Saturday, March 31, 2012

The Uninvited Stager Series

Today I found a home online that could have looked so much better - if only some care had been taken before the shots were taken.  I guess because I am a designer and artist as well, I look for the emotionality of a shot and in this house...there were none.  If you want to attract a buyer, you have to hit them in the heart.  You only have a few seconds to really get to them - so don't waste a single online photo.


Let's talk about this living room. It is so unappealing to me. The furnishings are so boring - and what's the deal with all the throws thrown so neatly over each chair and sofa?  I may be politically incorrect about this - but, to me, a man decorated this shot.  Whenever I stage a home for a male realtor, they always rearrange the way I place a throw on a sofa.  I do it in an artistic, casual way and they always change to look like the above picture.  Awful!  Anyway, this room would have looked better without as much furniture. Also, the draperies do not do anything for this room. They actually make the room appear less tall.  The orange wall color (being a warm tone) actually shortens this room as warm hues "advance" a room.  I would change that color.


There's too much information in this shot.  A potential buyer doesn't need to know the relationship of the rooms to one another. Also, the crosses should have been removed for this picture.  No one has to know the religious affiliation of the seller.


I don't know the purpose of this photo.  If the realtor wants to show the closet as an "extra" benefit of this home...at least make the closet appealing to the viewer.


The kitchen is the most important room to feature in an online lsiting.  No care was really taken for this shot.  Things were not put away and we don't need to see the bulletin board and the clock (a nice picture in this spot would have helped). Also, the paint color on the dining area wall shortens the space.  It would have looked more spacious and longer if a cooler and lighter paint color had been used.


You can see that this is a nice, open kitchen...but some of the clutter on the refrigerator and above the cabinet and the microwave on the countertop (and, again, the bulletin board and the clock) make it less appealing.


There's too much clutter in the dining area - the chest and the stereo equipment should not be there.  The china cabinet is too cluttered (inside and on top) and it should be be placed in the middle of the room - not at the end.


Way too much clutter!  Very unappealing shot.  Enough said.


The unappealing nature of this home continues in this office/kids's area/catchall room.  Each room should have a specific function, so that the buyer knows what kind of room it is.


Always open the shower curtain.  It will make the room seem larger.  There's too much clutter on the counter - personal effects and toiletries should be put away. A different shower curtain, some artwork and a nicer rug would have improved this bath tremendously.


Finally...to add insult to injury, the deck and the backyard make me want to call one of those HGTV shows where they make over someone's backyard.  This place needs an intervention!

So, this home really shows a buyer that they should offer a lower price because there's a lot to do to make this home nice. I wish them good luck - because that is what they need! 

Don't leave your home's online marketing to luck and chance. If you want to avoid these homeseller mistakes before you put your home on the market, call me at 631 793-1315.

Friday, March 30, 2012

A Beautiful Waterfront Home in Oakdale NY for Sale and Staged by Us

If you ever wanted to own a waterfront home in beautiful Oakdale NY - you will want to take a look at this property that we just staged.  If I had the money (listing price is $3 Million), I would buy this home without even thinking about it.  The views are spectacular...there's new bulkheading (ready for your boat and two others) and there's room to create more slips.


My husband and I have seen this house many, many times as we sailed past it in our sail boat.  We always referred to it as the "Miami Vice House."  It looks as if Don Johnson would be relaxing on the deck here in his time off.


It's a wonderful home for a family - but one that entertains often.  There's a fabulous great room on the second floor that's a great spot for throwing a memorable party or two.  The views go on forever - in every room.  The kitchen is new - and very-well done. There's also an extra guest house on the property.

The great room with a wet bar


The Master and the deck off the room

If you are interested in seeing this home, please contact the listing agent, Rose Mary Bruno of Realty Connect at 631 252-1646.

If you need to get your home or listing buyer-ready...call me at 631 793-1315. 

Monday, March 26, 2012

Inspiration for Bath Organization

Bathrooms are very key rooms in the sales success of your home or listing.  After the kitchen, the room that buyers want to see organized neatly and pleasant to be in...is the bathroom.  If yours looks like it's seen better days, your buyers will either pass on your house or offer you a lower price.  Don't let that happen - seize the opportunity to capitivate the buyer.

