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What Really Causes Clutter? Eliminating it is a Big Part of the Home Staging Process
A onetime purge--or a binge on organizing supplies--won't cure an overflow of objects. People need to break habits that lead to clutter. Let's examine the clutter habits.
Habit:
Being afraid to let go of items ("I might need it later," "My kids might want this someday," or similar fears).
How to Deal:
Ask yourself, "What is the worst-case scenario if I get rid of this?" and play that scenario out to its end. The answer is usually not that scary. In many cases, you can repurchase the item, if it's truly needed.
Habit:
Not stepping up to tasks. Family members walk right by something left out on the counter, but unless someone takes the initiative to make sure it gets cleared, it's highly unlikely to happen.
How to Deal:
Assign clear responsibilities, communicate them, and give consequences when they're not accomplished.
Habit:
Procrastination. This is the worst of the bunch. Delaying decisions about where to put things--or waiting to put them there--is the cause of all clutter.
How to Deal:
Being aware is the first step. Then, if you hear yourself say, "I'll just put it here for now," resist the urge.
Habit:
Buying too much stuff. No shocker here.
How to Deal:
Check out Clutter Diet's printable wallet-size reminder with five questions you should ask yourself before making that purchase, and wrap the paper around your favorite credit or debit card.
It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're facing down the accumulation of weeks', months', or years' worth of stuff. Try the "micro-cleaning" method with quick bursts of cleaning at a time. For instance, why worry about the hours it will take to clean out the entire fridge when you could organize one shelf at a time during TV commercial breaks? Doing these little things will cut down on bigger jobs in minutes.
Selling a home requires preparation, patience, and, in today's market, a reality check. When you meet with me for a Home Staging Consultation, I break the process down into manageable steps and offer tons of helpful home selling tips and advice.
Habit:
Being afraid to let go of items ("I might need it later," "My kids might want this someday," or similar fears).
How to Deal:
Ask yourself, "What is the worst-case scenario if I get rid of this?" and play that scenario out to its end. The answer is usually not that scary. In many cases, you can repurchase the item, if it's truly needed.
Habit:
Not stepping up to tasks. Family members walk right by something left out on the counter, but unless someone takes the initiative to make sure it gets cleared, it's highly unlikely to happen.
How to Deal:
Assign clear responsibilities, communicate them, and give consequences when they're not accomplished.
Habit:
Procrastination. This is the worst of the bunch. Delaying decisions about where to put things--or waiting to put them there--is the cause of all clutter.
How to Deal:
Being aware is the first step. Then, if you hear yourself say, "I'll just put it here for now," resist the urge.
Habit:
Buying too much stuff. No shocker here.
How to Deal:
Check out Clutter Diet's printable wallet-size reminder with five questions you should ask yourself before making that purchase, and wrap the paper around your favorite credit or debit card.
It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're facing down the accumulation of weeks', months', or years' worth of stuff. Try the "micro-cleaning" method with quick bursts of cleaning at a time. For instance, why worry about the hours it will take to clean out the entire fridge when you could organize one shelf at a time during TV commercial breaks? Doing these little things will cut down on bigger jobs in minutes.
Selling a home requires preparation, patience, and, in today's market, a reality check. When you meet with me for a Home Staging Consultation, I break the process down into manageable steps and offer tons of helpful home selling tips and advice.
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (staging to dwell) and color corrections.
Subscribe to my blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com/
Join me on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
Set the Stage for your Home Selling Success
When Staging a property, the first thing to remember is to stand at the doorway and look into the space from that perspective. Why? Because that's how the majority of buyers view a room... from the door. Rarely do they walk fully into the space to look at it, unless it's a passageway to another room. So with that said, whatever you see from that angle is what you'll "stage." Don't worry about the wall space to the sides of the door because it's not important. 98% of your traffic will never see it.
Exterior entry: This, along with the landscaping (mow the grass on the diagonal and water it right before the open house), is the first impression, so set the tone with a new welcome mat. Coir mats are the best choice.
Interior entry: A console table with a mirror or piece of art is always a nice touch. Place a beautiful, live orchid on the table, along with a pretty tray to catch keys. Shop around your house and see what you can find.
