Title

Archive for the 'Marianne Sweet on Home Staging' Category

Home Staging By the Letters!

From my staging colleague Cindy Bryant, owner of Redesign, Etc. in Houston, TX:

Helping home sellers achieve their goal.

Offers will come faster.

Marketing strategy.

Effective selling technique.

Selling a home for all it’s worth.

Taking a tried and true approach.

Always looking better than the competition.

Get better appraisal values.

Internet photos will show a must see property.

Never giving you a bad first impression.

Gain more exposure with better listings.

Stage Rooms for Their Intended Purpose When Selling a House

When potential buyers view a house for sale, they need to see rooms presented as they were intended.  The master bedroom shouldn’t be an exercise room, the bathroom shouldn’t be a pet station, the garage shouldn’t be a storage unit, and unless you have more than 3 bedrooms, resist the urge to make one an office.

This is especially important when it comes to dining areas.  People want to see where they will gather for meals and entertain their loved ones.

I recently staged a 900 sq. ft. house for a client who was using her dining room as office space.  As you can see (amongst the considerable clutter), a desk definitely does not belong there.  Aside from being the wrong use of the space, it was also the first thing visitors saw when they came in the front door … NOT a good first impression. 

After completely clearing out the area , I moved the table and chairs that were overwhelming the small kitchen and created a proper dining room.

Visitors can now see that there is room for a full size table and 4 chairs at the very least.  Showing a dedicated dining room, the intended purpose for this space, adds value to this petite house and answers an important question for the buyer.

Home Sellers Top Questions About Home Staging

As I head to Florida for a much-needed vacation and annual Spring Training game (Go Tigers!!!), I leave you with an excellent Q & A reblogged with permission from my staging colleague Cindy Bryant of Redesign Etc, Inc. in Houston, TX.  Her post on Active Rain is spot-on and truly reflects the most common questions that I am asked by potential staging clients.   I apologize for starting my vacation early and taking the easy way out.  Truth is, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Take it away Cindy …

“There is so much information on home staging, that home sellers are on overload.  With advice coming from all kinds of sources and areas of the country.  Yes, it is confusing, where do you start?   If you watch tv, you may get the impression you can have your home staged for under $2000.  Or another show may stage a home for around $20,000.   Big difference!   Another show has strangers coming to your house picking it apart, to the point that you’re thinking, no way am I going to let someone do that to my home.  You can read articles or books on the internet from people that may be experts or just people with an opinion.  You can also read a book on ”How to Cut Hair”, but would you actually trust yourself to cut your hair or someone else’s?  I wouldn’t!  So, where do you start?  Sure, you have questions … who wouldn’t?

Here are a few questions home sellers have when thinking about staging their homes.

1) How much does it cost? Reasonable question … as a matter of fact it’s the #1 question.  It’s the big mystery.  This is why.  I wish I could say every home stager could give you a standard answer, but we can’t.  Every stager should be their own business entity, and provide different services.  Some charge an hourly rate, by the square foot, per room, a percentage of the list price or a flat fee.  As every property is different, we really need to see the home to assess it and give you a solid number.  Some stagers can estimate it, but shouldn’t be held to that number until the property is viewed.  There are too many variables that go into it. Is is vacant? Do furniture and accessories need to be brought in?  Or is it occupied, and you just need a redesign of existing furnishings? These are just a couple of examples.

2) Who pays for the staging? The 2nd most popular question.  The home seller is ultimately responsible for staging services.

3) Why doesn’t my Realtor pay for home staging, they are making the commission? Again, ultimately a homeowner is responsible for staging costs.  Some, but not all real estate agents will pay for a Home Staging Consultation, as a value-added service, but the actual costs associated with staging (furniture rental, actual hands-on staging) is paid for by the home seller.  It is not the responsibility of a real estate agent to pay for home staging costs.

4) Can I pay at closing? This is up to the stager.  Most, do not do this as we do not know if a property will be on the market for 1 day or 3 months.  Again, we all do it a little differently, some ask for 1/2 upfront, and some charge a monthly fee.

