Judy Colburn Los Angeles Glendora San Dimas Covina Home Home Staging's Blog

REAL ESTATE INVESTING AND HOME STAGING GO HAND-IN-HAND

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:48:52 -0800

You've purchased the property and have rehabbed it and now it's time to sell it. Are you prepared to do everything you can to get the best possible price and return on your investment? Sure, in this market, houses are selling fast but with the lack of inventory, don't you want a bidding war over your property? Or are you willing to chance leaving money on the table? Real estate investing and home staging go hand-in-hand.

When it comes to vacant homes, 90% of the population cannot visualize in their minds how or if their belongings will fit into a space. That's one of the reasons it is so important for investors to stage their vacant properties. At a minimum, you should consider staging the main living areas of the home, including the living room, dining room and family room if there is one. Investors should also consider staging the master bedroom and at least lightly staging the kitchen. Sellers need potential buyers to connect emotionally with the home and properly staged rooms create and secure that connection.

Living Room Before:

Living Room After:

A house that's staged shows buyers the home's features and focal points, the things that make that particular home special. And they will be attracted to homes and rooms that create visions of warm, cozy days and evenings spent in the space. Home Staging does just that.

Which room is going to attract a buyer?

This dark, empty space, or

This inviting, stylish living room?

You've made a large investment already and your goal is to get the highest ROI that you can. Including the cost of home staging into your budget helps ensure that outcome. According to HomeGain's 2012 National Home Improvement Survey, home staging nets a 196% ROI. (It is important to note that all of the projects on the list are part of the home staging process and that the cost of the staging shown is representative of an occupied property). In the case of flips, the property is considered a "vacant" stage so the staging will consist of bringing in furniture, artwork, lighting, bed and bath linens, possibly area rugs and home decor items. Cost is subject to square footage, the number of bed and bath rooms, what rooms are being staged and so forth.

You also want to make sure you a hire a qualified, reputable, professional home staging company. Keep in mind that cheaper usually isn't better. You will get what you pay for. You want a home staging company with a proven track record.

In the end, it all comes down to buyers' perceptions of the home and whether or not they can see themselves living there. Make sure your investment property gives buyers that emotional connection they need.

Pro Staged Homes specializes in investor-owned vacant property staging. We average less than 60 days to close of escrow.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

Home Staging CLAREMONT: 2540 King Way

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 16:14:05 -0800

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Pro Staged Homes was called in to stage this gorgeous remodeled Claremont property. Listed by Steve Major and Associates, read what Steve had to say: Standard sale, great location, large lot. This beautifully remodeled North Claremont home is located in close proximity to Claremont trails, parks & award winning schools (including Condit Elementary). The house has a great floor plan. There are three bedrooms on North wing of the house. On the South wing is the master bedroom and an office which can easily be converted to 5th bedroom. There are new carpets in all bedrooms and beautiful slate tiles in the remainder of the house. Master bedroom has walk-in closet and sliding door opening to the back yard adjacent to patio cover. Both bathrooms have been remodeled. There are new windows throughout the house. Enjoy cooking in the gourmet kitchen which has white cabinets, granite counters & stainless steel appliances. Living room has a cozy fireplace, lots of natural lights and two sliding doors opening to beautiful backyard. Kitchen opens to a very large family room with wet bar which makes it perfect for entertaining. Outside is a large pool sized backyard (newly seeded), covered patio and a side yard. Additional features include: professionally landscaped front yard. 3 car garage, indoor laundry; New interior and exterior paint; Formal dining; beautiful mountain views; recessed lighting and much more.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

HOME STAGING RANCHO CUCAMONGA

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:05:17 -0700

When Kristan Stacey-Graf signed her new Rancho Cucamonga listing she called on Pro Staged Homes to help her client prepare the house for market. Having worked with us on a previous listing, Kristan knew we would go above and beyond the call of duty and do everything necessary to assist her and her client.

We prepared a written consultation for the client and were then hired to implement those recommendations. We brought in the necessary people and resources and proceeded with our plan, which included:

Pulling the carpeting from the powder room and tiling it, replacing the mirror and removing some dated hardware. We painted the vanity and added new hardware. We also painted the vanities in the master bedroom and guest bath room and added new hardware to them as well. To keep the budget reasonable, we spray painted all of the cabinet hinges black to coordinate with the new knobs and handles for a more cohesive look. We also ended up pulling the carpet from the master bath and replaced it with tile as well.

We patched and painted the nail holes throughout the house and replaced and/or updated all of the cabinet hardware. We cleaned and repainted the grout on the kitchen counter tops, replaced the hall and master bath light fixtures and had the seller remove everything from the house that we could not use for staging.

We were also hired to stage the property. So, using the homeowner's existing living room and master bed room furniture, we brought in additional furniture for the family room and dining room as well as accessories, bed and bath linens, plants, lighting and artwork.

The property is now listed for sale. It is a 5BR 2.5BA 2050 SQ FT Pool Home offered at $449,000.00. The listing agent is Kristan Stacey Graf of Keller Williams East Foothills.

PROVEN RESULTS IN PRICED RIGHT - STAGED HOME SALES.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

HOME STAGING IN TEMPLE CITY

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 10:59:36 -0700

Pro Staged Homes was called in to help these Temple City homeowners get their property sold. It had been on the market for 90 days with no offers. The new listing agent brought us in because he knew we could help put this property in market-ready condition. The issues? There were a few. 1) The house is currently rented out to several tenants, each renting their own room and sharing the kitchen, baths and living areas. 2) The front part of the house had been added on as the owners worked out of their home, so they added on an office and lobby/reception area. 3) The kitchen needed to be updated. We prepared a written consultation with several suggestions to successfully prepare the home for market. The homeowners chose to implement some of recommendations which vastly improved the look and feel of the home. Once they were don, using some of their existing furnishings and bringing in some of our own we created a cohesive, pulled together property that is sure to bring a sale.