Traffic flow: Make sure that your furniture placement does not impede people from walking into or through a room. I recently was asked to consult on a half-million dollar home after it had been sitting on the market for six months. There were several things wrong with this property (like ginormous overstuffed leather sofas pushed up against the walls), but the obvious deal breaker was in the first room buyers saw. The room was decorated as a hunting lodge, complete with guns and three deer heads mounted on the wall. Living in your home AS IS while it's on the market is telling buyers you're not ready to move.
Kitchens and baths: I always say these rooms NEVER look good naked. Yes, we want to de-clutter, but we don't want spaces to be void of personality. Fluffy new white towels (used exclusively for showing), a fresh shower curtain and liner, one colorful rug, a piece of art hung over the toilet and some complimentary accessories are all you really need for a typical bathroom. Kitchens need to be functional while you're living in the home, so you don't need to go overboard with decorating, but reducing the counter clutter to just two appliances is required. Clear everything off the fridge and remove all silk plants and ivy (major dust magnets). And no, you do not need to set the dining table! A buyer won't buy based on dining room settings or frou-frou bathrooms. If you've done a good job, a buyer won't be able to tell it was staged at all.
Bedrooms: Beds must be made EVERY day. Laundry and toys should be neatly stored. Bedrooms tend to have a lot of clutter. While the house is on the market, those things and all collections need to be removed. The master bedroom is one of the biggest selling points in a property, so splurge on new, luxurious bedding. You can bring it with you to the new house.
Home Stagers have no vested interest in commissions, but we do want your house to sell, that's our top priority! Selling a home requires preparation, patience, and, in today's market, a reality check (read: mounted deer heads). When you meet with me for a Home Staging Consultation, I break the process down into manageable steps and offer tons of helpful home selling tips and advice.
Exterior entry: This, along with the landscaping (mow the grass on the diagonal and water it right before the open house), is the first impression, so set the tone with a new welcome mat. Coir mats are the best choice.
Interior entry: A console table with a mirror or piece of art is always a nice touch. Place a beautiful, live orchid on the table, along with a pretty tray to catch keys. Shop around your house and see what you can find.
Traffic flow: Make sure that your furniture placement does not impede people from walking into or through a room. I recently was asked to consult on a half-million dollar home after it had been sitting on the market for six months. There were several things wrong with this property (like ginormous overstuffed leather sofas pushed up against the walls), but the obvious deal breaker was in the first room buyers saw. The room was decorated as a hunting lodge, complete with guns and three deer heads mounted on the wall. Living in your home AS IS while it's on the market is telling buyers you're not ready to move.
Kitchens and baths: I always say these rooms NEVER look good naked. Yes, we want to de-clutter, but we don't want spaces to be void of personality. Fluffy new white towels (used exclusively for showing), a fresh shower curtain and liner, one colorful rug, a piece of art hung over the toilet and some complimentary accessories are all you really need for a typical bathroom. Kitchens need to be functional while you're living in the home, so you don't need to go overboard with decorating, but reducing the counter clutter to just two appliances is required. Clear everything off the fridge and remove all silk plants and ivy (major dust magnets). And no, you do not need to set the dining table! A buyer won't buy based on dining room settings or frou-frou bathrooms. If you've done a good job, a buyer won't be able to tell it was staged at all.
Bedrooms: Beds must be made EVERY day. Laundry and toys should be neatly stored. Bedrooms tend to have a lot of clutter. While the house is on the market, those things and all collections need to be removed. The master bedroom is one of the biggest selling points in a property, so splurge on new, luxurious bedding. You can bring it with you to the new house.
Home Stagers have no vested interest in commissions, but we do want your house to sell, that's our top priority! Selling a home requires preparation, patience, and, in today's market, a reality check (read: mounted deer heads). When you meet with me for a Home Staging Consultation, I break the process down into manageable steps and offer tons of helpful home selling tips and advice.
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (staging to dwell) and color corrections.
Subscribe to my blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com/
Join me on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
Staging South Tampa Answers: "How Should I Hang My Pictures?"
As a professional Home Staging Consultant, I am often asked for decorating advice. I love to help anyone who is going through the stressful process of selling a home. Teaching people about the many benefits of home staging is the easy part. It is obvious that a well staged property will sell faster and for more money. Whether you are selling your house or staying put, here are the dos and don'ts on how to hang art.
Ground your art by hanging it above a sofa, chair or table. Think of each pairing as a single unit: the furniture anchors the work, and you'll avoid a "floating" effect.
