Jessica Pirone's Blog

Results You Will Want Too! (Staging Success Story #26)

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:18:42 -0800

Since this client is a real estate investor, timing is everything when it comes to selling their properties. Selling the house 65% faster and at a higher sales price than the competition equals success!

Results You Will Want Too! (Staging Success Story #25)

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:42:25 -0800

Staging with Just Perfect! Home Staging + More saved this client over $16,000 with a higher sales price and a faster sale than the competition.

Results You Will Want Too! (Staging Success Story #24)

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:42:48 -0800

By staging with Just Perfect! Home Staging + More, this client saved in mortgage payments and sold faster than the competition. In addition, this seller was one of 4 other homes that sold in their price range, while 40 didn't sell!

Results You Will Want Too! (Staging Success Story #23)

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:35:33 -0800

This seller realized amazing results when they chose to stage their property with Just Perfect! Home Staging + More Over $50,000 saved, selling their home in just 32 days which was 71% faster than their competition!

Results You Will Want Too! (Staging Success Story #22)

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:15:12 -0800

This seller not only saved money by staging with Just Perfect! Home Staging + More, but they also saved time. They sold their home 20% quicker than the competition.

Results You Will Want Too! (Staging Success Story #21)

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:12:05 -0800

Staging with Just Perfect! Home Staging + More enabled this seller to sell their home faster than the competition, thus saving them on their mortgage payment!

Results You Will Want Too! (Staging Success Story #20)

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:08:30 -0800

This particular client choose Just Perfect! Home Staging + More to stage their vacant property for sale and realized amazing results. Selling in less than half the time it took their competition to sell, while saving over $27,000 and selling at a higher sales price than the competition.

Results You Will Want Too! (Staging Success Story #19)

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:01:18 -0800

By staging this home with Just Perfect! Home Staging + More, this client saved themselves over $48,000 and sold their home in more than half the time it took for the competition to sell.

Results You Will Want Too! (Staging Success Story #18)

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:57:18 -0800

The owners of this home saved themselves over $18,000 by staging this vacant home to sell! In addition, the sellers realized a sales price that was 9% more than what the competition was selling for!

Living Room Transformation

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:48:06 -0800

Even homes with great features, neutral colors and fabulous furniture can benefit from a professional home stager. Take, for example, this home Just Perfect! staged recently. OUr subtle changes helped highlight the most important aspects of the room, resulting in a faster sale for more money!

Tips for Outdoor Entertaining

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:04:38 -0700

It's that time of year! Especially around Wilmington - no one wants to stay in doors. It's to the decks and docks, for all the outdoor entertainment we can fit in to summer nights (and days). Here are some tips to make your next gathering one to remember!

1. Start with music - this always puts you in a great mood during set up too! iPod speakers are the perfect way to do this. (You can find some steals at TJ Maxx and on Craigslist if you don't already have some. Your smartphone should be able to plug up to them also through the headphone jack if you don't have an ipod.)

2. Add splashes of color. Bright pillows, patterened or solid are a sure fire way to do this. (Struggling to find some at your house? Check out World Market and Home Goods for great, affordable selections)

3. Light it up! Lanterns of all shapes and sizes, sitting or hung will set the mood for your guests. You can also string lights in trees or plants. (Paper lanterns are easiest to hang. If you're worried about using candles, invest in the flameless variety. They are battery operated but still look nice.)

4. Make sure to have plenty of seating. Utilize benches, adirondacks, outdoor dining areas... anything you can find. Floor pillows could even be used. Pull them together in groups. You can have some on the deck, in the yard... wherever! You want to make it easy for everyone to sit, relax, and have great conversations. Don't forget tables - people need somewhere to set their drinks and food. (Have you been meaning to get more seating? Home Depot and World Market have a pretty good selection and several on sale right now.)

5. Start a fire. I do mean this literally, just keep it contained in a fire pit or chimnea. There's just something about fires that bring people together and make the night seem to go on forever. (No need to make it too big... just something small that burns throughout the event is nice.)

6. Trays will be your guests best friend. Keep several trays out with drinks and appetizers... your guests will love you for it. You can always have them fix their own, but if you want a night to be remembered, you will totally impress them if they find another waiting for them on a nearby tray when they take the last sip of what's in their hand.

