Staged to Sell

Home Staging Helps Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

diva decor design — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:03:00 GMT

Foreclosure is an unpleasant topic. But with the economy spiraling downward and the current crisis in the mortgage industry, it is a topic that some of us will have to deal with. According to home staging expert Debra Gould, the key to avoiding foreclosure is to be proactive. “If you know that you will have difficulty making your mortgage payments in the near future, contact your lender immediately,” Gould states. “Explain your situation politely and clearly, and ask if you can negotiate a modified mortgage payment plan. Don't be embarrassed to take this important step. Lenders are much more likely to work with you if you have contacted them before the foreclosure process has begun.”

Many people facing the prospect of foreclosure will decide that the best solution is to sell their houses. If this is the only viable option for you, then you have a particularly strong incentive to sell your home as quickly as possible and for the best possible price.

This means hiring the best agent for your area. Your agent should have an intimate knowledge of your neighborhood, be able to identify comparable home sales and make this information available to you. Additionally, he or she should disclose the current market conditions and have extensive networking abilities as well as solid negotiation skills.

If you have decided that selling your home is your best option, you will need to prep your home for showings. Hiring a professional home stager is the single best way to outshine your competition. It might seem counterintuitive to hire a professional stager when you've tightened your budget and are facing the sale of your home to avoid foreclosure; however, it has been proven time and time again that staged homes sell faster and for a higher price than homes that are sold "as is."

The real estate market will likely see a great number of homes going on the market in the months ahead, and your home will need to stand out among the rest. You want your home to be the one that people fall in love with the moment they enter, and a home stager helps make that happen.

When hiring a home stager, remember that home staging is not a regulated field. Anyone can claim to be accredited or certified, and many present portfolios of their work that they bought as part of a course. When hiring a home stager, ask questions about any before and after photos you are shown, look for a demonstrated understanding of the local real estate market and don't make a decision based solely on price. You often get what you pay for, and in a serious situation like the sale of your home, you need the very best professional advice available. Hiring the right real estate stager can mean an extra $10,000 to $70,000 in the selling price of your home.

When you are facing foreclosure and must sell your home quickly, pricing your home correctly and marketing it effectively are not always enough to get a quick sale in this market. You must go above and beyond other homes for sale in your neighborhood to catch the eye of potential buyers. By using the services of a professional home stager, your house is much more likely to be one that sells.

® Staging Diva and the Staging Diva Logo are trademarks of Six Elements Inc. (www.sixelements.com)
© 2005–2008 Six Elements Inc. May not be reproduced without proper attribution described in document.

Internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould is president of Six Elements and creator of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program with over 1000 Graduates worldwide. Gould is the author of two home staging guides and offers a Directory of Home Stagers to help homeowners and real estate agents locate home stagers who will decorate homes to sell quickly and for top dollar. To learn more, visit www.stagingdivadirectoryofhomestagers.com Written by internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould, The Staging Diva®, www.stagingdiva.com. © 2008, Six Elements Inc. Used with permission.
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Mary Seferian is a former decorator and stylist,and now a Professional Home Stager catering to homes in and surrounding Montreal. You can receive these articles by visiting www.divadecordesign.com and signing up for the newsletter "Highlighting Homes-Staging to Sell".

Stain cleaning Tip - Bathroom tiles

diva decor design — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 02:42:00 GMT

In case you guys take the staging a little further:

Here's a quick and easy recipe for Mould & mildew stains around the bathtub

I really notice this when I do consultations as I'm sure the potential buyer will too.So either hand the recipe to your client, or roll up your sleeves! (Add the labour cost to your staging fee!)

To remove the mould that grows in the caulking around the bathtub, treat the area with a strong solution of chlorine bleach (2 oz. bleach to 1 c. of water). Use the bleach solution to remove any black mildew stains from the tile grout too. Apply with a stiff brush.

Mistakes Sellers Make

diva decor design — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 02:39:00 GMT

Dreading the thought of selling your home with the last minute walk-throughs, inconvenient calls, and sale price adjustments? The difference between a profitable sale and a break-even, miserable experience is often a fine line.

