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!

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!

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.

Home Staging and Decor Trends

A big part of staging your home is making it look current.  In the final steps of prepping your home for the real estate market you want to make it pretty, buyer ready and photo ready.  One way to do that is knowing what decor trends are out there and bring them into your home.  Since 95% of buyers are online first trying to find the home of the dreams…you need to make your photos stand out and attract those buyers!

1.  Outdoor spaces.  Assuming the weather is working in your favour - stage your outside.  Staging is about creating the vision of what life in the home would look like and including the outdoor living areas is critical! This staging trend is probably one of the most essential and we see so many sellers not have their outdoor areas staged. Remember a photo is worth a thousand words.  Clean up the outside - rake, cut the grass, plant some colourful flowers, set up the patio and prepare it as though you have guests arriving any minute!







 2.White Kitchens – Huge trend now for home owners is light, white, bright kitchens! In a recent Houzz survey an overwhelming amount of respondents desired a white kitchen in their home. When the kitchen comprises almost 30% of the buyer’s decision (according to NAR - National Association of Realtors) a little more expense in this main area makes a world of difference in price!Can't replace the entire kitchen or paint the cabinets? Look at updating the back splash (or adding one) in a light tone, update the kitchen lighting to make the kitchen light and bright, paint the walls in a lighter tone and/or update the hardware.



3. Birds On Display – The bird in the pillow is just a taste of what we will see more of in the future. Whereas last year’s trend was the white porcelain deer head on the wall and horses, this year’s trend is sweet, little birds.Right now, birds are hot for spring and every spring we tend to see animals and florals pop into all decor.  If you home is going on the market in the spring - think about adding some 'nods' to spring like floral, birds or any botanical elements. Currently, the hot trend is peacock but any bird in spring is up to date





 4. Metallic accents. Framed mirrors, art or brass bar carts add warmth and sophistication in any room. Metal accents add an element of shine to any room and they add some sophistication too.  Right now warm metals are hot like gold, brass and copper.  so think about adding a few touches of those in decor pieces, frames of mirrors, lamp bases even occasional tables.



5. Pops of colour. Colour can help you stand out from the crowd.  Even a neutral space could benefit from a floral arrangement in bright yellow or orange.  If your home decor style can handle it, try adding some colourful pillows to the sofa or bed and a throw blanket.  Colours like yellow, orange and bright green are perfect for spring but coral, aqua and purple can also make a big impact when used in small doses.





6.Dual Coffee Tables – placing two coffee tables next to each other to scale a larger space is a much better staging solution than just one. This is also a great way to add surface space to a small room.  Look for side tables, benches even stools (as long as they are the right height, 16" to 21") to be used as a coffee table





7.  Clear Tables, Chairs, Lamps and More – Glass has always been an excellent staging tool because of it’s reflective nature and ability to create more light in what would probably be a dark space. Glass is great becasue it gives the surface space without the bulk.  If you are selling a condo or a smaller space - try a glass dining table and pair any style of chair you like.  It makes the room look nice and big and you still are showing off how to live in the space. Glass furniture comes in a variety of styles too, and price points!  You can use the 'buddy system' too so if you have a glass dining table add some glass elsewhere maybe a side table or in a lamp....





8. The Navy Comeback – Navy blue is making a come back in a huge way!  Navy just stole our hearts originally via patterns like chevron, ikat (see below) and floral  but now it’s really making it’s presence known as a “new neutral” that pairs well with yellow, turquoise, coral, chartreuse, wheat …almost all of the spring 2015 hues   that add pop to a space. Navy is one of those versatile colors that can work with bright or earth tone accents (just open your latest Pottery Barn catalog to see it with earth tones). If your space has a lot of neutral beige, cream or sand tones add navy for a rich contrast and timeless combination.

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