Kate's Blog

Ideas for Stagers (and Realtors)

2008-02-27T21:30:07Z

We just completed a successful certification course last week and I'm starting to get a few ideas to help those in the area bring in more business. Maybe these will work for you!

Start offering realtors a one hour staging consultation for free - sometimes you have to bite the bullet to establish a baseline of clients...but if you go in with a checklist to hand to the home seller, chances are, they'll call you back to help them, after all, your personality and attitude is 95% of why people want to work with you!

Make sure you take before and afters and find that niche for helping in MLS photography - I charge $85 for that, and if they want a CD with great shots, that's another $100 - the CDs can be given to both the seller and realtor to use in MSL listings, flyers, etc. Offer "Do It Yourself Kits" - most of them really have to be tailored to each home seller, but grab a big bucket and fill it with things like all purpose cleaner and other cleaning items, a checklist, spackle and tools, a paint can and supplies, lightbulbs, an "Open House" arrangement (such as candles, candies, and other goodies specifically for an open house) Put a photo of it on your website and in your emails, as well as on Active Rain.

March madness!

In between the seasons in your home? Getting spring fever? Now is a great time to do some spring cleaning inside and outside your home! From organization to bringing a fresh new look - let us help! You can get one free room redesign valued up to $300! Ask us for details! Offer expires 31 Mar 2008.

Other special offers:

"Reveal Parties" - When you ReDesign your home, you'll want to show it off to all your friends and family! Let them in on the surprise! You can receive merchandise valued over $300 for hosting a "Reveal Party!"

"Refer A Friend!" receive gifts, gift certificates or discounts when you refer a paying client! (Referral Program Bonuses vary)

Surprise a friend or loved one with a "Surprise Room Makeover!" A great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, college dorm rooms or anytime!

Gift Certificates - an absolutely perfect gift for the busy professional, moms, families, friends and neighbors - for any occasion! Gift certificates can be purchased for:

•· Organization Services - let us take care of organizing and de-cluttering!

•· Event or Party prep - we can get your home ready for your guests!

•· Room ReDesign - one, two or whole house - we'll transform rooms into welcoming and relaxing environments!

•· Newlyweds? A perfect gift! We'll get their new home ready - specializing in combining "his and hers" into their new home!

•· New neighbor? A wonderful way to welcome them to the neighborhood with a gift certificate to help them organize their furnishings and decor in their new home! We can help work existing furnishings and accessories into new living spaces for that truly "welcome home" feeling.

•· Home Staging - have a neighbor or friend who has difficulty getting their home to sell? We can help! From Do It Yourself Kits to whole home staging - we can make it ready for open houses or daily showings! Before reducing the sales price, let us stage and photograph it for MLS listings.

Mini Classes - Host a mini class and learn the basic principles of making your home work for you! We'll teach you the basics of coordinating color, placing accessories, and much more! At $95 per person, this is a great way to learn easy ways to bring great design to your own home while saving money. Discounts apply for groups of 10 or more.

Uppercase Living Words to live by for the homes we live in. Words inspire. They educate, express, or entertain. From a syllable to a sonnet, the right expression touches us deeply, makes us happier, more informed, and even leads us toward a better life. Uppercase Living brings the incredible expressiveness of words into homes, transforming them into more wonderful places to live. Become a customer or demonstrator enter consultant ID# 685214 and token "SimplyBeautiful"

