Interior Redesign and Home Staging Blog

How to Sell Vacant Property

Think of a house as a theatrical stage.  When it is not being used and is void of props and scenery, it lacks interest and rarely warrants a second glance.  However, after the set designers have worked their magic, the space comes alive and sets a ‘scene’ for the onlookers.  Whether enticing, energizing or relaxing, the ultimate goal is to elicit an emotional reaction and connection to that particular space. 

The same applies to homes that are on the market. Without furnishings, many houses lack interest and buyers have difficulty imagining how the space would look furnished, not to mention picturing themselves living there. Look at home builders who have known for years how buyers emotionally connect to model homes that have been beautifully furnished and accessorized.

Due to job transfers, divorce, tenants vacating or a distant move, it’s not always feasible (or economical) to keep a home furnished when it goes on the market. Here are some simple ways to improve the marketability of a vacant property and increase the chances of a swift sale:

1. Curb Appeal:  Buyers like to drive by prospective properties and many won’t make an appointment to see the inside if curb appeal is lacking. Sellers need to have a plan for keeping the lawn mowed, shrubbery trimmed, flower beds weeded, and gutters and windows cleaned.  Also, eliminate any items left behind in the yard that are not included with the house or that make the property appear unkempt.

Read more on how you can sell vacant property by clicking here.

Written by by Sandy Dixon, http://www.InteriorArrangements.com  2008

Home Staging - Boston Globe Magazine - Real Estate Issue

Boston’s premier home staging company, DaVinci Designer Gallery, was  recently featured in the Boston Sunday Globe Magazine’s Real Estate  Issue.

Maureen Reddy, owner of DaVinci Designer Gallery, has successfully  taged homes for over a decade. Though she admits “these are  challenging times in the real estate industry,” she adds “staging is a 
secure investment and you will certainly realize a return on that investment.”

The Globe features includes tips for homeowners and before and after shots. To view the article visit.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2008/10/26/staged_to_sell/

Choosing a Child’s Bedroom Furniture

Child Bedroom Furniture

Child bedroom furniture comes in a seemingly endless array of styles and designs. Kids grow up so fast that parents really need to consider which products will give them the most for their money. They also need to balance the budgeting aspect with things that appeal to their children. Child bedroom furniture should be pleasing to the kid while offering value and durability as well.

One of the hottest items on the market today is the crib that grows with the child. This is the ideal in child bedroom furniture because it is so versatile. The crib can be taken apart and re-assembled as a daybed when the child becomes a toddler. The bed can then be upgraded to a twin-size with a few turns of a screwdriver and a new mattress.

Of course, you can expect to spend more for this useful child bedroom furniture but it is well worth the extra cash. Consider how much you will save over the years. You will never have to buy a toddler bed. Toddler child bedroom furniture can be expensive and it definitely won’t be suitable within a year or two.

The next piece of child bedroom furniture you will need to purchase as the little one gets bigger and bigger is a bed. Kids’ beds can run a lot of money as well and you are not likely to find one that suits the furniture that is already in your child’s room. This means, that you will need to purchase a whole set for your child and you know how much that will probably run.

Having a crib that grows into a toddler daybed and eventually into a twin is a wonderful thing. However this piece of child bedroom furniture won’t stand on its own. There are other items to consider as well. Kids need dressers and storage. All of this adds up and all of this child bedroom furniture should match.

The good news is that many manufacturers of the growing crib have taken this into consideration. The nursery furniture can grow with the rest of the child bedroom furniture or you can buy relatively inexpensive items to match the crib as it grows with your little one.

There is one thing to consider that might put the brakes on your decision. You might need to think about what your little one would like in his or her room. We know that kids are in tune with style and design even though they may not show it. Parents might find that the growing crib is not right for their needs but it is a great choice for child bedroom furniture for at least five or six years.

Reasons to Stage Your Home

reasons to stage your home

There are many reasons to stage your home, especially in today’s real estate climate.

 Here are a few to consider:

1. Your House Will Sell for More: the U.S. Housing and Urban Development reports that a staged house sells, on the average, 17% higher than non-staged houses.

2. Your House Will Sell Faster: You will experience fewer headaches and hassles because thenumber of days on the market will be less than if your house is dressed and ready to go to the dance.
3. Staging Doesn’t Cost a Dime: Several studies have reported that the return on investment for what you paid to have your house staged is 200%.
4. Objectivity is Not on Your Side: Most home sellers do not view their house objectively;therefore, they cannot package their house effectively. Stagers will give you a “Plan of Action”, so you can do the work yourself, or they will present you with a plan for them to do the work.
5. Homebuyers Cannot Visualize: Fewer than 10% of homebuyers can visualize the potential ofyour house.
6. Buyer’s Will View Your Personal Things: Do you want buyers to spend their time viewing all ofyour personal items rather than imagining living in your house?
7. Emotions Sell Houses: Stagers will depersonalize your home and create “emotional connections” to engage the buyer in living in your house.
8. Stagers create “love at first sight”. Stagers downplay the negative and accentuate the positive. Buyers make their opinions in the first 15 second in your house.
9. The Longer on The Market, The Lower The Price: Studies show that the longer your house stays on the market the lower your price will be. Spend a few dollars and have your home properly presented to buyers.
10. Don’t Leave Money on the Table: Don’t wait until you hear, “maybe we should lower the price”. Hire a professional stager, make all of the minor repairs, paint, replace carpet and updatefixtures throughout your home. You will get all of your money back, plus some.