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Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

Home Staging 101 PREPARING THE HOME FOR SALE

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 08:54:53 -0700

It's home staging 101. The basic things a seller has to do if they want their home to sell in a reasonable amount of time and for the best possible price offer. Preparing the home for sale. By now, everyone has heard the news, you have to:

Clean

Declutter

Depersonalize

Those are the top three items every seller must complete before they even think about listing their home. If the house doesn't show great curb appeal and clean, spacious-looking, updated rooms in outstanding online photos there won't be many serious buyers showing up to view it, it won't get top-dollar and it won't sell very quickly.

Pro Staged Homes was recently called in to help a seller whose property had been on the market for 97 days with no offers. They had hired a new listing agent who suggested they have the property staged.

It is a challenging property in that the sellers, when they lived there, built an addition to the front of the home where they ran their business from. After they moved out, they rented rooms in the back of the house out to individual tenants who still live there. Half of it was a hodge-podge of furniture and personal belongings, the other half empty.

We arrived for the consultation and room by room, made a list of repairs and changes that really needed to be made if they were serious about getting it sold. The owners were eager to sell the property and so they made some, but not all of the suggested repairs and updates. However, they made enough changes and repairs that with home staging the property is at a point where they can reasonably expect a sale and good solid offer.

Take a look at these before and after shots. They clearly show the difference in how the house looked when it was first listed to the way it shows now:

This property needed to be cleaned up and pulled together, made to feel like a complete home rather than a community gathering spot. Buyers need to be able to see the house as a home, a home they can live in. We think we have accomplished that objective. Stay tuned for news of a sale!

Proven results in priced right - staged home sales.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

HOME STAGING – YOU BOUGHT YOUR HOME NOW HOW DO YOU FURNISH IT

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 17:50:42 -0700

Congratulations! You just bought you new home. It may be your first or maybe you’re up sizing or down sizing, whatever the reason, all you have to do now is furnish it. As a home stager and interior redesign professional, I am often asked where I got my staging furniture and accessories or to purchase them for clients.

Furnishing your new place can seem daunting. It’s a lot of space to fill and having just taken on the expenses that come with owning a home, money may be a little tight when it comes to decorating your new space.

Staging and design professionals do a lot of shopping and I mean a lot! Often times we’re on a tight budget or buying inventory for multiple properties that we’re staging. We have to make our dollars work for us and get the best values we can find. So to help you get your new home decorated, I thought I would share some of the places home stagers and redesign experts shop.

There are so many great shopping experiences to be had. Whether you’re strictly an on line shopper or one who loves the brick-and-mortar, there are lots of great places where you can score some fantastic deals and steals.

OF course there are the major chains and big box department and furniture stores. But you can buy some of those same items at your local furniture stores and galleries. One that I like, the Furniture Gallery is located in Covina on Azusa Avenue. They carry major lines like Coaster and offer reasonable pricing.

Stagers and designers frequent places like HomeGoods, SteinMart, TJ Maxx & Marshall’s, Pier One Imports and World Market among others. These stores offer the same name brands for much less than the major department stores. Burlington Coat Factory also offers home goods at great prices.

Some lesser known stores that have great prices are Tai Pan Trading and The Alley. Both have side-by-side locations in Rancho Cucamonga. Watch for Tai Pan’s annual tent sale to score some amazing deals.

If you happened to tour a staged home and really liked the furniture, check out CORT Furniture’s retail outlet for steep discounts on previously rented home goods.

Some of the best deals ever can be found on line and you can shop from the comfort of your own (new) home. Amazon isn’t the only site known for great deals. For amazing prices on everything under the sun needed to furnish your new home try Overstock.com and for outlandish deals on rugs, try RugsUSA.com.

You can also check out Real Simples’ Insider Guide to Home Decor Websites for more great places to shop.

Then there’s the popular fav’s like Z Gallerie, Crate and Barrel, West Elm, CB2, Joss and Main, One King’s Lane, Pottery Barn, Ballard Design and Home Decorators.com.

When your budget is really tight, check out your local Good Will, community thrift, consignment and second-hand shops. You can find brand new home decor with the tags still on. Yard sales and flea markets are also good places to find bargains and treasures. And of course, don’t forget Craigslist!

Well, I think I’ve given you enough resources to find a bargain on anything and everything you will ever need to purchase for your new home. Many home staging companies including Pro Staged Homes offer personal shopping services among their services so don’t forget to use them as a resource too.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

HOME STAGING TIPS FOR UPDATING KITCHENS AND BATHS WHEN SELLING A HOME

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:27:56 -0700

Lots of homes are listed for sale that are in need of some updating. I would not recommend a seller spend a lot of money on remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms. I do however, strongly recommend that sellers invest in some minor updates so that the property appears well-maintained and move-in ready. Move-in ready, one of the top "must haves" on buyer's lists of wants/needs.

So what do you do when you have a kitchen that is still in the 80's? Oak cabinets, tile countertops? There are things home owners can do to counter the dated look. With some elbow grease and sometimes a small cash investment, you can have your kitchen and baths looking great.