Here are some pitfalls to avoid when selling:

Rushing to Put Your House Up For Sale If you are not serious about selling, do not test the market by listing your property. Indecision will ultimately blow the sale. Transforming a house for sale is an educational process for homeowners, as sellers need to realize, "I no longer live here. We are selling our house." Considering that homes are very likely an owner's single largest investment, why not delay a few extra days, and try to prepare the property for sale.

Not Finding Experts Who Have Experience in Your Area Gone are the days when you decide to sell your home, call the only realtor in town, list it and find a buyer. Compare TMR and The Plateau or Hudson and Laval and you'll quickly discover they are NOT the same.

Failing to Realize the Difference Between A Realtor and A Stager Selling your home is about intricate details and critical decisions ... all of which are never easy. While you simply used to call the only realtor in town to sell your property, times have changed. While Realtors and Homes Stagers work together to maximize the resale value of your home and minimize stress levels along the way, there is a crucial difference in their function.

· Stagers create the look that sells. They transform the home into a marketable house accenting all of its attributes, embellishing the existing furnishings of homeowners with additional furniture, art and accessories where needed.

· Once the home is staged, realtors can best recommend the pricing level, knowing the market that the staged home will now attract. The realtor will assemble all the disclosure information for potential buyers, advertise the property and solicit prospective purchasers. Their networking contacts will generate traffic through the front door who will hopefully be more than impressed by the home atmosphere created by the stager.

As the real estate market begins to moderate in many markets across the country, the need to impress buyers becomes even more crucial. A combination of suggested renovations and modern, tasteful décor is the best way to do that.

An overwhelming majority of people (83 percent) surveyed in the 2006 Royal LePage Home Staging Survey said that they would regard their Realtor's assessment of the home as somewhat or very important. As such, sellers need to impress both potential buyers and Realtors, who are local market experts. This dynamic raises the bar for everyone selling a home.

Refusing to Make Profit Inducing Repairs The 2006 Royal LePage staging survey stated that 58 percent of Canadians only need to look at 10 homes before submitting an offer. It also disclosed that 63 percent of buyers preferred a higher price home that didn't require any renovations over a lower priced fixer-upper. Selling 'as is' always costs more.

The report suggested a cost recovery of up to 5 times the cost of minor improvements incurred in contemplation of the home sale was not uncommon. It is well worth ensuring your home puts its best foot forward before it is listed ... and the staistics prove it:

· Spa-Like Bathrooms give you a 56 percent better return on your renovating dollar over the average return on other popular renovations.

Kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and brushed nickel finishes give you 44 percent better return on investment return
Neutral walls of fresh paint give you a 29 percent better return
Gleaming floors give you a 22 percent better ROI
Fireplaces, especially a nicely designed and efficient gas one, give you an 11 percent better return
Landscaping gives you a 7 percent better return

Refusing to Make Cosmetic Changes The way you live in your home is not the way you sell your home. Beyond completing required renovations, it also holds true that décor improvements help make a strong impact on buyers and ultimately increases a home's market value. People will pay a premium for a home with updated décor, and surprisingly more men than women will pay an additional amount for the trendier home.

People typically have two reactions when entering an unfamiliar home -- they want to see more or they've seen enough. Wowing buyers from the moment they reach the front door is therefore crucial. Holding their interest throughout the kitchen (the most significant room to influence their purchasing decision) and the living room is most essential.

Trying to sell an empty house? Buyer's biggest stumbling block is determining whether the rooms function well. It is difficult to easily comprehend the size of a room and its potential, without furniture and other objects as reference points. An empty room also allows buyers to focus on negative details instead of getting a sense of the use of the overall space and the flow of one room to the next.

Staging therefore gives the buyers the ability to envision themselves living in the space and to determine how their own furnishings can be placed in that environment. By utilizing the knowledge of well-trained real estate professionals and resourceful and talented home stagers, a quick, profitable sale of your home can be anticipated.

What is Home Staging? Decorating, redesigning or renovating your house to sell. Presenting your home in the best possible light to increase the selling price of your home. Mary Seferian is a Professional Home Stager based in Hudson, Quebec called DIVA DÉCOR DESIGN, http://www.divadecordesign.com/. She can be reached at 514-862-7890, or at mary@divadecordesign.comDreading the thought of selling your home with the last minute walk-throughs, inconvenient calls, and sale price adjustments? The difference between a profitable sale and a break-even, miserable experience is often a fine line.