Simply Beautiful Spaces, LLC
Stafford, Virginia
info@simplybeautifulspaces.com

Valentine's Idea, Special Offers and New Services

2008-01-31T12:07:32Z

Can you believe it! Valentine's Day is just around the corner... here's a tried and true idea that will be a memorable one, and the effort is worth much appreciation. In celebration of love and all it stands for, create a special welcome home for your loved one! Turn your bedroom and bathroom into a romantic suite! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Set the mood with music - a collection of favorite songs from when you first met... the ones that spoke to your heart... I'm not sure "Baby's Got Back" is considered romantic, but to each their own.
Use candles - nothing is more beautiful than a warmly lit room, and most of us appreciate not having our (insert flaw here) brightly lit. Another great solution is to use battery operated candles....safe and dependable.
Write a love letter - a recollection of fond memories, the reasons why you are in love, endearing anecdotes ... it doesn't have to be a long letter to be a special letter... but saying "I love you because you make great queso and let me watch football" should be combined with "and you are a wonderful and caring person and I am at my happiest when I'm with you."
Have a chilled bottle of wine or champagne readied in the bedroom (or beer, love means different things to different people)
If you do not want to use candles and cannot dim the lights, use a sheer scarf or sheer piece of fabric over a lamp shade. Use caution to ensure the fabric does not melt onto the lightbulb - else that will surely make this an unforgettably hot night.
Make a bubble bath - to ensure it stays warm and full of bubbles longer, fill the tub half way with really hot water while adding bubble bath and glycerine (the glycerine helps bubbles stay longer and is good for the skin). Right before you're ready to get in, fill the rest of the tub with a little more bubblebath and warm or cooler water until it's at the right temperature. Encircle the tub with candles too.
Flowers! Absolutely! And sprinkling rose petals on the bed covers and in the bath is not cheesy...even if you drink beer in celebration of your love.

These are just a few ideas. If you need more ideas or if you want to suprise your loved one with a complete room makeover - send an email to kate@simplybeautifulspaces.com and receive 10% off the entire redesign through the end of February.

Many people have asked where they can find great items for their homes. Whether solar lighting, smart home solutions, or great furnishings, flooring and window treatments, we've included easy to locate links to a variety of great companies, most all of them are offering specials. When you visit our Special Offers page you will find great ideas from us as well as links to our sponsored companies.

We are now offering free In-Home estimates. Some of the people we meet simply want find out what services for their homes will cost. We will gladly visit in the home, enabling us to walk through and determine costs to achieve what the home owner needs and wants. For more information, please visit http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/ and click on "Pricing."

And as always, we value you, you feedback and your support. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our services and have you to thank for helping us along the way! I look forward to hearing from you soon! Sincerely, Kate

Not Staging to Sell, Rather, Preparing to Sell.

2008-01-25T12:52:34Z

Not Staging to Sell, Rather, Preparing to Sell.

I usually try to write a couple of helpful articles a month, but with a hectic schedule right after the holidays, I am a bit behind. I have been inspired to write about preparing a home to sell, and many home staging professionals may get a little bent about this post, but coming from a frugal background and common sense, I felt compelled to write a piece designed to help people see home selling from a new perspective.

This is where many Home Stagers could "re-market" what staging really is. Too many "lay people" think that staging is just making a house pretty. What they don't realize is that there is much more to it. Marketing your skills towards "Preparing your home for sale" may help sellers realize that staging is not simply a word that has become synonomous with rearranging furniture - We all know there is much more to it.

The market is tight and I don't blame home sellers one iota for not wanting to hire someone to come in and "stage" their home for selling. It's a cost that many people just don't want to take on, especially if they are paying two mortgages. It's one thing to make a house pretty with flowers and moving furniture in, but there's a different consideration to make when trying to sell a home that is full of stuff or a home that is in need of repair. Now, I'm not saying "in need of updating and remodeling" just in need of critical repair.

Selling is tough, but selling a home with signs of leaks, broken fixtures, and drafty windows is nearly impossible. Selling a home with a family's lifetime collection of "stuff" is equally as difficult.

What a home seller should consider is having a professional come in and conduct an assessment of what can be done to help sell the home without adding on unnecessary expenses. Two or Three hours of time along with a professional who takes a "buyer's perspective" will be well worth the small fee.

