Birgit Anich, Connecticut Home Stagers staging Fairfield county , CT's Blog

Adding sophistication to a vacant house … through vacant home staging in Stamford

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:05:07 -0700

Recently we had the pleasure to work with a wonderful investor who brought a worn down house, located close to the beach in Stamford, back to life. The house was beautifully remodeled and Connecticut home stagers Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors were brought in to stage this vacant property. We fell immediately in love with it and saw the huge potential to further enhance the property with our unique staging design.

Because of the proximity to the beach, where the new home owners will also have private beach rights to, we used blue and yellow tones to bring these summer colors into the house. The reclaimed wood adds another layer of sophistication to the staging design.

As all our staging designs, this was a custom design that does not just appeal to the target buyers, but also presents a different aesthetics to elevate the property at its best light.

Here are some before and after photos (sorry for the uneven photo sizes - had some troubles getting them in at all) - for more photos you can go to click here .

About the Author: Birgit Anich is the President and Creative Director of Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors one of the most innovative real estate staging and design firms in Fairfield County, CT. Our distinctive approach is creating a lifestyle experience that sells homes fast and at the maximum price. Birgit’s focus is working with home sellers and their real estate agents to prepare their property to appeal to the most likely buyers. As Certified Advanced Stagers, trained by HGTV star Matthew Finlason, Birgit Anich Staging and Interiors transforms a property into a buyer’s dream using Targeted Lifestyle Marketing Techniques.

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

2011 Home Gain Survey Results and a Home Stagers Viewpoint!

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:13:47 -0800

Staging is not just about moving furniture, decorating and moving a few objects in the house. It is way more. Kathy Streib shares some great thoughts about this topic:

Via Kathy Streib-Home Stager-Palm Bch County South Florida - 561-914-6224 (Room Service Home Staging):

2011 Home Gain Survey Results and a Home Stagers Viewpoint!

Every year the Home Gain Real Estate Blog publishes a Home Improvement National Survey. The results are compiled from 600 agents nationwide to determine the TOP 10 Low Cost DIY home improvements for people getting ready to sell their home.

And since I have been following this, Home Staging has ranked either 2nd or 3rd with   Cleaning and Decluttering being #1. Alternating between 2nd and 3rd with Staging is Lightening and Brightening.

Now while I love that Staging ranks so highly, as I was reading the results it occurred to me that Home Staging as I view it actually can encompass all of the home improvement items on the list.

Home Staging isn’t just about moving furniture around, lighting candles or placing fresh flowers around.   And in fact, I don’t know of any Stager who ever suggests having a lit candle in the home when the owner is not present!

A basic Home Staging Consultation addresses all of the items on the list from cleaning and editing, painting, repairing, updating and enhancing the basic “bones” of the home.   A Home Stager will look at the total package, inside and out, from front yard to the back patio or deck... from what needs to go and what can be used to help show the possibilities of the home.

A Home Staging Consultation can help a Seller prioritize their DIY projects so preparing their home for sale will not be so overwhelming. This is especially beneficial to those on a limited budget and tight schedule.

Will you get more money for your home if you stage it?   In this market, who can say. But what I will suggest to you is that Staging your home will increase your chances of a Buyer wanting to see it because of how well your home will look on your MLS listing.

If the photos don’t entice the Buyer there are other homes that will.

Price will always rule and to help you get that price make sure you prepare your home so that its condition warrants the price you’re asking.

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

How to Reveal the True Value of Your Home

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:36:59 -0800

When selling real estate – or any other product – there are always two sides that need to be considered. There is a difference between the PRICE and the VALUE of a property.

1. The PRICE is the amount of money you are asking for the property.

2. The VALUE is whether the buyer perceives that your property is worth or desirable for that price.

The perceived value is influenced by many factors, such as location, condition, features, appeal, and comparison to other listings in your market area. If your house has been on the market for some time and you have not received offers or not the offer that you desired to achieve, this is an indication that the buyers do not perceive the value of your property worth the price you are offering it for.

When selling your house you are in business and it is important to understand today’s real estate buyers and what they consider valuable in their decision when making their single largest expense. Buyers today are not buying the same way as buyers from just a few years ago. Due to a large selection of homes available to them on the market, buyers can afford being picky and in what they want to have. So what are some things buyers are looking for:

A move-in-ready home: most buyers do not want to purchase projects when they make their single largest expense. They want to be able to move in and immediately continue with their life without having to spend more money and time.
Buyers are looking for a lifestyle. They do not just buy a house, they buy a home, a lifestyle they are dreaming of.
Updated kitchen and bathrooms
High-end finishes for appliances
Curb appeal

So, what does this mean for you as the home seller? Are you showing your house at its best value to your buyers?

What are some of the things you can do to reveal the true value if your house?

1. Take care of all repairs.

2. Hire a real estate agent - the price value is their expertise.

3. Consult with a professional home stager on how to prepare your house for sale to show the maximum value to your target buyers. The home stager will consult you not only on how to update most cost efficiently different areas to achieve the highest return on investment, but also how you make your property stand out from your competition.

4. Update your kitchen and bathrooms. Your home stager can work with you on the best way to achieve the updated look without breaking your bank. Believe it or not, there are many ways to update a bathroom without having to completely renovate.

5. Arrange for a pre-listing home inspection. You show buyers that you have addressed any defects and thus add value and weight to your disclosure statement. It will eliminate or reduce buyers’ concerns.

6. The curb appeal gives the first impression when driving up to your house – make sure that this impression is a lasting one, so buyers get excited to visit your property. Consider hiring a professional landscaper.

7. Never sell a house vacant – real estate gurus will tell you that this is one of the biggest mistakes. But don’t just put any furniture in. Remember you are selling a lifestyle and added value to stand out from your competition. The right choice of furniture, furniture placement, accessories, artwork, lighting, rugs are critical for your success as each item that you add sends buyers a conscious and unconscious message to feel connected with the house. Call a professional home stager who specializes in vacant real estate staging.

Once you show buyers the maximum VALUE the house will sell faster and buyers are willing to pay more. The spring real estate market is just around the corner. Right now is the best time for you to get prepared to show the maximum value of YOUR house and consult with a professional stager. Don’t take the “let’s see how it goes and if it does not work, we can still hire a stager later” attitude. The most traffic drawn into your house will be within the first 2-4 weeks. If you don’t get the attention of buyer’s real estate agents and buyers looking online, you are wasting all this time on the market. Your house will then become a stale listing that they will not come back to visit, even if you have made changes. So, act BEFORE putting your house on the market and show it at its best value right away.

