Home Staging - More than just Furniture and Fluffing Pillows...

We have been staging homes for a number of years now and what we can tell you is that staging is more than just 'pretty-ing' up a place.  Making a property pretty is of course important but there are other important factors when it comes to home staging that don't involve furniture at all.

1 - Smells.  Are you nose-blind? You might be and that's not uncommon.  We all get used to our surroundings the warts and all and that includes the smells.  When someone comes to your home for the first time, like a buyer would, they see it all and smell it all.  So be sure to tackle those unpleasant odours.  Ask a friend or neighbour to do a smell check - can they smell the pets? mold? mildew? A professional cleaning can often make a big difference and it's worth it!

 

2 - Repairs.  Loose or cracked tiles, leaky faucet, loose hardware, burnt out light bulbs, noisy fan, chipped paint, the list goes on...tackle that list or get a handy man who can.  When buyers come through they will take notice and that will be come the focus.

 

3- Upgrades/Updates. Is your home in need of some updates? You may not know for sure and this is a great conversation to have with your agent.  They can tell you what has sold and for what price.  They can show you photos so you can see the condition of the sold property.  They can also show you this info for your market competition.  You may need to price accordingly or make some updates. But this can really determine your length of time on the market. Your agent can also let you know which updates are worth investing in and which to pass on.



4 - Clutter.  We all have it and we all can't stand it but it happens.  When you sell your home you need to deal with the clutter.  Sure you know the usual - kitchen counters, desk in the office but don't forget about the little clutter like bathroom counter surfaces, table tops, closets and even above those kitchen cabinets.  When you are selling your home - make a date or 2 or 3 or...to conquer the clutter - it's better for you, it's better to deal with it before you go to the new place but it's important that the buyers don't see it.  Short on time and can't deal with the clutter? It's better to have papers and other items that clutter tucked away in containers - it looks neater and tidier. Clutter sends the message that 'this home lacks storage', so don't let it pile up!

 

5- Not just inner beauty.  The interior of your home is very important but so is the exterior.  Did you know that buyers often do judge a book buy it's cover? You might be missing out on a buyer if the exterior of your property doesn't show well.  So pay attention to the exterior.  is it clean? maintained? welcoming? well lit?

 

6 - Take out your personality.  Lots of buyers love a home with character but that doesn't mean your character.  Remove the bold wall paint colours, family photos, collections and anything that is really representative of your personal tastes and styles - bring that to the new place.  Neutralize and depersonalize.  It might sound boring to you - but it is important, buyers need to visualize themselves in the space and a neutral palette or a clean canvas allows them to do that.  You want a home buyer not a house guest!

 

Be prepared for some feedback that might not be glowing - it happens to every property.  It's not personal.  Use that feedback and discuss with your agent what you can do about it.  If you are noticing a pattern in your feedback 'like the family room is dark' - lighten it up with lighting or maybe paint.  Listen to the market and work with your agent.

When it comes to selling your home remember the buyer is looking for their new home, not your old home - make it shine and stand out from the crowd!

We Answer Wednesday - Closet Space

When you are selling your home do you need to stage closets and other storage spaces like the unfinished basement and garage?

One of the first things buyers look for in a home is space, especially more storage space.  Buyers will be opening up and peeking in storage spaces like kitchen cabinets, pantries, closets, vanities and other storage areas in the home.

 

It’s ideal to go through all your closets, kitchen cabinets or any cabinets that are provided in built-ins and included in the sale of the home. Buyers are nosy and they want to know what they’re buying so focus on organizing and packing up items you won’t need while on the market. You really want to show off all of the features of the home and storage is a big must for buyers.

Remove as much clutter as you can and start pre-packing.  You will be taking it with you anyway, so pack what you don't need (while living in the home during the selling period) and look into storing it off site maybe with a family member or a good friend.

 

For 'staging'  your storage, follow these tips:

- In bathrooms, use small baskets or trays to keep everyday hygiene items looking neat and tidy.

- In the kitchen, be sure that cabinets are neat and tidy (no tupperware overflowing), pantry is organized, and be sure not to store items (decorative or functional) above the cabinetry or fridge it looks messy and it screams that there is a lack of storage

- In all closets, be sure to hang clothing, be sure that the closets aren't over stuffed, remove items from the floor (unless they belong there) and fold items that don't need to be hung.

- In unfinished storage areas like the basement and garage, they are used for storage so 'stuff' is expected but keep it organized and tidy in boxes and bins - people will want to see where they can store seasonal decor items and sports equipment like skis.

Remember the person buying your home is buying their new home so make every aspect of the home exciting from the kitchens and bathrooms to storage spaces.

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.

Home Staging for the Spring/Summer Real Estate Market

When people purchase a home they buy a vision of their future. And most people's vision of summer is a happy one.  

