home stager: Why is My House Not Selling - Part II - 05/05/09 12:17 AM
In case you missed Part I
Moving on:
Location.
Location location location. Yes it is important to the buyer but also relevant to price. They are tied to one another. 2 identical houses, one on a quiet court the other on a busy street, are not going to be valued the same.
Bottom line with location is to make sure the price takes the location in to consideration. Every property sells even those with less desirable locations...say one with an abattoir behind it or train tracks...whatever the 'pink elephant' is.
Condition.
Look around yourself but through the eyes of your Mother-In-Law. Then remind yourself the saying goes 'if … (8 comments)
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home stager: Rules - Call Me Crazy But...They Often Times NEED to be Broken! - 02/18/09 10:04 AM
There are many rules in design and it's off shoots (decorating, staging, re-design). But the best designs (those stop you from flipping the page or stop you in your tracks) are always when someone has challenged the rules.
If may not be obvious to you that some design rule has been tossed out. Nor would it have been carelessly tossed out. Great thought goes in to stunning design. Those who challenge design rules are recognized by the industry for their ability to create engaging environments. Those who follow all the rules...create rooms that while may be beautiful technically, they lack the ability to truly draw in … (10 comments)
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home stager: Autumn Hot Picks 4 Your Home From 2 Hounds Design & Home Staging - 09/23/08 06:53 PM
Autumn Picks To Elevate Your Home As Selected By Toronto's 2 Hounds Design & Home Staging There are so many inventive products coming on to the market and design plays just as important a role as function...perhaps more important than function!
This will be the first in an on-going series from Toronto's 2 Hounds Design + Home Staging.
As a decorator, stager and shopaholic it is imperative I stay on top of trends in home fashions so I see on a daily basis and I'm regularily introduced by manufacturers the latest and greatest.
Here are a few of my picks I've come across this Autumn in no specific order:
Bodum
Bodum's … (10 comments)
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home stager: Painting - Save Time & Money With Designer Paints? YES! - 08/22/08 03:24 PM
As you likely remember I prepared my house for sale. There were numerous upgrades we put in but the one job we did is the most time consuming as well as providing the most $ROI.
We painted the entire house...well I painted the entire house. Since we were selling I went the cheap route and colour matched a Benji colour using Behr.
What a disaster! The computers can never get the same formula even over 3 cans. Home Depot's paint manager gave me the low down:
After a product (ex. latex flat emulsion base white) goes on the big box shelf … (20 comments)
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home stager: The Importance of Lighting - Know Your Math Formula For Perfect Lighting In Every Room - 08/15/08 02:55 PM
Everyone is aware when they walk in to a room with the perfect lighting scheme. A room with a well planned out lighting scheme just feels right; it feels welcoming, relaxing and yes even sophisticated.
How do you feel in your home? Do you walk in to your rooms and feel as though you've just entered an operating theatre or a movie theatre during the previews? Are your pets and small children afraid of what could be lurking in the dark corners of your rooms?
Getting the right balance of lighting is an art...but it is an art with it's foundation firmly rooted in science.
Lighting Formula = Layers of … (67 comments)
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home stager: My Recent Experience With a FSBO - 06/05/08 03:17 PM
In my previous post, about choosing to use a Realtor rather than selling a property FSBO, I made a comment which I feel can stand as a post on it's own. To those who contributed to that post by commenting: Thank you so much!
My Recent Experience With a FSBO
I have experienced FSBO's recently, as a buyer, because I've been 'in the market' for a bigger house. I was willing to do the research for a FSBO if the house, location and price was right.
Believe it or not, there was one house that seemed perfect and was a FSBO. It was … (7 comments)
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home stager: Downtown Toronto Home Stager Strikes Out - 04/20/08 09:52 PM
I'm sure most of you are familiar with the 'school house' light fixture. I've used it in a number of clients homes as it is so versatile.