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Thinking Green in 2012? Check out 15 simple every day Green Tips

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:11:26 -0800

Ritu Desai shares some great tips about Gree cleaning ideas. There is something to take away for everyone... I will try some of these myself. Thank you Ritu for putting this together!

Via Ritu Desai-Northern Virginia Realtor Fairfax/Loudoun/PW-703-625-4949 (Samson Properties):

Every individual effort, Every step counts to make our home and planet green. Here are few tips I use at my own home.

1. If you are decorating your home with fresh flowers, keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon baking soda to the water in the vase.

2. Odor: Boil water and add few drops of Vanilla extract OR cinnamon sticks and cloves or a few drops of an essential oil you like on the stove. This will neutralize/eliminate any odor in your home.

3. Clean the oven glass ( I used this tip at my own home), make a paste of Baking soda and water. Let it sit for about 15-20 mins. Wipe it with damp cloth.

4. Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave (about 5 min). Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

5. Large items: Sprinkle baking soda on your upholstery's, mattress or carpets to remove odor. Sprinkle and let it sit for 15-20 mins. vacuum the baking soda.

6. Baby oil can also be used to polishes chrome. Apply a dab to a cotton cloth and use it to shine everything from faucets to door knobs. After that you can rub bit of car wax to avoid the built up.

7. Bathroom mold: Mold in bathroom tile grout is a common problem and can be a health concern. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing or using shower.

8. For stronger garbage ddisposer cleaning, pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerin, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clear residue.

9. Many ink spots, pencil, crayon or marker spots can be cleaned from painted surfaces using baking soda applied to a damp sponge. Rub gently, then wipe and rinse.

10. Garage floor: Scatter baking soda on your greasy garage floor, scrub the floor, and rinse. Instead of buying expensive degrease from home improvement store.

11. Kill weeds and grass growing in unwanted places by pouring full-strength white distilled vinegar on them. This works especially well in crevices and cracks of walkways and driveways. Beware don't over spray and I don’t recommended using this in grass as it’ll kill the grass too

12. Grout: To Clean the grout, mix half and half of Baking soda and water. Using electric old tooth brush if you have or a old tooth brush. Scrub it in circular motion. Leave it for about 10-15 mins and rinse it or if you have steam mop use that.

13. Clean Floors: Fill a bucket with warm or hot water, add a quarter of a cup of vinegar and a dash of castile soap. Dunk your rag in the bucket, ring out, and wipe down the floors.

14. Air Freshener: Cut a small square of cheese cloth place couple of spoon of baking soda tie and place it any where you want example: shoe box, closets, laundry room, trash cans, bathrooms, under the sink, basement and so on.

15. Marble, granite, or stone counter top cleaner use rubbing alcohol or vodka to wipe it.

If you have enjoyed reading my blog, please click here to subscribe

Associate Broker
EcoBroker, ABR, ePRO
Samson Properties
Direct - 703-625-4949
Email - info@eNOVAHomes.com
Web: www.eNOVAHOMES.com

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Should You Bother Sprucing Up Your Kitchen When Selling Your House?

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:24:31 -0800

We all have heard it – kitchen and bathrooms sell houses! This is widely known, but yet we have received often comments from home sellers such as:

The kitchen is so outdated that we would have to put a completely new kitchen in. We’d rather have the home buyer do that and do it to their taste.
Updating my kitchen is way too expensive. It is not worth doing it.
This is too much work, I don’t want to do it anymore, now that I am moving out.

Here is an example of such a kitchen (before):

What would a home buyer think when seeing a house with an outdated kitchen?

This is not livable for me. I will have to immediately update this kitchen before I even move in here.
This will cost me $30,000 to $45,000 that I have to immediately spend right after I just made my single most expenditure.
How long will it take me to get this fixed. I am not sure I can live in here for that long without having a kitchen. I have kids to feed and to prepare family dinners right away when moving in. Where will I be able to do that when the kitchen is under construction? What is the food take out cost in addition to the renovation cost?
This is too much hassle for me. I ‘d rather look for a house with a decent kitchen.
If this kitchen is already not well maintained, I assume the rest of the house also has not been updated as well. This house will be a money pit. Let me see the next listing in this market area.

With 92% of home buyers looking online first to decide which properties to visit, it will be hard to get buyers to even come to visit your house if the kitchen does not look updated.

So, should you bother sprucing up your kitchen when selling your house?

The answer is absolutely! In most cases, if your cabinet bones are in decent shape, there are many ways to give your kitchen an updated look without breaking the bank and going through the hassle and expense of installing a completely new kitchen. The goal with updating and staging an outdated kitchen is to show buyers that they can comfortably move into the house without having to immediately replace the kitchen. We want to show buyers that they can move in and live here for quite some time until they have the money to invest into a new kitchen.

Don’t forget that typically the house is a home buyer’s single largest purchase in their lives – it takes them a while to financially recover to be able to invest in major projects such as kitchen updates.

Houses with nice kitchen and updated appliances sell faster and for a higher price. Knowing where to invest in for getting the highest return on investment in a kitchen update is key to the success when preparing a home for sale to sell fast and at the top dollar.

Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors has prepared many kitchen in Fairfield county Connecticut for sale to stand out from the competition and to sell faster. Here are some examples of our before and after kitchen photos:

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Are you an INTERESTED or a COMMITTED home seller? ... How this can impact your house sale

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:47:19 -0800

I am sure you have heard this before: What is the difference between being interested and being committed?

It has been said that “when you are interested, you do whatever is most convenient. When you are committed, you do whatever it takes.”

Are YOU interested or committed to selling your house? This should be your first question when deciding to put your house on the market. YES, you are hiring a real estate agent to help with your home sale, but NO, your agent cannot do this on his/her own. The Real Estate Agent needs your commitment. There are certain aspects in the house selling process that he/she will need your help with, as these can have a big impact on how quickly your house will sell and for how much. These aspects will influence the tools that will be available to your real estate agent for most efficiently and successfully selling your single most valuable asset.