Consider proportion. Choose a larger picture, or a pairings of pictures, to hang over substantial furniture like the sofa; place smaller works over a table or chair.
Center pieces 6" to 8" over a sofa or chair, 8" to 10" over a table--enough room to accommodate the height of books or a vase. Or use this rule of thumb: the center of each picture should be about 60" from the floor. (While we're talking inches, the chandelier over the dining room table should hang 32" to 34" above the table.)
Hang a large work above a mantle, a key focal point in any room. If a favorite mirror or picture is too small, hang it with a piece of a similar size or flank it with sconces.
Get it right the first time. Test drive a picture by leaning it against the wall atop a piece of furniture. When you're sure it's right for the spot, then commit to putting a hole in the wall. Before hanging pictures in a group, trace each work onto paper and tape the template to the wall. Rearrange the templates until you find a configuration you like. Measure down from the top of each frame to where the hook will be and poke a pencil through the paper to mark the spot. Hammer nails through a piece of tape to avoid making cracks in the wall. If you're using two nails to support a heavy picture, use a level to make sure the nails are at the same height.
Hanging pictures can be an art in itselt. The vast majority of people:
Ground your art by hanging it above a sofa, chair or table. Think of each pairing as a single unit: the furniture anchors the work, and you'll avoid a "floating" effect.
Consider proportion. Choose a larger picture, or a pairings of pictures, to hang over substantial furniture like the sofa; place smaller works over a table or chair.
Center pieces 6" to 8" over a sofa or chair, 8" to 10" over a table--enough room to accommodate the height of books or a vase. Or use this rule of thumb: the center of each picture should be about 60" from the floor. (While we're talking inches, the chandelier over the dining room table should hang 32" to 34" above the table.)
Hang a large work above a mantle, a key focal point in any room. If a favorite mirror or picture is too small, hang it with a piece of a similar size or flank it with sconces.
Get it right the first time. Test drive a picture by leaning it against the wall atop a piece of furniture. When you're sure it's right for the spot, then commit to putting a hole in the wall. Before hanging pictures in a group, trace each work onto paper and tape the template to the wall. Rearrange the templates until you find a configuration you like. Measure down from the top of each frame to where the hook will be and poke a pencil through the paper to mark the spot. Hammer nails through a piece of tape to avoid making cracks in the wall. If you're using two nails to support a heavy picture, use a level to make sure the nails are at the same height.
Hanging pictures can be an art in itselt. The vast majority of people:
- Hang their art too high on the wall and/or in a place that doesn't fee anchored to anything else in the room; it is just floating there by itself.
- Choose art that is too small relative to the size of the wall. Scale and proportion play a big role in whether a space feels balanced and "right."
- Miss how art impacts your focal points. A window is often a nice enough focal point on its own. Hanging more pictures beside the window risks detracting from the window and weakening the focal point. On the other hand, if a corner feels dead and empty, placing a chair and some art above creates a vignette that provides purpose and a pleasing view.
Take a look around your house and see if you have any floating pictures that need to be rescued! Don't feel pressure to fill all empty wall space. If your living space feels overcrowded, remove half of the objects. Store what you love, donate what you like and begin thinking positively about negative space. Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (staging to dwell) and color corrections.
Subscribe to my blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com/
Join me on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
The Five Stages of Home Staging Grief
Back in the sixties, Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified the five stages of grief to help us cope with the loss of a loved one. Recently, I witnessed that the emotional turmoil of home staging plays out in a weirdly similar fashion. It seems there is a thin line between grief and decorating a house so it sells at the best possible price in the shortest possible time.
In both cases the first stage is shock and denial: What? Pictures of my family are not captivating to prospective home buyers?
Then comes anger: Are you kidding? We just painted the living room and dining room and front hall last year! Followed closely by bargaining: Okay. Fine. But if we strip the wallpaper, can we please keep the blue wall?
Depression comes next: My whole life is in this house. Finally, there is acceptance. Reality sets in and the home owners roll up their sleeves and sweat equity kicks in.
Sentiment aside, as with most people, my clients' house was their biggest asset, their biggest investment. They needed the money out of their home to move on with their lives after retirement. But having lived for 30 years in the same home, they were new to the not-so-gentle art of preparing their house for the real estate market. They learned that there is a specific formula to the task of decorating to sell.