Real Estate Agents and Home Stagers cannot stress enough, the importance of a clean, uncluttered home. Make sure that every surface in the kitchen and bath from floor-to-ceiliing have been washed, scrubbed, dusted and polished. Nothing turns a potential buyer off more than dirty, unsanitary rooms, fixtures and appliances.

Tile Countertops: Replace or repair cracked and/or broken tiles. Clean the grout and if necessary replace it. Try using sandpaper to scrub the surface of the grout or use a grout cleaning solution. There are also grout markers available at most home improvement stores that come in a variety of colors. You may need to reseal so check with your home improvement expert.

Cabinets: Paint and stain is your best friend when replacing the cabinets isn't an option. This home stager recommends not painting over the hardware. It's best to remove cabinet doors and hardware for painting.

At the very least, cabinetry should be washed and polished. We recommend Murphy's Oil Soap. This product cleans the wood and brings back the shine and luster. See the difference in this cabinet door?

Pro Staged Homes suggests updating faucets, fixtures and lighting whenever possible. These items can be purchased relatively inexpensively but provide a lot of bang for the buck.

Home Depot sells contractor packs of knobs for about $40 and 10 packs of pulls for about $16.

Taking the time to make these small changes will net great gains in the amount of time it takes to sell, the selling price of your home and quite possibly multiple offers. Home selling is about perception and a well-maintained home is always perceived with a higher value!

Thinking or planning on selling? Properties staged by Pro Staged Homes average less than 10 days to an accepted offer and less than 54 days to close of escrow. Call us today and schedule your home staging consultation. You'll be glad you did!

Proven results in priced-right, staged-home sales!

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

WEST LOS ANGELES STUNNING REMODEL 2744 MIDVALE AVE

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:45:32 -0700

Stunning West Los Angeles home completely remodeled and staged by Pro Staged Homes.

Listing Price: $985,000 Status: Active

2744 Midvale Ave Los Angeles (City) CA 90064 Residential -

Single Family Living Area: 1,955 Sq. Ft. Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3.5

Conveniently located on a quiet street in Rancho Park neighborhood of West LA, this beautiful 4 bedroom & 3-1/2 bath home (including the addition) is completely renovated with professional designs.

This property is within walking distance to everything you want: great schools, groceries, shops, and restaurants.

Within this contemporary styled house, there are new dual pane energy efficient vinyl windows, new copper plumbing, new electrical panel and system, new recessed lighting and fixtures, new HVAC system, new exterior & interior paint, new front and backyard deck, new hardwood and tile floors, new doors and newly landscaped garden with a fountain. The kitchen has new custom cabinets, quartz-stone countertop, and equipped fully with stainless steel appliances. All bathrooms have been upgraded with mosaic tile layout, modern bath faucets and accessories. Front and backyard gardens are beautifully designed and landscaped with new plantings, pebbles, and trees.

Terms: Standard Sale Listing courtesy of Realty One Group Inc, James Chen;

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Averaging less than 10 days to an accepted offer and less than 54 days to close of escrow, Pro Staged Homes has...

Proven results in priced right-staged homes sales.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

HOME STAGING: DOES MORE EXPENSIVE MEAN BETTER QUALITY AND RESULTS?

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:55:48 -0700

Does being more expensive mean better quality and results? Many people believe that when an item or service costs more it must mean that it's because the quality or service is better. Some times, that is true. I admit I am a name brand shopper, particularly when it comes to food and groceries. I'm sorry but in my opinion, my Haggen-Dazs ice cream tastes way better than any other national or store brand out there. And I like my Bounty pper towels and Quilted Northern toilet tissue a lot better than those other supposed leading brands.

And when it comes to service providers there is a certain satellite TV company that I much prefer over its competitor and those cable companies. I pay more for my dry cleaning because the cheap guys ruined a couple of my suits. So yes, there are times when the cost does mean better quality and results.

But this is not always the case. Take home staging for example. I don't know of a single stager who will disclose their pricing strategy, myself included. Our course instructors advised us to develop our pricing based on how much money we need to make to support ourselves. Using this strategy, it is quite easy to see why there would be such a variance in the pricing strategy of home staging companies.

There are times when you are paying for the name attached to the staging company. Think Los Angeles based Meridith Baer and Matthew Finlason for example. Extremely talented, highly reputable and respected. You pay for that. But at the same time, these people are staging for the uber rich, not your average home seller.

Some staging companies carry their own inventory so they have warehouse and storage overhead costs such as rent or a mortgage, insurance and so forth. Some have employees so they have payroll taxes and costs. Some may have an office outside the home. All of that has to be included in the pricing. But not all staging companies have these expenses.

Many staging companies consist of only the stager him or herself, such as my case. On occassion I hire extra help but for the most part, it's just me. I do not have a family to provide for nor do I have a spouse or significant other helping to support me. I do not live beyond my means so I do not have excessive bills and expenses. But I do have to support myself for today, tomorrow and the future. I still have to be able to put food on the table, gas in the car, save for rainy days and retirement. So based on the strategy I was taught to develop my pricing strategy upon, my costs may not be as high as others.

So when Pro Staged Homes submits a bid to a prospective client that comes in lower than some others, does that mean that my work is not as good as my competitors? That I am using cheap furniture and accessories? Absolutely not. Don't get me wrong, my prices are not the cheapest, but I am also not the most expensive. I pride myself on the service and quality I provide and every one of my clients will tell you I go above and beyond what is expected. In the home staging business, word-of-mouth and referrals are the biggest form of advertising and source of work.