7. Don't let pests be guests too. Especially in our area - there's nothing like the bugs to ruin an outdoor gathering. Make sure you have a smell free bug spray at the door for your guests and citronella out. (I personally like to use OFF! Skintastic - Clean Feel. It doesn't smell or feel like bug spray, but it works.)

8. If you don't have time, and want someone else to do the planning and decor... Call our friends at Design Perfection! They can help you throw the most fabulous outdoor dinner party on the coast!

Have fun at your next gathering!

Going Beyond Every Day Okay

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:31:50 -0700

Very few people actually live in their homes as if it on display and available for sale on a day to day basis. While it may be the hardest part of listing your home for sale, it is absolutely essential when marketing your home.

Starting from the curb all the way to the most seemingly insignificant closet inside, it's absolutely imperative that your home's appearance go beyond “everyday okay”.

Outside, the lawn should be maintained, flowers and bushes properly pruned and trimmed, and the home should look welcoming.

Inside, dusting and smudges should be taken care of on a daily basis, any laundry folded and put away, dishes washed and put away. Don't miss simple items such as clothes not hanging properly, partially open dresser drawers, books and magazines in disarray and even wall hangings off kilter.

As “picky” as it sounds, you want everything in your home to give the perfect impression. Not leaving any question of the maintenance of the home.

Not living in the home you are selling? Even vacant homes need to be cleaned on a regular basis, especially since dust may tend to show up more in a vacant home.

Do homes in lower price ranges need to be spotless as well? Absolutely, perhaps even more so. Generally lower price homes are smaller than the upper price range – thus making every inch of space vitally important. A home that gleams will appear larger and costlier, adding value to your home over the competition.

For more tips on presenting your home in the best light possible while selling your home, give us a call at 910.251.7711

The Importance of an Online Presence for Your Home

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:40:03 -0700

Did you know that according to the 2010 National Association of Realtors profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 89 % of people used the internet as on one of the information sources in their home search process?

That amazing statistic alone should convince you that while marketing your home you should not neglect the internet. But many don't know exactly how to go about using the valuable tool of internet marketing.

At the bare minimum, if your home is listed by a REALTOR® it will most likely be placed in the multiple listing service. Many multiple listing services participate in what's called an IDX, enabling sellers, if they so choose, to share their listing with other websites. Sellers should be sure their property is described, not only to ensure interest in the viewer, but incorporating keywords that a online search might use. For example, stay away from abbreviations, such as BDR for bedrooms. While everyone knows what the “3 BDR” stands for, it might be missed when “3 Bedroom Home” is typed in as a search command in Google or other search engine. Along with keywords in the description of your multiple listing, pictures are something you should pay close attention to. You only have one chance to make a first impression and often, buyers make an impression by checking out on-line photos of your home.

Your internet marketing can go above and beyond just the Multiple Listing Service with tools such as single property websites, blogging, Craig's List, YouTube and many others. The more sites your property is listed with, the more chances a home buyer doing an on-line search will see your home. With each venue, keep in mind optimization, meaning, make sure keywords are used. Also, make sure there is adequate contact information in case the viewer wants more information or would like to schedule an appointment to see your home.

The joy of internet marketing is affordability, especially when compared to a traditional campaign such as print advertising. The downside is the competition, which is why it is vitally important that your home make the best impression in the first few seconds it is viewed on line!

Not Quite Ready to Buy

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:07:56 -0700

Even if it's not quite time to buy a home, you still have to have a roof over your head, right?! Welcome to the complex and confusing world of Wilmington's residential rental market. Whether you're looking to rent an apartment, condo, townhouse or single family home in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Leland or the surrounding areas...there are a lot of options to choose from. Read more to find out valuable information that will hopefully help make the rental process easy and enjoyable!

Over the past year and a half, I (Rebecca Pirone) have had the misfortune of moving a whopping five times all around the Wilmington area. Yes, that means that every earthly possession of mine has been packed, moved and unpacked five times. I get exhausted just thinking about it! Even though this has been a major headache, its one benefit is that it's virtually made me an expert on the Wilmington rental market. Recently, a friend consulted me on where to find a great rental and I realized that my knowledge is something that other people may benefit from too. So...I have decided to share my list of go to sites that I check religiously when in the market for a rental property. I will also let you know some of my do's and don'ts in renting a property to hopefully save you some time and stress.