5) What do you do? Again, each home stager is their own entity.  Some offer redesigns only, some offer accessories only, and some offer furniture and accessories.  Some don’t have the inventory to do a vacant home so they will have to use a third party source, and some use their own inventory.  Different services can be offered, such as paint color consultations, personal shopping, organizing, curb appeal, recommendations on cost-effective cosmetic changes such as flooring, counters, lights, fixtures, etc.  The ultimate goal is to help a seller get their home sold faster and in the most cost effective manner.

6) How long does it take? It depends on how much you want done and to what extent.  It can take a few hours or a few days, or maybe longer if there are some cosmetic changes that need to be taken care of.

7) When should I have my home staged? As soon as you decide to sell.  Call a professional home stager and get a Home Staging Consultation.  Once necessary recommendations are completed from your stager’s list, your house is ready to be listed.  Don’t make the mistake of putting up that “For Sale” sign in the front yard before your home is ready.  The first 20 days a home is listed will be when it will get the most interest and traffic.  Make sure your house is show ready.”

Tags: answers to home seller's questions, Cindy Bryant, home stager, Home Sweet Home Staging, Marianne Sweet on Home Staging, Redesign Etc Inc., Rochester Hills Oakland County MI home stager

Don’t Underestimate “The Neighbor Factor” When Selling a House

We know that the three most important factors for a successful real estate sale are location, price and condition.  While the seller can make changes to the price and condition of a property to hasten a sale,  no one can amend the location.

What happens when the location of the house itself is desirable, but the neighbors are not? 

Everyone has a story.  The neighbors who don’t mow their weed-infested yard.  The RV parked in the driveway year-round.  The garbage cans left out for days after pick-up.  The home improvement project that was never finished.  The incessant barking dogs.  The company van.  The boat.  The used cars for sale.  The dumpster.  The broken garage door.  The loud parties.

The smart buyer will scope out the neighborhood before making an offer.  If a house isn’t selling, it may be “The Neighbor Factor” at work.  Here’s where a home stager can help.

In this photo, furniture placement (specifically, a strategically-placed tree) help to block the view of the neighbor’s backyard, so it’s not the first thing a potential buyer will see when they enter the space.

It’s only upon closer inspection, or in this case zooming in, that you become somewhat aware of the Tiki Bar in the neighbor’s yard and the novelty signs that are plastered all over his garage.  Home staging assured that the focus was on the great sunroom itself, and didn’t allow the neighbor’s yard to be a distraction.

As the home stager on this project, I was fully prepared to have a little chat with the neighbor and charm him into toning it down by removing the signs from his garage.  We home stagers go to extraordinary lengths to make sure our clients’ properties show in the best possible light, and that includes talking to unruly neighbors.  Unfortunately in this case, I never found the neighbor home to speak to him.  It turns out, however, that I didn’t have to.  This house sold 7 days after being listed on the MLS.

While there isn’t a silk tree large enough to camouflage an RV in an adjoining driveway, a home stager can do wonders to increase your property’s marketability.  We have a large arsenal of tricks at our disposal, including the power of persuasion and the desire to use it!

Tags: home stager, Home Sweet Home Staging, Marianne Sweet on Home Staging, neighbors preventing sale, selling a house with unruly neighbors

Showing Instructions … A List For Sellers

With the brief glimpse of spring that we experienced over the weekend, thoughts turn to buying and selling houses.  “The Real Estate Season” is fast approaching, although maybe not fast enough for some of us!

Sellers?  Be prepared.  If your house has good curb appeal and is priced appropriately, your showings will increase.  Put your best foot forward by following these suggestions:

Before all showings……….Set the Stage!

1. Turn on all lights and lamps
2. Open all blinds and curtains, unless otherwise instructed
3. Straighten bedding and fluff pillows
4. Give sinks a quick wipe and display clean, matching towels
5. Make sure all toilet lids are down
6. Store all garbage cans, pet items and personal items out of sight
7. Close garage doors
8. If you have a fireplace, start a fire
9. Turn on soft music throughout house (tune all radios to the same station)
10. If candles are displayed, light them!
11. If possible, display fresh flowers … fresh is always best
12. Do a “smell check”; lightly spray a clean fragranced freshener if necessary

 During showings……….Give the buyer some privacy!