You still need to use caution when hiring a stager, or for any business or person for that matter. There are those who give you a low bid and their portfolio will show you why their bid is so low. When hiring a professional home stager be sure to get their statistics and portfolio results because those two items will tell you exactly what you're getting for your money.

PROVEN RESULTS IN PRICED RIGHT-STAGED HOMES SALES!

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

CLAREMONT CA HOME SELLS IN ONE DAY!

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:43:54 -0700

Claremont View Home Sells in One Day! The listing agent for this beautiful Claremont CA view home had never used a home stager before. She had shown the property several time but there were no takers. After taking our advice to remove the existing furnishings and bring in up-to-date furniture and accessories, the home was re-presented.

The result? The house sold in one day! The buyers had viewed the property before it was staged and decided it wasn’t the right house for them. After being persuaded to come back for another look after staging, they bought it.

Check out a few of our before and afters;

PROVEN SUCCESS IN PRICED RIGHT-STAGED HOMES SALES

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

ARE YOU TAKING MONEY OFF THE TABLE?

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:47:50 -0700

I ask myself all the time why one would take money off the table when there may not be a need to. I'm hearing that home prices are rising, rates are low, there are buyers but not enough homes for sale. So, if this is true, why aren't the properties that are on the market not selling?

I think that we all would agree that the right pricing is critical to the success of selling a home. Second to that success is probably location. And third, condition. Obvously pricing is under our control. If the property is priced correctly, you're one-third of the way there. Location though, not much one can do to change that. But still, you bought the house because you liked something enough to overlook the location so chances are there are buyers who will also. That leaves condition. The home's condition is going to be the thing that makes or breaks the sale. And we definitely have control over the condition.

The goal of every seller is to get the most money possible for the property and to get it sold as quickly as possible. The longer a house sits on the market, the more likely there will be a price reduction and less than full price offer. But there are things sellers can do to help avoid this from happening to them. And it costs a whole lot less than a price reduction. What is it? Home Staging. By this time, you have heard about it, you know what it is. If you're looking for a new place to buy, chances are you've seen properties that have been staged.

So what is is that is holding you back from taking advantage of one of the most advantageous, successful investment and marketing strategies available? HomeGains 2012 annual survey ranks home staging at #5 on their list of top improvements when it comes to selling a home, What should be noted is that the top 4 improvements are all part of home staging.

Pro Staged Homes staged 4 properties in the last few weeks. All of them are now in escrow. Since the time they were staged, there were no price drops. Each one sold within days of being staged and listed. The average price to stage these 4 homes? $3700 for a 60-day contract. None of them will exceed their 2-month contract. A $3700 investment that gives you a nearly 200% return and you're going to reduce your price by $10,000? Pro Staged Homes averages less than 54 days from date staged to close of escrow - 6 days less than our minimum contract term. The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), who tracks sales as date staged to accepted offer puts the national average at 42 days. Using RESA's method, Pro Staged Homes # of days staged-to-sold is less than 10.

For example:

On the market nearly 50 days with no offers. Staged and offer accepted within 20 days.

Staged with open house - opened 45 day escrow less than 10 days later.

Purchased one day after the open house by a couple who viewed the house unstaged and didn't think it was the right house for them!

This sophisticated stunner received an offer the week after the open house.

With results like these, isn't the investment in home staging a much wiser and faster route to selling your home than a price reduction?

Proven results in priced right-staged home sales.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

GORGEOUS RIVERSIDE BEAUTY NOW LISTED!

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:54:50 -0700

Entertainer's Dream within Riverside Orange Groves * On 1 Acre of land, Main Home features 3257 square feet of living space with 4 Bedrooms and 3 Bathrooms * Separate Guest Home features a Full Kitchen, 2 Bedrooms, and 1 Bathroom * Main Home has Granite Countertops, New Stainless Steel Appliances, Double Oven, and a Center Island in the Kitchen * Family Room features a dramatic Wood Beam Ceiling with Brick Fireplace * Master Suite features it's own Fireplace and French Doors leading to the Pool and Courtyard * New Granite Countertops, Dual Sinks, and New Tile Shower in Master Bath * New Interior and Exterior Paint throughout * Separate Wet Bar for Entertaining * New Carpet and Tile throughout * Backyard features a Pool and Spa in Courtyard * 3 Car Garage and plenty of additional Parking Space * RV Parking * Revitalized Landscaping.

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Listing Courtesy of Josh Painter with Pacific Lifestyles Realty, License number: 0173469.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

VACANT HOME STAGING: CAN YOU JUSTIFY THE COST?

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:44:00 -0800

Home staging. Can you justify the cost? Home staging gets a lot of buzz these days. Home stagers say vacant homes sell faster and for a better price. They say you have to have your property staged if you want it sold in this market. They say that buyers can't imagine what an empty house would look like, that you have to show how each space can be used and what it might look like when there is furniture and belongings in there. Home stagers say you have to present an environment and atmosphere that will draw buyers in and create an emotional attachment with them. But is what they say true? Is it really worth it? Should you stage, should you not stage.

Well, according to the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), staged homes sell 85% faster than unstaged homes. If you list your property before considering staging, it may linger for up to 6 months unsold. And keep in mind that the majority of interest comes when a property is first listed. If you wait to see if you get any offers and don't, you lose precious time, money and potential buyers in those first days and weeks.

