We Answer Wednesday - Selling and Seasonal Decor

"We will be selling our home during the holidays.  We love the holidays and especially the decorating.  Is it OK to decorate our home for the holidays while it is up for sale? "

We love the holidays too and the decorating is our favourite part but when it comes to selling your home you need to be careful.  Holiday decorating can be a negative when it comes to selling your home.




 We love how simple and subtle this entry way decor is.  It is perfect for the fall and Thanksgiving season.  It is clean and tasteful.


Although we love this because it is both fun and festive for Halloween, it is too much if you are selling your home.  The mantle is too cluttered and crowded, and taking away from the fireplace - a great feature for any home


Here's why:

1.  Certain holiday decor may be religious and that can turn (some) buyers off.  You need to keep the home neutral and depersonalized.

2.  Holiday decor (in most cases) adds clutter.  You might think adding a large Christmas tree in your family room shows off the size of the room but it actually doesn't.  It cramps the space, adds bulk to the space and although beautiful it may even cut off the flow of the room.


This is a lot of fun and totally chic for a Halloween party but it's very cluttered and is very distracting.
 
3.  Holiday decor can be distracting.  Lights, trees, baubles and bling really take the focus away from features like flooring, new paint, large windows and just about anything else that is included with the home

4.  Holiday decor dates your photos. We love holiday decor but if you are decked out for the holidays during your photos, those photos will get old and quickly.  No one wants to see a fireplace mantle with garlands and wreaths in late January or February (and depending on your market and price point that could be a realistic time frame).

 
This is clean and simple plus it isn't religious.  This would be cute on a mantel or as a centerpiece during the season.
 
Now if you just can't come to terms with not decorating for the holidays while your home is for sale, here are some ideas.

1.  Tone it down and keep it tasteful.  So keep to less than 50% of what you would normally do.



This is a great addition on the front porch or by the fireplace.  It's clean and simple and it can be up over the months of December and January as it is pretty generic.  But remember to maintain any natural plants - you don't want a fire hazard or pine needles everywhere!

2.  Keep your decor up for a shorter period of time.  So don't put up your items too early and keep them up too long.

3.  Don't have your decor 'up' for your photos.  That way you will be giving buyers (who are looking online) a true snapshot of what the home looks like and you will be able to use the photos longer as they won't be dated after the holidays.

4.  Hosting the holidays? Be sure to let your agent know and coordinate with him/her any showing restrictions in advance - you don't want to turn away showings if you can avoid it. It can set a bad impression.


 Don't forget the exterior - keep your decor simple, clean and tasteful.  White lights are very flattering and work beyond the Christmas holidays.  Also with the days getting shorter, these lights help buyers and agents see the house better!



  This is really fun and very festive and probably a neighbourhood attraction but it is distracting and a look to avoid when selling your home.

Remember once you are in your new home you can make up for not being able to decorate during the sale of your last home! Happy Holidays and happy Selling!!

Positive Feedback - Home Staging Consultation

I just wanted to thank you for the advice and expertise you provided to my sellers.  I was there to meet the photographer.  OMG,  the place looked amazing!

The painting makes a huge difference and it looks like your long list of tasks was completed.

I will e-mail you the listing so you can see for yourself tomorrow...

Did you happen to take any pictures?  I wish I had..... the transformation is unbelievable.

Once again, a BIG thank you!

10 Secrets About Staging Your Home For Resale

Realistic or not...every home buyers dreams of purchasing a home that belongs in the pages of a magazine.  Staging your home or making it look it's best, is one of the first steps to putting it on the market.  Since many eyes will be on your home during showings, open houses and all through marketing and promotional materials, this is why you will want your home to look show room ready!  Many sellers feel that doing aesthetic work in preparation to sell their home isn't necessary and that the buyers themselves will want to make those changes themselves and to their taste - but to sell a home for top dollar in any market you must set yourself apart from the others.



1.  The exterior.  Aka Curb appeal.  this is where you will make your first impression.  If the outside is unappealing that sends a strong message to buyers and they may decide to move on without even entering.  Create a lasting impression by maintaining the flower beds and lawn, sweeping the walkway and porch, power wash the siding and freshen up the door and shutters with paint.  Take a look at accessories like the door mat - is it tired looking? mailbox - is it rusted? door bell? - is it working? number plate? - is it visible, clean? 