Here are some pitfalls to avoid when selling:

Rushing to Put Your House Up For Sale If you are not serious about selling, do not test the market by listing your property. Indecision will ultimately blow the sale. Transforming a house for sale is an educational process for homeowners, as sellers need to realize, "I no longer live here. We are selling our house." Considering that homes are very likely an owner's single largest investment, why not delay a few extra days, and try to prepare the property for sale.

Not Finding Experts Who Have Experience in Your Area Gone are the days when you decide to sell your home, call the only realtor in town, list it and find a buyer. Compare TMR and The Plateau or Hudson and Laval and you'll quickly discover they are NOT the same.

Failing to Realize the Difference Between A Realtor and A Stager Selling your home is about intricate details and critical decisions ... all of which are never easy. While you simply used to call the only realtor in town to sell your property, times have changed. While Realtors and Homes Stagers work together to maximize the resale value of your home and minimize stress levels along the way, there is a crucial difference in their function.

·         Stagers create the look that sells. They transform the home into a marketable house accenting all of its attributes, embellishing the existing furnishings of homeowners with additional furniture, art and accessories where needed.

·         Once the home is staged, realtors can best recommend the pricing level, knowing the market that the staged home will now attract. The realtor will assemble all the disclosure information for potential buyers, advertise the property and solicit prospective purchasers. Their networking contacts will generate traffic through the front door who will hopefully be more than impressed by the home atmosphere created by the stager.

As the real estate market begins to moderate in many markets across the country, the need to impress buyers becomes even more crucial. A combination of suggested renovations and modern, tasteful décor is the best way to do that.

An overwhelming majority of people (83 percent) surveyed in the 2006 Royal LePage Home Staging Survey said that they would regard their Realtor's assessment of the home as somewhat or very important. As such, sellers need to impress both potential buyers and Realtors, who are local market experts. This dynamic raises the bar for everyone selling a home.

Refusing to Make Profit Inducing Repairs The 2006 Royal LePage staging survey stated that 58 percent of Canadians only need to look at 10 homes before submitting an offer. It also disclosed that 63 percent of buyers preferred a higher price home that didn't require any renovations over a lower priced fixer-upper. Selling 'as is' always costs more.

The report suggested a cost recovery of up to 5 times the cost of minor improvements incurred in contemplation of the home sale was not uncommon. It is well worth ensuring your home puts its best foot forward before it is listed ... and the staistics prove it:

·         Spa-Like Bathrooms give you a 56 percent better return on your renovating dollar over the average return on other popular renovations.

Kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and brushed nickel finishes give you 44 percent better return on investment return
Neutral walls of fresh paint give you a 29 percent better return
Gleaming floors give you a 22 percent better ROI
Fireplaces, especially a nicely designed and efficient gas one, give you an 11 percent better return
Landscaping gives you a 7 percent better return

Refusing to Make Cosmetic Changes The way you live in your home is not the way you sell your home. Beyond completing required renovations, it also holds true that décor improvements help make a strong impact on buyers and ultimately increases a home's market value. People will pay a premium for a home with updated décor, and surprisingly more men than women will pay an additional amount for the trendier home.

People typically have two reactions when entering an unfamiliar home -- they want to see more or they've seen enough. Wowing buyers from the moment they reach the front door is therefore crucial. Holding their interest throughout the kitchen (the most significant room to influence their purchasing decision) and the living room is most essential.

Trying to sell an empty house? Buyer's biggest stumbling block is determining whether the rooms function well. It is difficult to easily comprehend the size of a room and its potential, without furniture and other objects as reference points. An empty room also allows buyers to focus on negative details instead of getting a sense of the use of the overall space and the flow of one room to the next.

Staging therefore gives the buyers the ability to envision themselves living in the space and to determine how their own furnishings can be placed in that environment. By utilizing the knowledge of well-trained real estate professionals and resourceful and talented home stagers, a quick, profitable sale of your home can be anticipated.