Once a house is on the market it is no longer your home, but a house, a PRODUCT that needs to be sold. Therefore, it needs to be marketed as such, it needs to be merchandised. After all, you are in competition now with all those other home sellers in your area. Products that we purchase on a daily basis are being merchandised and marketed – look at cars, beauty product, fashion, food products.,,,,, A house should not be an exception. So what are the marketing tools that are available to you and your real estate agent?

1. Location – you have no control over this factor. You cannot change the location of the house that you are selling.

2. Condition and Showcasing – how well your house has been maintained and the presentation of the home for promotions and showings. Committed home sellers take this part of preparing the home for sale very seriously. The best, most efficient way to get this step of the home selling process done is by getting advice from a professional home stager. Real estate stagers have extensive knowledge about what buyers are looking for and how to set your house up that these buyers are being attracted. This includes deep knowledge and experience in which home repairs, home upgrades, paint colors, furniture placement,… will give you the highest return on investment and will sell your house faster. As Kris Berg from HGTV’s FrontDoor.com states: “Staging is not a do-it-yourself sport, and only a third party specialist can bring the neutrality and objectivity needed to accomplish the goal.” According to a research conducted by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) professionally staged homes sell on average 67% faster.

3. Price – the price is greatly influenced by the Location and the Condition/Showcasing as well as market value. If the listing price is set right, real estate home staging can influence the price buyers are willing to pay. According to several sources such as Barbara Corcoran, National Association of Realtors and others professionally staged homes sell on average for a 5% to 10% higher price.

4. Promotion – Did you know that over 94% of home buyers look online first, before visiting a listing? So, your online presentation is the best marketing tool that you have to get traffic into your house. If buyers do not like the online pictures they will not even take a look at your property – your house will be off the list before even being on the “to visit” list for home buyers. Therefore, it is critical that these pictures look awesome! Having your house staged BEFORE these MLS pictures are being taken will ensure that your house is being presented at its best and will stand out from the competition. Keep in mind that you can lose the sale by ONE click of the mouse. It is all about first impressions and immediate connection with the home buyers within the first 2 to 5 seconds.

Barbara Corcoran, one of the most successful real estate agents in the country, emphasizes the importance of staging: “Staging is no longer an option, but a must if you want to sell your home”. Staging a home for sale is the key to success. Most successful real estate agents across the country will not even accept a listing if the seller does not at least have a home staging consultation and act on the recommendations. These agents know that their marketing strategy would be solely limited to PRICE (see graph below). Yes, at one point the price of your home, after sitting on the market for a long time and having one price drop after another, there will be a buyer eventually. Is this your goal when selling your home? So, are you an interested or a committed home seller?

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

The New Generation of Real Estate Home Staging – Target Staging and Lifestyle Merchandising

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:56:48 -0800

Staging = Staging …. Are you sure?

Staging is a relatively young industry and as other industries are evolving, also the home staging industry is changing. The blanket approach of mass marketing lies in the past of the marketing world. Home staging should not be an exception. New staging techniques go beyond de-cluttering, de-personalizing and making a space look pretty to appeal to the widest range of buyers. Today, staging has moved on to the next level - a smarter, more informed level, where research is being incorporated to understand the target buyers.

Home buyers nowadays are more sophisticated than ever before. Traditional staging often creates neutralized staging installations that do not draw buyers in as effectively. We all buy with emotions and buying a home is no different.

Our job as professional home stagers is to emotionally connect home buyers to a house. People don’t buy a house, they buy a HOME. Along with selling a space we are selling a lifestyle!

In order to connect most effectively with buyers the staging professional needs to conduct research to understand and target the most likely buyers. Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors specializes in and is a pioneer in Connecticut to implement these most advanced and most successful staging techniques of Target Staging and Lifestyle Merchandising. Based on a discussion with the real estate agent, the home seller and conducing our own research, we are setting up a Buyer’s Profile, which includes information not just about demographics, but also about psychographics of the most likely buyers.

Once the buyer’s profile is completed, we create a stunning staging installation that appeals to these buyers. Every piece of furniture, rug, artwork, lighting and décor item is carefully selected as each item sends both a conscious and an unconscious message giving us the opportunity to emotionally connect with the buyers. With every staging design we are telling a story with a specific person in mind, giving the buyers a lifestyle experience, a dream they aspire to. Our intent is to get home buyers excited when visiting and we want them to go “WOW this house is stunning!! This is how I always dreamed to live. I want this house.” instead of “This is nice”.

Do you remember the last time when you saw this most beautiful jacket that you just fell in love with, but was beyond your budget? Yet you bought it because you loved it – you were willing to reach deeper into your pockets, just because you were emotionally connected with it. Yes, home buyers are also willing to pay more for a house they aspire to and fall in love with. Barbara Corcoran recently mentioned at the Nate Berkus show that great staged properties sell for a 5% to 10% higher price.

The new generation of effective home staging is strategic Target Marketing with Lifestyle Merchandising!

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Design Tips: How to Update a Kitchen without Breaking your Bank

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:42:52 -0700

In these economically challenging times, many people are holding off on big investments to update their house. But does this mean that you have to compromise on style and aesthetics while you are living in your home? Or does this mean that you have to make big pricing concessions when selling your home, just because your kitchen is not in par with what buyers are looking for?

As a real estate home staging company in Fairfield county, CT we know that kitchen and bathrooms sell houses. If buyers walk through a house and see that the first thing they have to update is a kitchen, before they even can move in, they just won’t make an offer on your property, but rather on the neighbor’s house that has been kept current in style. Buyers have many houses to choose from and they do not want to buy a “project”, but a move-in ready home.

Therefore, we worked with a recent client to make necessary changes to upgrade the dated kitchen. Here are some tips without breaking your bank that you can implement – either for enjoying a new look while living in it or for getting your house ready for sale:

The plain “oak look” gives a kitchen a dated look. If the cabinets are in good shape you might want to consider re-facing them. If re-facing is not in your budget, you might want to consider painting them. TIP: bring the cabinet paint all the way to the ceiling trim to extend the visual height of the cabinets and give a larger space impression.
Replace your old hardware with “new style” hardware. straight lined, simple design, brushed nickel works best for achieving a modern look.
Granite has come down in pricing over the past decade and is a valuable option for also lower budgets. Granite countertops still has a great re-sale value and will give your kitchen a higher end look.
In our specific kitchen example below we extended the kitchen countertop to provide a bar / eat-in feature as well.
Compliment the granite countertop with a contemporary glass tile or other modern looking backsplash.
A under-mount sink and a new faucet will extend the countertop space by a few inches.
New and matching stainless steel appliances bring a continuous style into the kitchen
If the floor is worn or dated, add a new floor as well.
Coordinate the wall color with your backsplash, countertop, cabinets and floor.
To top off the design, replace your old lighting fixture that matches the new style and finishes.