DO...

Get a head start!

It is best to begin your "for rent" search about 60 days before your ideal move in date. If you do it any earlier, the properties may not still be available by the time you need to move in and most of the time, they won't hold them for you.

Take your time, be patient and do plenty of research

Make this your new hobby. The rental market changes daily, so stay on top of your research and be consistent, it will pay off in the long run!

Make a "must have" list

This is not to be confused with an "it would be nice if..." list. Write down the things that are necessities in your new property like a washer/dryer, backyard, being pet friendly, or having plenty of storage. Once you make this list, stick to it. This will help keep your decisions logical and grounded without getting wrapped up in the emotion, charm or excitement of a property.

Google the property address

This is a quick and easy way to get a lot of valuable information. I know you've heard it all before but location, location, LOCATION....it's important! Pictures can be deceiving, so always check a map and use the street view feature for an even better look at the property and surrounding areas. You can also see how close you are to shops, restaurants, entertainment and your workplace, which are all important factors in making a good decision.

Tell everyone!

Sometimes great rental places aren't advertised by anything more than a sign in the window and they move fast! Just like when you're looking for a job, it's always good to have some extra eyes and ears out there looking for you.

DON'T...

Don't rent from Joe Schmoe

You want to make sure that you are renting from someone that knows what they're doing, whether it is a professional rental management company or an individual. When renting, and especially If renting from an individual, make sure to ask lots of questions and check their credibility. Be sure to ask about things like regularly scheduled and emergency maintenance. You don't want to wait until your ac breaks mid-July to find out that the owner lives out of state and is on vacation.

Don't fall for craigslist scams

Buyer beware; and in this case, renter beware! Be cautious when dealing with people over the internet. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. One common scam is to advertise a fantastic property for an even more amazing rental rate. When you inquire, they ask you to fill out an application, pay an application fee and pay one month's rent as a deposit. By the time you do all of this, they have your personal information, your money and they virtually disappear. Be very cautious about sending private information over the internet and wiring money to someone you don't know. Also, if meeting someone to preview a property, always bring a friend!

Don't forget about utilities

Be sure to factor in the cost of utilities when setting your rental budget. Call the utility companies and with the address, they can usually tell you the billing history of the unit. Keep in mind that sometimes features such as cathedral ceilings, gas fireplaces and being in a historic building can translate to additional heating and cooling costs.

Don't get mixed up with vacation rentals

Make sure you are looking at long term rentals. With the beaches so close and so many people coming here for vacation, there are a lot of short term and weekly rentals thrown in the mix. Be sure it says 12 month lease, especially at the beach! It is common practice for long-term beach rentals to be only for the off season and you have to find a different place to stay during tourist season.

So...now you know what you want, what to look for and what to avoid. The only question left is, "Where do I start?" These are my favorite sites for looking at local rentals. I suggest bookmarking them in a folder so they can be easily accessed on a regular basis. Keep in mind that if you want to live in a specific apartment complex, they usually have their own rental departments and should be contacted directly. Be sure to use any available criteria (bedrooms, pets, price range) to narrow down your search so it's not so overwhelming. Feel free to post your feedback and any new ones that you discover. I'd love to add them to the list for others to use. Best of luck and happy renting!

Atlantic Rental Management

Victory Real Estate

Karen Parkin Real Estate

Penton Properties

Downtown Wilmington Rentals (city site)

Legacy Real Estate

Town and Country Real Estate

Prudential Laney Real Estate

The Biggest Parade of the Year... For Real Estate that is!

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:00:38 -0700

All of the holiday parades are great, you sit on the sidewalk and watch all the entrants go by you. It lasts a few hours and is quite entertaining.

There is another parade that happens once a year, but it actually has entrants that stay in place and all the spectators travel to create the "parade" through each location. This is the Parade of Homes, hosted by the Wilmington Caper Fear Home Builders Association. This year, there are over 40 homes on parade that will be open for viewing for 2 weekends - May 14-15 and May 21-22.

Builders put there all into showcasing homes for these two weekends. The day before the parade, all the entrants are judged and compete for awards in several different categories. Some of these include green building, best feature, best floor plan, best in show, etc.

