Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Holiday Staging Tips


The question comes up all the time “Should we list a home during the holidays!” Not only should it be listed, but it should be staged. Let’s look at some facts.

The real estate market is no longer just seasonal, where families wait for the summer to move because of their school aged children. According to the US Census Bureau more people, especially those over the age of 45, are moving after the school year has begun. Empty nesters for example tend to move in late fall and late winter. Many of these buyers are actively looking for homes during the holidays, and they are serious.

Non traditional buyers are an increasingly important factor in the home buying market. According to the National Association of Realtors 18% of home buyers are single women, 11% are single men and 5% are unmarried couples. Adding to this increasing market are year round school families and corporate transfers. To the sellers the winter months can be advantageous because there are fewer homes on the market. Less inventory can mean less competition.

Taking in the romance and sentimentality of the holidays with a professionally staged home gives you the recipe for a successful sale. Staging during the holiday appeals to all the senses. Here are some holiday staging tips to remember.

* Sight: Use amber-colored lights that give off a rich warm glow. Switch out your regular white light bulbs to create a warm feeling. Use seasonal items, such as poinsettias, evergreen branches and colored ribbons. Avoid displaying any religious icons.

* Touch: Add velvet and silk to table tops for softness. By seeing smooth textures the brain registers the feeling of warmth and softness.

* Sound: Play gentle well known music without words. The music makes the buyer feel light and happy and sets the mood.

* Smell: Simmer cider with orange slice and cinnamon. Avoid using artificial spray as many people have reactions to the chemicals. Fresh cut evergreen branches are another great idea.

* Taste: Believe it or not. YES! The sense of smell contributes to the sense of taste. Treat the prospective buyer to some chocolate chip cookies or cinnamon muffins. Bake one hour before a showing.

Homes do sell during the holidays! Professionally staged homes stand out from the crowd. Buyers spend more time in a home that has been staged for the holidays. The prospective buyers will envision spending their next holiday season in your holiday staged listing.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Understand the Many Uses of Home Staging

You may of heard about home staging services, yet don't fully realize all of the tasks home staging professionals can address for you. Consider the following implementations:

- Home staging professionals can also be regarded as interior designers. Many people have difficulties dressing the interior of their home. Staging professionals facilitate the process so you're able to dress your home beautifully without any impediments. Home designers love the process, so a client can be as involved or distant from the interior design process as they would like.

- Real estate agents and private owners seek the help of professional home staging services when trying to sell a home. Beforehand, a home's interior may adopt the style of its owner, lacking the zest needed to appeal to future, potential buyers. Professional home staging services can dress your home to attract your target market.

- There are so many colors an owner can implement into their home's interior. Home staging professionals can provide color consultations to help the home owner achieve their desired outcome. Get suggestions regarding your paint, fabric, flooring, and furniture. Professionals use their experience to achieve a color harmony throughout your home.

- Builders may want to complement their foundational work with interior design work in order to make the new homes more appealing to buyers. Home staging professionals can dress new home models so they seem more inviting and warm to potential buyers.

- Model homes are leveraged to give potential buyers a sense of how new home models will look. In addition to the general layout, potential buyers can be influenced by how the home is dressed. Emulating the look of a lived-in home makes the model appear more realistic and can further prompt a buyer to action.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Home Staging Secrets



I truly believe that staging sells! When buyers walk into a well styled, clutter free, visually appealing home, they easily see the potential and beauty in the house. Not only can it help get a house off the market quickly, it can help bring in offers closer to the price you wish to obtain.


Check out this article for some of the many secrets that home staging professionals bring to up the sale of your property...

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/13-home-staging-secrets/pictures/index.html

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Understanding Home Staging Services

Homes can be considered products such as shoes, jeans, flowers, etc. It is the seller's job to present the product in an appealing manner in order to entice buyers to react. A house on the market may need to look differently than a home that is settled by a family. In order for real estate agents to make a sale, the home must look inviting and receptive to a large pool of people rather than exhibiting the style of one family. How are real estate agents able to appeal to potential buyers? Home staging services is the answer.

Home staging and design is performed so the house can compete with others on the market, and ultimately, outshine the competition in alluring buyers. Regardless of price and location, home staging professionals use a set of guidelines to review your house for compliance. Based on preset standards, necessary changes are made and a certificate is granted.

A home staging certificate is attractive to real estate agents because this tells them that the home is ready for show. Agents understand that a beautifully-staged home is going to sell faster and look more appealing to potential buyers.

The worth of interior design home staging is easy to prove to real estate agents, yet some homeowners are not aware of the advantages. Some homeowners may be under the impression that showing their home as it is can entice buyers; they may believe their own sense of style and interior decorating is enough to intrigue any buyer in the market. This is not always or often true. Such a belief can cost the homeowner time and money regarding the sale of the house.

Many houses on the market have been modified by professional home staging services. These houses are in a good position to sell quickly in comparison to a home that looks cluttered, overwhelming, and 'lived in'. Of course, the buyer may understand it is a previously-owned home, yet they want to envision it as a 'new' home. Home staging and design makes the home appear brand new rather than used.

Are you looking to sell your house? Has your home been on the market for too long? Think about improving the look of your 'product'. Think about using home staging services.