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Cape staging in Fairfield with modern touch

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:50:09 -0700

Can you use a modern touch in a Cape house? Absolutely! Feedback at the realtors open house was phenominal and drew in traffic beyond expectations of the agent.

Here are some before and after photos - we replaced all furniture except for the dining table, brought in different artwork with color, modern theme to appeal to the younger demographic of the neighborhood:

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

The 5 Biggest Mistakes When Selling a Vacant Property

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:52:12 -0700

There are many reasons why a house might be vacant when being sold – various reasons include:

new construction
relocation property
seller has already moved into their new home
it was a rental property that is now for sale

In all these cases the bottom line is that SELLING the property FAST is CRITICAL. There is a lot of money on the table because of ongoing mortgage costs, maintenance cost, insurance cost, and other carrying costs that need to be paid for all these months that the property is sitting on the market without any income stream.

Selling fast in a buyers market and a down market is a challenge, but especially it is difficult for vacant homes. Vacant homes sell typically slower than occupied homes. What are the 5 biggest mistakes when selling a vacant property?

Mistake #1:Selling the house as a VACANT property

We just said that vacant homes sell slower than houses that are occupied. Why is that?

a. People don’t buy houses, they by homes, they buy a lifestyle! Without furniture, wall art, rugs, lighting, décor,… there are no emotional connection points in the house – the house does not show its soul and any lifestyle buyers can aspire to.

b. Buyers do not have a point of reference

empty rooms look smaller
buyers cannot see how much furniture they will be able to fit in the room
they cannot envision how to set up the room functionally – how should I face the sofa, where does my TV go, can I fit…..

Adding the right furniture, rugs, lighting, wall art and other décor that reflect the target buyers’ lifestyle will make them feel drawn to and helps them envision themselves living in that home.

c. When a room is empty, buyers focus on the negative details
It is so much easier to notice cracks in the walls, paint chips, missed repairs,… if buyers have nothing else to look at. Providing them with a welcoming home they will focus more on how they can live in that house rather than what they don’t like about it. With staging we emphasize the positive features of the property while downplaying the negative features.

d. Only 10% of home buyers can actually visualize the potential of a home

Nine out of every ten people walking in your home have no imagination of the wonderful possibilities your house has to offer.

Mistake #2: Wait to see if it sells vacant

As a home stager in Connecticut, I often receive the response from clients “I want to see first if it sells vacant before I consider staging”. This can be a very costly mistake.

Selling a house is all about FIRST IMPRESSIONS. On a new listing most of the traffic is generated within the first 2-4 weeks.

The Real Estate Brokers open house will get the buyers’ Realtors into the property. They are your “sales staff”. If these brokers do not get excited about what they see, they are less likely to bring their buyers to your property instead of your neighbor’s house on the market.

Let’s say you change your mind down the road and have the property staged and then have another Realtors open house. It will be hard to get Brokers to come back to the property as they have already seen it and do not want to waist their time, nor will their buyers come back for a second time.

So, now you have wasted all that traffic and time on the market without showing the house at its’ best potential. If you had it staged upfront you may have it already sold by now.

Mistake #3: Not make it stand out from the competition

Put yourself into the shoes of a home buyer - 94% of home buyers start their search online first looking at all the photos of houses within their qualifying criteria. This is what they might see:

House #1:

House #2:

What makes your house different from these other vacant houses? Why should they visit your house? There is nothing that would draw a buyer into these houses.

Remember – A SALE CAN BE LOST BY ONE MOUSE CLICK - if your house does not stand out and attract these buyers for a visit, you have lost a potential sale.

Mistake #4: Price has now become your only marketing strategy

Selling a house, typically the home owner’s most valuable asset, is not any different than marketing a commercial product. Location, Condition & Showcasing, Price and Promotion need to be considered together. There is nothing that you can do about the location of the property, but you can influence the other marketing factors. The price is being influenced by the Location and the Condition & Showcasing (the packaging) of the house. The Promotion to bring the traffic into your house will be most effective if the Showcasing and Photographs are professionally done.

So, if there is no showcasing, the promotional pictures will not stand out, so price is now your only marketing strategy.

Buyers are willing to pay more if they feel emotionally connected to a house – on average staged homes sell for a 5-10% higher price tag.

Mistake #5: Seeing home staging as a COST instead of an INVESTMENT

Staging a house for sale can help you MAKE money. It is an INVESTMENT into your home selling process – most investments into home staging range between 1 and 3 percent of the listing price, which yield in a 5 to 10 higher sales price –how nice is this, but this is not all. If selling your house faster you will SAVE ongoing mortgage payments and carrying costs. See more details and examples on how Birgit Anich Staging and Interiors helped their clients MAKING a PROFIT by staging.

Barbara Corcoran, one of the biggest real estate experts in the US, says: “Never sell a home without furniture!” “Once the staging is complete you might even find that you can raise the price”

– see Barbara’s 2 mintues segment on The TODAY SHOW

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

How Much Does Real Estate Staging Cost? - Part 2

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:10:50 -0700

In our last blog post we spoke about the Staging Consultation and price determining factors of a Home Staging Proposal. Today we will go into more detail of the actual Staging Proposal and the Return on the Staging Investment – how staging helps MAKE money.

The Staging Proposal:

The consultation for occupied homes and the walk-through of vacant homes provide the real estate stager with an overview of what is needed to get the house prepared and ready for a successful sale.

There are many considerations to be taken into account when preparing a home staging proposal:
Is it an occupied home or a vacant home?
What is the size of the home?
Are there any repairs, updates, upgrades, paint, flooring,… needed?
Which rooms and how many rooms need to be staged?
Do we need to bring in furniture and/or accessories to attract buyers? If so, how much and what?
How many functional areas are to be installed within the rooms?
Does the home seller do all the work on their own, or some on their own and some being done by the stager, or does the seller want to have everything being managed by the stager?