If I were trying to sell my home in the current market, I would certainly invest $300 or less to have someone provide a consultation. The professional should be very helpful and create a comprehensive list of items that need minor to major repairs or replacement (such as rotted toilet seats.) The professional should also be very direct and clear on what is needed. Having someone compliment the seller's home and be agreeable is nice, but doesn't help a seller at all. Sellers need an honest assessment from someone who is direct and efficient. In many cases, the recommendations can be taken care of on a "Do It Yourself" basis, saving money.

So, if you or someone you know needs a professional to provide an assessment and consultation to help sell a home, give me a call at 540-630-4074 or email kate@simplybeautifulspaces.com

Let me know what you think!

News and Events!

2008-01-20T20:22:17Z

What a great start to the New Year! I hope you are enjoying it so far, despite the crazy weather we've experienced! It's always nice to be recognized for the hard work we do, from testimonials to the smiles and comments we get before and after our efforts. It's also nice to be recognized by inspiring shows such as HGTV! Now, we haven't made it big...yet, but having an idea featured in Camille's Blog was certainly nice! http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/crafts/archives/2008/01/your_great_holi.html

We're looking forward to being featured Chesapeake Home Magazine's Jun/Jul edition too!

For those of you who are checking our design portfolio - current projects - we'll be completing most those projects at the end of this month and into February! We have more new projects taking place - so check back often for updates and new design inspirations for your own home! http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/

Don't forget - we're working with the All About Redesign in bringing a training and certification course to Stafford! Check out http://www.allaboutredesign.com/ and click on "Traveling Workshop" or http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/ to learn more. I have to tell you - if it weren't for Julie, I wouldn't have been as inspired or excited to start this business!

Coming in March - mini classes will be offered to those who like "DIY" but need a few tips and hints to get them inspired and ready to work in their own home! If you or someone you know is looking for a great way to have face to face time with me to ask questions and get help with some decorating ideas, this is a great opportunity! If you'd like more information or want to suggest a specific topic, send me an email! I'd love to hear from you.

Since Simply Beautiful Spaces, LLC is celebrating it's first six months of successful design efforts, we want to extend our thanks to the people who have supported us and cheered us on! For our loyal friends and customers, we're offering a free one hour consultation - contact us to set up an appointment - we can help you choose paint colors, artwork, or design ideas for your home!

Training Opportunity!

2008-01-11T15:46:25Z

Realtors looking for an edge or looking to expand their business - this is an excellent opportunity!

Professional Training in the Arts of Interior Redesign and
Home Staging is coming to
Stafford, Virginia February 20-22, 2008!
(click link to find out more)

Learn the basics of Interior Redesign and Home Staging with our Three Day Traveling
workshop training program. Serving the entire United States!
Free Tools of The Trade Kit Included With Every Class.
Certificate of Certification Awarded!

Upon completion you will be ready to begin your own Interior Redesign and Home
Staging transformations armed with the knowledge and tools to become quite
successful!

Check availability, classes fill quickly!

Three days is all that is needed to complete training and become a professional
Staging.

Come join us and learn all about redesign and home
staging! This fast paced workshop has students moving furniture and
redesigning rooms the very first afternoon. It is an extremely hands-on training
seminar which combines morning lecture with actual in home practice. This
three day professional workshop includes a minimum of FIVE hands-on interior
redesign/home staging projects. The before and after room photos are always a
terrific addition to each members new portfolio.

There is also actual client contact during the workshop, which enables students
to participate in the always exciting room reveal. This contact is essential for a
successful learning experience. Students are given the opportunity to observe
client interaction and gain the experience and confidence needed to succeed.

Some of the topics covered are:

Professional Standards

How to Find Clients

Initial Client Contact

Gaining Credibility Quickly

Contracts vs. Proposals

Pricing Services

Follow Up and Referrals

Important Business Affiliations,

'Sweet 16' Proven Marketing Strategies

Marketing Tips (70+ very affordable)

Wholesale...How and Where

Writing a Business Plan,

Taxes and insurance.

Upon completion of the workshop, new members receive a designation
certificate, and a FREE ONE YEAR POSTING on our national website. Ongoing
assistance is also provided so new members will never feel alone.