Now that spring is here and summer is soon to follow, it's the time to double-check your homestaging. 

 

Does it capitalize on the happy vibes of the season?

Here is a series of photos that we think captures the spirit of spring and summer, one of the busiest home-buying times of the year.

  We hope you'll take inspiration and ideas from these images, and make the most of the warmer weather inspiration to stage your home so you'll land a purchase offer you love!

'Summertime' staging can incorporate a little whimsy without looking goofy. Try some humorous or nostalgic touches in small spaces or outdoors. How about some silly sayings on your guest bath towels? Or vintage beach scenes framed in the hallway?A bench at the front porch with colourful pillows is always welcoming.  Embrace the beauty of the season and add some of those touches inside and out to create an inviting 'dream' home for potential buyers.  But don't get cluttered and carried away.....

 

What do you think of when the nice weather arrives.....gardening, pool parties, entertaining, BBQ season...if your home features a large patio space highlight it with furniture and potted plants - set up the BBQ, too - set the scene.  Have a pool ? Open it and set it up - it looks so much better and again it sets the tone and gets buyers mentally moving in....




For photos and open houses (private showings, too) set up your patio like you have company coming over (because, well, you do!) This shows off the fun and the function of your outdoor space - do the visualizing for the buyer.    Same goes for setting up your 3 season porch or wrap around porch - highlight that feature with furniture and accessories!




 Even small touches like  summer wreath of fabric, floral wreath, shells, or bright summer flowers on the front door welcomes people touring your home. Pots of blooming plants near your entrance are a must if you're working on boosting your curb appeal. You can take potted plants with you when you move, so splurge on pretty containers and interesting plants. 

 

 

 

 

Even though it is the spring - summer market you can still draw attention to features and focal points like the fireplace - the yellow flowers attract the eye, the mirror makes the area bright, the light tones keep everything feeling fresh and big

What a peaceful bedroom!  In soft tones and gender neutral!  Some pattern to keep it visually interesting but not overwhelming.  The paint is also neutral but warm - the chair and over sized side table show off the function and size of the room.  The bed linens are clean and crisp

 

 Small summer touches like flowers in any room - even the kitchen can add a splash of fun and summer whimsy!

 

 

Pull back those drapes and let the light in!  Open the windows and let in some fresh air, too!

 

'Coastal colours' are perfect for staging - they are light, airy and bright.  These tones help create a soothing and relaxing space.  If a buyer has a feeling of calm and serenity they will certainly want to stay longer and tour the home.

 

 

 

 

Potted plant and flowers look great!  Think about size and scale to make sure your patio or porch don't look small and you can clutter outdoor spaces with too many potted plants so keep it minimal and size appropriate.  This arrangement is great because it really compliments the exterior tones of the home - the multi tonal brick with a red base and the black door look great with the deep purples and reds and the fresh green is a bright accent - this arrangement would also transition well into the fall season.

 We hope you'll find small and not-so-small ways to showcase the joys of summer for househunters. No matter where you live or what size, style or age your home is, there's always opportunities to "summarize" it. Doing so will help buyers imagine their summer cookouts, staycations, and celebrations at your house once they've bought it!

Home For Sale? Open House Tips

If your home is up for sale on the market - this is a busy and possibly stressful time for you.
On top of your everyday responsibilities you also have to deal with the showings and open houses at your home. You have your next property in mind and you have prepped and staged this house for sale.  Getting ready for every showing is work!

You want to sell your house and you know in order to do that buyers need to see it but prepping for a viewing can be very stressful and a bit hectic - so much to do!  You want your home to look it's best -  Here is what you don't want to happen. A showing is suddenly scheduled for that evening and you realize you have zero clean towels in your house. So now, not only do you have to pick up, wipe down surfaces, etc -- you also have a load of laundry to do as well.



 

Have an open house box!

Sounds easy, right? It is!

Here's what you need:

- a box, like a Banker's box is a perfect size and it has a lid
- a set of clean, fresh white towels (one set for each bathroom)
- small (cutlery size) baskets (one for each bathroom)
- clean tea towels
- a mason jar for counter clutter like coins, small pieces of paper, elastics etc...
- a large envelope to store papers from the counter like school news letters, mail etc...
- Clorox wipes or Lysol wipes for quick counter top cleaning


Before you begin showing your home, take an empty box and fill it with clean bath, hand and dish towels. When you have a showing scheduled, walk around to each bathroom and the kitchen grabbing all the dirty linens, and putting out the clean linens - get the kids involved and have them grab the 'dirty' towels. Just throw the dirty towels in this box to pull back out after the showing is over. So the clean towels in the Open House Box never actually get used, only shown.

Store the box in a closet that isn't a huge feature like a guest room closet - once the show is over.  Collect all of the 'showing props' like the clean towels, tea towels etc... and put it all back in the box.

So easy!