What is Home Staging? Decorating, redesigning or renovating your house to sell. Presenting your home in the best possible light to increase the selling price of your home. Mary Seferian is a Professional Home Stager based in Hudson, Quebec called DIVA DÉCOR DESIGN, http://www.divadecordesign.com/. She can be reached at 514-862-7890, or at mary@divadecordesign.com

Five Strategies that Outperform "Fix and Flip" in Today's Real Estate Market

diva decor design — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:45:00 GMT

by Michael Sexton

You've read the new stories. Record numbers of houses are sitting on the market unsold. Prices have sagged. New housing starts in October 2006 fell 17.9 percent behind October 2005. And to make the situation worse, interest rates are high enough to scare away buyers.

When you add up all those factors, it becomes clear that this is no time to expect to sell properties quickly for top dollar. That, in short, is why it's time to set aside the "fix and flip" approach for making quick profits in real estate until the current market turns around.

But some strategies allow you to not only outperform the current soft market, but turn its downside to your advantage. Here's how to take advantage of them.

Strategy One: Buy, fix and hold. To put this plan to work for you, buy properties at their current deflated value, fix them up (without overspending), rent them out until the market strengthens, then sell them for a good profit. This approach can also be applied to properties you already own. That allows you to generate rental income from properties that you will sell later on when the market turns around.
Strategy Two: Become active in slump-resistant locales. There are more out there than many investors expect. For example, you can still make money building or renovating houses in upscale commuter towns near most major cities. Or you can collect substantial rental income from properties near college campuses or near hospitals where interns and members of the hospital staff need apartments. This focused approach outperforms the standard real estate advice that tells you that a certain state or city is "hot" or "cold," because you are targeting "hot pockets" that are highly slump-resistant.
Strategy Three: Get more aggressive about buying available properties. You can become involved in buying foreclosed, or soon-to-be-foreclosed, properties. And there are other approaches, too, such as asking local realtors to help you identify sellers who are willing to offer you owner financing, cover your closing costs or offer other incentives.
Strategy Four: Offer rent-to-buy options for properties you would like to sell. Rent out your properties and offer your tenants an option to rent to buy. (A portion of the rent they pay each month is applied toward their down payment when they buy the house at a pre-determined time.) The tenants benefit from buying your property without paying a large down payment. You benefit by locking in your asking price and by getting motivated tenants who are less likely than most to break leases or abuse your property. Discuss this option with your attorney.
Strategy Five: Target niche buyers. One successful developer tells me that she is making great money in the current market by acquiring inner-city single and multi-family houses, fixing them up and selling them. ("Many people who live in inner cities are honest, hardworking citizens who are eager to own property," she states.) And a real estate agent who specializes in ultra-luxury condos tells me that the current slump hasn't put the slightest crimp in the finances of her many ultra-rich clients.

You can mix and match those strategies too. For example, you can buy a house from distressed sellers before it is foreclosed - and then lease it back to them. The sellers get needed cash and you get a property at a rock-bottom price.

So are there ways to keep profits strong in the current destabilized market? Absolutely. Just be sure your number-crunching and other skills are keen enough to help you recognize opportunities and avoid deals that are too risky.
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Posted By: Brenda White (02/11/2006 9:37:28 PM)

Comment: Thank you, Mr. Sexton. Excellent article! And while we're on the subject of strategies, may I present another strategy with regard to "positioning" for all investors who are, or will be, in the market to sell their properties? Do NOT put your property up for sale until you have it ready,"staged" for showings. This is extremely important for a quick sale (provided you've got it priced right, of course). Unless you are selling distressed property under FMV (fair market value), if you want top dollar, give it a fresh coat of 'neutral' paint and don't stop cleaning until it sparkles! Then place a few plants, nicknacks, and generic pictures around to give it that 'welcome' appeal. (Or, go to any of the model homes in your area for ideas.) I find it insulting when a Seller expects a Buyer to buy their property, dirt 'n all. Please, do not make that mistake. And if you really want to get top dollar, don't just price it competitively, price it aggressively. Know your competition and price it slightly lower to entice a multiple offer situation with the anticipation of driving the price back up. When I used this strategy for a particular property surrounded by competition, it not only sold quickly, but it closed at 1.06% above list price.