In addition, all members become eligible to join the Interior Design Society,
gaining additional credibility for their new businesses.

Please check availability as classes are strictly limited to six new members and fill
quickly.

A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to secure your place in the
workshop. The remaining tuition due two weeks prior to class date.
Tuition and deposit 100% refundable in the event the workshop cancels.
*Refunds may be applied to future workshops or online training.

To sign up for this course you may go to AARC or for any other
information please call toll free 1-877-826-9719 or send an email
mailto:info@allaboutredesign.com

Simply Beautiful Spaces, LLC
Stafford, Virginia
info@simplybeautifulspaces.com

The course includes:
The AARC illustrated 100+ Page
Training Manual

Business Plan Sample

Tool Kit

Decorating Assistant Kit

Color Tools

Form Templates

Get over the blah

2008-01-11T13:31:39Z

Winter! Oh the splendor of snow, fireside gatherings and good hair days! By now, we all should have our Christmas and Holiday decorations packed away, well, except for those who traditionally leave their Christmas lights up all year ‘round. If you're like us, this is the time of year that the house looks somewhat "blah." We spent pre-holiday weekends decorating, rearranging furniture so the tree will fit, and filling the house with years of collected ornaments. Now that everything is gone, it's well... b o r i n g.

You may have taken advantage of post holiday sales and brought new pieces in to "fill the void." While that is okay, there's a less expensive way to satisfy your need for change and bring joy back into your home. Look around, up and down, in each room. Take some things off your wall, a chair out of the dining room corner, or a couple of throw pillows and exchange them with items in your bedroom, move your artwork around, exchange end tables with bedside stands. What? You say the furniture doesn't match? Who says it has to? Latest trends in decorating is to "mix it up" be eclectic, be unique.

Another idea - paint one wall. Just one. Make it the focal point wall, say the one the fireplace is on, or the one your headboard parallels. Take it two shades darker than the existing wall color. Feeling bold? Paint the wall a rich tone in a complimentary hue. You say your walls are white??!?! Go for the one wall anyway. It makes a huge difference!

And, as always, if you need help just ask! We'll be happy to answer questions, give suggestions and recommendations and come visit you! Kate http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/

Reducing Stress Through Your Environment

2007-12-17T15:55:22Z

Good morning! Just passing on great information I created for the Stress Reduction seminar!

News and Events

2007-12-10T10:12:21Z

Good Morning! Just 14 more days until Christmas! We're very excited and our biggest wish is for a white Christmas!

I just wanted to pass on some latest updates on the Candlelight Tour of Homes, our invitation to the Washington Hospital Center, and thank all of our greatest clients and supporters. We've been invited to the Washington Hospital Center 's "Stress Reduction" Open House on December 13th! Our presentation topic is "Reducing Stress Through Your Environment" and we will cover the aspects of your home as a retreat, how color and clutter affects mood and well-being, and the cost benefits of hiring a professional to organize, redesign or shop for you and your home. This is part of NBC4's "Weigh to Lose" challenge and the last in the series.

For more News and Events click here

Also - the February Training Class is filling up quickly! Please go to http://www.allaboutredesign.com/ for more information on the traveling workshop.

The HFFI Candlelight Tour of Homes was a great success for us and a huge thanks goes to everyone who visited our home at Maury Commons. We created a nine foot Christmas tree out of 20 pounds of "fluff" and wreaths out of gift boxes. Of course, as many of you know, this was the biggest staging and decorating project we've had, as the home was literally a stage! We started off with absolutely nothing in the condominium and I just wanted to let you all know that we could not have been as successful if Gallahan's had not loaned us all the exquisite furnishings. It was unfortunate, however, that someone had taken some of the items, and I hope that they are able to feed their family with the topaz tapestry throw and the "Why" "Not" pillows. We're busy with new clients, but not too busy to help you with last minute Holiday decorating, so if you need help, let us know! As always, thank you for your support, allowing us to "play" in your homes and for your referrals!