Here are some other easy tips for managing your personal items when living in the house that you are selling

1 - Containers.  Small and big are needed to just keep things tidy.  This is especially useful in the bathroom for make -up, tooth brushes, personal care items and toilet paper.  If leaving your items out, having them in containers looks much better but if you want to tuck them away, having them in containers makes it easy!











2 - Keep the office tidy with boxes for loose papers and other documents you don't want left out in the open. Keep pens and pencils in a holder too - a messy office can send the message that there isn't room for everything and leave a bad impression

 


3 - Keep the lights on!  Even on a sunny day but especially for evening showings - the light will make everything look bigger and brighter



4 - Big baskets are your best solution for showing a family home.  Just toss all of the toys in some baskets,try not to have too many just a few that are big enough to fit the kids' things.





5 -  Please take the pets out!  Not everyone loves your pets and even if they are friendly, the presence of pets can be distracting and uncomfortable.  So make arrangements for your pets - maybe during the day a neighbour could help out by taking them or maybe you can take them with you while the open house is happening.

Selling Your Home? 9 Tips to Increase the Value of Your Home

If you are considering selling your home in the near future - start prepping now! Don't leave it to the last minute....to get your home in tip top shape that buyers are looking for - is a lot of work! It really is best to get a head start so that there isn't as much to do closer to the time when you want to list your property.

It can be confusing to know where to spend you money, time and energy but here are the top tips to increase to value of your home

1 - Fix ALL repairs.  not sure what's wrong with your home? Perhaps hire a home inspector to inspect your home and take a look at his report.  Leaky pipes, the roof, electrical panels etc...are the types of repairs that scare of buyers.  But be sure to take acre of cosmetic repairs too like cracked tiles.

2 - Add a fresh coat of paint.  It's worth it.  The cost of pain is minimal and it makes every space look clean and bright.  Stick to neutrals and a white trim

 

3 - Replace carpet.  If you have old wall to wall carpet remove it.  Carpet is a big turn off for a lot of buyers as it get dusty and an old carpet doesn't usually show well.  Opt for hardwood or laminate (perfect for a family home).  this improvement is what most buyers are looking for and it improves the quality of the air and it's low maintenance

4 - Low maintenance landscaping.  Add some plants and perhaps some shrubs/trees.  It improves the curb appeal and again, it is something that the buyer won't have to do.  If you want top dollar for your home, you need to do the work! Plus pull out that patio furniture (make sure to clean it) and set the scene -

 

5 - Enhance those kitchens and bathrooms.  You don't need a total overhaul necessarily but pay attention to updating the bathroom.  Make sure it's clean, has white fixtures like tuns, toilets and sinks and chrome or brushed nickel accents.  A simple and neutral bathroom always presents better than a dated one.  for the kitchen, small updates like a new back splash in a neutral tile, updated hardware and lighting - make a huge differences.  If you have older appliances that you can't afford to replace make sure they are in good working condition and clean

6 - Other upgrades.  Lighting is huge - look for simple chrome or brushed nickel finishes.  And make sure you are using maximum wattage so the home looks bright! If you can upgrade your cabinets- do it, remember light and neutral, you want mass appeal.

 

7 - Don't forget the exterior - does your front door need a fresh coat of paint? How about those lights and mailbox, have they seen better days? Do you have an address plate? Does your grip set (door handle and key slot) work smoothly? - Don't let real estate agents get frustrated by trying to enter your home for showings, not a good first impression!

8 - Let there be light!  Are there dark rooms in your home? Consider hiring an electrician to add some overhead lighting in darker rooms. In older homes, we don't often see overhead lighting in family rooms, secondary bedrooms and living rooms - so stand out from the crowd.

9 - Stage your home.  even if you are still living in the space with your furniture and accessories, hire a stager for a consultation.  They can help you will ideas to be present your home, and they can give you some great tips to appeal to buyers. A home staging team can help you in the beginning too - buy selecting the right paint colours, lighting, hardware and other updates to improve the look and value of your home.  they are a great resource for knowing what's trending in the eyes of the buyer.

 

You want your home to look it's best especially when it is up for sale.  Start the process of prepping your home for the real sale market in advance to save your self some time, energy and stick to a budget.

Keeping It Realtor Ready!

3 ways to keep your home Realtor® ready

If you’re the type of person who can keep a house neat and spotless 24/7, hats off to you! For the rest of us, living in a home that’s on the market (and might be shown at a moment’s notice) can be a challenge. Luckily, once you’ve taken all the major steps to declutter, clean and repair your home for sale, there are a few simple strategies you can use to keep it looking its best for buyers.


1) Make a list of your hotspots—the parts of your home that are hardest to keep clean and most noticeable. Some examples might be dishes in the kitchen sink, wet towels in the bathrooms, unmade beds, pet messes, kids’ toys, or mail on the dinner table.
 