 

2. Depersonalize.  Staging your home for sale is very different from decorating your 'new' home.  when you move in to your space you want to put your personal stamp on things, set up your furniture for your lifestyle and make it yours!  When staging your home you want to attract the most buyers using neutral tones and furniture placement that shows off flow and the size of the room - highlighting the best attributes if the home.  Keep your style and tastes to a minimum since many buyers with many different tastes will be viewing your space.

 

3.  Don't leave the walls bare.  Yes, you want to depersonalize but don't completely neuter your home and remove all warmth and signs of life.  Removing personal items like family photos, collections and religious symbols is very important but decor items like art, mirrors and clocks add some warmth to the space and can pull a room together. 

 

4.  Create furniture groupings.  Sometimes when sellers want to make a room look and feel spacious they spread out the furniture creating a big open space in the middle.  This arrangement does leave a big, open space but it looks unfinished - which is a big turn off for buyers.  It's best to create furniture groupings to help buyers envision how to use the space - for conversation, TV watching, reading and more....Be sure to not only have furniture positioned in ways that would make sense for intended use but also be sure to have clear and direct paths through the room - this will give a room a spacious look and feel.  You want buyers to envision the use of the space, how to live in the home and of course, highlight the size of the room but still keeping it cozy for conversation.

 

5.  Use Paint to Maximize Space.  The right paint colour can perform miracles.  The right paint colour can make a room appear larger.  We often recommend a fresh coat of paint throughout the home in a light tone but if you don't want to pain the whole home - paint the space that you need to enlarge the same colour as the room that is adjacent to it.  The matching colours will help the potential buyer's eyes flow seamlessly from one room into the next and make both rooms seem like one big space.  Bold colours do make a statement but they tend to make rooms feel smaller and more closed off, plus that also a personal statement and taste. 

 

6.  Add extra lighting. Lighting can make all of the difference between a good viewing and a bad one.  You want to make sure that buyers actually see the aspects and features of the home.  Natural light is a plus, so pull back the drapes, remove heavy curtains all together and bring up the blinds.  For artificial lighting, you need to have enough to make your home feel cozy during evening showings.  Add some floor lamps in dark corners, routinely check light bulbs, add high wattage bulbs or day light bulbs to existing fixtures.

 

7.  Clearly define Every Space. Most of us have a room or space that is a catch-all and it serves many purposes but when it comes to selling your home - that space never translates well to buyers.  That catch-all room becomes a confusing space. Present that space as 'something' a guest room, a desk, craft room, study, ply room - it doesn't really matter  but define what that space is.  Clear it out, remove the junk and set it up as a proper, usable space.

 

8.  Assume every space will be viewed.  Sellers like to think that buyers will just look at the main areas of the home during a viewing.  In reality, buyers will look everywhere (especially if it is a 2nd or 3rd showing). so spend some time organizing cupboards, closets and other storage spaces.  Yes, you are living there but you can keep it neat and organized.  Start with a declutter - go through your clothes and linens (no sense in bring items you don't need or want into your next home), donate or toss what you no longer need, pre-pack the extras that you want to keep and fold up the towels and bedsheets in the current linen closet - making a beautiful and organized closet.  Same for other storage spaces. A closet that is bursting at the seams sends the signal that there isn't enough storage space.

 

9.  Organize personal items with storage.  If you are still living in the home that you are selling you will still have some personal pieces like toys, mail, pet items and toiletries.  The best way to keep the home staged while you live there is to have some easy storage solutions.  Baskets are great for toys, a chest or trunk at the edge of a bed, baskets or boxes in bookcases are perfect for flyers, mail and school items.  For bigger items, like furniture try renting a POD or Storage unit. 

 

10.  Fresh Touches Impress Buyers.  Some fresh details make an impression on buyers like fresh flowers (perfect for open houses), fresh fruit in a bowl on an island is a great pop of colour and sets a friendly tone, plush towels in the bathrooms look clean and luxurious are just a few easy examples.  These quick fixes can really make a world of difference in how your property is viewed by buyers.

Best Props To Stage Your Home

When it comes to home staging - yes, there are a number of items that must be removed from the home such as personal photos, collectibles and of course, excess or bulky furniture.  But there are certain props that really enhance the look of the home regardless of the age or decor style.

These 6 DIY props can add memorable details and welcoming feelings to buyers and just help to set the scene and really make your photos stand out from the other houses for sale.

Books - too many books in a book case (or piles of them in office spaces and bedroom) can look junky and sloppy BUT sets of hardcover books can really complete the look of shelves or stacked on a coffee table. Check out garage sales or used book stores for affordable options be sure to check the condition of the spine (and check to make sure they don't have a musty smell).  Stay away from controversial topis and title.  We always look of books that are medium to large in scale, hard cover and in good shape.  Colourful spines can add a splash a colour to a bookcase or coffee table.