Painting the bathroom is the easiest fix.  Giving your room a new, light and neutral coat of paint will help the room feel newer and fresher.  Adding some new towels, soap and soap holder, a new shower curtain and bath rug will add some hotel niceties that will impress a buyer.

Here are some inspiring photos that will also help give you some ideas for organizing and decorating your bathrooms.

From West Elm...

From Pottery Barn

From Crate and Barrel

Towels from Marimekko

Hotel robe from Pottery Barn


Look for plush towels, robes, bath mats that give that rich, hotel feel.  You don't have to spend a lot of money.  HomeGoods and Target have wonderful accessories that won't break the bank.  Put your personal items away (toothbrushes etc) and corral other useful items in glass cannisters.  Make coming in to your bathroom a pleasureable, spa-like experience.  It doesn't cost a lot of money to do this...just some time, some organizing and de-cluttering.

If you need some guidance getting your home ready for sale, just give me a call at 631 793-1315.



Saturday, March 24, 2012

The Uninvited Stager Series...Continues

Hi everyone.  Sorry that I've missed a post or two.  I was busy with a long staging project and also babysitting for my 2 year old grandson.  But - today I found a house that's for sale that I feel could use a lot of help, if the owners would like to sell it.  Use my suggestions if you feel that maybe your house might have some of the same non-attributes.  And, if you are a realtor, you can use these ideas to steer your clients toward a better outcome, if they have similar problems with their houses.

First Impressions:  A buyer's first impression of your home is so important, so make sure that your entry (outside and inside) looks warm and welcoming.

Why is the garden hose still out?

Home Depot sells nice garden benches and Pier 1 has beautiful outdoor pillows that would have looked better than these cheap and cold plastic jobs!


A little too cold, don't you think?  Too much stone! Maybe a warmer color on the walls, a more welcoming print (rather than this abstract deal) and a warm sisal rug would warm this entry up.

Here's a better look at the entry. Why are there 4 pendants?  This looks tacky and it gives the impression that there's not enough light in this entry

Kitchens sell a home: If you are going to spend any money improving your home - spend it in the kitchen.  You don't have to gut a kitchen to make it warm and beautiful.  A lot can be done cosmetically that can really make your kitchen a magnet for buyers.


How confusing (and 70s-esque) are all the lines in this kitchen - the angular wallpaper (on the ceiling too?) The angular slats on the cabinet faces also make the kitchen too busy and dated. Removing the wallpaper and painting the cabinets an off white or a pale, light gray would really help this kitchen a lot. 

So - just a few suggestions from me this week.  Let me know what you think.  If you need some help making your home buyer-ready, please call me at 631 793-1315


Sunday, March 11, 2012

A Beautiful Home that We Staged is for Sale in Bayport NY


We staged a lovely, custom built home in Bayport NY last week.  If you are looking for a beautiful, family home on Long Island - with all the amenities and custom finishes...this is for you.
















If you are interested in seeing this property, please call the listing agent, Anthony Pellicane of Simplicity Real Estate at 516 852-9753

For home staging help, please call me at 631 793-1315


Thursday, March 1, 2012

Someone Stole My Lamp!

The late, great Coco lamp!


MY LUCKY CHARM HAS BEEN STOLEN: Why do people do this? Is it just human nature to steal? Yesterday, while de-staging a home that sold very quickly, I walked into the living room only to notice that one of my lamps from my inventory was gone, vanished...no more! It was one of my favorite lamps and it held a special place in my heart (like most of my items do!). But this was special - this was the first accessory that I bought when I started my staging business. I bought it on EBay (a pair) and whenever I used it - the home sold quickly! True to form, it did just what it always did - performed beautifully...with a quick sale in the dead of winter!

If anyone knows where I could buy this lamp (I have not found it on Ebay and I've looked many times over the years to purchase another set), I would be ever so grateful. It is called "Coco," but when I search that name on the web, a whole host of things come up - and none of them look like this!
There's a number on the bottom - Cat# CL2148. Date May, 2008. It was made in China. There's also a bar code. Maybe I could find out where to get this if I could read the bar code! If anyone has advice - I'd appreciate it!

Hopefully - someone out there knows where I can buy another one! The investor, whose property it was, told me he would give me the money to buy another one. He was so great to work for - and I appreciate his offer so much.

Does this happen often? Would love to hear from realtors about this. How do you protect the contents of your clients' homes?
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