None of the above replaces pricing your house correctly. If a buyer comes to your house they are a definite prospect and actively shopping for the product you are selling. The structural makeup of your house meets their general criteria for a home. Each room in your house gives you the opportunity to make multiple “first” impressions. A professional stager will make sure that these impressions are lasting ones. A professional stager will make your house feel like home to the buyer.

Remember, when you get ready to sell, you’re selling a house, not your home…. but the buyer’s new home.

This is an article that was printed in the Williamson Herald in Franklin, TN
“B” Lucas-Thrower
Interior Redesign and Home Staging
SilverPointe Properties
615-481-1399
http://www.interiorredesignandhomestaging.com

Buying a House “For Sale By Owner”

for sale by owner

Buying a house for sale by owner is a pretty mixed bag.

On the one hand, there are some decided advantages. With houses for sale by owner, you get to talk to someone with an intimate knowledge of the property. He or she will know basically everything that has happened with the house including any repairs done in the past. They might even know the history of the house before they owned it, as well as the details of any work that still needs to be done. People selling their own homes can sometimes be more down to earth and straightforward than real estate agents, allowing you to get a more realistic picture of the property and its overall quality. Besides that, some of them are less likely to drive a hard bargain, making it easier for you to get a good deal.

Unfortunately, looking at houses for sale by owner can have some really serious drawbacks. Often, private owners who put up house listings don’t have a very realistic understanding of the market value of their home. They might stubbornly cling to a higher figure, try to disguise the drawbacks of the house, or even become personally insulted by a low offer that you make. In general, the best houses to buy have a real estate agent representing them. An owner might simply enjoy selling his own home, but there’s a good chance that he is doing it because he can’t afford the services of a reason agents. If he is destitute, it is likely that his home is also in poor repair.

As a matter of fact, one of my best friend who is a very conservative real estate investor will not even look at houses for sale by owner.  He says it is simply not worth the bother. With a real estate agent, you can talk business. Your average real estate agent knows all about the market and what can be demanded as a fair price for a home. With houses for sale by owner, however, you have to deal with the personal ego of the proud homeowner. Sometimes you can get a pretty good deal, but other times it is not even worth the bother. Nonetheless, you might as well take a look anyway. In the end, who knows where you will find your dream house.

There is certainly no rule that says houses for sale by owners can’t be great homes!

Far From Home: The Zen of Selling

You’ve heard it before - when you’re getting ready to sell, it’s time to depersonalize.  Take down the wedding photos, the baby pictures, the awards.  Hide your PlayStation and Wii.  And get that bicycle out of the kitchen.  But don’t stop there.  Depersonalization goes beyond just taking yourself out of the visual picture. 
What you used to call home has just become another listing - one of many, many properties up for sale. So how will you stand out from the crowd?  You’ll spend money fixing it up, getting it ready.  You’ll throw a new coat of paint on the walls.  You’ll invest in a professional stager and maybe an organizer to help you de-clutter.  But there’s one improvement most people neglect to make and it’s the least costly of them all.  It’s also arguably the hardest to-do on the list.
 
What can you do to improve your chances of a quick sale that costs nothing? 
 
Stop calling it “home.”  Really.  Remove the word from your vocabulary and from your mind.  When you leave work at the end of the day, head back “to the house.”  When you tell people you’re selling, say your “place” is for sale.  It may sounds crazy, but once you stop calling it your home, once you detach yourself from those four walls, something mystical happens.  Call it the Law of Attraction, Zen, Fred, whatever name you want to give it - once you stop referring to your home as “home,” buyers start appearing.
 
Ask any realtor - they’ll swear they sell more property when the homeowner is out of town, on vacation (and hard to reach).  When the homeowner is detached, distracted from the stress of selling - when they are far from “home,” things begin to happen.  So when you’re getting ready to sell, move that bike out of the kitchen, take the photos off the mantle, and depersonalize your vocabulary too.  It costs nothing to do and just might make all the difference.
 
Dawn Bach Thurman
Eye to Eye Interiors
www.eyetoeyeinteriors.com
 
For more tips on selling and staging your property, contact a Certified Redesign Specialist with Eye to Eye Interiors for an affordable consultation.  Serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.  (773) 350-7020.