First, the house must be dehumanized, decluttered and cleaned vigorously. Then it must be made to appeal to a broad range of buyers by painting walls, stripping wallpaper and removing furniture to reveal hardwood floors. Only then should the For Sale sign go up.
As a staging professional, that is what I told my clients. They might be perfectly content living in their crowded home, but if they wanted top dollar, in a timely fashion, they had better get out the rubber gloves, because the spiders on the windowsill and the clutter in the closets must go. I walked through each room while the clients took notes. I suggested they repaint every room except for the powder room, replace all the wallpaper and put half of all their furniture in offsite storage.
This is because you want prospective buyers to imagine their own stuff in the rooms. I prescribed a monochromatic color scheme of Toasted Pine Nut, Safari and Straw Harvest for the walls. Colors are meant to create a contemporary feel while adding warmth and the illusion of spaciousness. My clients were still fixated on stage one (shock and denial).
Their Realtor was sympathetic. "If it makes you feel any better, I felt the same way when I sold my own home. It was rough. All I can say is, staging works." She promised fresh flowers, fresh fruit and fresh cookies for the Open House.
So, the mop and the paintbrushes came out. The family photos had to go. The oversized furniture was moved out. After three decades in the same home, feelings were bound to run deep, even at stage five (acceptance). But their sweat equity paid off. Their house sold in two days.
In both cases the first stage is shock and denial: What? Pictures of my family are not captivating to prospective home buyers?
Then comes anger: Are you kidding? We just painted the living room and dining room and front hall last year! Followed closely by bargaining: Okay. Fine. But if we strip the wallpaper, can we please keep the blue wall?
Depression comes next: My whole life is in this house. Finally, there is acceptance. Reality sets in and the home owners roll up their sleeves and sweat equity kicks in.
Sentiment aside, as with most people, my clients' house was their biggest asset, their biggest investment. They needed the money out of their home to move on with their lives after retirement. But having lived for 30 years in the same home, they were new to the not-so-gentle art of preparing their house for the real estate market. They learned that there is a specific formula to the task of decorating to sell.
First, the house must be dehumanized, decluttered and cleaned vigorously. Then it must be made to appeal to a broad range of buyers by painting walls, stripping wallpaper and removing furniture to reveal hardwood floors. Only then should the For Sale sign go up.
As a staging professional, that is what I told my clients. They might be perfectly content living in their crowded home, but if they wanted top dollar, in a timely fashion, they had better get out the rubber gloves, because the spiders on the windowsill and the clutter in the closets must go. I walked through each room while the clients took notes. I suggested they repaint every room except for the powder room, replace all the wallpaper and put half of all their furniture in offsite storage.
This is because you want prospective buyers to imagine their own stuff in the rooms. I prescribed a monochromatic color scheme of Toasted Pine Nut, Safari and Straw Harvest for the walls. Colors are meant to create a contemporary feel while adding warmth and the illusion of spaciousness. My clients were still fixated on stage one (shock and denial).
Their Realtor was sympathetic. "If it makes you feel any better, I felt the same way when I sold my own home. It was rough. All I can say is, staging works." She promised fresh flowers, fresh fruit and fresh cookies for the Open House.
So, the mop and the paintbrushes came out. The family photos had to go. The oversized furniture was moved out. After three decades in the same home, feelings were bound to run deep, even at stage five (acceptance). But their sweat equity paid off. Their house sold in two days.
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (staging to dwell) and color corrections.
Subscribe to our blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com/
Join us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
Realtors, Let's Talk About the Benefits of Partnering with a Home Stager
Realtors, want to improve the level of service you are offering to attract more clients? Partner with me and offer your clients a complimentary Home Staging Consultation.
Benefits of Partnering with Me What I will Do for Your Clients Most people do not require the services of a company to come in and complete the staging for them. Most people simply need a Home Staging Consultant (me) to guide them towards fulfilling their staging needs with expert advice and my exclusive Game Plan to achieve success. Depersonalizing a home can be an emotional process and your clients can sometimes have a difficult time with this process. But home staging can be fun and a shared activity towards getting the whole family involved in the home sale.
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (staging to dwell) and color corrections.
Subscribe to our blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com/
Join us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
Home Staging Tips for Closets
House Beautiful asserts that personal change starts with your closets since it hold the clues to your past and future selves. It also warns that the whole process can take a good four hours... so do it on the weekend, put some music on, and begin the cleansing process of creating space in your closet.