Are potential buyers that tour your property really not able to visualize what the living room would look like with a sofa and a chair in it? Easy enough to determine, try this little exercise:

You can leave your eyes open or close them, whichever is more comfortable for you. Now, picture in your mind the image of a cloud. Picture it growing. Now see, and "feel" its heavy cold rain. See the rain hitting the ground, then flowing toward streams and rivers toward the ocean. Now "see" the hot sun hitting and evaporating the water and forming clouds.

Were you able to create this scene in your mind, clearly see it? Were there other clouds in the sky? What color was the sky? Black or blue? What about the water, did you see every detail? Could you see the rain pouring down? Were the drops big or small? Was the rain coming from the east or west, north or south? You get the picture. No? You're not alone, neither can 90% of the rest of us.

So, now you know that staged homes sell 85% faster than vacant properties and you can understand how important visualizing is to the home selling process (check out HomeGains annual 2011 Home Improvements Survey). You can understand that the property needs to "connect" with potential buyers on an emotional level and home staging does exactly that.

When it comes right down to it, money is always the "issue" and the deciding factor. Sellers are hesitant to make the one investment that will give them an edge over their competition. The one strategy that is able to provide tangible, proven results.

Let's go back to RESA's 2010 study. Using their example and formula you can determine approximately how much money you will continue to spend while your home is on the market un-staged.

If your mortgage is : $1800.00

If your direct expenses are: $300.00

Total carrying cost per month: $2,100.00

RESA's study shows home owners had their property on the market for an average of 6 months. $2,100.00 X 6 months = $12,600.00 in expenses. Had those homeowners staged first, their time on market would have been cut by 120 days on average (4 months). $2,100.00 x 4 months= $8,400.0. Staging their homes first would have saved them $ 8,400.00.

Costs for staging a vacant house vary, subject to the square footage, # of rooms staged, target market and other factors. But let's say you invested $3500 to stage your property for 60 days (the average time on market per the RESA study and what's more, properties staged by Pro Staged Homes average less than 54 days from the date staged to CLOSE OF ESCROW). You would have saved $4900.00 overall. And what if you choose not to stage and have to reduce the price?

That's another $5000-$10,000 taken out of your pocket.

These numbers are all relative to individual mortgage and expenses but you can use this simple formula to determine how much you will save by staging your home or listingbefore putting it on the market:

Mortgage + expenses (utilities etc.) = Monthly expenses

Monthly expenses X 6 months (avg. time un-staged) = Cost to list house un-staged

Savings: Expenses x 4 months (average time on market reduced) – staging fee = Savings if you stage your house first!

** If you have a price reduction you can also add that into the loss you are taking by listing a property un-staged.

Check out RESA's Home Staging Calculator to see how much you can save: http://www.stagingsavings.com/stagingSavings.html

Want more proof?

This Chino Hills property sat vacant on the market with no offers for nearly 50 days. It was staged by Pro Staged Homes mid January and went into escrow less than 30 days later!

This Whittier property sat vacant for over 125 days. After being staged by Pro Staged Homes, it closed escrow less than 60 days later!

PROVEN RESULTS IN PRICED RIGHT-STAGED HOMES SALES!

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

WHAT HOME STAGING DOES FOR SELLERS

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:48:46 -0800

I've been thinking a lot about my job as a home stager and what my business does for people who are selling their homes. Investing (yes, home staging is an investment) in staging your home can bring you a return of nearly 300%! That is HUGE. Where else in this economy and market can you earn such a return?

Most of today's buyers don't want to buy a home that they have to make repairs and upgrades on. If such a buyer does submit an offer on your property, you can bet that they will subtract out how much they think it will cost to ready the home for their needs and send you an offer that you won't like.

Many of the homes on the market have been purchased by investors (flippers) who have rehabbed (remodeled) the property with granite, new flooring, fresh paint, new appliances and all the bells and whistles todays' buyers want. Does your home have all these upgrades? No? Then how will you compete with the house down the street that does?

If your home isn't in the same condition as your competition you need to take a good hard look at what your selling goals and objectives are. Do you need a fast sale? Do you need to get as much money as you can? Is the lender breathing down your neck? If so, how much are you willing to invest in preparing and readying your property to obtain your objective? The old saying that you need to spend money in order to make money is so, so true and it especially applies to the real estate industry.

If your home doesn't have all the bells and whistles and isn't in the same condition as the competition, then you need to take advantage of every strategy available to you to make sure that your home presents in the best condition possible and stand out among the homes that you are competing with. Some preparations will be needed to just "list" the property, never mind getting top dollar or beating out the competition.

Take a look at the ROI (return on investment) these necessary home improvements will get you:

# Cleaning and de-cluttering ($290 cost / $1,990 price increase / 586% ROI / 99% of RE Agents surveyed recommended)*

# Lightening and brightening ($375 cost / $1,550 price increase / 313% ROI / 97% of RE Agents surveyed recommended)*

These are things every seller must do before they even contact an agent about selling their home. Buyers are not interested in properties that are cluttered (which makes them look smaller) and look like caves (too dark and depressing).

So now that you've cleared out all the clutter and cleaned the floors, windows, bathrooms and kitchen. You've had the carpets cleaned and every room in your house is pristine clean and sparkling. Remember that the house down the street with the granite, stainless and fresh paint? What do you do now to bring the buyers to your home with their offers?

I would never recommend that a seller invest in a huge costly remodeling jobs. But what I am advocating is that you take what you have and make it work to its best possible advantage. What does that mean? It means that you take that one final step to prepare your home by bringing in a professional home stager. Your home stager will go through every room in your house and advise you on where you need to invest in an upgrade, such as a new light fixture over the bathroom sink or a new faucet in the kitchen. Maybe you need a new porch light or a fresh coat of paint.