Bookcases are great for book storage but when it comes to staging you want every space to feel light and airy.  Full bookcases add a lot of bulk and heaviness to a room, so do a pre-pack of you books and leave your nicest ones on display.  Stack them creatively, play with colour and add some simple accessories. 

 

Bowls of Lemons - a big bowl of bright fresh lemons is a simple way to add some colour and a feeling freshness to a space like the kitchen or as a dining centerpiece.  Use decorative lemons - they last longer plus you get that brilliant yellow colour.  Why lemons? Well, no one is ever tempted to bite into a lemon.  And yes, I have found bite marks on several occasions in our decorative fruit especially apples but some pears too.  Use a bowl that works with your decor style - long, lean glass works well for contemporary spaces, wood or pottery looks great in a rustic or country home.

A low profile bowl with lemons really allows one to see that bright splash of colour.  this looks great in a kitchen, on a kitchen island, a dining table or even a coffee table like the image below

 

Plush towels - New towels always look amazing in a bathroom.  Towels like everything else age, they are fine for every day use but when it comes to show casing your home old towels will just make the bathroom look tired and stale.  Aim for that 'boutique' hotel look with clean, plush, white towels.  If your bathroom is already entirely white choose a grey or brown tone something that will give some contrast to the space but keep it neutral.

These white plush towels add a softness to this bathroom.  Bathrooms are full of hard surfaces like tile, cabinetry, porcelain and more...so adding some softness gives the room some balance.  the white towels in this bathroom also give a spa like feel

 

Large Painting - This is probably a bit tougher to locate but try home decor stores or even online - the results are incredible!  Choose a large painting with soft tones (colour is fine but aim for softer hues).  We recommend a simple landscape (they are soothing) or just abstract with soft and blended brush strokes.  This will certainly make an impact but it won't be alarming.

This living room with the large landscape art piece makes an impact but is still soothing and peaceful which is a great quality in a home.  The colours are soft and the blue tones are also used in the decor.  Large art pieces look great on big walls like the one here but they also look great above a fireplace or in a dining room above a sideboard

 



A Pair of Matching Table Lamps - Take a look in any home design and decor magazine, you will always see matching pairs of lamps in a room.  You might be staging your home on a tight budget but you can't have it looking that way!  A pair of matching table lamps will give you a designer look without spending a bundle.  Place them in a room where they can both be scene - flanking the sofa in the living room or flanking the bed are easy  ways to do just that and it makes a big impact!

This image shows the impact of what some beautiful matching table lamps can do in a room.  The reflective surface of these lamps adds some great light in the room too. 

 





Plump Pillows - Pillows really add extra dimension to decor and home staging.  Look for pillows with some colour, texture and even print.  But stay away from stiff or flat pillows and of course, going over board with too many pillows.  Pillows should enhance the look of the space!  Decor pillows look great on sofas, accent chairs and also beds and benches.  Be sure to 'pump up' those bed pillows too - volume from pillows adds a sense of luxury and comfort.

Seen here: there's a mix of colour and pattern.  The turquoise makes a statement in this neutral tone room.  some home stagers may disagree but this colour choice brings life and a brightness to the room but be sure to carry this colour into other rooms as well to keep a fluid feel




In summary...putting it all together...
This neutral bedroom has a great mix of neutral tones - white, black and shades of beige.  The bed looks fantastic with the layering of pillows that are plump - bed and decor pillows.  The lean bedside tables and lamps match and fit in the space beautifully.  This is a  great example how to stage a bedroom in neutral tones, some texture, matching pieces, art and even flowers.

 

Stage (and Sell) My Cluttered House!

Owning  a home is a lot of work and selling a home is even more work!  without even noticing we start  to accumulate more stuff than we even realize. Some stuff in closets, in the spare bedrooms and in the  garage or shed, before you know it you have quickly filled your home to the  brim and now it's bursting with all kinds of things! Unfortunately, all of this stuff can really get in the way when you decide to sell your house. 

Buyers want and need to see the full potential of your house to picture themselves in it, but that can be difficult to do when it is covered up in your things – no matter how important they may be to you.
This is a situation home stagers see all the time . You do not have to suffer from a hoarding condition to have a cluttered home. A surprising number of people need help tackling the clutter so they can sell their property.