Each morning before you leave home, or any time you get a call to warn you of a showing, pull out your list and spend a few minutes tackling those problem areas. For super short-notice showings, be ready to bundle clutter into a laundry basket or storage tub and take it with you in your car.


At the end of the list, add these often-overlooked items if they apply to you:

• Take out the trash
• Close toilet lids (parents: flush if needed!)
• Open drapes/blinds to let in light
• Turn on lights (if showing will happen soon)
• Turn off TVs
• Open interior doors to invite exploration
• Make sure your key is in the lock box
• Take pets with you (or kennel them)
• Put away personal info, such as bills or statements
• Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature (especially if you’ve programmed it to save on heating or cooling when the home is unoccupied)

2) Build a quick-cleaning kit. Move from room to room faster with a portable kit of cleaning essentials, like:

• Rubber gloves
• A duster or dust cloth
• Stain-erasing pads
• Disinfectant wipes
• Wood and stainless-steel polishing wipes
• Glass wipes
• Spray mop
• Dustpan and whisk broom
• Lint brush (for pet hair on upholstery or drapes)

Why wipes? Besides the obvious advantage of a lighter, smaller cleaning kit, wipes could also help you minimize harsh chemical smells, since you’re not spraying the cleaner into the air and you won’t leave a fragrant pile of cleaning rags in the laundry. Alternatively, you could choose low-odor cleaners, or cleaners with a pleasing scent.

 3) Ask for help (and make it easy for people to help you). If you’re not the only person living in your home, you shouldn’t be the only person trying to keep it clean. Goodness knows, you’re not the only one creating the mess! Give your housemates, spouse and/or children helpful daily tasks and provide the tools they’ll need to get their jobs done. For example, set aside a basket for each child to fill with their toys or other clutter, a tasteful box for unsorted mail, ample hampers for linens, etc.

 

7 Easy Tips to Make Small Rooms Feel Big

Just because the rooms in your house are small, doesn’t mean they can’t look big. You can make any space look bigger by using these simple tricks. Transform your small rooms into an inviting, seemingly spacious home. These tips are perfect for anyone looking to sell their home


1. Lighting. It all starts with light. Lightness evokes space, while darkness constrains and hides it. So first, use all the natural light you can. Don’t block off  windows with heavy or dark curtains or furniture. Instead, frame your furniture around the windows and other appropriate lighting fixtures. A bright room always feels more airy than a dark one. Let the natural light in - open up those blinds and drapes (this is also important for photos) For your photos - have window dressing pulled back and have all the lights on! 




2. Color. With that same idea, use light colors in your home. Your walls, floors, and  ceilings are most important because they take up a lot of space. For maximum impact, your walls and ceiling should be a neutral, light shade that radiates light and your floors will be on the lighter side as well. A paint job on the  walls will make a world of difference and if the floors are a dark color this makes the room feel heavy, try using a large, light-colored area rug. You can use dark colors in your furnishings, but keep them minimal.

 


3. Clutter. Get rid of it! For most people, this means packing up about half of the miscellaneous objects scattered around the house. It will probably look a little empty to you, but it will only look like more space. This is this process as a pre-pack and the bonus is you get a great head start and you won't be lugging all sort of extra unnecessary 'stuff' with you to the next space.




4. Mirrors. It’s a classic trick, but it’s still around because it works. First, make sure there is a large mirror in the bathroom, which is likely the smallest room  in the house. Another mirror in the bedroom, above the dresser, is preferable.  Then, in the living room or dining room, if a mirror might work  with the space, add it. You could place one over a side table or find an artistic mirror to hang near photos. Because mirrors reflect light and images,  they create the illusion of a bigger space. mirrors are also great in an entry. But don't put one in every room, the buyers will catch on




5. Furniture. First, reduce the amount of furniture in rooms that look cluttered. Less furniture means more space. Then, look at your floor plan. You want open arrangements that don’t block off space. Boxy areas reduce traffic flow and  impede movement. By increasing flow, you can make your house look bigger. Don't get stuck on how you live in the space - think mass appeal how would this lay out work for most people and in spaces like a family room and living room think about TV placement (this is a top question that buyers ask themselves - where would I put my TV?)




6. Cleanliness. An airy, clean room will always feel bigger than dusty, stale one. So with  that in mind, do a thorough cleaning job, getting into all those overlooked  areas like corners, fans and lights, behind furniture, and the tops of shelves.  Any little carpet stains, nicks in the walls, or bits of dirt and dust will draw your eye away from the open space and into the dirty details. And open those windows and let some fresh air in, that can do wonders too




7. Books. On bookshelves, place bigger and darker books on bottom and smaller, lighter  books on top. Its a simple trick that transfers weight to the bottom, leaving  the top more open and light. And don't over crowd them - it looks messy and it sends the message to buyers that this home is lacking in storage.