedule by the clock. Appointments need time and we strive to be 'on time', frustrated if the courtesy is not reciprocated. Our recreation even needs time. "I'll be back later."
Later.
Now as it is summer time there is a sense in my life to get things done outside. Pulled in different directions but hoping that now is the time to enjoy the summer. I mean in Oregon when the sun shines you better take it when you can. Summer says "time out." School is out, vacations are planned. I don't want to waste time, but isn't that the point sometimes? To waste it? There is joy in time wasted.
But is there regret in it too?
My daughter and son in law are wondering if now is the time to buy a house. Well, maybe. There are perks for sure in finding just the right spot to call your own. A big decision. One that should be made carefully! With the incentives now for first time home buyers it seems reasonable. So as we discuss the pros and cons of being a home owner and I value the time we share, giving advice to my grown up girl, making grown up decisions.
Time is a gift.

changes

It used to be that I'd recoil at any change. I, as a rule, don't embrace change. But as I've 'matured' it seems that I almost expect it, choosing to accept it. In a perfect world, I'd get to chose and control all things that affect my life, and once approved, I'd set it in stone and call it good.
Yet living in reality, I know that is not an option. O, but what great things I'd miss.
I remember a movie that has the world of Jim Carey living in a bubble. Everything was peachy, day after day. As a viewer I knew it wasn't right, but in his world, it seemed normal. And there lies the problem.
In the last 2 years, I've lost people in my life and gained others; I've learned and flexed. I think most of us are all in the same situation, in one way or another. Perhaps our life style has changed, not because of anything we've planned. Potentially, what these changes bring is an opportunity to see things differently.
Moving might in and of itself bring stress and worry. But perhaps there is a wonder waiting at the end of the road. A new friend, new experiences, things unexpected but good.
I haven't physically moved location, but what I have moved is my outlook and attitude. While I never signed up for some of these life experiences, I certainly am moved by the journey itself.
I have new dear friends that I hadn't even met a year ago. I have a new respect for those in my life that I before took for granted. I still have much to learn, but I am starting to get used to changes, expecting them, and enjoying the journey.

Blogs

It is evident that we have reached a point in our communication style that makes it difficult to go back to just a written note, a quick phone call, or heaven forbid,a 'drop in' visit! If I can't text someone quickly to get my thought out, or ask a quick question, it probably is going to have to wait until I have some extra time on my hands (which is rare!)
It is so convenient to carry on more than one conversation at a time; texting one person while chatting with the one sitting across from me. Can you say multi-tasking? I love email; quick and easy. Get to the point, hit send and I am done! I adore my laptop; I sit cross legged on my couch, favorite CD playing, a wonderful something to drink and away I go!
Twitter, Blogging, Blackberry, the web. All wonderful tools! Yet, I have to admit, when I go out to the mailbox and see a hand written envelope ( a real one, not those fake company fonts that make me question if it is personal), I usually open the envelope before I even make it back to my house. And if it is really special, I put it in that little red basket to read again later.
Most of us feel the same way. We love technology, I use technology, but when it comes right down to it, I kinda miss that personal touch.
A home buyer is like that; first they look online....getting to the bottom line of what that house is like. Is it in the right neighborhood? How many bathrooms? What is the square footage? All this information at the tip of their fingertips! But once all that is analyzed, they still want that personal touch. They want to walk through it, picturing themselves in the home. Such an important aspect is the emotional connection. Though the pictures and the 'stats' bring them in, what really sells a home is the personal touch. You can't get that with technology! Feeling the emotion of a home is what sells a home. Maybe someone will walk away from your house, and mentally put it in their little red basket.

advice

Those of us who are parents know the challenge of having our children actually take our advice. I could come up with a perfect solution to a difficult situation, careful in my selection of words, giving encouragement and love. It would often be met with a reply challenging my understanding or assuming a mother's downright ignorance. The blank expression, possible tears would invoke in me a reaction of frustration.
Ah, but then, ...Oh the wisdom of another! The best friend's mom, the older sister or a mentor could say exactly the same thing and "wha-la' ....Amazing Revelation!!
It seemed as if there was determination to drive me literally bonkers! I would hear myself think..."Isn't that what I said?" But now with their new found wisdom, I realized that the end result was basically what I was hoping for. It didn't matter whether I received the accolades, but there was joy in having the issue resolved.
Advice is like that.
Sometimes it just takes the right wording or credentials to make a difference. As a stager, I find the homeowner will realize the value of what is said, trusting that a professional knows the situation. Quite possibly the realtor offered the same advice, but with a different voice, the listener absorbs. I have learned the beauty of having someone else step in, backing up my desires or advice can work to my advantage. Less stress for me! Sooner or later when my words echo back, I smile to myself.