This yearly event is a way for builders to get the word out about new projects they are working on. It allows them to show off their product, and gain exposure for their brand. Some of the homes on parade already have an owner, or are custom built, while most are available for sale.

These two weekends are fun for the public who like to see new homes as well as buyers looking for the perfect new residence. A fun tour often taken by real estate agents, but actually available to the public also is called"Neighborhoods on Parade" and you take a bus around to participating entrants on May 19 from 7am - 5pm. There's often food, drinks, and prizes throughout the day, and it's a fun way to get through some of the homes. (Tickets are $10 and available through Bryan Sartin at the WCFHBA : 910-799-2611). The real estate community has a ball during these two weeks, as there are many fun events planned to get them into the properties and get them excited so they can spread the word to their buyers.

Around Just Perfect!, we always get excited about this time of year! We love showcasing our client's homes and highlighting their features - not just for buyers to see but the entire community for these two weeks. We have three properties with staging underway for this years Parade of Homes. It is so fun to be able to work with entrants, as we often stage the entire house and can be a little more creative with them (especially custom ones). Our client's have always won awards in the past, and we look forward to the tradition continuing this year. It's inspiring to see all of the parade entrants, and the new things going on in architecture and construction, and the trends in our area for the year.

The Parade of Home's... it's the fashion show of new construction. Don't miss the best parade of the year - you're sure to be inspired. We look forward to seeing you there!

Look for the insert in the Star News and visit the official Parade of Homes website for more details!!

We hope you get to visit our client's properties during the Parade of Homes! :

8550 Jadewood Drive in "The Registry" by Stevens Fine Homes

316 Davis Street in "Davis Street District, Downtown" by Capstone Development and Plantation Building Corp

6432 Castlebrook Way in "Ocean Ridge Plantation" by Sacchetti Constructiion

195 Camelot Way in "The Manor at Mill Creek" by Bill Clark Homes

"It's Madness Baby!"

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 20:05:25 -0700

It’s that time of year, when you can watch basketball pretty much 24 hours a day on four different networks and you never know what to expect. This year has already been crazy with buzzer beaters and huge upsets and we’re only in the second round!

So what does it really take to make it to the final four in Houston?
Hundreds of analysts spend their entire careers calculating the best picks for the NCAA tournament brackets. There are countless factors that are considered, but I think it all boils down to one key ingredient...a great team. One superstar can't carry an entire team the same way that even the most celebrated coaches have off years. Positions and teamwork are the pillars of this game that we all know and love. You have to have players that are the best at their individual positions and have the ability to work together to win games and move on to the next round.

The importance of great individual players and teamwork also applies when trying to sell your house. The same way that great basketball programs have great recruiters, you must take care when choosing the professionals to work with on your "team". Do research. Ask questions. Look up stats and results. Spend the extra time, effort or money to get the best. Your home is your largest asset and if you want to get the most out of it, you need expert players that work together with you as a team to bring home the title!

(Written by Just Perfect! Team Member Rebecca Pirone)

Thinking of Selling Your House the First of The Year? Don’t wait until then to start preparing!

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:44:06 -0800

[This blog was tagging off of my last blog and was November's exerpt for www.Century21Sweyer.com/blog. Again, it's a little late, but could still benefit sellers with Christmas gifts and packing up after Christmas! :) ]

So, last month, I talked about some things to consider when decorating your home for the holidays while it’s for sale. I hope that helped some of you guys. Now, for those of you who haven’t put your house on the market yet, but are planning to the first of the year… let me give you some tips that can make the holiday season and decor work to your advantage!

First of all, your house isn’t for sale yet, so it’s okay for you to go overboard! Go ahead, deck the halls! As you’re doing so, you will usually pack away some of your every-day things during the season to make room for the holiday pieces. This year, as you pack things away, consider whether you really need them on a day to day basis, and the things you don’t, pack separate from the rest. This simple step will already get you started in preparing you home for sale.

Since you’re in the process, consider taking this a step further, and go ahead through your entire house, and look at things you don’t normally pack away for the holidays. Continue thinking the same thing about whether you’ll really need things, or if you could make due without them for several months.

Things you may need, but not often, pack separately also. Label them so that when they go into storage, you can keep them at the front for easy access.

Now you have just done a huge part of the preparation process!

