The 15 Secrets to Home Staging that will make a huge difference in your home.
I read this article and it is great to see how implementing these tips can dramatically
change the look of any open space. It’s amazing to see the true difference it makes.
Check out the link below to read advise about home staging!
http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/15-secrets-to-selling-your-home/pictures/index.html#!
As I have spent time with my clients looking for average priced homes over the past couple weeks, I am convinced more than ever that there is a huge difference in the marketability of a home based on 3 simple things the seller and agent can do to reach their goal of selling their home and listing for the best price. Overall, very few average priced home sellers in the market are doing these things, so it also spells OPPORTUNITY for those of us that ensure these steps are taken with our listings.
Here are the Big 3:
1. Have the Home Professionally Staged
2. Have the Home Professionally Cleaned
3. Have the Home Professionally Photographed
As an industry, we know that buyers first look on the Internet, and it is at that point they make a decision if they are going to schedule a showing. Presenting your listing well on the Internet is a make or break for your seller in getting a showing, and of course a showing is necessary to get an offer to buy the home. Having the home professional staged and professionally photographed ensure your presentation at this first point of contact is a good one.
If they schedule a showing, we know based on industry research that they make their decision in the first 7-10 seconds of viewing the home. When the home is professionally staged and professionally cleaned, the buyer has a good first impression of the home in that critical time frame.
On the contrary, if the home is cluttered, full of personal pictures, dusty or smells like pets mixed with an air freshener, for example, that critical time has a very different outcome that is easy to avoid.
While the Big 3 listed above do have an initial investment, the investment made has the potential to give you an exponential return.
Let’s consider some industry facts:
(Statistics found at http://www.homestaging.about.com/od/hsr/a/Did-You-Know.htm)
is estimated that only 10% of home buyers can visualize the potential of a home. That means 90% are not going to be able to look past dirt, clutter, and imperfections.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average staging investment is between 1 and 3% of the home’s asking price, which generates a return of 8 to 10%. That’s a pretty good investment.
In controlled tests selling identical homes, professionally staged vs. those not staged, the non-staged houses sold in 102 days, while the staged houses sold in 45 days. (Real Estate Staging Association)
Staged homes spent 83% less time on the market than non-staged homes. (HomeGain.com)
As we incorporate the “Big 3” listed above, we will make a significant difference in the marketability of our listings and provide some much improved options for our buyers.
Hi there, My name is Karen Conrad and I am a Professional Home Stager in the State of Colorado. Home Staging has huge advantages when trying to buy, sell or remodel a home.
Did you know that recent stats show that a home staged will sell, on average, 17% higher than a home that is not staged (US Housing and Urban Development)? Check out the link below to find out fun facts and statistics about why Home Staging is the right choice for you!
If you would like more information or to schedule and appointment please contact Karen at karenconradhome@gmail.com. Check out her website at karenconradhome.com!
http://homestaging.about.com/od/hsr/a/Did-You-Know.html
When it comes to making a home that is “outdated” look “updated” without an expensive remodel, there is nothing more powerful and effective than incorporating the simplicity of black and white. It has the power to turn a dated brick fireplace into a beautiful focal point of a room, a harvest gold bathroom into an elegant spa, and a 90’s kitchen into the current century.
When I am hired to stage or redesign a home, I am brought in to make a home more marketable or attractive solely through strategic design efforts. It would be easy to suggest to my clients that they should replace the bathroom tile, or remodel their kitchen to bring it up to date, but that would cost them thousands of dollars for something we can achieve for a fraction of the cost. There certainly are times it is appropriate to remodel, but when that is not a good option, here are some ideas to make those tired spaces look refreshed.