God Bless and warmest Christmas wishes! Kate Kathryn Koch http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/

My biggest Staging Project

2007-12-07T07:28:33Z

It's literally a Stage! I was selected to decorate for the 37th Annual Tour of Homes - how exciting. When I first saw my "home" I got excited and a little worried. First of all, there wasn't a home owner, as typical with Tour of Homes - you get occupied homes with families that have furnishings and Christmas decor from which you can add to.

Secondly, this "home" was previously the auditorium and stage for the former Maury School in Fredericksburg, VA. Here's what it looked like when I first saw it:

So we decided we must first make it look like a home... um... what design? It kinda looks like a loft, but with the antique auditorium chairs having to stay in the unit per the Historical Society, we had VERY limited space in which to work. (Whoever buys the unit gets to donate, keep or sell the seating)

I called Gallahans of Fredericksburg - I needed really cool furnishings, art and decor for this space. They loaded up their trucks and came to my rescue... here are the results:

Oh, and for the Christmas Tour of Homes? Here's a sneak peek - we can't put all the photos out yet - the Tour of Homes is this weekend! I will tell you - since our budget was VERY limited (only $500 to do the entire unit) -we made the tree out of pillow stuffing - eight feet of fluff! We're going to take it down with a shop vac. I'll post better and more photos later and on my website: www.simplybeautifulspaces.com

Happy Holidays!

no zebras were injured for this project.

Holiday Greetings!

2007-12-05T04:41:34Z

Happy Holidays Ya'll!

As with most people, I've been busy sending out Christmas cards, quickly unboxing and wrapping presents that arrive on my doorstep, getting the house all decorated for the holidays, planning the menus for parties and sleeping arrangements for guests, attending various cookie and ornament exchange parties, helping with school holiday parties, vacuuming needles and broken ornaments off the floor from cat shenanegans, deciding if the traditional fruit cake recipe my parents created should be introduced to my family this year, making 2008 calendars for our relatives so they ALL can have pictures of the kids, answering calls to relatives as to what size my four children wear, trying to convince them that it would be better to send a book than to try and buy them clothes (remember when you're distant aunts bought you clothes?). WHEW! Did I get it all? Oh, wait, still have to take care of the daily activities and work.... there.

I think I know why the liquor we're saving for the Christmas party is looking mighty tempting!

This IS actually my favorite time of the year - my children are really behaving these days - perhaps it's years of telling them Santa won't visit if they're bad and their fear of getting coal in their stockings (yes, I really did that one year...hee hee hee!). But I love this time of year because we all get excited about the "first snow of the season" and we hope for a white Christmas each year, the carols and bells you can hear almost anywhere you go, the smiles and warm greetings from other's (they have the Christmas spirit or perhaps they've been dipping into the 'nog too), the candlelight services at church and all the events and gatherings and everything we celebrate - this is, by far, the best part of the year.

Merry Christmas!

Kate

www.simplybeautifulspaces.com

Remodeling to Sell?

2007-11-04T10:55:59Z

I recently watched a segment on the NBC Today Show about remodeling to sell. It made me think about our remodeling experiences. We remodel not to sell, but to improve our home for ourselves. With the real estate market being in a lull, many people are updating kitchens and baths - a great decision to help them sell, but my question is - Why Wait? Many statistics show the return on investment for home improvements are more than 100% for kitchens and baths, but what are these statistics based on? Previous year or current year home sales?

I say to homeowners - if you plan on remodeling in order to sell your home in the future - do it now and enjoy your new living environment! Put in the new floors, update the kitchen and bath with a new look - save "remodeling to sell" for new paint, minor fixes and new carpeting. You'll enjoy it much more - let's face it - selling a home is a huge stressor. Remodeling on top of trying to sell? Can someone pass the Zanax?

What do you think? Share your perspectives for all of us to consider!