Every house looks different and has different needs and when pricing a home staging project all these different details and more need to be taken into consideration.

As a general rule over the thumb, home staging prices can range from a 0.5% to 3% of the listing price – again, depending on the specific needs of that property as well as the selling price.

In the beginning I said that real estate staging does not cost anything – it helps making money.

Home staging is not a cost, but an investment.

The National Association of Realtors indicates that staged homes sell on average for a 6 to 10% higher price – a pretty good deal for an investment of 0.5% to 3%.

Studies and statistics conducted by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA®) have shown that professionally staged homes sell on average 67% faster than unstaged homes. This means months less of expenses for mortgage, insurance, utilities, maintenance and other carrying costs. Add to that the reduced time of stress and worries, having to be prepared every day for a potential showing and having your peaceful life back quicker.

Now let’s look at some specific numbers of a real life example of a property that Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors has recently staged. While most houses staged by Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors are in the $750K to $4M price range, there seems to be the impression that "staging is for high end properties only". Thus we decided to illustrate a lower price example to show how real estate staging helps making money also on lower priced properties. However, the same applies to higher priced homes – the numbers are just getting bigger.

This real example property is located in Norwalk, CT:

Original Listing Price: $410,000

Days on Market BEFORE Staging: 155

Price when Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors was called: $389,000

After reducing the price by $21,000 or 5.12% to $389,000, the price reduction still did not help to sell.

The real estate agent was in a tough spot:

Either make another price reduction and have price being the only marketing tool used in selling this property or
Make use of a different marketing tool – packaging the product to appeal to the target buyer group by staging it – the real estate agent decided to advise her client to stage the property.

At the first visit to the property Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors immediately knew what needed to be done and the client agreed to most of the proposed investments of their vacant property – we made some home improvements and used the most advanced and successful staging techniques of Target Staging and Lifestyle Marketing:

Home Improvement Investments (paint, toilet replacement, lighting replacement, floors refinishing, new ceiling in one room, some repair): $6,000

Staging Investment (rental of furniture & décor for Living Room, Dining Room, Master Bedroom and Staging Services) $4,500

Total Investment: $10,500 …. 2.7% of the listing price

After completion of staging, the house sold within 2 days at full asking price.

By not using price as the single marketing strategy to sell this property, the real estate agent was able to sell the property without any further price reduction. This is great!

But what would the scenario have been if the property was staged BEFORE putting the house on the market? The house would have been 153 days less time on the market = 5.1 months less time of ongoing costs:

Mortgage: $1300/month

Carrying costs (taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance cost): $1000/month

Total monthly fixed costs saved: $2300/month

Months less on the market if staged before: 5 months Saved cost because of faster sale: $2300 * 5 months = $11,500

As you can see, staging did not cost them anything.

Remember, we spoke about that staged homes sell on an average at a 6-10% higher price. If the house were staged before putting it on the market, it is likely that the house would have sold at the original price of $410,000 (or closer to it), which is an additional $21,000

Total Return on Investment, if staged BEFORE listing, would have been:

Saved cost because of faster sale: $11,500

Sale at top price: $21,000

Total gain: $32,500

Staging Investment: ($10,500)

Profit Made from Staging: $22,000

Return on Investment: 209%

This real life example shows how staging helps to MAKE money – it does not cost anything. After reading this, what does cost more – to stage or not to stage? I hope you have come to the conclusion that it only costs NOT to stage. Not to stage costs money, time, and energy.

We realize that a full staging might not be for everyone, as this is an upfront out of pocket expense and many people might not be in the financial position for various reasons to make such investment.

I recommend though to at least invest in a home staging consultation from a qualified Home Staging Professional. You will be surprised what a difference this powerful information will make in your home sale, if you implement it.

By staging BEFORE listing the Home Sellers can move on with their normal lives faster and with more money in their pockets. When selling properties faster and closer to the Home Seller’s price expectations, Real Estate Agents will receive more referrals and can quicker devote their energy and time to their next listing.

Before & After photos for the property in our example:

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

How Much Does Real Estate Home Staging Cost? - Part 1

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:45:48 -0700

As a home stager in Fairfield County, CT I am frequently asked by real estate agents "What does home staging cost? I need to know at least a price range, so I can convince my clients to stage their house." As simple as this question sounds as simple is also the answer: real estate staging does not cost anything – it actually helps making money. It only costs to NOT stage.

Ok, now I see your eye brows raise in disbelieve: "How can that be? This must be another sales gimmick." If you bear with me I will provide as much insight and details possible to equip you with information to have a successful conversation about staging associated "cost". This will make you feel at ease bringing staging up as a rewarding marketing tool and solution in your property selling process.

Let’s dive in!

Pricing a home staging project involves many different aspects, which makes it difficult to answer the question with just a number. It can be compared to having an unknown defect on your car and asking the mechanic over the phone what the repair will cost without giving him the opportunity to take a look on what is wrong with the car.

These are some of the considerations that a home stager needs to take into account when pricing a project:

Is it an occupied home or a vacant home?
What is the size of the home?
Are there any repairs, updates, upgrades, paint, flooring,… needed?
Which rooms and how many rooms need to be staged?
Do we need to bring in furniture and/or accessories to attract buyers? If so, how much and what?
How many functional areas are to be installed within the rooms?
Does the home seller do all the work on their own, or some on their own and some being done by the stager, or does the seller want to have everything being managed by the stager?

Every house looks different and has different needs and when pricing a home staging project all these different details and more need to be taken into consideration.

Home Staging Consultations are offered by most stagers. Depending on the area, prices typically range between $150 to $450. Always ask what the consultation includes. Some stagers provide a verbal consultation only, whereas others will provide a written report as well.

Why do stagers charge for a consultation?

A home staging consultation should not be confused with a proposal. During a consultation the home seller should expect to get specific feedback and recommendations specifically for their property’s needs. The home seller will be given valuable professional recommendations which, if implemented, will lead to a faster sale.

At the end of the consultation the home seller can request to receive a quote to engage the stager to do some or all the work.

In our next blog post I will be talking about a specific example and how Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors helped home sellers making money through home staging in Connecticut.