Selling a cluttered home is hard due to the fact that many people do not have the necessary vision to see beyond it. Appearance is critical in real estate sales. Luckily, there are solutions, things you can do now to make your home look its best and sell more reliably.

 

15 Quick De-cluttering and presentation tips

1. Minimize the amount of furniture in each room to make your home appear larger.
2. Make sure all high traffic areas are kept clear.
3. Move things like exercise equipments that don’t belong in a family or living room.
4. All closets should be thinned out.
5. Everything but the bare bone essentials should be removed from kitchen and bath counters.
6. Get rid of old unsightly plants.
7. Put away excess nick knacks, family and pet photos.
8. Get rid of old magazines and newspapers that are just lying around.
9. Clean up bookcases of clutter and arrange books neatly.
10. Organize wires coming from televisions and computers around the home so they don’t look unsightly.
11. Clear out excess shoes that may be lying around in your foyer or mudroom.
12. Always put away dirty laundry and make the beds.
13. If you have a deck clear it of any non essentials
14. Don’t forget your garage! Remove anything that is no longer necessary to have.
15. Remember to De-clutter your yard as well. Remove any junk you have accumulated.

This is a great start to properly presenting your home and although this can seem very overwhelming. Start small, you will feel great and it will motivate you to move on down the list.  While these are some things to consider when sprucing up a cluttered home, lets talk about the big stuff!

Have a lot of stuff? Rent A Storage Space!

One of the best tips to sell a cluttered home is to rent a storage space. This may be the most straightforward solution out there.  If your home is cluttered, consider a storage unit rental as a very small investment that could yield a considerable increase in your sale price.

Rent a unit that is plenty big enough to store all of your non-essentials. You can keep the couch and the television, but your collection of comic books or elephant figurines may be better off in storage until your house is sold. The idea is to create space for buyers to envision themselves living in your home, so anything you can remove to allow for that is probably a good idea.

Storage units are usually inexpensive, charge month-to-month and typically offer climate-controlled options. Go for a storage provider that emphasizes security, because your things are worth protecting. Any good storage space will make security part of its operating procedures, so it should be easy to find a provider that is serious about it.

Can't afford a storage unit ? Try asking friends, family or neighbours if they could store some of your items....

 

Get Rid of Your Clutter

  While storing things you want to keep is an important part of how to sell a cluttered home, you also want to get rid of things you don’t intend to keep. Preparing a home for sale is the perfect opportunity to discard unwanted items. There are many of us who have a problem disposing of  things that we don’t use on a weekly or even a monthly basis.
Often times many of the items we end of holding onto have some kind of sentimental value. Psychologically it makes it harder for us to get rid of these things. The first step of course is to overcome that fear of saying good bye to something you have held onto. There are also some folks that hoard even what would be considered by most people to be “junk”.

If you have items in your home that will not be coming with you and you need to get rid of them one of the best solutions is a company like Junk Squad or 1-800- Got Junk. These companies will come out to your home and haul away any of your unwanted clutter. Big or small it doesn’t matter. These companies will take just about anything. Pricing will be dependent on what you are getting rid of. The cost will be impacted by the size and weight of what you are getting removed.

Another great way of getting rid of things you no longer need or want is to give them away to charity. Old clothes, coats and shoes are the perfect thing to give to a charity. Not only will you be putting a smile on the face of someone who really needs it, your home will look better in the process. Some folks also like to have a yard sale as well to get rid of excess clutter. As the saying goes one mans junk is another mans treasure.

Get A Professional Cleaning

  Depending on your personality, this may be a difficult move to make – even if it is a small thing. Some people take pride in keeping a clean house, and many have spent years working to ensure that their homes are spotless. However, unless you happen to run your own cleaning service, you will probably benefit from the skills of a professional. While a professional cleaning really doesn’t necessarily get rid of clutter it can dramatically change a homes final appearance after you have tackled the heavy lifting and removed the bigger items from your home.

Some cleaning companies specialize in prepping houses for sale, and can do an amazingly in-depth cleaning job in a short amount of time. Once you have removed as much of the clutter as you can, bringing in a cleaner is the next best step to get your home ready for sale. From carpet cleaning to dusting the mini blinds, they can whip your home into shape – making it stand out to buyers through pictures and in person.

 

Presentation

Now that the house is clean and de-cluttered, it's time to work on the presentation.  You want the home to look it's best in photos and for showings.  Even if you don't have tons of updates that buyers are looking for doesn't mean that you can't feature other aspects of the home like floor plan. lighting, fireplace and more...

