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

The Uninvited Stager Series

Another "what's wrong with these photos" of homes for sale!

My friend and Arizona realtor, Leif Swanson, may have coined a new term...not sure.  He calls what disease sellers have who market their homes with no regard to the mess that they are displaying - Clutter Blindness!  I think that is a great term.  Leif has a great blog called Ugly House Photos, where he shows some funny but real homes for sale.  It's a veritable "what not do do" for home sellers.

It's one thing not to clean up and organize your home when family or friends are coming over - but to display a cluttered mess when your home is being marketed for sale...is just crazy.  Take a look at these photos - it would take maybe an hour or so to remove the items...and the cost $0.00!

And how about closing the cabinet doors!  Source, Ugly House Photos

Uncluttering might take 15 minutes to do?  Why didn't they do this? And, the photographer's flash should be off and should be taken from another angle.  Source, Ugly House Photos

Another no-no that I see all the time is "Taste Specific Decorating."  What is this?  It's when the seller has a decorating style that is highly personal.  It could be a color choice that is a bit bold or unusual - like blue or mauve colored cabinets (that I have just recently seen in two homes on Long Island) or the use of highly stylized fabrics, motifs, tile or furniture etc. This is fine when you are living in a home and enjoying it.  But when you are selling, you should play this down.  The photo below would look so much better with a colorful shower curtain - pulled back to reveal the shower (thereby increasing the perceived size of the room)...and some nice towels and a bath mat. And this angle?  What was the realtor/photographer thinking?

Welcome to the Bat Cave!  Source, Lovely Listing

The photo below shows the "Clutter Blindness" with "Taste Specific Decorating." I know - I am being a very cruel stager saying that this little girl's room should be neutralized.  But even if the clutter was at least corraled - it would look so much better.  Buyers can't always see that a room like this could be spacious.  All they see is the clutter. Clutter eats equity!

Here's another home for sale that is the victim of "Clutter Blindness" and "Taste Specific Decorating." How hard would it be to remove the mess and to buy a nice bedspread.  Not hard at all - and worth every penny.

Hog Heaven, courtesy of Ugly House Photos

So, don't fall victim to clutter.  Do something about it.  It's not hard, really.  It takes time, a few boxes and a magic marker to label what's in the boxes.  And if you don't know if you have a "Taste Specific Home," please call me at 631 793-1315 and I can tell you honestly if you do.  I will tell you what your realtor may be afraid to tell you!

A Great Giveaway: A Handpainted Paint Color Fan Deck

Many of you read both of my blogs, but for those of you who do not read my design and decorative paint blog,  Studio of Decorative Arts Blog, you may want to head over there and enter the Special Giveaway that I am doing this week - a Handpainted Fan Deck of beautiful custom colors by designer and color consultant, Michelle Winick. You will find complete details about how to enter this giveaway HERE.

This beautiful fan deck, created by Michelle for the Muralo Paint Company, will allow you to see the actual paint colors (and just a picture of the colors, as in most other fan decks). This is a huge advantage because most people who choose paint colors via a small postage stamp sized chip (usually picked out under the harsh glare of fluorescent lights), are usually surprised by the color they actually get on the wall.  The colors are also extremely usable and beautiful - especially great when you are selling your home.  You won't be disappointed by these colors - neither will your buyers!

So, head over to my other blog and enter this contest! I will be choosing the winner on February 18th, 2012.

Good luck!

Just Got an Offer on a Vacant Home we Staged Right Before Christmas

Last week I learned that a vacant house that we staged in mid-December has an offer.  I am so happy!  We had a great time making this little gem in Lindenhurst NY a wonderful place to call home.

Here are some of the rooms...

We always aim to make the vacant homes that we stage very warm, livable and inviting.  Small touches and pops of color help liven up a home that could look souless and cold if left vacant.  If you would like some help selling your home, give a call at 631 793-1315.  I would love to help you!