Here's how:
1. When debating about an item, ask yourself, which is more valuable, the item or the space?
2. No one lets go of something without reaching for something else. Think of what sort of feeling in your life you want next (i.e., serenity, creativity) so you can create the space for it.
3. Ask yourself these questions: Do I love it? Is it flattering? Is it the image I want to project? If it's a yes to all three, then it's a keeper.
4. To determine if something is a personal treasure, ask yourself, is this the best reminder of the particular time in my life or person I knew? If not, toss it.
5. Invest in matching hangers and quality containers.
6. When you're 3/4 of the way through clearing your closet, you may begin to get overwhelmed by the space (what am I going to do without my stuff?). Remind yourself that you are who you are, not what you own. Get through the panic, and you'll experience calm and relief.
7. Keep in mind a Zen parable that tells of a traveler on a road who came up on a river with a washed out bridge. So he built himself a raft that carried him safely to the other side. "This is a good raft," he thought, "If I come to another river, I can use it." So he carried it on his back with him for the rest of this life. How long do you hold onto something that's no longer useful?
8. Practice in SHED. Separate the treasures. Heave the trash. Embrace your identity and connect to who you are without your stuff. Drive forward.
9. Decide who will get the cast-offs (i.e., relative, favorite charity or homeless shelter).
By opening up space, you open yourself up to possibilities for the future.
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (one-day decorating), new home move-in assistance (staging to live) and color consultations.
Subscribe to our blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com/
Join us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
Here's how:
1. When debating about an item, ask yourself, which is more valuable, the item or the space?
2. No one lets go of something without reaching for something else. Think of what sort of feeling in your life you want next (i.e., serenity, creativity) so you can create the space for it.
3. Ask yourself these questions: Do I love it? Is it flattering? Is it the image I want to project? If it's a yes to all three, then it's a keeper.
4. To determine if something is a personal treasure, ask yourself, is this the best reminder of the particular time in my life or person I knew? If not, toss it.
5. Invest in matching hangers and quality containers.
6. When you're 3/4 of the way through clearing your closet, you may begin to get overwhelmed by the space (what am I going to do without my stuff?). Remind yourself that you are who you are, not what you own. Get through the panic, and you'll experience calm and relief.
7. Keep in mind a Zen parable that tells of a traveler on a road who came up on a river with a washed out bridge. So he built himself a raft that carried him safely to the other side. "This is a good raft," he thought, "If I come to another river, I can use it." So he carried it on his back with him for the rest of this life. How long do you hold onto something that's no longer useful?
8. Practice in SHED. Separate the treasures. Heave the trash. Embrace your identity and connect to who you are without your stuff. Drive forward.
9. Decide who will get the cast-offs (i.e., relative, favorite charity or homeless shelter).
By opening up space, you open yourself up to possibilities for the future.
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (one-day decorating), new home move-in assistance (staging to live) and color consultations.
Subscribe to our blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com/
Join us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
Home Staging Takes a House from Drab to Fab
Decorating to sell is all about merchandising and catering to the subconscious variables that make someone fall in love with a house. Done correctly, it can make a $10,000 or more difference in the selling price, without a significant investment on the owner's part.
Even if the house is clean and you've bought flowers to spruce things up for the open house, it is not enough to make the house stand out from the competition.
People imagine they can look past dated decor or empty rooms and see 'potential', but usually they can't!
People start house hunting with a logical list of criteria, but the home they actually buy is chosen largely for emotional reasons. The principal aim in a home staging project is to allow potential buyers to walk into the house and have that "this is it, this is home" feeling.
Once they can say, "I love it," they are willing to look past some of the criteria they had on their list before they walked in the door. That why it is critical to pay attention to even the smallest detail when staging a home to sell.
Little things like overcrowded rooms, personal memorabilia, dripping taps or doors that stick all help the buyer emotionally disengage from the house.
To sell a home fast, for top dollar, you want buyers to lose their hearts. Then the competition doesn't stand a chance!
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (one-day decorating), new home move-in assistance (staging to live) and color consultations.
Subscribe to our blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com/
Join us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
Even if the house is clean and you've bought flowers to spruce things up for the open house, it is not enough to make the house stand out from the competition.
People imagine they can look past dated decor or empty rooms and see 'potential', but usually they can't!