Once the holidays are over, and you’re taking down the greenery and lights… go ahead and also take down any hardware and hooks you have them hung with. Patch the holes, and you’ve just knocked another thing off your list!

When you’re packing your holiday decor - pack it for storage. You might as well go ahead and take care of this now while you’re in the middle of it. You won’t need it for another year, and hopefully you’ll be decorating your new house then!

On your Wish List, consider asking for gift certificates to home improvement stores. These gifts can become an even bigger gift because they’ll help you get your house ready for a quick sale and high return. Paint and painting materials are often needed, things to make any minor repairs that may be required… but here’s my favorite - ask for them to lend you a hand! Do you remember when you were a kid, or if you have kids - them giving gift certificates for a hug, or a day with mom, etc? Something like this from your friends or family would be a great gift idea for you to suggest - then when you’re ready to get down to business with preparing your house for sale in the new year, you can pull them out and call on them - without feeling guilty!

So enjoy the season, and as you’re in the middle of packing things away just consider how you can use this to your advantage. You’ll need to do it eventually anyway. Taking a little extra time now will save a lot of time later.

Holidays for Home Sellers

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:29:10 -0800

This blog was originally written for www.Century21Sweyer.com/blog in October. I'm posting it here a little late, but if I wait until next year, I'd probably forget. :)

The Holidays are Coming! Decorating When Your Home’s For Sale.

Holidays, for most of us, come with decorations. While it varies in scale from minimal to elaborate, the decor is part of the fun.

What about when your home is on the market?
You probably haven’t even thought about doing anything differently. But remember that regardless of what time of year it is, or what celebration you’re having… you are still trying to market your product (your house) to as many people as possible.

How do you do this?
First, you need to prepare yourself for change. Even though the holidays are built upon traditions, adjustments can be made that keep your home show ready while still getting yourself and your family/friends in the holiday spirit. Keeping your home show ready is part of your job as you are working toward your goal of selling your house and moving on to the next chapter of your life. Of course, the meaning behind the holidays will remain no matter what, you can never take that away. It is your beliefs and the people in your life that make them special, not the decorations on the wall.

When your home is on the market, my best recommendation is to decorate for the season, rather than the holiday. By doing this, you will not risk offending anyone that may not believe in the same holidays that you celebrate. For example, decorate for fall rather than Halloween… or decorate for winter rather than Christmas or Hanukkah.

Colors and textures are great.
Take advantage of all the warm tones in fall… the golden yellow, burnt orange, greens, and reds… think of the changing leaves and use that color palette in your decor! Candles, throw pillows, and place settings are easy ways to incorporate the season without breaking the bank. Leaf garland or individual leaves, pinecones, etc. can highlight the decor and help to create a nice autumn atmosphere. (Pier 1 has some great fall decorative items!)

Winter brings with it whites and blues… a little glitz can be added too! I like to use mirrored items and glass to highlight this season. The biggest question we always have is about the tree! Keep in mind - you are trying to make your house appear spacious. So, you don’t want to overpower a room with a large tree. You are also trying to get buyers to look at and fall in love with your house and it’s features, so you don’t want a tree, or any part of your decor for that matter, to steal the show. That being said, a tree can be okay… just be careful not to go overboard with its size, placement or decorations.

Want to know the easiest fix?
You’re already stressed out trying to sell your home - don’t let the holidays add to it even more. If the holiday celebrations are typically hosted at your house, try something different this season. You could either suggest the family take a vacation or visit out-of-town relatives to celebrate the holidays or ask another family member to host the festivities this year. If you love to decorate, offer to help the new host family decorate their home - you could even bring your own decorations if their collection is limited.

One of the most important things to remember is… regardless of what you may think, people do buy homes during the holidays!
Between Halloween and New Year’s Day, 361 properties sold in Wilmington, NC alone.
That’s almost 6 homes a day!

Stay off your agent’s naughty list. Keep your home neat and show ready even through the holidays and you will be more likely to attract those buyers that are still out there!

[Photo Credits: Fall Leaf Garland - Pier 1 Imports; Christmas Interior - Designing Diva Interiors, LLC]

Jessica Pirone is the proud owner of Just Perfect! Home Staging + More, based in Wilmington, NC. She was a 2010 RESA Professional Stager of the Year Finalist, and is the NC + VA Instructor for SAR Home Staging Training Courses.