STAGED TO SELL - First Impressions Count

diva decor design — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:12:00 GMT

When you are first introduced to someone at a party, what’s the first thing that you do? You spend the first 30 seconds having a good look and making a lot of judgments. If that person has, say spinach on their teeth, you will remember THAT long after you forgot what they were saying.

First impressions count and make a big impression on your potential buyer. It can make or break the sale during viewing.

Today’s buyer is very different. They have higher expectations. Today’s buyer is also very design savvy, thanks in part to TV makeover shows. In short, you have to do more in preparation to sell your home than you were ever expected to do in the past. Buyers today, quickly sift through properties and will disregard those that don’t interest them.

Home stage before the real estate agent comes around.

The Agent knows that a property that is well presented and in good order and is welcoming, is going to be easier to sell. You are relying on them to value it and then sell it. If they think that they are going to have a hard time selling it, then they will price it lower to attract people. And that’s not what you want. Real estate agents would like an easy sell. Make sure you help them help you.

Curb appeal is what gets those buyers interested in your property. Will yours stand out for the right reasons?

Is your front hedge neat and tidy?
Are the flowerbeds bare or flourishing?
Is there an obstacle course? Recycle boxes, kids’ toys?
What about the gutters? Have they been cleaned of all debris?
How does the front of the house look? The windowsills? The front door? Could they use some new paint?

As they stand on the doorstep, are they thinking “I wonder if it’s just as nice inside?” or “I wish I wasn’t wasting my time here. How quickly can I turn around and leave?”

Your Entrance Hallway Although this is one of many rooms that your potential buyer will see, this is the first impression of the interior of the house. This is your first chance to impress them with your décor.

Is it welcoming? Do the lights work?
Is there space to step inside or is it a dumping ground?
What about the décor? Are there fresh flowers, a mirror, or an attractive coat stand? Or are there smelly shoes, umbrellas and a stroller?

In the next installment, you will learn how to use lighting, furniture placement and accessories to grab the buyers’ attention.

First impressions are really important. Make them count.

Mary Seferian is a professional Home Stager based in Hudson, called DIVA DÉCOR DESIGN, www.divadecordesign.com. She can be reached at 514-862-7890, or at mary@divadecordesign.com.

STAGED TO SELL - SPACE

diva decor design — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:09:00 GMT

Is this Space big enough for my needs? When a buyer looks for a new house, they are not thinking “I need it to have cream carpets and beige walls” Or “It better smell like like fresh bread and candles” More likely they will be thinking, “Is this space big enough for my needs?” “Is this space good value for my money?” Whether you identify your space as “It has 4 bedrooms”, or “It has 800 sq. feet.” No matter how you look at it…. Space SELLS. If they see a property with rooms full of storage boxes, too many things in the closets, things poking out from under the bed, and doors and passageways blocked by furniture, the potential buyer is going to think that there isn’t enough space. Therefore you must maximize the space you already have.

How many bedrooms? It is a fact that the more bedrooms you have to offer, the better your chances of selling your property. If you use an extra room as an office, think of moving that desk out and create a new bedroom, or guest room. Whether you need it or not, you are trying to appeal to as many people as you can. You can then place your desk in a corner of a larger room, as in the basement

Get stuff off the floor If you can’t see the floor because there are too many things on it, then the room will look and feel smaller than it needs to. The more floor you see, the larger the room will feel.

Edit each room Recently a homeowner had all the furniture lined up against the walls, and windows. We took a walk around. “Do you really need 3 sofas in this room? And all these end tables?” By editing the furniture we freed up both floor and wall space. Suddenly viewers could walk around the room and get to the windows. While you don’t want rooms to look sparse, having furniture lined up around the walls will make the space look small.

Be honest – If you don’t use it, lose It Enough said

Use color to conjure up more space This is a huge subject all of its own, but colour is key to creating the right environment and it has a huge impact on the feeling of space in a property. Very simply darker shades of colours make a space feel smaller and sometimes more cozy, while lighter shades of colours can have the opposite effect. No surprise why people often say 'paint everything cream when you’re selling'. But you don’t have to go to this extreme, and you can end up spoiling a lovely interior by making it look bland and uninteresting by ‘beiging’ out the place. More on this in the coming issues.