Kate

Owner, Simply Beautiful Spaces, LLC

www.simplybeautifulspaces.com

p.s. If you're wanting to update your lhome without remodeling, consider a ReDesign! Contact kate@simplybeautifulspaces.com for more information.

Great News!

2007-10-07T11:38:32Z

Simply Beautiful Spaces http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/

Great News! We've been selected by the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation for the 37th Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes on December 8th and 9th.

Our "Home" is located at 900 Barton Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia. Formerly the Maury School, the newly renovated Maury Commons is the location of this year's HFFI gift shop and the condominium unit we've been selected to design for the tour of homes. Our unit was formerly the school auditorium and has been transformed into a unique and elegant loft style condominium, boasting 2500 square feet of open living space, 25 foot ceilings and gorgeous hardwood. We are working with the owners, Edwin Gaskin, Jeremy Connell (Jeremy's home was featured in Southern Living, Sep 07), David Clark of The TRENT Corporation, and Hunter and Peggy Scott, www.hunterandpeggy.com

We are going to have so much fun creatiing an artful and elegant Christmas theme for this home! You can't miss this event! For more information on the HFFI Candlelight Tour of Homes please visit The Historic Fredericksburg Foundation

Stop! Do not remodel until you read this!

2007-08-21T13:21:30Z

Many homeowners have decided to take out home equity lines of credit to finance remodeling in their homes. There are many benefits to remodeling and upgrading homes and I encourage it! But recently I found myself in the home of a family frantically trying to get a basement turned into a mother-in-law suite with a limited budget. They called many contractors who would each glady come out and dig holes or do anything the homeowner would ask of them for less than most other contractors. Many people go that route and have no issues. However, when the contractor asks the home-owner to obtain the permit - it's a red flag moment.

In Virginia, all contractors have to be licensed, bonded and insured. Most companies will get permits for the work they perform for a nominal fee. If a contractor asks the owner to get the permit, usually it's because the contractor cannot obtain one, which means they are not licensed and probably aren't bonded and insured either. When the owner gets the permit, the owner becomes the "employer" and is responsible for all damages, personal injury and building issues which are not up to code. If the contractor drills a hole in his hand, the homeowner is liable. If the building falls down, the homeowner is liable, not the contractor.

But many times, homeowners are very trusting, or simply want to save money. That's great. But if a project is done on a home and violates state building codes, the homeowner will be left with reconciling those deficiencies or violations when it comes to selling their home. My advice is to do it right - even if it costs a bit more up front.

What do you think? Agree, disagree or have additonal comments?

If you want to remodel and you're not sure how to convey your ideas to a contractor and need someone to help you in the process, visit http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/ and we'll help!

Paint Psychology

2007-08-10T13:52:51Z

It's just paint. That's what I found myself telling my husband and our contractor when I told them I wanted the ceiling of our billiards room painted a deep amber. Well, I wanted deep oranges, reds and purples in the paint scheme as well - I could understand their fear, their uncertainty, and their flabbergasted expressions when I put my foot down.

It is just paint. I find myself telling my clients the same. Paint is the most inexpensive, yet the most impacting element of any room. It brings textiles and accessories together, as if they always belonged. It sets the mood. It is the single most difficult decision for many people. They're great at finding beautiful furnishings and they do quite well in selecting different colored candles and cool accents.

Why, then, are they afraid of paint? Perhaps it's not the paint - maybe it's the prep work (which is the biggest pain in the rear). Maybe it's the fear of failure. Perhaps it's shock value - when a color goes on a white wall, self-doubt takes over - get over it and finish the wall, you'll be glad you did.

Whatever the case, it is just paint. If it doesn't work, you paint over it. If you don't like to paint, you hire someone. If you don't have a clue which paint works best in each room, here are just a few tips:

Think of your favorite color - if it's red, starte with painting just ONE wall red, preferably the focal point wall. Make sure you paint the adjacent walls a complimentary color, such as beiges or browns.

Think of whether you're a beach lover or a woodland lover - these indicate whether earth tones or lighter tones will work best for you.

