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

What Not to do When You are Selling Your Home

"Uninvited Stager" Saturday

Today while perusing homes for sale, I decided to look in a state that has a pretty strong home staging industry.  Listing after listing featured very nicely furnished and edited rooms, no clutter and they all felt very warm and inviting - like a stager had their hands all over the place!  But I kept looking and found some that were problematic - and here they are. 

When you are selling your home and the house down the block is also for sale (and it's neat and furnished beautifully), you had better sharpen your home's presentation.  Why?  Because you are only inviting the buyers to go elsewhere.  You are, in fact, helping the guy down the block to sell his home faster because yours doesn't measure up.

1)When your home has unusual features, as in this corner fireplace, you need to show the buyer how to furnish the room.  Leaving it vacant will only have your home on the market for a much longer time.  Buyers need to "see" how to place their furniture in such a room.  Would you pay a lot of money for something you have no idea how to use?  I didn't think so!!


And why bother with the mums and the lone vase on the mantle?

 2) Above, another corner fireplace in the same listing - this time in the bedroom.  A prospective buyer might say "Uh, I guess I can't have the bed face the fireplace." Having even a minimum of furniture - a bed, two nightstands, a dresser and some artwork - would help the buyer "see" how to furnish the room.  There are some great features in this room - the round window, the tall ceilings, the mantle...a balcony right outside - but these features are not being played up. Additionally, having furniture in this room would have hidden the vacuum marks (pet peeve of mine!). Unfortunately, this room is designed rather poorly and that's what the buyer will remember.  A creative furniture arrangement would have allowed the buyer to focus on how nice and warm the room is - rather than focusing on a room's problems and "where the heck do I place the bed?"

3) This is the same listing - there are angles everywhere in this house. I love angles - but most people do not have any idea of what to do with them.  They will pass up this house that otherwise is very nice and clean with beautiful hardwood floors. Show the buyer a home that is furnished - then they won't focus on "how do I place my furniture in this room!"

4) Is it so hard to make the bed nicely?? Doesn't it look like there's something else hidden underneath there? And would it be so difficult to get rid of the clutter to the left?  A missed opportunity.

5) In this bedroom, it looks like your head will always hit the ceiling.  I would have made this bed differently.  I would have had the pillows lying flat on the bed instead of upwards. I would eliminate the larger pillow - it indicates if you are any larger than this pillow when you're in this bed - your head will bump the ceiling.  I would have smaller, wider lamps on the nightstands. Alternatively, you could eliminate the bench at the foot of the bed and pull the bed forward and add a headboard. 

6) In this space, I would have placed the bed where the dresser is.  When possible, the bed should be the first thing you see in a bedroom - it's best on the focal wall.  This bedroom could be spiced up more - it's a little bit dull and uninspiring.  Some artwork, simple panels on the windows, pillows, a throw - all in green, orange and brown (my favorite color scheme) would make this bedroom more appealing. I'd ditch the track lighting - it's not in keeping with the traditional tone of the room.



So - just some ideas and suggestions from me this week.  If you are selling your home and you aren't getting any bites from buyers - just give me a call at 631 793-1315.  I can help you make your home more attractive to buyers.



It's Shakespeare's Birthday - So Why Not Link Up Some of His Quotes as They Relate to Home Staging!

Happy Birthday William Shakespeare!  People who have known me for a long time know me as a lover of English Literature...especially William Shakespeare.  And as old English majors never die - here are some thoughts about how some Shakespearean quotes might apply to staging a home for sale (and - of course - how some people don't do anything to get theirs ready!!).

From As You Like It..."Can one desire too much of a good thing?"

From "Hooked on Houses," this really appeared as a photo from a house for sale.

Apparently, Elvis has not left the building!

From James Swann, 101 Things I Hate About Your House

Oh boy - why didn't the realtors say anything to this homeseller?? From Ugly House Photos

Hamlet said "Hold a mirror up to nature," but he forgot to give realtors advice

about how to take photos of small spaces with mirrors.



"Nothing will come of nothing," is a quote from King Lear.  So - always sell your home furnished.  Also, don't just give up and sell "as is" - because you will get an "as is" offer or none at all.  We staged the home below in less than a day - for a very modest monthly rental and it sold in 30 days. 

Before...

After - with our "Value Line" furnishings

You can make the most of a small space - it takes clutter control, editing and some creativity but it can be done.  Home buyers want "space." but when you make your small rooms functional and beautiful - they sell. Just remember this quote from Hamlet... "O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space…”

Designer Chad Eisner, created a great space in a small kitchen. From House Beautiful

A small but beautiful bedroom, from HGTV. The horizontal stripes

add a calmness to the room - just like looking at the horizon.

This design also gives the perception that a room is wider

Propero, in The Tempest, said "We are such stuff as dreams are made on," - so you need to give a buyer a picture that's much better than your ordinary life.  They need to see the dream of the lifestyle that they want to live. 

From the Finnish magazine Avotakka, via Hooked on Houses blog

Photographer Mauricio Fuertes, via Inspire to Desire

So "Brush up your Shakespeare, start quoting him now (from Kiss Me Kate) and you'll be a wiser home seller.  Remember, Shakespeare wrote..."People usually are the happiest at home". So when they come to view your home - give them a reason to feel and be happy!
If you would like to create a happy home for buyers to fall in love with, call Linda at 631 793-1315 today.  We have two convenient locations - my home office in Great River and my studio at 325 Main Street in Huntington NY.



Newsday Article on How to Get Your Home Ready to Sell Quickly on Long Island

I want to thank Donna Rogers and Valerie Kellog of Newsday for the great article on "How to Fix Up Your Home for a Quick Sale." I was quoted - as well as some terrific realtors and landscapers on Long Island.  Here's a link if you didn't get to read it...

Newsday Article About Getting Your Home Ready for Sale

If you would like some professional help in getting your home ready for sale, call me at 631 793-1315.  I'm very glad to help you make your home look great - and make it a buyer magnet.  We have locations in Great River NY and Huntington NY.