real estate consultation: Ode to Odors
- 02/05/10 10:02 AM
When I do Pre-Market Home Selling Consultations as a Calgary, Alberta Home Stager, I often see -- and smell -- a variety of scented products throughout the home. There's the plug-in variety, the spray variety, the stash-in-a-corner-and-please-absorb-the-smell-in-here variety. I often ask about their presence . . . is there an issue in this room? Are you worried about an odor problem? Most home owners shrug and say that they think it's just prudent. You know . . . just in case. The problem is that these products designed to "add a pleasant scent", are themselves usually way too strong and generally unpleasant. … (87 comments)
real estate consultation: Home Stagers . . . Decorator Wannabes??
- 12/05/09 12:18 PM
Okay, let's be honest . . . Is home staging just an "easy" portal to an interior decorating career? Afterall, it's all about re-decorating a house in a more contemporary style . . . right? No, not at all. Home staging is more accurately thought of as a subset of the real estate industry. While the tools of the trade may look similar to those of a decorator, Stagers have a far different goal in mind. A Professional Home Stager's priority is to bring greater market appeal to a property. Often this does involve advising clients to upgrade various decor elements … (33 comments)
(Side note: this is not my "professional" grade photography! These were just quick photos for the purpose of discussing different areas needing to be addressed with the home owner.) But has this ever happened to you?! I laughed especially hard because this … (25 comments)
real estate consultation: What difference can a Professional Home Stager make in 3 hours??
- 11/19/09 04:07 AM
What difference can a Stager make in 3 hours?? Here are some Before and After photos from a recent Power Staging. The Realtor who referred me felt the property lacked a little pizzazz and appeal for the typical home buyer in this middle-class SW Calgary neighborhood. I had visited the home the week before and brought along some artwork and pillows (we had an inexpensive rental agreement for these items). Otherwise, I worked with all the home owner's stuff and we mostly just rearranged furniture . . . and, of course, de-cluttered!
There are a few more … (21 comments)
real estate consultation: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall . . . and other Good Artwork Options when Selling a Home! (Part 3)
- 10/29/09 04:30 AM
Effectively used art helps sell houses! It creates a mood, tells the buyer where to look, and can contribute to a more up-to-date impression of the home. Removing artwork that is highly personal in both content and taste creates broader market appeal and makes buyers feel more at home! Exactly what you want . . . and need . . . in order to sell a property. We've previously discussed the value of having good artwork where lots of you weighed in with your insightful comments and experience. Next, we had a good laugh over "art" that just has to go from a home before … (2 comments)
real estate consultation: Using Artwork to your Advantage when Selling a Home (Part 2)
- 10/26/09 03:13 PM
Last time, we talked about the value of having good artwork to help sell a home. I promised that this time we'd talk about what that good artwork is. In thinking through this topic, though, I felt it was important to first insert a discussion about what that good artwork is not. (Sometimes that can matter more! Anyone know what I mean?)
First of all, let me say upfront that sometimes "rules" (or what are "guidelines", really ;-)), are meant to be broken. For every instance in which the removal of "bad" artwork was successful, there will be someone out … (10 comments)
real estate consultation: The Value of Good Artwork in Home Selling & Staging (Part 1)
- 10/22/09 07:26 AM
One thing I have noticed in viewing a lot of homes is that most people struggle in the area of artwork. Often it is kind of dated, kind of inexpensive looking (dare I say . . . cheap), and kind of small. Well, all that, and kind of personal, too. As a stager and real estate photographer, I am continually trying to educate home owners about the value of having the appropriate artwork as a selling tool. The right artwork can accomplish many things when selling a home. Creating Focal Points The right artwork in the right place draws the eye and leads … (29 comments)
real estate consultation: "Why paint twice?" I got asked again the other day . . .
- 10/12/09 05:43 AM
I was meeting with a customer last week in order to give her a staging quotation on a vacant, previously tenant-occupied, property. She recognized that the flooring desperately needed to be changed, but didn't want to take the time to do that because it would postpone listing for another 6 weeks and get too close to the holiday season. This is why she decided to stage the property instead. I also mentioned that the paint colors were really strong (deep gold throughout) and the risk she was taking was that potential buyers would be adding all this up in their heads and discount more … (4 comments)
I like creating discussion among other professionals in the real estate industry on various staging, photography and off-beat topics. I value the insight of others and the synergy we all benefit from when we collaborate--iron sharpens iron!
I also have a love for fitness, personal growth and my family.
When I do Pre-Market Home Selling Consultations as a Calgary, Alberta Home Stager, I often see -- and smell -- a variety of scented products throughout the home. There's the plug-in variety, the spray variety, the stash-in-a-corner-and-please-absorb-the-smell-in-here variety.
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