Create vignettes that highlight areas of the house that buyers might be attracted too like a mudroom, fireplace, wide entry

Think about adjusting the furniture arrangement so that the rooms have better flow and show off the space and functionality. Ask a friend or neighbour for their honest opinion or hire a home stager

Add some accent pieces with colour like pillows, flowers, towels, shower curtain, art, etc...to spruce up the space!  This makes a space look better in photos and in person.  If you can't afford new items ask a friend or family member if they have anything you could borrow!

During showings (and your photos) have all the curtains drawn back -letting the light in and have all of the lights on!

For extra oumph!  Bake some cookies or light some candles for a welcoming and warm feeling !




If you've got a tight budget to prep your home for sale, don't fret - make it look the absolute best that it can! And be realistic when working with your realtor when it comes to pricing and comparisons. 

Staging a Home: the Do's and Don'ts

When selling a home, first impressions matter. That’s why staging is key for creating an emotional connection with buyers. Signs of a happy life (like the scent of freshly baked cookies or a book beside the sofa) can instantly boost a prospective buyer’s mood and maximize your home’s selling potential.

Here are a few important tips about the process.

 


Do: clean your house! If you can do one thing on this list cleaning your home is the one.  Get on your hands and knees and scrubs those floors and baseboards.  Deep steam clean that rug (wall to wall and area rugs), wash guest towels and bedding so it is cleans and not musty smelling, scrub that tub and shower walls, clean windows, mirrors and more, wash down doors and cabinets and even walls.  Top to bottom - throughout cleaning is necessary and it will be very obvious to buyers

 Do: Declutter your space. This is by far the most important step for staging and resale. Organize every nook and cranny, including closets and cupboards. It doesn’t seem like much, but going the extra mile will help leave a lasting impression. (Plus it' s always great to declutter before a move so you don't lug all that extra junk with you to the new place)




Do: make small repairs and finish any incomplete work.  So leaky faucets, cracked tiles, missing or incomplete trim work, replace burnt out light bulbs (interior and exterior), make sure your heating and cooling systems are fully functional (proof of a maintenance inspection is never a bad idea), make sure your fireplaces are also functional, caulk your baseboard, touch up paint (if you can't repaint the house)



Do: Paint your walls. Soft, warm whites are a good option over anything with colour pigmentation like a sage green or calm blue.Ideally, paint the entire home but if that won't work with your budget, paint the main living space and any dark rooms. Crisp white walls will make your home feel extra fresh and clean. Opt for a simple off-white shade like Slipper Satin by Farrow & Ball or Elmira White by Benjamin Moore








 

Do: Focus on curb appeal. People always notice the front entry first, so make sure it’s inviting. A few must-dos: Repaint the front door, mow the lawn and double-check that the outside lights work like light weeding or sweeping the walkway. In winter months, shovel the pathways and walk ways and be sure to salt them for safety. 


Do: make small updates that you can afford.  If your home is dated try updating you cabinetry hardware in the kitchen and bathrooms this is an instant update and it's very easy to do.  Update your lighting by replacing existing and out dated light fixtures, so brass light fixtures opt for a brushed or polished nickle instead (just keep the finish the same throughout the home)



 

Do: Keep every space organized, including bookshelves. It’s small efforts like this that hold the most weight when preparing your home for sale. when buyers see clutter - like bursting book shelves, disorganized cupboards and closets or items stored above cabinets - the message is 'there isn't enough storage' and that's a negative.



 Don't: Hide all personal mementoes. A few trinkets suggest a home is filled with good memories and has some warmth to it, but really  limit the number of family photographs. Potential buyers need to be able to imagine themselves living there, too! If you remove everything, the house with be completely 'neutered' and lacking in warmth.

Don't: Renovate the entire house. This is a definite don’t. Some homebuyers would rather do the renovation themselves, and others aren’t particular about everything being brand new. Plus you may ending up spending more than you had budgeted and run over time - do the necessary improvements and if major updates are needed like new kitchen and bathrooms etc...discuss a pricing strategy with your real estate agent to reflect the home's potential.

Don't: Stage every room. As mentioned above, you don’t need to remodel your entire house before you sell. Save yourself the time and money, and focus on smaller adjustments like furniture placement and overall tidiness.Be sure that all of the rooms are clean, repaired, and tidy -

Do add a pop of colour -  it looks great in photos too, so think about purchasing some accent pillows, flowers, new shower curtain, guest towels - small affordable items that can easily add a fresh look to your home and present well in photos (most of your first views will be from the Internet) and in person during open houses and showings