Home Staging ~ Dealing With Sensitvie Situations

What do you do if you are a real estate professional and you have just walked into a home you know can sell for more money with just a few simple changes?
Selling a home often takes the homeowner through several emotional stages. Leaving the place they have called home and love exactly the way it is can be difficult for many people. The last thing your client wants to hear is that their home isn't "good enough."
When making common sense -everyone should know- suggestions you often walk a fine line of being insulting or helpful. You don't want to risk a losing a potential new listing by trying to help your client face the facts.
This is where a home staging expert can help! Teaming-up with a knowledgeable professional will increase your bottom line and will help you obtain new listings.
When working with a staging pro, let them do the dirty work for you. Examples:
Make the beds everyday.
Remove the dated wallpaper.
Wash the windows and walls.
Do the dishes and clean daily.
Remove family photos...etc.
Neutralize and de-clutter.

Not only will the blame be squarely on the home stager if the property doesn't sell in two minutes, but you will remain the real estate professional they have hired.

Remember that you will want to work with a staging professional you get along with. They will be your second-string, so to speak. You want to work with only someone that will compliment you and reaffirm your clients choice to work with you!

Consider paying for the staging service yourself. You can offer this service as a signing gift and deduct it from your taxes. Either way, it is a win-win for the busy real estate agent. You will never have to worry about dealing with a sensitive situation again.

Author~ Julie Rieman
Instructor ~ All About Redesign Decorating Center
www.allaboutredesign.com
www.allaboutwalls.net

Home Staging ~ Room by Room Tips to Sell Your Home

Many home buyers will search online before contacting anyone. When trying to attract a potential buyer you want your home to stand out in this tightening market.
The only thing worse than NO picture is having a BAD picture listed. Remember... you never have a second chance to make a first impression and a picture is worth a thousand words?
Keep this in mind when having your home or listing photographed for the MLS and before posting it online.
Tips to remember before and during the photo shoot.
Curb appeal. This is often the first photo a potential buyer will view. If the home was listed during the winter months and not sold, update the picture to reflect the current season. If a buyer sees snow in the landscape, they immediately know the listing is old and wonder why.
The Kitchen. This is an extremely important room to everyone. For the photos sake...remove the magnets and children's artwork from the refrigerator! Also, hide the trash bin from sight. Nobody wants to look at the garbage, it is not attractive and leads to the conclusion that the space is small.
The Bedrooms. No matter the number of bedrooms in your property, you may want to consider neutralizing each one. A fresh coat of paint is a simple and affordable solution. Change that pink or blue child's room to a boring tan or taupe. It will immediately attract a larger audience of buyers. If you have wallpaper-remove it quick!
The Bath. Try to create a spa-like environment. This can be accomplished by placing towels with matching candles on the counter tops. Use a neutral palette and match the shower curtain. Remove all hygiene products!
Living and Family Rooms. First it is important to remove any unnecessary furniture and personal collections to make the space appear as large as possible. Hide all VHS tapes, DVD movies and audio accessories. Potential buyers do not care about your extensive collections. They want to visualize their own possessions in these rooms.
Laundry Room. For God's sake...hide the dirty laundry! Not only is this a reflection of your housekeeping skills but buyers will be turned-off to your home. Nobody wants to look at your dirty underwear. You do NOT want to leave that visual in a buyers mind!

Home staging is all about setting the "stage" for your property to put it in it's best light. Whether you are an agent or home seller, following the room by room tips will help you accomplish just that!
Author ~ Julie Rieman
Instructor ~ The All About Redesign Decorating Center
www.allaboutredesign.com
www.allaboutwalls.net

