Home Staging » Staging a House

Apartment staging as a career?

admin — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 08:13:55 +0000

I saw in the movie leap year that Anna( Amy Adams) is an apartment stager. Was that her actual job or just because she was going to sell their apartment?
Is Apartment staging an actual job or is it just when your going to sell your own apartment? I love the idea of decorating houses and I want to choose between apartment staging or being an Interior Decorator. Any tips on which I should choose, which one pays better?
Thanks so much!

Oh no, apartment or more often house staging is a real profession. Out here in California in the more high priced urban communities, the majority of vacant and unfurnished homes are being staged for sale (ordered by the Realtor). Staging a 1,600 sq.ft. house costs about $2,000-$2,500 for the first two months, and an extra $500-$600 for each additional month the furniture/decor are being used. These home staging services have their own warehouse with the furniture and knick-knacks, so there would be a substantial initial expense in setting up shop. You may get a job with an established firm and there gain enough experience to later help you set up your own business.

Apartment staging as a career? is a post from: Home Staging

Is This Allowed, Young Guy Turns Inherited House into Unofficial Club?

admin — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:07:37 +0000

Some guy I know at college inherited a house from his grandparents and what he did was turn it into an unofficial music venue.

He tore out the basement and put a stage and sound system there and built a bar upstairs.

I want to emphasize that nothing is sold there. He doesn’t charge anything to get in and the food and alcohol are all BYOB; so he doesn’t get any money out of this idea.

Is something like this allowed?

It is his house so he can do what he wants. The only problem I would see happening is the neighbors might not like the noise and the number of people who go there. If they complain then the police would come and shut it down at that time for that night.

Is This Allowed, Young Guy Turns Inherited House into Unofficial Club? is a post from: Home Staging

What Are Your Best Tips for Staging House for Sale?

admin — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 08:54:00 +0000

We’ve got a townhouse that is for sale and of course there are 5 similiar ones for sale on the neighborhood. It’s a beautiful waterfront community in a great area. We’ve recently:
* Priced below the competition and offered $3000 in closing costs and a $250 bonus to the buyer agent
*Listed it with a reputable real estate agency
*Given it a fresh coat of paint inside and out
*Cleaned till it can’t possibly shine any brighter
*Made sure there is No Clutter or personal effects in sight (and closets and drawers are almost empty too)
*Added new bed linens, new white towels, shower curtains and wash cloths
*Installed new stainless steel GE appliances

What else can we do to move this townhome quickly? I’ve got a health condition that requires one level living, and a possible surgery coming up in the next few months. Moving soon would be a huge plus. Your suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!

Often houses sell based upon how the home is decorated (or not decorated). The buyer compares their tastes to yours, or prefers a blank slate. Allowing as much light into the property is essential, thus if your have window treatments, you might want to rethink them. Another easy prep is the use of brass to get add to the shine, but this also is dependent upon your decorating. Buying the brass light switch covers are cheap and adds a subtle sparkle. Then there are the old Realtor open house tricks of putting slice and bake cookies or Pillsbury breads in the oven and have them cooking at a low temp during the actual showing to get the buyer to connect the the scent with the idea of home of another time. Another subtlety is to put a phone list of food take out on the fridge (decorated nicely) to add to the convenience of location, or other things a likely buyer would be attracted towards (babysitters, neighbors). You might want to up the bonus to the selling agent. Both buyers and their agents can see through an offer to pay for closing costs, but to them they see it simply as a willingness to sell for $3000 less. You may want to offer it as a decorating allowance instead.

What Are Your Best Tips for Staging House for Sale? is a post from: Home Staging

Is there a course I can take in Home Staging?

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 10:05:23 +0000

Staging is getting a house ready when it goes on the market.

maybe, you’ll have to look around your community, I’m sure you can find a real estate agent who will give you some tips, and there are so many tips online. Theres everything from baking cookies to putting up family pictures to painting your walls white to decluttering your home.

Just google ‘house staging tips’ http://www.hgtv.com/real-estate/30-cant-miss-staging-tips/index.html

Is there a course I can take in Home Staging? is a post from: Home Staging

Is staging really necessary or can I sell a house empty?

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:37:19 +0000

I am tasked with selling my mother’s house now that she has gone into a nursing home. The realtor is insisting that I complete a long shopping/decorating list to "stage" the house for sale. I had assumed it would be sold empty, after a few necessary repairs and upgrades.

The idea of staging completely throws off my timeline in terms of having an estate sale to sell furniture, etc., having the house professionally cleaned by a service, having the hardwood floors refinished, etc., etc., etc. It makes a really complicated, stressful job a whole lot worse for me.

Is staging really necessary or can I just tell her I want to sell it empty? I’m not looking to soak every possible dollar out of the sale, I just want to get it done.

Thank you.