Take a look at what your investment in your professional home stager gets you;

Home staging ($550 cost / $2,194 price increase / 299% ROI / 80% of RE Agents surveyed recommended)*

You can leave the tiled countertops and cabinets but if your stager advises you to clean the grout or paint the vanity or buy a new light fixture, these are minimal investments compared to the amount of money not heeding your professional stager's advice. Then when all the prework has been completed, your stager will go through your home and arrange the furniture so that it flows, looks inviting and isn't hiding any features or focal poiints. Your stager will arrange all of your furniture, artwork and accessories so that they do highlight all the features and focal points in your home.

Just a note, this house sold at the first open house!

*The above statistics were taken form HomeGain's 2011 Home Improvement National Survey results. HomeGain recently surveyed nearly 600 real estate agents nationwide to determine the top 10 low cost*, do-it-yourself home improvements for people getting their home ready to sell. Results are estimated on a national average and may be higher or lower depending on what region you live in.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

Home Staging Is Only For High-End Homes. NOT!

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:09:32 -0800

Home Staging is only for high-end homes. NOT. We've been seeing and hearing that for years. Just look at all the model home communities. Theses gorgeous properties are staged to the max. Buyers tour them, sometimes drooling and sometimes finding love-at-first-site. Admit it, haven't many of us spent our weekends driving around to the grand openings, delighted and excited by the life-style decorating feast we're about to partake in?

But the times, they are a changin'. Home Staging is here to stay and it's growing in popularity. That is in large part due to all of the HGTV like programming, decorating magazines and media attention being given to the home selling and buying industry. But it's also because people want to get in on that slice of heaven they saw in the models. Home buyers at all price levels want a piece of that pie.

Here in America, buying a home is almost a constitutional right, it's always been touted as the great American Dream. Buy a home, set down roots and become a part of this great country. But do only wealthy people get a piece of this pie? Are only wealthy people entitled to buy that heavenly lifestyle? Of course not.

Whether the buyer is a first-timer, moving up or down-sizing, they still desire that dreamy lifestyle they saw in the model home. Most people will be able to describe every detail of "that" model house they fell in love with - no matter how long ago it was that they saw it. And there's a reason for that. Home Staging. They made an emotional connection to a home that was staged, a home that hooked them on the lifestyle living in that house would bring them. It wasn't just because the price was right, it wasn't just the location. It was the way the house was staged, it was the way the house appealed to their emotional senses, the way that house looked and felt like a home to them.

Some will say it's pricing. Some will say it's the location. Some say both. Some still don;t believe in that value (Check out HomeGains 2011 Top 10 Home Improvement Realtor Survey) home staging brings to the table. But let's face it, buying a home is a highly emotional process. Home Staging is based on that emotion, placing focus on the features, showing how each space can be used, high-lighting all of the home's potential. In many cases, when a buyer is torn between 2 or more properties, where one is staged and the other vacant, often times, it's the staged home that will sell.

Check out a few of Pro Staged Homes wide range of staged properties:

Compton CA $185,000

San Dimas $280,000

Glendora CA $622,00

Chino Hills CA $989,900

Proven results in priced right staged home sales

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

STUDIO CITY HOME GETS AN UPDATE BEFORE GOING ON MARKET

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:08:37 -0700

In preparation for sale, this wonderful Studio City home got an update before going on the market. Pro Staged Homes was called in by the agent and homeowners to make recommendations on how best to prepare the home.

Our first suggestion was to do everything possible to let light in, lots of light. We suggested replacing the old dark green carpeting and removing all of the wallpaper throughout the home.

Next we suggested washing all of the windows and woodwork and then polish the wood with orange oil to bring back the luster and shine. We also advised the homeowners that the blue floral fabric covering on the dining room ceiling had to come down.

We also advised that the dated window seat covering and curtain treatments had to go along with updating the master and guest bathrooms.

Lastly, we suggested that the back yard which is a tropical retreat become the selling point for the home. All of the trees, bushes and shrubs needed to be trimmed and pruned and all of the leaves and debris removed.

This large, outdoor living space is the perfect place to relax all year round. The pool area also includes a spa with a built-in bar!

Ready for market, this warm, beautiful home is now the perfect place for living and entertaining.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

WE NEED 500 VOTES TODAY

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 12:46:45 -0700

Please help GFTH USA win Pepsi's $50,000 grant for September. We're raising money for food, clothing, shoes and blankets for those across American who are in need this winter. We really need YOUR help to do it. If you have a FaceBook account, you can sign in that way. Here's our link: http://pep.si/q7caFy. Thank you for your support.

Give From the Heart USA, a 501c charitable organization is in the running to win a $50,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project and we need your help to win.The project with the most votes will be the recipient of the grant applied for. By clicking on the following link, creating a sign in and then signing in and voting for the televised Do The Right Thing Concert every day until the end of the month, you will help us win the grant and help a charitable organization make a difference in this country and maybe even the world.

http://www.refresheverything.com/do-the-right-thing-concert

The Do The Right Thing Concert is two-fold. One, we will promote doing the right thing by featuring performers who are inspirational and influential role models who set a good example by the way they live their lives, their words, deeds and actions - people that we can believe in and feel good about emulating and following. We are contacting performers such as Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Sarah MacLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock and a host of other celebrities in hopes that they will join us and help us get the message out in a positive and appropriate manner. A message of tolerance, acceptance and understanding, an event that will begin to bring together and unite Americans for the good of ourselves and our country.