Even if you don't know it by name, it is no doubt familiar to you.
Well, I went for a quick go-see this morning and in the foyer was a similar 'school house' fixture. First words out of my mouth was 'love the light!'.
Well, the clients were shocked. The last 'stager'* to come give them a quote told them it had to go! I didn't think to ask what the suggestion was to replace it. … (4 comments)
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home stager: Ten Questions To Ask a Decorator/Home Stager - Downtown Toronto Decorator/Home Staging Firm - 2 Hounds Design - 02/21/08 11:23 AM
As a consumer considering hiring an interior decorator or home stager you need to do a little homework also know as due diligence. Many of these questions are generic to any service provider. To help you I've provided a list of 10 Questions...and many follow-up questions:
How long have you been working professionally as a decorator/stager? This question is important to determine if you are speaking to a professional or a hobbyist. A hobbyist will tell you they've been 'staging' for years for themselves, friends and family. How nice for them, however, this does not tell you if the friends and family would feel … (44 comments)
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home stager: Downtown Toronto Real Estate Home Staging Decorating Firm - It's More Than A Business - It's A Philosophy - 02/06/08 05:57 AM
Downtown Toronto's 2 Hounds Design Believes In a Better World
At 2 Hounds Design we have a strong sense of responsibility to the well being of the Earth and our clients.
Energy + Environment
Our servers are 100% Powered by Certified Green Renewable Energy Sources on Toronto's Hostpapa Indoor Air Quality
Low VOC Paint by Canada's C2 Natural Stone Countertops CeasarStone Quartz Surfaces Charity Fundraising
Sick Kids Foundation Ganaraska Forest Centre … (1 comments)
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home stager: Staging/Stager = trailer-park - 10/02/07 08:45 PM
In my last post about Designers and Decorators starting to offer services to help homeowners prepare their homes for sale I mentioned some of the service 'names' used such as 'Property Presentation', Real Estate Fluffing, etc. I know many don't think any other name will do but 'Staging' and the title 'Stager', but I disagree. I really don't like the term/title - they are just not professional.
Are we stuck with them?
I mentioned in a comment on AR that I thought the term 'staging' was trailer-park. In any other country other then the U.S. and Canada the term staging and stager are not used. The … (31 comments)
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home stager: No Portfolio? Building your professional portfolio one room at a time. - 09/02/07 02:33 PM
Judy Kincaid recently wrote a great post on her blog: No more Ms. Nice Gal...the kid gloves are coming off!
Tina Parkerhad a great suggestion in her comment on Judy's blog. Tina suggested blogs on how to get started as a stager when you have nothing. So I thought I'd get the ball rolling with this blog.
As a new stager you have to understand the service you are selling is purely subjective. You are selling your talent. Always keep this in mind and when you are making decisions on how to promote yourself ask the question; 'is this a true representation … (31 comments)
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home stager: If You Ignore What Buyers Want You'll Be The Only One To Lose Out - 06/27/07 04:28 PM
Real estate prices are determined by the buyers and Realtors analyze their local markets to determine pricing for listings unfortunately many sellers are deciding their properties value 'be-damned' what the market and their Realtor is telling them.
The percentage of double income households hovers around 60% and personal savings rates are at record lows. As well single women are buying real estate at record numbers. There is a direct correlation between these numbers and residential real estate purchases which is being ignored by the majority of home-sellers and not stressed anywhere near enough by many listing Realtors.
See where this is going?
I'm not talking about the affect these numbers have on … (27 comments)
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home stager: The funniest agent's listings... - 06/21/07 09:51 AM
In a recent Blog I wrote, Hire a 'Naked Stager': Satisfaction Guaranteed!, Paul Viau wrote how we sould all use the word "Naked" more in our advertising.
Well, there is an agent in the U.K., Ralph Bending who does just that! You have to read his listings, they are hysterical. His tagline is 'the most fun you can have with an estate agent'.