1. Dated Brick Fireplace- There are many homes that come on the market with dated, brown or rust brick fireplaces. The homeowner has often times been advised to paint the fireplace white or some other lighter color, but generally ask my opinion before taking such a drastic step, and my answer is always the same…I suggest that they keep brick natural and allow me to stage it to bring out the original beauty of the fireplace in an updated way. One of the best ways I have found to do this, is to incorporate black and white into the décor of the room with the fireplace. As you will see from the picture of an actual fireplace I staged, I have a favorite set of pictures from Ikea that help bring out the natural beauty of the brick , and I pair them with a set of black and white chairs with just the right pillow color.
Here is a “before and after” picture:
2. Outdated Bathroom- Tile and fixtures in a bathroom are often outdated for homes that come on the market, and very expensive for the homeowner to remodel. As a professional stager, it is my job to present the home in the best light and in this case, adding black and white artwork was a great way to bring the bathroom up to date along with custom floral, just the right color of green towels, and a splash of red to please the eye. The black and white combination brings an immediate updated look to any room, and in this bathroom it really did a nice job of drawing attention away from the harvest gold tile and flooring and onto the beauty of the overall room.
Here is a before and after picture:
3. Kitchens- Kitchens are one of the most important rooms to a potential buyer, and the room we all tend to gather in with our families, so it is critical to present it in the best light and as updated as possible. One of the homes I recently staged had a beautiful kitchen that was remodeled several years ago with hunter green counter tops and tile pieces in the backsplash. While the quality and layout are outstanding, the hunter green is a bit dated for today’s buyer so I incorporated black and white custom made accessories , along with a splash of rust/red, and make the green look refreshed and updated.
Here is a “before” along with close ups of a couple counter arrangements:
Next time you are faced with how to refresh a dated room without wanting to spend the money for expensive remodeling, use the power of black and white in your accessories and experience first hand the transformation it can bring to any space.
I hope this article spurs your creativity and inspires you to update your home through strategic design!
Many homes on the market were built 20 to 30 years ago, and a challenge many realtors face is, “what to do with that outdated bathroom?” The easy answer is to completely remodel the bathroom to bring it into this century—but that can cost thousands of dollars and, let’s face it: if the homeowner has decided to sell, they have already begun the detachment process from the home, and generally are not interested in investing big dollars into a property they are leaving.
This is where a professional stager can come into the picture, and save the seller thousands of dollars by making the bathroom look updated without having to make a big investment.
I recently staged a home where they master bathroom was done in a harvest gold tile, with flooring that was big in the 70’s. In addition, the bathroom had a wallpaper border that had hunter green, blue and mauve flowers that were popular in the 80’s and 90’s. The homeowners knew the bathroom was out of date, but the thought of replacing the tile and flooring was more than they wanted to do, for a good reason.
As I studied the bathroom, I looked for the least expensive way to bring an updated look to the bathroom—despite the outdated colors—and draw the potential buyers eyes away from the patterned harvest gold floor, outdated marble counter top, and harvest gold shower tile. I was confident that I could make the bathroom look updated, despite the flooring and tile; but the border had to go because the colors were too bright and distracting, no matter what I could do with the rest of the bathroom.
I strategized with the homeowner, and we agreed that the border had to be removed. We used the product Diff (found at Home Depot) and it did a great job, but because the border had been up so long, some of the paint peeled off with the border. We did a nice job of touching up the paint, and I had a fairly blank palette now to create an elegant look in the master bathroom, despite the outdated fixtures.
As I studied the bathroom, I looked for how to bring in artwork, accessories, and décor that would compliment the harvest gold, but diminish its visibility. Here is what I did in the bathroom:
1.) I placed black and white artwork on the walls to create a bold, new look that captures attention as you walk into the bathroom. Black and white accessories always bring an elegance and demand attention, which is exactly what we wanted to achieve.
2.) I created a floral arrangement of white apple blossoms in an oil rubbed bronze vase that beautifully complimented the apple blossom black and white art work on the wall across from the sink. This brought a fresh look to the bathroom, and a soft elegance to the space.
3.) I purchased several towels in the updated forest green color (you know the color, it is not hunter or grass green, but the new rich forest green that we see in designer décor today) . I went to several stores to find just the right green, and finally located exactly what I had in mind at Target. I placed them on the towel bars already installed in the bathroom.