People start house hunting with a logical list of criteria, but the home they actually buy is chosen largely for emotional reasons. The principal aim in a home staging project is to allow potential buyers to walk into the house and have that "this is it, this is home" feeling.
Once they can say, "I love it," they are willing to look past some of the criteria they had on their list before they walked in the door. That why it is critical to pay attention to even the smallest detail when staging a home to sell.
Little things like overcrowded rooms, personal memorabilia, dripping taps or doors that stick all help the buyer emotionally disengage from the house.
To sell a home fast, for top dollar, you want buyers to lose their hearts. Then the competition doesn't stand a chance!
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (one-day decorating), new home move-in assistance (staging to live) and color consultations.
Subscribe to our blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com/
Join us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
Why Should You Put Money in a House You're Selling?
This is a common question that homeowners have when they are in the process of getting their house ready to sell. You may feel the same way. The problem is, it is easy to feel you are wasting your money on repairs, painting, deep cleaning and more when you are leaving. You may think, "Why can't the new homeowners do it the way they want it done?" The answer is, if it looks like work for the buyer, it will cost you.
A better way of looking at home staging is as an investment in getting a higher price for your home. Think about garage sales. Shoppers expect to get a bargain for the purchases. This doesn't happen in retail stores. Shoppers know they are paying for new unless the store needs to move the merchandise or there is a flaw and the store has to sell it at a discount. Do you want your home to be a garage sale purchase or do you want to do what is necessary to be the one to get the best price for the quality of home being purchased? It is a matter of your goals.
There are different types of buyers. Very few buyers are looking for a "handyman special" in which they do the work and profit from their efforts. There are some buyers who can see past the clutter and see the potential of the space behind your belongings. But the vast majority of buyers want a move-in ready home, with no hassles. In today's market, families are too busy to do the work themselves. So give them what they want. You home will appeal to the majority and command the price it deserves, which means money in your pocket.
Let me put it in another perspective. Think about a job interview. If you are up against a whole pool of other candidates you want to come out on top. How do you do this? You dress your best, research the company that is hiring, practice how you would answer questions and essentially prepare for the process. If you don't, you probably won't get the job. You will eventually get one, but it might not be what you want or for the salary you expected. The same is true for selling your home. Why would you want to sell your biggest investment without making sure it looks its best?
Only you can decide how much effort you are going to put into getting your home ready to sell. You have control over the selling process. I want to make sure you know what your options are and the possible outcomes for your efforts. There is a reason why some houses sell quickly and sell for more. Home staging is an investment in getting a higher return when selling.
Home staging consultations are perfect for homeowners who want to benefit from home staging and who are willing to put some time and effort to make more money from the sale of their home. Unless the house is vacant, most people do not require the services of a company to come in and do everything for them (including charging them an arm and a leg for the privilege). Most people simply need a Home Staging Consultant (me) to guide them towards fulfilling their staging needs with expert advice and my specific Game Plan to achieve success.
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (one-day decorating), new home move-in assistance (staging to live) and color consultations.
Subscribe to our blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com/
Join us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
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A better way of looking at home staging is as an investment in getting a higher price for your home. Think about garage sales. Shoppers expect to get a bargain for the purchases. This doesn't happen in retail stores. Shoppers know they are paying for new unless the store needs to move the merchandise or there is a flaw and the store has to sell it at a discount. Do you want your home to be a garage sale purchase or do you want to do what is necessary to be the one to get the best price for the quality of home being purchased? It is a matter of your goals.
There are different types of buyers. Very few buyers are looking for a "handyman special" in which they do the work and profit from their efforts. There are some buyers who can see past the clutter and see the potential of the space behind your belongings. But the vast majority of buyers want a move-in ready home, with no hassles. In today's market, families are too busy to do the work themselves. So give them what they want. You home will appeal to the majority and command the price it deserves, which means money in your pocket.
Let me put it in another perspective. Think about a job interview. If you are up against a whole pool of other candidates you want to come out on top. How do you do this? You dress your best, research the company that is hiring, practice how you would answer questions and essentially prepare for the process. If you don't, you probably won't get the job. You will eventually get one, but it might not be what you want or for the salary you expected. The same is true for selling your home. Why would you want to sell your biggest investment without making sure it looks its best?
Only you can decide how much effort you are going to put into getting your home ready to sell. You have control over the selling process. I want to make sure you know what your options are and the possible outcomes for your efforts. There is a reason why some houses sell quickly and sell for more. Home staging is an investment in getting a higher return when selling.