Secondly, the concert is a food and clothing drive. We will be asking for donations of food, clothing, blankets and shoes to distribute across the country at selected locations. Concert-goers will be asked to bring an item to donate and viewers will be asked to participate by dropping off donations at the selected locations. GFTH USA will collect and then distribute the items.

This is an opportunity for everyone to do something good for our country, a chance to do the right thing. Isn't it time that we placed some focus on the good and positive aspects of our lives and country? Please, help Give From the Heart USA win the $50,000 grant.

Thank you for your support. We look forward to helping our country to move forward.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

PLEASE HELP GIVE FROM THE HEART USA WIN A $50,000 GRANT

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:44:34 -0700

I am a professional home stager and I like my job. My passion however, the thing I want to devote my life to, is helping those in need. And my dream is to be able to direct the organization on a full time basis. The Do The Right Thing Concert is a step in that direction and I need your help in making my dream come true. And all you would have to do is give me about 30 seconds of your life every day until the end of this month.

http://www.refresheverything.com/do-the-right-thing-concert

Thank you for your support. We look forward to helping our country to move forward.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

Listing in Whittier, CA. HOME STAGING WHITTIER

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:10:52 -0700

3BR 2BA 1576 SQ FT Corner Lot Home. Offered at $379,800 by Rob Doeppel. 626-447-1818. Just staged!

This free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

The Power of Home Staging Pasadena

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:07:59 -0700

Newly listed with the power of home staging in the San Rafael Hills. Listed at $928,800 by Rob Doeppel. 626-447-1818

Personalize a slideshow design

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

THE POWER OF HOME STAGING: A POWERFUL HOME SELLING STRATEGY

Wed, 04 May 2011 18:50:20 -0700

I attended a local real estate meeting recently and several of the agents that were there mentioned that they are not getting any showings on their listings. They showed a few pictures of the properties and I knew immediately why. Their homeowners are not using one of the most powerful selling strategies available.

Statistics indicate that anywhere from 80%-90% of home buyers search the internet for the homes they want to preview. There are numerous sites that potential buyers can visit where they can see pictures of homes for sale. So the first important strategy is to make sure there are pictures, lots of pictures, of the exterior and interior of the property for them to look at. No pictures says to potential buyers, "there's a reason there's no pictures and it means there's a problem with the property so cross it off my list".

Before taking any photos, make sure the home is clean, free of clutter and debris, is visually appealing and well appointed. Secondly, ensure that the pictures are clear, numerous and highlight the home's features and focal points.

Buyer's don't want to see this dark empty space.

Buyers want and expect to see a beautifully furnished, well laid out, appealing room.

Today's buyers want absolutely move-in ready homes. That means they want them clean, freshly painted with updated kitchens, baths and appliances. The pictures I saw at this meeting were anything but.

Buyers won't imagine sleeping in this drab room.

But they'll sleep peacefully in this room.

Buyers want to be impressed, wowed and wooed. When they walk into the property, they want to be able to imagine themselves living there. They want to buy the (California) lifestyle. So if you're selling, your property needs to sell that dream.

Buyers are out there and they are purchasing homes. I see it everyday with my clients. Homes staged by Pro Staged Homes are getting viewings. They're getting offers and they're getting sold. Yes, the sellers had to invest some money but they knew the results were going to be worth it.

Take the case of the home we staged here. This very smart agent knew that using the power of home staging, a powerful home selling strategy, was integral to the success of selling the home. He convinced, nearly insisted, that the sellers invest in the staging and the results were amazing and immediate. The home was staged on April 14 and sold the first week it was listed. It's scheduled to close escrow on May 16th! That's 33 days staged to sold!

If you're about to list your home for sale, don't show the reality

Make sure potential buyers see the dream.

PROVEN RESULTS IN PRICED RIGHT-STAGED HOME SALES

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

THE POWER OF HOME STAGING PART II: VACANT ON MARKET 149 DAYS. STAGED TO SOLD IN 25 DAYS

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:46:10 -0700

It's selling season and the power of home staging is hard at work here at Pro Staged Homes. This West Covina property sat on the market for 149 days without a bite.

The sellers had called us in to stage their newest project in Diamond Bar and that property sold in less than 30 days. The sellers believe that the staging was the main reason the home sold so quickly. They still had this West Covina property which had been sitting vacant and unsold for 149 days. They decided that staging would bring them the sale they needed.

Since the Diamond Bar lease wasn't set to expire for another month, we moved the furniture over to this West Covina property and staged it with different accessories.

The result? After sitting vacant for 149 days, this property sold 25 days after we staged it.

Our clients are quite pleased and happy to be able to finally move on to the next project and you can be sure that professional home staging by Pro Staged Homes is now part of their selling strategy.

And we must admit we are quite proud and pleased to say that we had 2 properties sell under the original lease agreement and in less than 60 days!

PROVEN RESULTS IN PRICED RIGHT-STAGED HOMES SALES!

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

THE POWER of HOME STAGING: STAGED - SOLD - ESCROW CLOSED 39 DAYS FOR $10,000 OVER ASKING PRICE

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 12:45:18 -0700

The power of home staging at work again. This gorgeous Diamond Bar CA home sold in just 39 days and it sold for $10,000 above the asking price. It made believers in staging of the investor team sellers. So much so, since the home sold before the staging lease expired, we moved the furniture over to another property the team is selling.