Here are some of his current listings:
"Ground floor flat synonymous with the type of person who eats red kidney beans and exhudes certain aromatic gases. Bedroom at the front with en-suite shower room, small sitting room at the rear, brand new kitchen, … (27 comments)
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home stager: Architectural Elements - Simple Upgrades To Increase The Value Of Your Home - 06/10/07 01:57 PM
When considering listing your house to sell walk around and look at what architectural features it already has. Architectural elements we are interested in here are:
crown molding baseboard wainscoting chair rails balusters handrail window and door casing doors (yes, look at the statement your doors make!) fireplace/mantel windows radiators built-in-furniture List off what you do and don't have. By adding some of the elements to your home you will not only increase the value with very little investment, but the perceived value as well. Your house will stand out in the crowd as being a lifestyle 'step up' from the competition. … (15 comments)
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home stager: This blog is for homeowners - 06/07/07 11:38 AM
There are so many service options that can be offered to clients, by home stagers and re-designers, but I would like to know, as a homeowner who may be considering selling your house/condo, or actually are selling it,what services you would like to receive.
I get many calls from homeowners who are thinking about staging or re-designing their home, but don't know what services are offered and how they are offered.
In terms of home staging in the city of Toronto, my services are pretty much utilized in actual staging rather than consultations for the owners to complete on their own. However, in … (2 comments)
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home stager: Canadian Superbike Doubleheader Weekend - July 13-15, 2007 - Mosport International Speedway - 05/31/07 09:34 PM
Canadian Superbike Doubleheader WeekendParts Canada Superbike ChampionshipCanadian ThunderHindle Pro 600 Sport BikeInternational Motorcycle SUPERSHOW AM 600Suzuki SV650 CupWoman's Cup
Can-Am 125 & 250 GP
Come out and listen to these bikes! Make sure to ride your bike, I will be.
Yep, I'll be there to cheer on the Woman's Cup. I haven't the time to join, but I would love to...these ladies know how to ride! Ontario has some of the best International Women riders...didn't know that did you? Well, now you do.
Don't forget, if you see me there, say hi!
Dane Caldwell is the Lead Design Consultant of Toronto and GTA's 2 Hounds Design and … (0 comments)
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home stager: Archibald's Sparkling Decade - June 24, 2007 - 05/31/07 09:26 PM
What can I say? If there is a wine tasting...I'm in! Archibald's makes some fabulous fruit wines, it is definately worth going. If you see me, bring another sampler, and say hi!
www.2-hounds.com
… (0 comments)
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home stager: Fabulous B&B's of Clarington Open House - June 10, 2007 - 05/31/07 09:21 PM
I'll be out looking at the architecture and design details, so say Hi if you see me!
www.2-hounds.com
… (0 comments)
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home stager: When and How To Hire A Stager - TheTruth They Don't Want You To Know - 05/27/07 09:41 AM
Like service providers in every other profession, not all stagers are created equal.
If your Realtor does suggest a stager, insist on seeing their portfolio. Talk to the stager to ensure they did the work in their portfolio alone.
Many people are jumping in to the staging industry after taking a 3 day training course and 'share'the staging of a house as part of their staging. The work is then provided to them for their portfolio and website, however if they were lucky, they got to place a towel or facecloth.
These classes are filled with up to 30 students. The students did not source any … (21 comments)
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home stager: The Spring Rush To Buy is Almost Over...Have You Staged Your House Yet? - 05/15/07 10:30 PM
The May 24 long weekend is coming up. Shortly after that it is June and the majority of home buyers will have bought their new resale house. If you home is still on the market, call Dane Caldwell, Lead Design Consultant of 2 Hounds Design + Home Staging, to discuss the benefits of staging your house.
If you are just now preparing to list your house you have very little time to catch the attention of potential buyers. Once June arrives less people are out looking to buy a resale home. Staging now, is vital to ensure you get as many potential … (0 comments)
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