• Go for a walk, run errands or work in the garden
• Remove all pets from the house, especially dogs

Make those showings count.  By paying attention to details and preparing for each visitor, you will set the stage for a successful sale!

 

 

 

Tags: be ready for buyers, home stager, Home Sweet Home Staging, instructions for sellers, Marianne Sweet on Home Staging, showing instructions

Marianne Sweet Brings Home The Magnificent Seven!

Every year, Washington State real estate and mortgage blogger, Larry Cragun publishes The Magnificent Seven, an award he gives to some of the best real estate blog posts he has read over the previous year. Larry plows through thousands of posts over the course of a year to cull his list down. A daunting task, by any measure.

I am so excited to see Marianne Sweet’s post as a final winner. Check out all the winners on Real Estate Undressed.

Thanks for all your great posts, Marianne! Of course, your work as a stager is what I appreciate most of all.

Tags: magnificent 7, marianne sweet, real estate undressed

Is Home Staging “Out” for 2009?

Realty Times recently published an article titled “What’s In, What’s Out With Home Buyers in 2009?” . Author Mark Nash gives a rundown of how the real estate market may look this year and what he feels buyers are looking for.

While Mr. Nash makes some very valid observations, I must take issue with a few points that he makes, namely #5 on the “Out” list.

Mr. Nash states that home staging, “an over-used low cost marketing band-aid for vacant or occupied homes” is out. The only thing I agree with in that statement is “low cost”, which is certainly true compared to a price reduction. He goes on to say “Buyers have said enough of the non-professional usage of assorted leftover props placed around a for-sale home to make it supposedly homey. Buyers say, market it as it is and clear out the tired silk flowers and stale potpourri.” I will agree that there are less-than-fabulous attempts at staging out there, but professional home staging is proven to reduce DOM. Can any marketing tool that works truly be “out”?

Another point that frightens me in this article is the notion that “Obama-era paint colors” will be in vogue. Trust me, the “bright optimistic blues and radiant golds” that are mentioned will not help sell a house. Neutral is “in”, no matter who resides in the White House.

2009 should prove to be an interesting year for real estate, and many predictions in this article may be on-point. Let the professionals in your particular market advise you, as they know the real “ins and outs”.

Tags: home stager, Home Sweet Home Staging, Marianne Sweet on Home Staging, real estate trends in 2009

Staging Rules for Selling Your Home During the Holidays

While the holidays will be just a memory and an extra bag of garbage for pick-up in a couple of weeks, these weeks could be crucial for those who are actively listing and showing their houses.  Buyers who are braving the elements and interrupting their holiday commitments to view houses are serious about finding their next home.  Be sure your house is show-ready and tastefully decorated. 

Maureen gave some great advice in her earlier post Selling Your Oakland County Home During The Holidays.  This home stager would like to expand on her words of wisdom and offer some guidelines to those who have their properties on the market during this festive time of year.

• Think “monotone”.  Think “minimalistic”.  Think “display tree at Macy’s”. 
  

  tasteful Christmas decor

Warm, inviting and carefully-planned will appeal to more buyers than, say, Clark Griswold’s idea of tasteful decor.   We all love Clark’s enthusiasm for the holidays and his family’s unique style, but save the popcorn garland and children’s framed photo ornaments for next year! 

• While we’re talking about Clark, I think we can all agree that his outdoor lighting display is legendary.  It is also a lesson in what NOT to do while your house is on the market.  Sorry Clark!  A few strands of single-color lights framing the entrance and a wreath on the front door will suffice.
• A small assortment of wrapped gifts under the tree is a lovely touch.  Shredded wrapping paper, colorful plastic toys and empty boxes … not so much.  Clean up after the celebration!
• The scent of freshly-baked cookies and a plate of treats offered to visitors is always a good thing.  Fruitcake, on the other hand, never gives a good impression.  Sorry Grandma!
• If your Pointsettia is past it’s prime, pitch it.
• The standard staging rule of “no religious items” applies to the holidays as well.  Whatever symbolizes your particular holiday (The Nativity, The Star of David, menorahs, kineras, etc.) should be kept to a minimum or even stored out-of-sight for showings.  While Santa and his reindeer are more widely accepted, you should reign those in as well (pun intended!)
• And please … if your MLS photos were taken while your decorations were on display, have them retaken as soon as the holidays are over. 