Mirror mirror on the wall Most hallways and other small or narrow rooms benefit from positioning a mirror on the wall in the narrow part of the room. Not only will the mirror help double the space, it will also increase the light reflected and create a nice focal point too.

Let there be light If your property looks dark, it will also look small. Creating a bright, not glaring, environment will help increase the feeling of space. Get those curtains pulled back, and let the light flood in. More advice on what type of lighting in the coming issues.

What is Home Staging? Decorating and renovating your house to sell and presenting your home in the best possible light to increase the selling price of your home. Mary Seferian is a Professional Home Stager based in Hudson, called DIVA DÉCOR DESIGN., www.divadecordesign.com. She can be reached at 514-862-7890, or at mary@divadecordesign.com.

How to Stage Your Home

diva decor design — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:00:00 GMT

We're not just decorating to make a house look pretty. We're decorating to have a house sell quickly and for the highest profit.

GET RID OF CLUTTER - People subconsciously judge the size of a room by how much floor and wall space they can see and how much light is in a room. The more clutter in a room the less floor and wall space and light, and the smaller that room appears to the buyer. People will pay more for extra space. Clutter gives a neglected feel that suggests that the property has been poorly maintained. Don’t just shove your clutter away in a closet to deal with later. Get a head start on packing, and store it or donate it .Clear off counter tops, shelves and all flat surfaces. Clean out and organize storage areas (closets, garage, basement, attic). Buyers will look in every closet. And they should. They’re buying space, and need to see how much storage there is in this property.

FILL UP EMPTY ROOMS - It's hard to understand how large a room is when there's nothing in it as a reference point. The potential buyer can't visualize how furniture will fit in an empty space and if they're unsure, they don't buy. Instead of looking at the flow of one room to another, they ask themselves questions like, "Have they left town? “Why is that wall bumpy?” You want them instead to see how wonderful a space is in front of them. When a room is empty, potential buyers focus on negative details instead of falling in love with the overall space.

CLEAN - If you want it to look like it is well cared for, your home should look and smell wonderfully clean. Hire a good cleaning service then spend at least 15 minutes a day maintaining it. Deep clean kitchens and baths until they shine. Take care of pet or stale cigarette odors that will surely turn buyers away.

REPAIRS – Now is the time. If there are nail holes, or dents in a wall repair them. A home that is well maintained will deserve a higher price. Time to fix leaky faucets, nonfunctional lights and restore fences.

NEUTRALIZE - Remove dated wallpaper, furnishings, linoleum floorings and carpet. Pack up family photos, and personal collectibles. You want buyers to imagine themselves in the home. You want them to fall in love with the idea of living there. People don't buy houses they buy homes. We want a potential buyer to say, 'Wow, this feels like home.'

CURB APPEAL - Pay special attention to the front entrance. Prune trees and shrubs. Put some planters on your front porch. Plant a few flowers in the garden if weather permits. Perhaps set up a small sitting area. Paint the front door and update the hardware, including the front lights.

DECOR - Rearrange existing furniture, lighting, and accessories to highlight the home’s best features, such as fireplaces, and high ceilings. If needed add rented, or purchased furniture, but don’t overdo! Keep it light. Freshen up the walls by painting them in either a neutral color, or maybe a bold color to create cosy and inviting rooms.

Open House day - Add a vase of fresh flowers on your dining room table, turn on lights, open draperies to let the natural light in, put on soft music and get ready for your big day!

Anyone can handle any of the steps themselves, however a qualified and experienced home stager can help. There is a lot of work in preparing your house to go for sale. A Home Stager is there to help or take over all the details. Look for a Home Stager who understands the real estate market. An experienced Home Stager will downplay the worst features and highlight the best features of your house.

What is Home Staging? Decorating and renovating your house to sell and presenting your home in the best possible light to increase the selling price of your home. Mary Seferian is a Professional Home Stager based in Hudson, Quebec called DIVA DÉCOR DESIGN, www.divadecordesign.com. She can be reached at 514-862-7890, or at mary@divadecordesign.com.