A leader in the home staging industry, Jessica has changed the face of staging in the real estate industry of Wilmington and surrounding areas, and serves as a partner for real estate agents and home sellers - all working toward the same goal. Selling a home fast and for top dollar!

Learn more about Jessica Pirone and Just Perfect! at www.justperfecthomestaging.com 910.251.7711

Join Just Perfect! on Facebook | Join Jessica's Staging Training on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

Green, Blue, Pink Brown... It's Time to Go!!! : The Importance of Neutral Now.

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:50:33 -0800

Whether it's wall color, floor color, counter-tops, or bathtubs... bold colors, or even muted colors that are out of the ordinary are in need of an overhaul before putting your house on the market.

"I'll Just Give The Buyer An Allowance"
How many times have I heard sellers say they will give the buyer a carpet allowance, a painting allowance, an update allowance... their reasoning is so the buyer can 'get what they want'... but often a subconscious reason is that they'd rather pay fake money (that they don't have yet because the house hasn't closed), than real money (right now).

There are two significant problems with this. First of all, you are not changing anything. 9 out of 10 people can't visualize, which means they can't see potential, and can't easily see beyond what is right there in front of them. So when looking at your home, the colors aren't going to go with anything they have, they really don't like the colors, or they make the room look small. This is all they can see, so they immediately write your house off.

Second, if they can see the potential, chances are, you will still significantly lose out with the offer. Your allowance is usually $5,000 at a minimum... and if the prospect is just putting in an offer, they will likely take off at least $10,000 - $15,000 for the changes they'll need to make. But think about it... on a normal basis, most people don't have work with contractors, and most people don't know off the top of their head how much it really costs to replace carpet, paint, etc. So, the number they throw out to take off an offer is almost always going to be high.

You can paint a room for as little as $50 - $100 if you do it yourself, and to hire someone, you can have it done for as little as $250!!! You can replace carpet for less than $1000 per room in many cases. So does it really make sense to provide an allowance? Would you rather spend a little now, or lose a lot later?

(Notice the carpet in these two photos. The wall color wasn’t changed, but looks completely different because the carpet is no longer reflecting the pink onto the walls.)

"I Don't Really Like It Either, but It Was Here When I Bought The House"
Exactly. Do I really need to say any more here? Just listen to what you are saying! You've lived for 10 years with carpet you hate! Yes, you bought it anyway, and had every intention of changing it... but life happened. You got busy, you didn't want to go through the trouble, you dealt with it, and eventually kind of / sort of got used to it. But none the less you still don't like it, and regardless of your intentions, you never fixed it.

Buyers don't want to go through the trouble either. They see colors that don't suit them, and it equals work that needs to be done. Again, if they do place an offer, it's likely to be lower because they take into account their trouble. However, with so many homes available in every price range for buyers today... most will not even place an offer. They can walk down the street and find a similar house that doesn't require work.

Neutral May Not Be Your Taste, But It Is Important
While neutral isn't everyone's taste, the important thing to remember is that neutral can allow any taste to work with it. You can take any style and bring it into a neutral room, and make it work. While many of us, including myself, prefer color... colors are all individual preference. That's why we love them so much! It reflects something about us, a mood we want to create, our favorite color, something we saw in a magazine and just loved! But regardless, it is us. Friends and family may come to your house and love what you have done, but they are loving it as your house. Just because they think it looks great, doesn't mean they would do it in their own house. Some may, but not all. Also, neutral doesn't have to be beige, but that is definitely the safest route to go. Pure white is not usually the best neutral because it can often feel cold. A light, warm beige, tan, or taupe are good alternatives for wall color; light beige best for carpet, medium toned counter-top in the brown family is most popular; and the one place you do want to use white is on bath tubs and showers unless it will be something tile in which case there are a number of options that will work.

So, if you're selling your house, going ahead and changing out the carpet, paint, etc. is the one of the best recommendations that can be made. This way, you will stay competitive, and will be able to get the higher offers you deserve. Going ahead and making these changes upfront is going to cost you a lot less than leaving it to the buyer at closing. Making your home a neutral palette so that any buyer can move in immediately and feel comfortable is going to bring you a faster sale and higher offers.