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Curb Appeal Change to Better Showcase a $4.25M House for Sale in Greenwich

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 00:43:45 -0700

One of our many services is color consultation. The home seller of this house called us for a home staging consultation in Greenwich. While they decided to only virtually stage a couple of rooms of the property, we have consulted them on home improvements and updates to better showcase the home and make it move-in ready for buyers. The house, located directly on the water has now a much improved curb appeal, just by changing the exterior color. The aesthetics is now higher end.

Before:		After:

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Occupied Home Staging with Lifestyle Merchandising

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:49:23 -0700

We recently staged this beautiful country home in South Salem, NY for sale using the home seller’s furniture.

On the before & after photos below we replaced the carpet with hardwood floors and staged it as a teenage boy's retreat. The entire house had built in beds and nightstands that were also completely carpeted. We removed the carpet from the beds and nightstands and painted them instead.

Bringing in some décor we transform this house into a lifestyle experience for the entire family.

If you know someone who like to see the house, click here to check out the full MLS listing.

Before:

After:

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Transforming a Master Bedroom into a Buyer's Dream

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:18:38 -0700

Master Bedrooms are one of the most important rooms when it comes to selling a house. It has to be appealing and should have ONE function only – being a bedroom. No desks with computers, no TV, no kids stuff, ….

The master bedroom should be a sanctuary, a place to relax, a place the feels warm and welcoming, a place where you can sink in and dream. The changes can be simple to make this happen.

Paint and a new bedding with adding some artwork can make a huge difference. Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors transformed this Master Bedroom with simple means such as painting the bookshelf, adding a couple of chairs, new bedding, and a few accessories that enhance the shore location.

Before:

After:

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

A Different Approach In The Connecticut Real Estate Home Staging Industry - Rebranding Announcement

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:24:37 -0700

Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors, LLC, formerly Redesign Your Space, launches its new name, company logo, tagline and website to better reflect the evolution of its Real Estate Home Staging approach.

After winning National and Regional Awards by the Real Estate Staging Association in Las Vegas in January and intense training with HGTV star Matthew Finlason from "The Stagers" on the most advanced home staging techniques, the company needed to adjust the branding to reflect its new approach bringing the most advanced staging techniques from California to Fairfield county.

Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors is a pioneer in the Connecticut market embracing these newest and highly effective staging techniques of Target Staging and Lifestyle Merchandising. While traditional Home Staging is neutralizing to appeal to the wide majority, Target Staging is to appeal to the demographic of the most likely buyers. Staging a house for sale is not just making the space look pretty, but creating a lifestyle experience for buyers. It is lifestyle merchandising of the home seller's most valuable asset.

Target Marketing involves systematic market research and knowledge of the locale, demographics and psychographics of the locale and then being able to translate this information into a meaningful staging design to appeal to these target buyers. Every item that Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors uses is carefully and thoughtfully selected and strategically placed to create the biggest impact.

"Imagine you are in the Ocean and want to catch a fish. If casting your net anywhere in the Ocean the chance you will catch this fish is slim. Selling a home without knowing who your target market is, will prevent you from reaching the sales objective. But if you know where in the Ocean to find the fish and which lure to use, you will quickly make a big catch. Target marketing is the key to a successful sale. " says Birgit Anich, president and creative director of Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors. "With our new approach we give these buyers their dream so they want to move in right away! We are telling a story buyers connect with and fall in love with. "

Houses that were staged by Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors have sold in as little as two days after staging - having been on the market for 155 days prior to staging.

The best selling results are being achieved if the property is being staged before putting it on the market.

Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors provides Home Staging Consultations and Staging Solutions for Model Homes, Vacant Homes, Occupied Homes, Styling for Photo Shoots, "Moving-In" Interior Design, and Interior ReDesign services in Fairfield County, CT. For more information contact Birgit Anich at birgit@BirgitAnich.com or 203.434.0669 or www.BirgitAnich.com

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Target Marketing and Lifestyle Merchandising: A New Paradigm in Home Staging

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 22:43:26 -0700

My fellow trainee of HGTV star Matthew Finlason's Advanced SAR Staging Training, Gary Sefferman from Nickian Home Staging has posted this fabulous post about Target Marketing and Lifestyle Merchandising

Studying and understanding the buyers with a system and translating it into the staging design is so critical when working with lifestyle merchandising and target staging techniques. I am re-blogging your post to give this important post more exposure.

Via Gary Sefferman - Home Stager New York (Nickian Home Staging):

This post was originally posted to the Nickian Home Staging Blog under "Target Marketing and Lifestyle Merchandising: A New Paradigm in Home Staging" on June 6, 2011.

The home staging industry is changing to be more effective. There is a new paradigm shift, developed in part by Matthew Finlason, host of HGTV’s “The Stagers”. Nickian Home Staging has successfully embraced the techniques employed by Finlason after attending his Advanced Staging and Marketing course. This new model makes it critical to target your buyer when preparing a home for sale. Home staging has evolved from simply de-cluttering, de-personalizing and neutralizing a home, in an attempt to appeal to the widest range of buyers. This is a somewhat one size fits all or blanket approach, which under many circumstances can be counter-productive. We are now moving towards better understanding the target buyer and focusing on what the buyer wants. It is about creating an installation where the dreams and aspirations of the buyer are addressed. Nickian Home Staging is at the forefront of this new trend using Target Marketing and Lifestyle Merchandising concepts.

Step 1: Target Marketing

Target marketing involves breaking down a market into segments and then concentrating your marketing efforts on one or more of a few key segments. Imaging pitching a baseball to the batter with a blindfold on or practicing archery with your eyes closed. In both cases, being prevented from seeing your target would make it almost impossible to hit. This concept is also true in real estate. Selling a home without knowing who your target market is will prevent you from reaching your objective. Target marketing is the key to increased sales. You need to know the answers to the following questions to successfully market your property:

Who is your buyer?

Why would they buy this home?

What is their demographic?

What is their psychographic?

What are the demographics & psychographics of the neighborhood?

Step 2: Lifestyle Merchandising

Once we identify the target buyer we will zero in on their lifestyle. We combine our research and analysis with the demographic and psychographic profiles of the potential buyer with our design aesthetics. Once all that research has been done it is critical to know how to translate this information into a meaningful and successful staging design plan. When staging a home, we are telling a story, mindful of the dreams, aspirations and lifestyle of the targeted buyers rather than presenting a neutralized, sterile looking presentation. Every piece of furniture, artwork, and accessory that we use in our story is carefully and thoughtfully selected. Home buyers buy a lifestyle.

