If you work in the real estate industry you are most likely talking on your cell phone...alot! 

On a recent trip to Europe, I stopped in a real estate office and while it was interesting to see the listings and the office, the most interesting thing I saw was the Moshi!  This is a classic style handset that plugs into your cell phone.  There are a myriad of reasons to use this phone but for me I love the fact that it is easier to talk "hands free", and the added benefit that the controversial radiation is not near your face when you talk on the phone.  

I use it in my car, my office, and in the field.  You get a few funny looks and then people want to know where to buy it.  It's $29.95 and the website is  Native Union Pop Phone.  I did not need an adaptor for my Blackberry but check on the website to see if an adaptor is necessary for your phone.

Design To Market has been staging homes in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky since 2004. For more information about this project and our other Cincinnati home staging services please call us at 513-265-0952 or visit our website at www.designtomarketllc.com.

January 8, 2012- The Cincinnati Enquirer feature the attached article.  This article is an example of the way that with creative thinking we can add a responsible environmental approach to working with clients as they stage their homes.

For additioanl information on Design To Market Home Staging call Jo Potvin at 513-265-0952 or visit our Cincinnati Home Staging website.

These Scandinavians really have it figured out!  Beautiful old buildings, small spaces, and modern furnishings with the right proportions for the space available to them.  This is part 2 of a post I made after staying in an apartment in Stockholm titled Lessons Learned From a Swedish Apartment .  We have now moved into our Copenhagen apartment and I am pleased to see the same simple beauty paired with the attractiveness of the architecture.

Living room doubles as a study (behind sofa.)  2 Ikea pull out sofas endable a 1 bedroom apartment to sleep 4 with space to spare.

Apartment tucked into a small side street off the the pedestrian Stroteget in the medieval section of Copenhagen.

My recent stay in a Stockholm apartment proved to be a good source of some off the job training.  Most would assume that staying in an 800 square foot apartment would be tough on a family of 4.  Not so in Sweden and many other European countries.  For example, take a look at this photo.  The dishwaher is 1/2 the size of mine at home and the refrigerator (that you cannot see is also very compact.)  The place is tidy, space is optimized with the addition of several requesite IKEA staging solutions, and the heated tile floor  on the tiny balcony is the perfect solution for getting a breath of fresh air in the cold winter months.

Cozy space for a breath of fresh air!

Now...it's time to bring this back to staging in North America...and more specifically for me staging in the Midwest.  Well, here it is.  As home stagers we are often concerned about the perception of prospective buyers when it comes to their likelihood of making an offer with a uniquely small kitchen, master bath, etc.  I think it is time to take the focus to what can we do to show how amazingly resoruceful we can be in using these cozy spaces.  In some cases it might even be time to put a little IKEA on!

Design To Market has been staging homes in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky since 2004. For more information about this project and our other Cincinnati home staging services please call us at 513-265-0952 or visit our website at www.designtomarketllc.com.

I don't know if this should be considered "stager humor" or just so fun and funky that it transcends the topic.  Living the life of a home stager in Cincinnati I find myself always tempted to consider "What would we do with this room to make it most sellable for our clients?"  Would we remove faux finishes, de-clutter, add a flat screen...?  No way!  We would just step back and enjoy it for what it is!

These funky photos are taken at the Parador Inn in Pittsburgh.  It's the perfect spot for easy access to the Andy Warhol Museum and a convenient location to visit colleges in Pittsburgh.  It was also a fun place to close my stager eyes and just enjoy!  It's especially enticing with the Halloween decor!

Design To Market has been staging homes in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky since 2004. For more information about this project and our other Cincinnati home staging services please call us at 513-265-0952 or visit our website at www.designtomarketllc.com.

As Cincinnati Home Stagers we regularly see TV's, computers, old streos, and other electronic equipment that needs to be disposed of.  The challenge is that it is not always easy to get rid of these items.  Tomorrow, October 15th Hamilton County is offering an easy way to responsibly dispose of these items. 

2011 Computer and TV Recycling EventUntitled document

Monday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm

Also open Saturday, October 15, 9 am - 2 pm

I picked up the phone and was asked by a voice on the other end of the line if we were the company that staged homes in Cincinnati.  They had looked at our website and felt that the Design To Market Home Stagers could help them figure out how to get their house sold.  

Timeframe

This home had been on the market for over 100 days and was getting little showing activity and with each showing there was a common theme in the feedback that the home would require too much work.  The seller was very familiar with home staging in Cincinnati, having done a lot of reasearch about the success of staging and the best  Cincinnati Home Staging Companies.  

We scheduled a consultation and made plans to get started quickly.  After recomemending painting several rooms in the home, removing tired carpet that was covering wood floors, changing light fixtures, and staging, the house went back on the market and sold in 21 days.  The Realtor's comment after the sale was made was that he was confindent that the staging made the difference and the home would not have sold as quickly without it.  Take a look at the photos:

 Living Room

 Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Before Photos...After Photos...Why does it matter?  The new photos drove showing activity and delivered an offer.   People are visual and they're busy.  It is important to think about this as you prepare to list a home!

Design To Market has been staging homes in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky since 2004. For more information about this project and our other Cincinnati home staging services please call us at 513-265-0952 or visit our website at www.designtomarketllc.com.

As we completed a home staging consultation in the Cincinnati suburd of Hyde Park yesterday, I noticed some great steps that the homweonwetr had taken to begin to prepare their home for the real estate market.  I can't take credit for these ideas but I can share them.

Many older homes in Cincinnati have wooden steps that are do not have risers and can be fairly steep.  The added challenge is that many of these homes have laundry in the lower level and can make these steps appear to be a safety hazard.  We felt this homeowner had taken an effective and low cost solutiion to addressing the problem. 

The Design To Market Stagers have been busy staging Cincinnati homes this week.  This great house on Minto in Hyde Park offers great spaces in a charming older home.  The open   provides great flexibility. 

The open kitchen and dining space would be great for entertaining!  

The living room offers a cozy space for family TV viewing or entertaining!

And the master bedroom with an attached office space is perfect!  

If you like the home visit Kristy Kleiman's Website .  If you liked the staging in this previously vacant home then call Jo Potvin or visit our Cincinnati Home Staging Website.

Design To Market has been staging homes in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky since 2004. For more information about this project and our other Cincinnati home staging services please call us at 513-265-0952 or visit our website at www.designtomarketllc.com.

Look at the images on the left...the "before shots" and look at the "afters" on the right.  Compare the 3 homes.  What do these properties have in common?  What is different?

In common:

1. These Cincinnati homes were staged by Design To Market
2. These Cincinnati homes were not ready to put on the market before they were staged by Design To Market
3. All three of these homes were listed within the last 2 months
4. All three of these homes sold within 3 weeks of staging 

Differences:

1. These homes ranged in price from $68,000 to $450,000
2. These homes were in Anderson, White Oak, and West Chester
3. 2 of these homes were single family and one was a townhome

Why does this matter?

Staging works for all price ranges, all locations, and all types of homes.  The budget for staging can be a few hundred dollars or it can be a few thousand.  The most important thing is that staging is one of the most effective tools to achieve a faster and more profitable sale!  

Design To Market has been staging homes in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky since 2004. For more information about this project and our other Cincinnati home staging services please call us at 513-265-0952 or visit our website at www.designtomarketllc.com.