4.) The bathroom has a window with the etched privacy glass, so to add elegance and softness, I purchased an inexpensive oil rubbed bronze curtain rod and hung simple off white full length curtains.
5.) Lastly, to add a splash of pizazz to the bathroom, and further detract from the patterned harvest gold flooring, I brought in black wooden candlesticks and a metal tray, and placed apple harvest candles and berries on it to delight the eye.
The realtor and seller were both delighted with the finished look of the bathroom, and I look forward to another home I stage going under contract quickly!
Bathroom “Before 1”
Bathroom “Before 2”
Bathroom “After”
If you have recently looked at homes that are for sale or lease, you have probably noticed that a fair amount of houses on the market today are vacant. Whether it is due to a job transfer, new construction, or an unfortunate foreclosure, they all seem the same to potential buyers, as they peruse through the various online real estate sites …. cold, empty, and lackluster.
So, if you have a vacant home you are trying to sell or lease, how can you set yourself apart? Hire a professional stager that is an expert at making your home look inviting and well cared for at the very first point of contact: the listing website!
It amazes me how little understanding and value many sellers, and even real estate agents, place on the importance of making a stunning first impression on the listing website to potential buyers. With technology that is available today for every potential buyer, we just cannot ignore the power of staging a vacant home to capture potential buyers at the first point of contact.
Even the most knowledgeable buyers need help seeing your listing in its best light. Many buyers do not know what they really want until you show them, and with a nominal upfront investment in hiring a professional stager (especially compared to making multiple price reductions), you can put your “best foot forward “ at the start of the sales process.
For vacant homes, there are options available to meet any budget. Here are a few options I personally offer for staging vacant homes:
1. Full Staging and Custom Design: Includes furniture, artwork, custom tableware, curtains and accessories in selected rooms, plus bathrooms, kitchen counters, built-in eating bar, outside patio table and chairs with custom accessories. Prices range from $895-$1,295 depending on the size of the home and services provided.
Before After
Before After
2. Vignette with Custom Design: A lighter version of staging that Incorporates “vignette “ staging for the Living Room and Master Bedroom with custom design for bathrooms, kitchen counters, and built-in eating bar. Prices range from $360 to $575, depending on services chosen.
Before After
Before After
If your budget allows, go with the full staging, as it allows the buyer to see how they would actually live in the home. If that is not an option, the vignette is a good alternative, as it gives the buyer an idea of what could be, and provides full staging for all the bathrooms and the kitchen, which are critical areas of the home when marketing to potential buyers.
Another practical reason to stage a vacant home is to help draw the buyer’s eye to the best aspects of your home that may otherwise be overlooked. If there are features of your home that are less than ideal (like a fireplace with dated brick), staging helps the buyer see how they can turn a design dilemma into a design showcase, which may have difficulty visualizing without you.
Before After
So, to answer the question: “Vacant Home- To Stage Or Not TSo Stage?” I say, “Stage!” and dramatically improve the marketability of your listing and the time it takes to get the SOLD sign in the front yard.
As an interior designer, it is important to find those areas in a home where IMPROVEMENTS can be made by changing subtle things, such as lighting, colors, furniture and decorative pieces. This is where your own taste of creativity and art is put on display for all to see. One of Karen’s passions is to understand other peoples visions and help bring them to life in their own home. With her UNIQUE ways of decorating, whether it be adding a few pieces here and there of her personal decor line or completely transforming a space to give it a completely new and renovated look, Karen’s work is REMARKABLE. By seeing her work, you can truly see how ONE ITEM MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE in your home. Whether your home is vacant or occupied, Karen has packages to FIT EVERY NEED. From custom designs that include furniture, artwork, tableware, curtains and accessories, Karen does it all! Below are some pictures of her “Before” and “After” transformations.