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment on the post, or call us directly.

Learn more about Jessica Pirone and Just Perfect! at www.justperfecthomestaging.com 910.251.7711

Join Just Perfect! on Facebook | Join Jessica's Staging Training on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

WILMINGTON, NC REAL ESTATE AGENTS: HURRY & REGISTER to RECEIVE SAVINGS on UPCOMING CE Course!

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:23:47 -0800

Continued Proof That Home Staging Works.

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:15:06 -0700

THE MASONBORO, a Compass Pointe Home on Masonboro Pointe (Leland NC) is the second home we staged in the development. We chose the colors and enjoyed watching construction go up the past few months and at the end of June, we added our 'perfect touch' to it. It was a lot of fun. I love the floorplan and the outdoor living spaces. Leisure Homes is likely to be famous for their outdoor spaces, just as Logan Homes is, that come standard for many of their floor plans and have these amazing sliding glass doors that seem normal when closed, but create a completely new environment when you open all 3 panels up to create airy combination of indoor/outdoor living. I love staging each and every home we do, but for some reason, this one was something special for me. I was inspired by photos my mom brought me from our friends house on 'The Cape'...they'd recently taken a trip. Anyway, the cool serenity of coastal living inspired me. Just Perfect was in between loosing a couple team members and getting new ones, so my mom (awesome as she is!) came up to help after Father's Day, and my sister and Rebecca, our fabulous design associate, and a few others here and there, pulled it out... I loved it, but here's the proof:

I found out today July 30 that this home, which we staged June 28 has already SOLD!!! (and it's over $250,000! which is what seems to sell most around here these days) It will be a leaseback and will remain as a model for the next couple years, so come check it out if you're interested in building a custom home. It's a great floorplan, and while I'm partial to this development, of course you can build it where you'd like! :)

Enjoy the pictures, and REMEMBER STAGING HELPS SELL HOUSES IN A BIG WAY!!!

New Development - Compass Pointe

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:53:53 -0700

If you have not heard of Compass Pointe, it is definitely something you need to check out! A rather amazing new development that is set about 10 minutes across the bridge down 74/76. They had their Swing into Spring event over the weekend, and I don't think they could have asked for better weather. I had been to their sales center downtown (108 Market St) several times and was impressed with the plans...amenities galore. They have separate lanes for golf carts throughout as well as wide sidewalks. I love this - it was always one of my favorite things about Bald Head - carts replacing cars... it would be awesome to see that be the primary transportation within the development. They also have a walking trail around the perimeter, which you are starting to see more now and I am a big fan of!

While I had been to the sales center and thought it was going to be a fantastic community, last weekend's event is the first time I actually saw the property. Wow. The land itself, is absolutely gorgeous. There are creeks throughout, the grass is green as can be, beautifully landscaped already, and water features in place. The gated entrance is up and a few bridges along the way... The weather of course just made it even better. Seriously though, you need to at least go look at this development. I wanted to move there just being out there this weekend. The landscape is not flat either like you see around Wilmington typically. Rolling hills that like I remember running through as a kid. They have a manmade beach too, which is kinda cool. A lot of people felt the same way I did this weekend, as I believe there were over 40 tours given! Several lots were already sold, and even more went over the weekend. There was a lucky winner on day two that won the putt off and earned himself a FREE HOMESITE! It was a great location within the development too. I believe he was local, which is awesome!

I forgot my camera when I was out there, but will definitely shoot some photos to post next time I am there. I also found out I am going to have the opportunity to stage a gorgeous home out there too! So I am excited. In the meantime, check them out at www.compasspointenc.com. My good friend Angela Batchelor is their Realtor Liason and has great information for agents at www.pointesouthnc.blogspot.com

Why Buyers Prefer Staged Listings...

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:06:52 -0700

When speaking with sellers, I always talk to them about how staging their house will benefit them... the truth is, it also benefits buyers, which is why sellers are able to close the house more quickly and for higher offers.

How is it mutually beneficial? Staging ensures buyers that a lot of the work has already been done for them. When a home is staged, repairs and updates are typically recommended and carried out. This means less work for the buyer, and presents them with a home they can move in as-is without being frustrated. Below is an example of a recent home we just worked with. When we first met with the clients, it had a good floor plan, but the homeowner would have alot of work ahead of them to get it where they want it, and many buyers would not be able to see past what it was currently (a home full of wood trim and paneling that was dated). It is amazing what some paint, major cleaning, a few updates, and staging can do! Plus, notes on the home inspection were addressed and taken care of as well.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

Builders are Catching on to Staging!