When potential buyers walk into a vacant property this is what they are greeted by. Is room this memorable? Can you imagine living here? Is it creating an emotional attachment, drawing you in, begging you to buy it? Of course not. It's just 4 walls. A plain, univiting empty room.

What did draw buyers in was this colorful, inviting space that showed off the rooms potential, created a perceived lifestyle that buyers want to enjoy. This room made buyers remember it, linger in it, long to live in it. So much so, a bidding war, yes, in this market, a bidding war resulted in the home selling for $10,000 over the asking price.

Yes, the power of home staging at work once again proves how effective home staging is especially in vacant properties. This is one time where I can truly state the Pro Staged Homes staged a home that sold faster and for more money.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

UPDATE: STAGED - SOLD - COE in 39 days for over asking price. Diamond Bar, CA 4BR 2BA Totally Remodeled Home

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:55:37 -0800

This property was staged February 21 and escrow closed March 31 . And it sold for $10,000 OVER the ASKING PRICE! After 2 highly successful open house this past weekend, 3 offers were submitted Monday and several more are expected before the end of the week. It's not too late. Bring your buyer today and check out this amazing home. This is an absolutely gorgeous and spacious 4 bedroom Diamond Bar home that has been painstakingly remodeled by J3 Real Estate Development, Inc. The home features laminate flooring in the main living area and gorgeous tile in the kitchen and bathrooms and carpeting in the bedrooms. This home is made for entertaining. With an open floor plan and both a formal living room and family room with sliders to the patio and back yard from both rooms, this home will host parties and functions for home or business. There's also a fireplace in the family room. The master bed room boasts a walk-in closet, separate retreat (with its own closet also) area that can be used as a den, office, nursery or even an extra large dressing area. Dual sinks in the master bath make it easy to get ready for all those fabulous parties. The home features a large newly landscaped enclosed front courtyard as well as a spacious back yard, also newly landscaped that includes a fountain and covered patio area. Listing courtesy of James Chen J3 Real Estate Development, Inc. West Covina, CA 626-290-3772

Create a picture slideshow

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com

HOME SELLING: SELLING A HOME IS A LOT LIKE MAKING A MOVIE

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:16:21 -0800

If you really think about it, selling a home is very much like filming a movie. It's a production that takes a lot of collaboration and preparation from multiple parties. It takes time, effort, money and planning. Most of the cast and crew will wear more than one hat because selling a home is a multi-faceted production. So let's talk about the cast, crew and characters involved in the making of this movie.

You may be thinking, "how is selling a home like making a movie"? Well, let's look at the similarities between the two. First there is a script and the writer of that script. That would be the Home Owner who is deciding to sell their home. Just as without a script there is no movie, without a house, there is no sale.

The script/house is about to go into pre-production so the owner looks for someone to sell the house for them, someone knowledeable with a proven successful track record. They want the Steven Spielberg of real estate who will get their script/house sold fast and for as much money as possible. Enter the Producer. Who and what is the Producer? That would be the Broker, an agent from the broker's office or an independent real estate agent. The Producer is the backbone of the movie/sale. The Producer/Broker oversees the entire process. The Producer/Broker takes the script and begins looking it over. The Producer/Broker decides what, if any, changes need to be made or considered and then brings on the Director. Now that there is a Producer and Director, the script/house enters the production phase.

The Director is the listing Real Estate Agent. The Director/Agent also looks over the script and makes recommendations for any adjustments that the script needs. Together, the Script Writer/Seller and Director/Agent agree on what if any of these changes will be made.

The obvious Star of this movie is the House. Everyone involved in the production caters to needs and wants of the Star/House. The Star/House is the one that will draw viewers/buyers in which is integral to the success of the movie/sale. The Star/House is the only Diva allowed in this production/sale!

The cast and crew go about preparing and filming the many scenes it takes to complete the movie but the Director/Agent knows that the star/house needs some tweaking from it's current condition . It needs to be transformed into the perfect setting and backdrop for each scene/room.

The Director/Agent knows that the skills of professional costumers, lighting experts, wardrobe and makeup artists and a host of other craftspeople are needed and that they all have to work together to create a power house (pun intended) production. They have to work together, work quickly and bring it all together within the budget.

The movie needs props/furniture and characters/accessories to bring life to it so the experts/professional home stagers are called in. The "stagers" set about beautifying the script/star/house, perfecting and bringing attention to all the details and features, ultimatley making the film/house stunningly beautiful, sought-after and totally appealing to the mass of fans/buyers who will go to see it. Once the stagers are done, the movie/home is ready for release/listing.

The critics/buyer's agents get invited to the screening/broker's open house for a preview and the producers/directors/sellers get reactions from the them. If everyone is happy with the final cut, the advertisers/director (there's another of those multiple hats) launch a marketing blitz with movie trailers/MLS, Trulia, Zillow photos and the movie/home officially opens at a theater/neighborhood near you.

Obvioisly, there are a lot more details, people and professions involved in both the making of a movie and in selling a house. So much detail would turn my blog into a novel which is a whole other experience. The point I mainly want to make is that selling a home is a collaborative effort that (in my opinion) is in whole or part directed by the listing real estate agent. The rest of us are the supporting cast and crew, coming together to work hand-in-hand for the good of the original script writer, the seller to bring about a movie that wows audiences (buyers) over earning that Oscar nod and ultimately that little golden statue otherwise knows as the close of escrow.

Proven results in priced right-staged home sales.

Pro Staged Homes Home Staging & Redesign San Dimas, CA 91773 909-714-1149 www.prostagedhomes.com judy.colburn@prostagedhomes.com