Wishing you a season filled with fun, family, friends, peace and time to watch your favorite holiday movie!  See you next year!

Tags: Home Sweet Home Staging, Marianne Sweet on Home Staging, selling your house during the holidays, tasteful holiday decor

A Home Stager Gives Thanks

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a perfect time to pause, reflect and give thanks for all of the blessings we have in our lives.

As I reach 4 1/2 years of owning a home staging business, I realize I have much to be grateful for.  I have met some incredible people along the way, many that I am proud to call “friend”.  I’ve made a few mistakes, but have learned so much.  The real estate market has changed since 2004, but I see glimmers of hope daily.  Maureen Francis has given me an opportunity to contribute to this blog and hopefully impact the industry in some small way.  I have never had a client stiff me, although one came close.  Most importantly, I have been able to help eager, and sometimes skeptical homeowners achieve quick sales.  Few things satisfy me as much. 

The important people in my life have remained important and stable.  My husband’s business is stronger than ever.  Collision shops can make a car smashed by a newly-licensed teenager look almost perfect.  My parents and in-laws are still alive and constants in our lives.  Neither the war nor cancer has touched our family.  I have a reasonable and honorable contractor on retainer.  Life is good.

From a stager’s viewpoint, the following are crucial and will be toasted this Thanksgiving:

• Enlightened real estate agents
• HGTV, for introducing staging to the public and showing what can be done to improve a property’s appeal
• Fellow stagers, for being friends, problem-solvers, sounding boards, assistants and……..
• Competition, which makes us accountable, honest and better at what we do
• Trust.  Believe it or not, I have never met the majority of my clients.  With a giant leap of faith, they give me access to their houses and trust that I will fulfill my promises and treat their property with respect.  I do not take this responsibilty lightly.
• Duct tape.  As Tim “The Toolman” Taylor once said, “When in doubt, duct it.”  You men know what I’m talking about!
• Gorilla Glue, which has saved the day more than once
• Cordless drills…enough said
• Lower gas prices, which make it much easier to retain the gas-guzzler that I am forced to own.  Ever try to put a whole house-worth of accessories in a convertible?
• Pins, rubber bands, ribbon, silk flowers, Sharpies, two-sided tape and band-aids, which all reside in my Magic Bag of Stager’s Tricks
• Moving Men furniture glides, which help save the back
• My chiropractor, for when the Moving Men didn’t work
• Modern medicine, also for when the Moving Men didn’t work, or for when a child gets sick on Staging Day

Wishing you and yours a warm, wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

Tags: home stager, Home Sweet Home Staging, Marianne Sweet on Home Staging, Thanksgiving

The Power of Decluttering

Take a quick look at this photo:

What did you see?

Did you notice:

• The beautiful bay window?
• The window seat?
• New high-grade carpet?
• A fireplace to the left?
• Plenty of room to put a proper desk?
• The incredible wooded view outside the windows?
• The french door?
• Neutral wall color?

Probably not.  Like most potential home buyers, you likely noticed only the clutter, disorganization and plethora of toys.  And the flat-screen TV sitting in the window!  If you were searching the internet for a new home, chances are you would not be in a big hurry to schedule an appointment to view this house.

This was ALMOST the photo that would have been taken for the MLS listing.  If a home stager (in this case, me!) had not arrived the day before the Realtor was scheduled to photograph and list the property, this would have been a buyer’s first view.  A room full of chaos will evoke an emotional response, but certainly not the response we want.

Now, here is the after photo:

In this photo, a whole new room emerges.  Architectural features are not only visible, but spotlighted.  The space has a completely different feel, and the size and scope of the room are evident.

In a stager’s perfect world, the owner would have had an office desk and chair to move into the room and she would have taken down the personal calendar on the wall as I suggested.  She didn’t.  But, you get the idea.  And so will the buyer, which is the whole idea behind home staging.

With the majority of buyers starting their home searches on the internet, it’s crucial that the photos provided on listings look their best.  Decluttering is the first step.

Tags: decluttering, home stager, Home Sweet Home Staging, MLS photos