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:52:58 -0700

I was recently at a Live South Show in Burlington, MA that was full of developments in the south, predominantly NC & SC. I met a few builders/developers there, and had spoken to several back in Wilmington over the past few weeks as well.

The concept of the "Model Home" caught on years ago, and has made a big difference in the world of development and real estate. It really started the technique of adding life, creating warmth and inviting a connection with the home. In the past, most model homes have been decorated by interior designers and decorators. They are always beautiful. However, often times you'll walk in and fall in love with the decor sometimes rather than the house. The decor may not appeal to everyone, but those it does are really taken with it. I have heard people sometimes call back to ask where the furniture is from, and how they can get it, but have no interest in the house and continuing to move forward with that. This raises some issues, and some questions. Also, when these models are photographed, you may think they were for a furniture store if you saw the photo out of context, because again, the decor is what fills the picture and takes your attention.

Home staging, while really catching on in real estate, is something I have recently seen more and more builders really start to seek, understand and utilize. They are realizing they can still achieve the warm inviting atmosphere while keeping focus on the house and it's unique details. It also tends to be more affordable, as they are not having to purchase a lot of expensive furniture and decor outright and upfront. Staging is proving to be flexible for them, as they are able to change the look of each of their homes when they move their model, rather than be limited to the furniture they purchased for the original home (it often may not be the right size or style for the next.) This is really exciting to see the transformation start to take place in this arena, and encourage any realtor/builder/developer to ask questions and learn more.

There is a entire spectrum of possibilities that can work in the favor or the builder/developer that they may not be accustomed to...it's just a matter of keeping an open mind, being willing to change what you're used to always doing, and finding what works for you! Staging could be your answer!

The Not So Good Idea of Renting While Selling...

Jessica Pirone (Just Perfect! Home Staging & More) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 08:36:05 -0800

Hello, I hope you had a fabulous week. I posted this on my company's blog earlier in the week and thought I'd share it here too, as I am sure many of you have run into similar situations in your area. I think it is important we talk to our clients about the implications this could have on their listing... Have you seen much of this? (Note this is more directed toward the home owner than us as stagers)

I spent last weekend looking for a new rental property, as I am planning on moving next month. I have noticed through potential clients or agents that I have worked with that many people have had their home on the market for some time and are starting to decide to rent it while they are trying to sell it to bring in income. As I was house hunting for rentals myself, I was rather astounded by the number of homes that are in this type of situation.

While I completely understand the desire to bring in monthly income, and the stress of carrying costs that a vacant home can put on you, I do not advise this tactic! If you really want to sell your house, this is not the way to go. You hear about staging and de-personalizing and creating warmth and emphasizing space... showing rooms as their normal function, keeping things sparkly clean, eliminating odors, and doing everything you can to give your home "model-home" qualities. These techniques are not just for fun... there are specific reasons for them and they are proven to make your home more attractive to buyers.

When you rent your house, you are throwing all of that down the drain. You cannot control what your renters do, what their furniture looks like, their style is, how tidy they are, how they use the space, or what condition they turn your house into. You do not have any control over the condition the house is in when it has a showing... Do you see where I'm going with this?

You may think it doesn't matter, buyers will understand it is rented, and will be able to see beyond the renter's belongings and the state the property is in. Maybe this could happen, but 9 out of 10 times, that is not going to be the case. If you believe you have to rent it because of the "economy" and the "current market" in real estate... that is understandable. I would recommend going all the way with your decision though and rent it. Take it off the market. Then when you are ready to put it back on the market, you should stop renting it, fix it up, and properly prepare it for sale so it is show ready, 24/7!

Want to do something to help keep your home from just sitting there as an alternative to renting while selling? Try making changes that will make your house MORE marketable and will help it sell faster. Do your research, talk to a home stager in your area, talk to your agent... once you make some changes, then stir up some interest. Do something new, tell everyone to come back and take a second look and see the difference you have made. I hope this helps... please feel free to share comments or ask questions!