Home Staging

My house is for sale, and I am very excited and looking forward to the move. When families come to look at the house, I would like it to look inviting and warm. So, what are some good ways to "stage" the house to sell?

Paint the inside with neutral colors
Depersonalize every room (that means take down all photos and anything that makes it YOURS) they want to visualize their stuff in this place
Ever walk through a model home? Maybe go take a tour this week, see how they have things set up That would give you some good ideas
Since it is spring, if it is warm enough where you are, plant some flowers, clean up the yard and make sure you have curb appeal that draws people IN and wanting to know more about your house

The most important thing though is to price your house correctly. If you are priced too high, you are going to have to come down anyways, and you may be sitting on the market longer than you need to

Are there any other homes in your neighborhood like yours for sale? What is their price? Check out your competition

Biggest mistake people make is they do not de clutter or de personalize things. Also, show the rooms for what they are intended to be used for.

Expect people to open up closets and cupboards. I saw last night on a show to try as best you can to empty out closets and cupboards to show people how much storage space they would have!

Also, clean up the garage.

I am desperate for details on home staging… anything anyone knows will help. thanks!

home staging is a coined term that you can actually get sued over believe it or not, so when marketing your home, never use that term, use newly showcased instead. I showcase homes because the fee to get the license to be a stager is too nominal for what it’s worth in these times.

The big thing is to de clutter the home and to rid of/hide any photos, personal affects and toys of all things, kids toys are big turn offs. if you have a child’s room set up to look like it, you should immediately work at getting that room to look like a spare room or office, or a room for an older teen in the sense that kids rooms really throw people off.

all wall paintings should be hung at eye level. big mistake that is made that really makes a room look off. do not make a tv viewing area a focal point.

strip wallcoverings that are out dated and paint a neutral beige or gray tone. it is ok to have accent walls in the home to carry the eye throughout.

furniture rental companies can also help stage your home ifyoure in a pinch for the right furniture.

remove clutter in the kitchen most of all this is the no. one selling point of a home.

home staging shows on hg are really true to form.

good luck.

I would really like to start baking cakes. People tell me my cakes are to die for and I decorate them so pretty but the cakes from a recipe that is in a cookbook . I don’t want to get into trouble…so my question is "can I start a home business decorating cakes with recipes that i didn’t make up?

You cannot patent recipes. You can however infringe on the intellectual copyrights of the recipe. Ingredients cannot be copywrited…only the process or instructions. Avoid this by (A) not giving the recipe out and/or (B) changing the wording of the instructions. I would be more worried about having a home-based baking business without going through the proper health code channels. That wuill certainly get you in more trouble than thinking that someone will taste your cake and say…I KNOW WHERE THIS RECIPE CAME FROM!! Tell people your recipe is a secret.

If you’re selling in winter, there are a lot of things you can do to encourage buyers to keep coming back. These tips will help you provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere in your home and encourage buyers to stay longer than they would otherwise.

Keep your home scrupulously clear of ice and snow. Remove ice and snow from the roof and ensure the gutters are clean. The last thing you need is someone slipping and falling in or near your house; it doesn’t say much for the perceived safety of the property. Ensure that there is safe parking that is easy for the buyer to access.

Stage your home like you would for any other time of the year: remove dirt and clutter. Make sure that your general cleaning includes the windows – inside and out, so that nothing appears dirty. Homes can get dirtier and appear a lot dingier in winter, so be extra diligent about the cleaning. A clean, warm house is the first step to a perfect winter home staging.

If at all possible, arrange showings in the daytime, to allow the natural light to brighten your home. Also make sure that you have ample outdoor lighting in case there is a showing just before or after dark. The path or sidewalk to your door should be generously illuminated. Consider stringing cheap but attractive Japanese-style lanterns or other inexpensive lighting along a dark path or walkway.

Put attractive looking welcome mats on both sides of the door to help minimize mess and drips. Make sure there is adequate accommodation for coats, hats and other belongings that need a temporary home while the tour is being conducted.

Keep your home just warm enough to be comfortable for someone in a sweater. Most people will be wearing coats or long sleeves at this time of year; set the thermostat to a temperature that will keep them in the house rather than rushing outside for the coolness of a freezing night or the warmth of their car heater. A fireplace can add some extra warmth and also provide a cozy ambiance, if it is safely contained, supervised and extinguished.

A few hours before your prospective buyers are due to come, open some windows and doors for a change of air. This will keep the home smelling fresh and avoid stale smells. A regularly aired-out home also doesn’t tend to attract lingering odors.

You may also want to introduce a smell or two traditionally associated with winter cheer. Chocolate chip cookies smell heavenly and, left for your guests to enjoy, may leave a lasting impression. Other winter smells are apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg and fresh baked bread. Hot cocoa left out can also encourage guests to stay around for longer.

Use soft, thick coverings and throws on beds and couches. If you are repainting, try for warm colors that emphasize the comfort of your home. Hang thick, plush robes in the bathrooms. Use fabrics and colors that feel luxurious on the skin and look good to the eye.

A little work on your part to bring the warmth and comfort of your family home out for your prospective buyers can reward you with a quicker sale. Don’t hesitate to do a little extra to make your home appear inviting this winter; it can really pay off!

Stacy Neir
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/staging-your-home-for-a-winter-sale-690324.html

No matter whether the real estate market is going up or down, there are some things you can do to almost guarantee that your home will sell faster, easier and for a little more money than compared to a similar house in the same street.

However there are some big real estate selling mistakes that many home owners overlook that could affect their ability to sell their properties. Let’s look at some of the biggest real estate selling mistakes home owners make.

1. Poor Condition

Selling real estate that is in poor condition will mean an instant reduction in the potential price you could have set for the sale. Trying to market a home that is in poor condition or a home that has obvious maintenance issues that have been ignored is a sure way to put off many potential buyers.

People will automatically assume that if a house has any minor maintenance issues showing, then there must be bigger maintenance issues beneath the surface. Take some time to complete any repairs or maintenance on the home.

2. Real Estate Staging

Selling real estate is about trying to attract potential new buyers into thinking a property is the right place for them to raise a family and build their own memories. Most people who sell their homes overlook the importance of real estate staging prior to a showing. Giving your house a quick wipe over with a cleaning cloth and putting the dishes away is not enough.

Buying a home is an emotional purchase for most people. Buyers want to walk into a home and feel good. They want to imagine how their own furniture will look in each room and how their own decorations will brighten up each room.

Taking some time to freshen up paint with a light, neutral color and then removing all your personal finishing touches, such as your family photos, kid’s toys and some ornaments will make each room in your home look more spacious and more open. If you have big bulky furniture, either re-arrange it so each room appears bigger or borrow smaller furniture from friends and family.

3. Street Appeal

People selling real estate often overlook the importance of street appeal. Many home owners spend a lot of time fixing smaller maintenance issues within the home, but only take a moment to run a lawn mower over the yards.

Potential buyers want to be able to drive up to the front of a house and immediately feel that the home is appealing and attractive. Overgrown trees and shrubs obscure the house from the street. Prune them back or cut them down. Open up the yard with border plantings to make the land plot seem bigger than it really is from the street.

Selling real estate is all about appealing to buyers in such a way that they feel comfortable paying money for your property even when other properties might not be selling. An inexperienced agent may tell you to reduce your price, but the reality is people who sell real estate can actually increase their price if they’re willing to put in some work to appeal to potential buyer’s emotions.

Roger Vetruba
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/top-3-real-estate-selling-mistakes-736738.html