NEW YORKERS LOVE THEIR DOGS: CREATE A STORY & EMOTIONAL TRIGGER FOR PROSPECTIVE BUYERS

About the Author: Gary Sefferman is President and Creative Director of Nickian Home Staging, a boutique style home staging company serving the New York City Metro area, including Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Westchester, Northern New Jersey and Fairfield County Connecticut. Nickian’s focus is working with home sellers and their real estate agents to prepare their property to appeal to the most likely buyers. As Certified Advanced Stagers Nickian Home Staging transforms a property into a buyer’s must-have through the use of targeted lifestyle marketing techniques.

Copyright © 2011 Nickian Home Staging – All Rights Reserved

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

The Power of a Real Estate Home Staging Consultation

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:32:24 -0700

This post was originally posted to the Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors Home Staging Blog under "The Power of a Real Estate Staging Consultation" on May 31st, 2011.

Recently a home seller called us very frustrated with her real estate agent as the agent did not take any action on trying a different strategy to sell her house in Greenwich, CT. The house has been on the market for almost a year with very little traffic. She saw staging on HGTV and thought that she should explore this new avenue.

Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors came in providing a detailed 1.5 hours home staging consultation and followed up with a customized home staging consultation report outlining all suggestions. We had recommended some paint change, minor repairs, re-purposing a room, re-arranging furniture, bringing in different decor items such as different rug, pillows, wall art, lighting, accessories,…

It took the client a few days of focused work using our consultation report and then have new photographs taken for the MLS listing.

Immediately she started showing a much increased number of showings of her house. Two weeks later she called us that she received an offer close to asking price and was finally able to move on with her life after a restless year.

After this and many other such success stories, I am wondering why so many real estate agents in my area still hesitate to recommend to have a professional real estate home stager come to their client's home for a consultation? Home Sellers will listen and implement changes coming from a home stager much more likely than if they come from the real estate agent. We had several clients who said that their agent told them several things that we also mentioned during the consultation, but they needed to hear it from a specialized professional home stager before they wanted to actually take action.

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Understanding Your Buyers When Selling Real Estate

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:58:49 -0700

This post was originally posted to the Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors Home Staging Blog under "Understanding Your Buyers When Selling Real Estate" on March 30th, 2011.

When selling real estate, Real Estate Agents are using a wide variety of marketing tools to attract buyers to visit the house and then hoping that one or more would put an offer out. Home Staging continues and even increasingly becomes one of the most powerful tool in the most successful real estate agent’s marketing tools box. Nowadays, where the internet has taken over such an important role for buyers to scope out houses they want to visit – 94% of home buyers search online first – the right preparation of the visual appeal for the right buyers group is the most critical to generate the traffic into a house.

Thus it is critical to dial in your buyer when preparing your home for sale. A deep understanding of who the ideal buyer is – what is their demographic, what is their psychographic, why would someone buy your house, who is living in the neighborhood, what food do they like, where do they go shopping, … – is critical to ensure that the presentation of the home appeals to the right buyer group.

Our company focused on this topic of target staging and lifestyle merchandising during an advanced staging techniques and marketing training course organized by Staging and Redesign (SAR) and held by HGTV star Matthew Finlason of “The Stagers” last month. With lifestyle merchandising we combine research, analysis of buyers demographic and psychographic profiles, architectural features and functional needs with our design aesthetics. Once all that research has been done it is critical to know how to translate this information into a meaningful and successful staging design plan that these buyers feel attracted to. When staging, we are telling a story keeping in mind that particular lifestyle that these buyers are dreaming of, rather than neutralizing it. Every item that we use in our story is carefully and thoughtfully selected.

Often there are a couple of target buyer groups a home needs to appeal to. A home needs to be staged differently for the young professional than for the older retired couple who is downsizing. We learned how to successfully incorporate target staging even for opposite spectrum demographics into one staging design installation, instead of going the plain vanilla neutralization route.

The evolution of home staging is currently growing up further. Staging for sale is still a young industry and is changing to be even more effective. While until recently home staging was about making a house appealing to the widest variety of buyers tastes, the industry is moving up to the next level of better understanding the target buyers and focusing on what these buyers want. Real Estate Staging is now about leveling the design installation with the dreams these buyers aspire to.

We recently staged a home, after it was on the market for 155 days, using these techniques. An offer close to asking price was received within just 2 days after staging. Success stories like these bring the biggest joy for me to staging. Helping a family to finally being able to move on with their lives.

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Redesign Your Space’s Dining Room Design featured in the Life@Home Magazine, a new Hearst Publication

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:16:46 -0800

so thrilled that one of our staging designs was chosen to be published in the second issue of the new Life@Home Magazine. The magazine focuses on interior design, local design stores, architecture, landscape designs, cooking and enjoying life in Fairfield County Connecticut.

Our Top Tip in the magazine is: Think of color as the bass, furniture as the main instruments, and accessories and wall décor the fine tuning. Put them together and they create the room’s orchestral sound.

Before After

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Why we are "Turning Places Into Loving Spaces!"

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:54:51 -0800

In order to answer this I have to tell you a little bit more about myself. I was very fortunate to grow up in a home and family that was very loving and nurturing, which is nowadays not a given thing for kids to have. I know that having a home that makes you feel relaxed, cozy, snugly, comfortable, protected, loved, and at peace is invaluable in life.

Having moved into different homes throughout Europe and then several homes here in the US, I have experienced that the design of a home gives us different energy and feelings. My passion as a Home Stager and Interior Redesigner is to create such a loving and nurturing environment through design so that home buyers and home owners fall in love with it and can peacefully live their lives in.

When staging a home for sale, we create a lifestyle experience targeted to the specific buyer group, so they feel home right away and want to move right in. When redesigning a home to live in I am listening carefully to what home owners want and need to feel that this is their space to feel warm, welcome and loved in. Thus, we are “Turning Places into Loving Spaces!TM”

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

RESA Convention 2011 - What an awesome experience this was!!! Here is Why?