“BEFORE”
“AFTER”
“BEFORE”
“AFTER”
With my trout in the cart, I started wheeling through aisles, looking for what else would work with my “one item.” I was on a mission, and on the lookout for good deals on fishing theme items. I spotted the 50% off sign on the baskets, so headed to that row. Yes! I spotted a creole basket that would look great with my trout! Now I had the trout and the creole basket…what next? I envisioned myself fishing on the banks of the South Platte and saw walking through the tall weeds, so off I wheeled to the 40% off fall floral section and found artificial greens that looked just like those near the South Platte River. It was all coming together beautifully!
Once I got home, I set out my trout, weeds and creole basket and started looking around to see what else I have that would go with my theme. It is fun to shop in your own home, and I like the challenge of finding things I already have and incorporating them into new designs! (That’s actually what Redesigning is all about; my clients and I go shopping in their own home.) As I was looking through items in my basement, I found a small fishing pole that a friend had bought for us at a garage sale. I also found a lantern I had tucked away, a small tray for the wine or sparkling water bottle, and a black burlap runner from my Karen Conrad Home Décor inventory that I thought would help pull it all together. I dug out a bobber from my son’s tackle box to add color,added a rust berry vine around the creole, and placed a coordinating candle in the lantern to complete the centerpiece. Yes! The centerpiece was complete.
I added coordinating Karen Conrad Home Décor tableware for the finishing touch, and we were ready for a wonderful evening of fun and fellowship enjoying delicious trout and of course, the best fish stories that left smiles on everyone’s face.
One of my son’s favorite Colorado mountain adventures is trout fishing; especially getting up early in the morning and going with friends and our dog to a local stream or reservoir in hopes of limiting out so we can enjoy a trout dinner that evening. It is rewarding and fun to see the guys pull up after a big day of fishing with grins on their faces and a stringer in hand that is so heavy, it takes two hands to keep the fish off the ground. As they eagerly begin to clean the fish at our home, stories of their day’s adventure start to fill the air. Their recollection of the day usually includes how they landed the big one, almost landed an even bigger one, and how our dog, Bolo, somehow managed to get tangled in everyone’s lines. We all pitch in to prepare the meal then sit down to a wonderful dinner featuring their “catch of the day.”
How does this relate to Home Décor, you may ask? Well, one of the main reasons we want to make our homes beautiful is to bless our family and friends. While the guys in our lives are appreciative of our floral décor and may even compliment us on how nice everything looks, I thought it might be nice to create a centerpiece for our next trout dinner that would be designed especially for them, and reflect their successful fishing adventure earlier in the day.
I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for to create this centerpiece, but knew I would recognize my “one item” once I saw it somewhere. As I was shopping for one of my Home Décor and Staging clients in Hobby Lobby, I briskly turned the corner with my shopping cart to go to the other end of the store, and there it was! My next “one item that makes all the difference” was staring back at me; a wooden replica of a rainbow trout that looked like it was about to attack a trout lure. Perfect!
Stay tuned Wednesday for part II to see how I made the amazing trout fisherman centerpiece!
We live in a world of HGTV, which has raised expectations of buyers, as they view homes to purchase. A seller that recognizes this and invests in making their home marketable as described in Part I of The Importance of Making Your Home Marketable, will have an edge over other sellers with similar properties. Real Estate is a big business, and just as any other business, we must be wise and market to our buyers by showing them the creative potential your listing has. Because most buyers first shop on the internet for their new home, it is critical that their first impression in viewing your home is a positive, memorable one that causes your listing to stand out as a marketable property.
Humility may be required by the seller when listing their home to best position themselves in the market. Yes, that is exactly what I am saying – humility! Those that humbly accept the help of experts, especially prior to the initial listing, will be best positioned to sell their home quickly for the best price.
Remember, your real estate agent and home stager (re-designer) are on your team pulling for the same outcome: To have your listing SOLD in the least amount of time, and for the BEST price!
More to come on Friday!
Karen Conrad Home 