Home Staging and Interior Redesign Classes~Ten Questions to Ask The Instructor

Interior Redesign and Home Staging Classes ~
Ten Facts You Should Know
When searching online for a interior redesign training and home staging classes, there are several centers to choose from. Which interior redesign/home staging training class, workshop or online course will be the right fit for you?
Following is a list of questions you should ask yourself and the prospective instructor to be certain you are making the best and most cost effective decision.
1. First and foremost, consider the credentials of the training instructor. What are their decorating experience and affiliations?
2. Ask if the redesign/staging training manual is actually written text or full of filler paper for you to take notes. Ask the font size too.
3. Find out if you will become eligible to join other professional affiliations or if this is forbidden.
4. Ask for a list of specific tools and decorating supplies the training workshop will provide.
5. Find out if there are any additional charges for a website posting.
6. Ask if there are any annual fees or charges to join the affiliation you are considering paying thousands of dollars to for your redesign training.
7. Ask if you will receive a certificate or certification upon successfully completing your home staging or interior redesign training. This information should be freely offered up-front...not after you have already committed.
8. Ask if there is any testing involved and if so, is it included in the course or a added on additional fee.
9. Factor into the tuition cost any additional travel and hotel requirements.
10. Ask if the redesign teacher will consider traveling to your town. Many will for a certain minimum number of students. This could save you lots of money!
Once you have done your research and had all these questions answered you will be able to make an informed and educated decision.
Author ~ Julie Rieman
Instructor~ The All About Redesign Center
http://www.allaboutredesign.com/

Decorate With Light...Set the Stage for Your Home

Lights can not only change the feel of your space but you can use it to highlight and accent your treasures! There are three different and distinct lighting functions available to you.
1. General Lighting
2. Task Lighting
3. Accent Lighting
General lighting is often times the light on the ceiling in the center of the room. Such as a Chandelier, Ceiling Fans, Recessed Cans or a Overhead Globe. This type rarely offers enough light to satisfy our everyday needs. General lighting is just that. General. This is usually not the only source in a typical room. Task lighting is used for a specific task and in work areas where more light is required. The task might be putting a puzzle together or reading a book. A lamp placed next to a chair would be considered a task light. So are the under-cabinet lights that have become so popular. Accent lighting can make a tremendous impact on the feel of your space. This type of lighting is commonly used to highlight a important piece of art or brighten a dark corner. Accent lights are the most fun to work with because you can accomplish a spectacular change for very little money. Accent lighting can dramatically improve the “feel” of the room.Track lights are a great example of task and accent lighting. The bulbs may be strategically positioned to light a work area and highlight a beautiful art piece At The Same Time!
Tip- To brighten a dark corner consider purchasing a small pot light. These little wonders can be hidden behind tables and shine a beautiful glow up to the ceiling! Very inexpensive and can be purchased at most discount and hardware stores.
Author ~ Julie Rieman
Home Staging Instructor
www.allaboutredesign.com

Stage Your Home by Appealing to The Senses

The following is a list of suggestions meant to appeal to the five senses and set your open house apart from others!
Out of sight, out of mind! Hide away anything you would not see in a “model” home. This is especially true regarding trash! Remember to empty all trash bins and remove them from sight. Keep in mind that potential buyers look at everything! A clean property equates a well maintained property that will get offers!
Never underestimate the sense of smell. It is important that your property passes the “smell test”. This may be accomplished by using many of the various room fresheners available today. We recommend a long lasting product and prefer the plug-in style. Consider placing one in each room. Place in an inconspicuous area that is not easily noticed by potential buyers.
Do you hear what I hear? This is especially important in creating an atmosphere of peacefulness. You do not want potential buyers to hear the furnace turn on or listen to outdoor traffic. Consider playing music that will not offend most people. Rock and Roll is dead as far as your open house goes! We suggest playing soft background music that contains no lyric.
Potential buyers will be touching surfaces in your property. Not intentionally, but because they have to! Be certain that all banisters, handrails, doorknobs and faucets are squeaky clean. You do not want people to “feel” that your home is anything but squeaky clean!
We like to suggest leaving a decorative treat filled dish out for potential buyers. You can fill it with various individually wrapped candies. Everyone loves chocolate and it makes a hospitable statement about you and your home!
Thanks for reading!
Author ~ Julie Rieman
Instructor ~ The All About Redesign Center
www.allaboutredesign.com