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 22:16:04 -0800

Having been to last year’s convention of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) was already the best experience in attending a conference in my entire life. And yes, I had been to many, many, many other conferences before that. So, my expectations this year were very high and no, I would not have missed out on this opportunity, even if there is a cost involved. Every single penny spent for this event has been worthwhile. When making the decision I saw a great opportunity to listen, learn and get inspired in my business that I am so passionate about. Well, it ended up being way more than that.

When I walked into the room the first day it was so overwhelming that I met so many stagers from last year as well as many who I knew from Active Rain and Facebook. I felt like home with all my staging peers, the most awesome group of people. The open mindedness and the sharing of thoughts and ideas cannot be found in many industries. I am very proud of being part of this forward thinking and continuing education focused group of home stagers, who differentiate themselves from other home stagers by setting high standards and through their professionalism.

The content of the presentations was stunning. Speakers included top stagers and industry experts. There are still many people, including many real estate agents, who think home staging is only about making a home look clean and pretty, not realizing that home staging is such a powerful marketing tool that is available at their fingertips to sell a home so much faster and easier. During this convention we learned so much about how to help selling a property even better through very specific advanced techniques. Yes, home staging is also evolving as our industry grows up. Also ideas on how to advance the business in 2011 have been confirming that I am on the right track with everything I am doing. How exciting! I cannot wait to implement new ideas and what I have learned! This conference agained proofed how important it is to invest to stay on top of new developments in the industry.

On top of all these awesome events, winning two awards (Rookie Stager of the Year in the Northeast and Rookie Stager of the Year in all of North America) has been such a great honor. But even better than that were all the nice words, emails and comments that I have received about my acceptance speech. I was overwhelmed and moved by the response. Thank you all for listening to me being so excited about these awards.

If you have not been able to make it this year, you really should consider to join us next year. This is such a highly valuable event and a great investment into yourself and your business. I hope to see you next year. For those who have been in Las Vegas, thank you for making it such a fun and insightful event.

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Can A House Be Beautiful, Priced Right, In A Great Location And Still Be Unsellable?

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 21:00:50 -0800

This blog post by Linda Thompson is a ver valuable post. As professional home stagers we often run into this situation. It emphasizes again how important it is to consult with a professional home stager for EVERY listing - even if it does look beautiful and has been designed by an interior decorator or designer.

Via Linda Thompson (Selling By Design-Staging):

Beautiful yet unsellable? As a home staging professional I have seen countless homes that are beautifully, often professionally decorated, but are unsellable.

"How is that possible," a seller may ask, " I hired the best decorator in town, these fabrics are imported."

Or you might hear, " These are priceless antiques."

" All our friends say our house is lovely."

"Yes," I reply, "Your home is beautiful and it's perfect for you. But it needs to be seen as perfect for prospective buyers."

Sometimes that is enough to make the light dawn and they get it, the need for home staging. But more often than not people who live in extravagant, expensive homes just don't see the need for changing their house to meet the desires of the buying public.

" The new owners will just change it anyway." Hence the reason for not changing wallpaper, paint or outdated, but costly carpet. We as stagers know that for most home buyers changing those things in a taste specific house is enough to make them pass on the property. It's just too daunting a task and moving is stressful enough!

A home staging professional must be empathetic and kind, but firm in stating that the home will sell much more quickly and for more money if it appeals to the largest pool of buyers. By putting ourselves in the sellers shoes, we can explain that although the red fringed lamps are gorgeous, they might put off buyers who don't have such elevated taste or the imagination to see their belongings in the home.

If, inspite of our advice, they decide to list as is, they may call us when in a few months (or years) they realize that they need to revisit the idea of having their home staged by a professional.

Selling By Design-Staging

Selling By Design-Staging specializes in giving homes an edge on the competition by creating atmospheres that are appealing, inviting and that say to potential buyers "Welcome home." For more information we invite you to visit our web site at www.sellingbydesign-staging.net

linda@sellingbydesign-staging.com

Recommended by Home Care

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

Selling your Fairfield county, CT house during snowy months

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 23:01:28 -0800

Tonight and tomorrow there is another snow storm in the forecast for our area here in Fairfield county, CT. Right after our last storm I was at a client's house for a home staging consultation and made a few observations, which I thought are important to share with home sellers who live in a snowy area.

Buyers should be directed through the front door, where they get the best first impression of the house (curb appeal as well as entering the house). Therefore, shuffle the snow in front of your house and the walk way to the front door.

If the house is located closer to the street and the snow plow pushed the snow to the side of each side of the street, but there is then no longer enough space for any cars to park, make the extra effort to shuffle parking spots. Potential buyers will then be inclined to park in front of the house and take the front entrance.

Make sure that the driveway is free of snow, so enough cars can park in your driveway. Once the snow is no longer fresh it gets much harder to remove the snow to accommodate traffic for your Open House visitors.

If your driveway is to the side of the house ensure that there is a snow and ice free pathway from there to the front door. Don't lead buyers through the garage and basement into the house just because it is easier. You will loose out on opportunities of a great first impression. Remember, first impressions are formed within the first 10 seconds.

Have a door mat on either side of the front door - outside and inside - to get the snow off the visitors' shoes.

Clean off the snow from your deck and patio furniture, so buyers and see how large it is and in what condition it is.

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com

SOLD within 32 days after vacant home staging

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:23:27 -0800

This house in Redding, CT was occupied, but un-staged, in the very beginning when it was put on the market. Therefore, the online photos showed the house furnished. I have to say it looked quite spacious online.

Shortly thereafter the home sellers moved out and the house was now vacant.

After the house had not sold for quite some time, the real estate agent suggested to the home sellers to have it staged. When I came to the house and saw the empty house, it looked small. How would home buyers be able to see fitting their furniture in here? I am sure this was the reason why this property had not sold after 101 days yet.

After we had it staged, it again looked very spacious, warm and welcoming. This proves how deceiving vacant rooms are as there is no point of reference in the room. After the house was staged, it SOLD within 32 days!

This example shows again, how important it is to have a vacant house staged if the goal is to sell fast and at the top dollar. After all, home buyers buy homes not houses.

and then this small room, which nobody could even imagine to be able to fit a bed. We staged it with a bed and a dresser and there was still enough space for a kid playing in this room and a small desk.

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Fairfield County, Connecticut I www.BirgitAnich.com