Home staging consultations are perfect for homeowners who want to benefit from home staging and who are willing to put some time and effort to make more money from the sale of their home. Unless the house is vacant, most people do not require the services of a company to come in and do everything for them (including charging them an arm and a leg for the privilege). Most people simply need a Home Staging Consultant (me) to guide them towards fulfilling their staging needs with expert advice and my specific Game Plan to achieve success.
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (one-day decorating), new home move-in assistance (staging to live) and color consultations.
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Home Staging Project: Create a Dramatic Headboard
In every master bedroom the bed will always be the focal point. If the bed is missing a headboard, you're missing an opportunity to wow potential buyers. Here's a home staging project anyone can do! Hang a favorite fabric over a curtain rod to make a dramatic headboard.
You'll need a coverlet, woven throws (to place side by side) or fabric (have a dry cleaner or tailor hem it) that measures at least four inches wider than the bed on either side; and a curtain-rod kit. The rod should be about eight inches wider than the fabric.
Finding the Perfect Height
The headboard can range from three to six feet high. Measure from bottom edge to mattress up to desired height and mark wall on both sides with a pencil. Center rod over the bed; mark. Attach brackets according to kit instructions.
Hang the Fabric
Once the rod is secure, drape the coverlet or cloth over it and pull to straighten. To add weight and keep the fabric even, attach large office binder clips along the bottom edge. Fluff up your favorite pillows and enjoy!
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (one-day decorating), new home move-in assistance (staging to live) and color consultations.
Subscribe to our blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com
Join us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
To return to the main page, click here: Home Staging South Tampa
You'll need a coverlet, woven throws (to place side by side) or fabric (have a dry cleaner or tailor hem it) that measures at least four inches wider than the bed on either side; and a curtain-rod kit. The rod should be about eight inches wider than the fabric.
Finding the Perfect Height
The headboard can range from three to six feet high. Measure from bottom edge to mattress up to desired height and mark wall on both sides with a pencil. Center rod over the bed; mark. Attach brackets according to kit instructions.
Hang the Fabric
Once the rod is secure, drape the coverlet or cloth over it and pull to straighten. To add weight and keep the fabric even, attach large office binder clips along the bottom edge. Fluff up your favorite pillows and enjoy!
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (one-day decorating), new home move-in assistance (staging to live) and color consultations.
Subscribe to our blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com
Join us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
To return to the main page, click here: Home Staging South Tampa
What is the Difference Between Home Staging and Home Decorating?
The goal of home staging is to sell a home quickly and for the most money possible by making a home appeal to the highest number of potential buyers. Staging focuses on improving a property to transform it into a welcoming, appealing and attractive product for sale. Staging raises the value of a property by way of reducing the home's flaws, depersonalizing, decluttering, cleaning, improving condition, and landscaping. But don't make the mistake that the home should look sterile.
A decorated room might have a chair with a side table. An ottoman to put up your feet. A lamp, TV, channel changer, books, magazines on the table. The chair might have decorative pillows and the ottoman might have a throw tossed across it. A few pens and personal items might also be on the side table.
A staged room would have the chair, table and ottoman. The lamp would stay. The throw on the ottoman would be in place. Most everything else would be removed. A few current books would be on the side table with a pair of glasses.
An over-staged room would have the books, glasses and throw removed.
Here is the difference between a staged room and a decorated room:
A decorated room might have a chair with a side table. An ottoman to put up your feet. A lamp, TV, channel changer, books, magazines on the table. The chair might have decorative pillows and the ottoman might have a throw tossed across it. A few pens and personal items might also be on the side table.
A staged room would have the chair, table and ottoman. The lamp would stay. The throw on the ottoman would be in place. Most everything else would be removed. A few current books would be on the side table with a pair of glasses.
An over-staged room would have the books, glasses and throw removed.
Here is the difference between a staged room and a decorated room:
- A staged room looks like "I could imagine living in your room."
- A decorated room looks like "You live in your room."
- An over-staged room looks like no one lives in that room.
Staging South Tampa offers home staging consultations (staging to sell), room re-designs (one-day decorating), new home move-in assistance (staging to live) and color consultations.
Subscribe to our blog: http://blog.stagingsouthtampa.com/
Join us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stagingsouthtampa