They are only suggesting what they think will sell the house more quickly. You are the seller and in control and remember they are working for you. So do what you want to do, if they insist, get another agent.
Good luck.

Is staging really necessary or can I sell a house empty? is a post from: Home Staging

does anyone know about house buying politics?

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:26:24 +0000

I’m just at the signing contract stage of buying a house, but the vendor has now – after 6 weeks, decided she wants to buy a house (she previously was planning on renting) & wants to tie it all in…meaning my move in date will be delayed. I’m living temporarily with a friend after giving up my rented accom & am trapped in a nightmare! Should I threaten to pull out? Though I don’t actually want to! Is there any way of hurrying her along? Would really appreciate some advice! Thanks

I am an agent and this does happen quite regularly. Legally there is nothing that you can do….The Vendor is reliant on your cash for her onward purchase tho, so technically you hold the cards. I would explain your position to the agent and make it clear that this was not the agreement and that you cannot wait a possible 2-3 months longer. You may have to threaten to pull out, but beware if the property is saleable and she knows this, she may call your bluff and try for a new flexible purchaser!

does anyone know about house buying politics? is a post from: Home Staging

I’m looking to borrow,for a short time, some staging to work on a house.?

admin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:51:13 +0000

If you are referring to scaffolding to be able to work safely on heights then you can call your local rent-all centre…they will deliver for you. I’m looking to borrow,for a short time, some staging to work on a house.? is a post from: Home Staging

I’m looking to borrow,for a short time, some staging to work on a house.? is a post from: Home Staging

Our house is on the market & we have a lot of traffic at our open houses-but no one is calling to view?

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:52:33 +0000

Our agent says we are priced below our comps and that we get a lot of traffic on the internet and at open houses. Our house has been on the market for 38 days and we have has a total of 2 viewings apart from our open houses. Our house is nicely staged and it looks like a model home. What gives? What should we be asking of our agent? We basically have about $25,000 wiggle room in the price and we were hoping to use that as a "haggling" cushion. Should we shave the price now? Our house is a 1928 tudor in a neighborhood where comps are really difficult as no 2 properties are alike. Is it too early for me to freak out? Should I be concerned about lack of showings if we’re doing well with open houses and on the web as far as hits? Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can impart!
Also our next door neighbor is our agent and friend so it’s a lot more of a sensitive issue –so we can’t go all Rambo on our agent
Oooooo—good point, Angie! I didn’t really think about that. Do you think there’s a conflict of interest here?

How long is the contract with your realitor? Conflict of interest or not – it is is not selling, list it with someone else or try it on your own for say 30 days.

Offer seller concessions of up to 6 percent of the closing costs may help. Offer to pay the appriasal. Print up flyers to hospitals, factories, businesses, grocery stores, with the picture of your home. Listing price, selling price, give up some equity in the home if need be. Good Luck to you. (ok)

Our house is on the market & we have a lot of traffic at our open houses-but no one is calling to view? is a post from: Home Staging

Manhole inside a house – is it for rental or should i sue?

admin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 14:25:25 +0000

I have discovered that the house I live in has a manhole in the living room – the living room is in an extension that was built at a different stage to when the house was built.

Now, do you know if this means the house is not fit for rental and should therefore have never been rented out? If so, can I sue the landlord and get my money back? I’ve been in the house for 4 years, but only found out recently when a neighbour renovating his house asked me if he could have access to the manhole in my living room to unblock the drain.

what do you suggest I do? I’m renting with foxtons, in clapham
thanks for all your answers! I’ll contact the citizens advice bureau to find out more, but your comments have all ben extremely helpful!

You need to go to the CAB these will tell you your rights.

Manhole inside a house – is it for rental or should i sue? is a post from: Home Staging

If a house is in foreclosure, when is the best time to make an offer to buy it?

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:44:15 +0000

What do you do and how do you do it? I have a list of houses in various stages of foreclosure, now what?

Your first opportunity comes in the "pre-foreclosure" stage, when owners have already defaulted on their mortgage payments but actual foreclosure hasn’t happened yet. To find out about houses in default, visit the local courthouse where defaults are registered. You can then make offers directly to the defaulting homeowner. However, few pre-foreclosure bargains exist among the most desirable homes. Many of those will sell for near their appraised values. Properties that sell at a 20 percent to 40 percent discount usually need repair or are in undesirable communities. At this stage you have about 90 days to act after the default notice is posted and another 21 to 25 days after auction sale date is published. If a property doesn’t sell in pre-foreclosure, and the home owner actually defaults on his mortgage, the home goes to public auction. During this stage you can find the best bargains, but it is fraught with difficulties. Properties are sold "as is," without warranties. Sellers needn’t disclose problems. Buyers may find themselves with unexpected — and expensive repairs. etc. etc.
Hope this helps.

If a house is in foreclosure, when is the best time to make an offer to buy it? is a post from: Home Staging