When you're in a paint store, pick a color. There are two rules to picking the coordinating colors: up the family or across. Never pick colors in muted tones and expect them to work with vibrant tones.

When I work with clients, I tell them to make sure each room "flows." In easiest terms, that simply means that each room should have the same element of color - whether it's paint, fabric/textiles or accessories.

Cant' visualize your room full of paint? Go to Sherwin-Williams.com or BenjaminMoore.com - both have virtual color tools actually help you see what your room can look like in the colors you choose.

Still can't get it? We'll help. http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/ or http://www.allaboutredesign.com/ By the way, here is that orange and puple billiards room, just in case you were curious -

Kate

False Advertising

2007-08-08T17:38:55Z

My home is my canvas. With that said, I have to tell you that each time I start a new project, I can't help but think about the condition it was in when my husband and I first looked at it, and then the condition is was in when the owners moved out. The home was only four years old, so one would expect it to be in fairly good repair and free of most wear and tear you'd see in older homes. And initially, it appeared to be in great condition.

However, it turned out that the previous owners weren't into spending money on regular maintenance and annual plans... such as pest control, or ....air conditioning and maintenance. Having ants come marching in day after day and the AC breaking down within two weeks of closing, tells me that the previous owners were all about quick fixes.

As if that weren't bad enough, the owners also listed certain big items (a hottub, for example) for sale with the home and then either took them or gave them away. The fact that we had to clean out toothpaste and body hair from bathroom drawers and repaint or tear down wallpaper from the entire first floor added a new element to home buying. No big deal, right? Well, when they listed the home, instead of doing a great job of painting or cleaning, they simply painted or wallpapered around existing furniture... I'm not kidding.

The lesson I learned is to look more closely at each room and each space and ensure defects are listed on the inspection form for negotiating with the seller.

Items listed as part of the sale had better be part of the sale.

It's been three years since we bought the home. The previous owners still live in the state - and although I did not know them, I hold them in low regard. It leaves a bad impression.

So, the point to all this is this - Make your home welcoming, even if you are selling it. Don't deliberately hide broken wood flooring under rugs, don't simply paint over a leaking ceiling that is in need of repair, and never list items as "conveys" when you have no intention of leaving them with the home.

If you do not have the time nor energy to make your home a great for the next owner - contact a professional to help. If you are moving into a home previously owned by someone who "put on a great facade" call a professional to help - it costs less than therapy.

www.SimplyBeautifulSpaces.com can get you the professional help you need!

Photographing homes

2007-08-03T07:53:22Z

As we all know, home sales are slow these days. I recently went to a home with a realtor friend of mine to assist her with taking photos to list online for the property. I simply could not just let her point and shoot... there were packing boxes, left over food items and dirty dishes on the counter. In just a few moments of time, we straightened up the area, moved some houseplants around and took great photos.

As someone who has bought or rented more than 15 homes over the past twenty years (military moves) I can tell you that one of the first things I always do is go online to browse listings. We all know we want the houses we are selling to appeal to the largest group of potential buyers, right? Why limit the opportunity with online photos of great homes that just don't look great?

I often ask my realtor friends NOT to post photos until they've had a opportunity to get really great and appealing shots. I know it's difficult due to having to get the photos up for active listings. So here are some tips:

When you first meet the home seller, tell them that you will be coming in to take photos of the house and ask them to de-clutter the main rooms (kitchen, family, master bedroom, master bath) and remove clutter from around the outside of the home.

If it's not possible to take photos before they start packing and taking furniture out, ask them if they can start their packing and cleaning of the main rooms first.

Use some of the items (houseplants, etc) in each room to give it a more appealing look in the photo.

Stand high and level when shooting - too much ceiling or too much floor detracts from the photo.

If time and client participation is not on your side - contact a professional home stager! Simply Beautiful Spaces has the time and talent you need to make the best sale. www.simplybeautifulspaces.com