Mary Seferian - Montreal's Home Staging Specialist

On The market for a year - staged then sold during the Open House!

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 22:58:19 -0700

Here is my latest project-complete with a happy ending. After buying the property, renovating, waiitng a year and THEN staging, the owner accepted an offer right at the Open House. Some even asked if the home came furnished!

One little tip. If you stage with your inventory, make sure the sofa fits through the front door! Here I had to improvise at the last minute, and recover an older couch, as the Open House was the very next day. No one noticed. As stagers, we are hardest on ourselves.

Wisdom for Wednesday

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 18:31:10 -0700

Just remember: Noah's Ark was built by amateurs. The Titanic was built by professionals.....

Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain IN life or accomplish for yourself. It is what you do for others
-Danny Thomas

We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.
-Winston Churchill

Human Relations

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:52:29 -0700

The six most important words in business: "I admit that I was wrong."
The five most important words in business: "You did a great job."
The four most important words in business: "What do you think?"
The three most important words in business: "Could you please..."
The two most important words in business: "Thank you."
The one most important word in business: "We."

-Jay Conrad Levinson

Words of Wisdom

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Thu, 31 May 2007 22:03:34 -0700

Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you DID NOT do than by the ones you did do. So sail AWAY from safe harbor. Catch the winds in your sails.

Explore.

Dream.

Discover.

-Mark Twain-

College is not the place to go for ideas.

-Helen Keller-

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of someone else

-Benjamin Franklin-

Staging on a Tiny Budget

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Fri, 25 May 2007 09:58:12 -0700

Here we are - further to Jackson's blog, here are a few more examples of working on a tiny budget - of $500 to be exact. No huge changes, but the feel of each room is that there finally is a theme..Check this and see if you agree. Sometimes the challenge in staging is what you can do with the little you are given.

Wasn't it Teresa Meyer that said $500 seems to be the magic number? Hmmm, interesting....

(I know - my picture taking skills could use some work. And a new camera!)

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER - Wasn't allowed to touch that "entertainment unit"

Quotes to Inspire

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Mon, 21 May 2007 14:55:56 -0700

You miss 100% of the shots you never take.

Wayne Gretzky

Quotes to Inspire

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Mon, 21 May 2007 14:48:32 -0700

Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

Helen Keller

Quotes to Inspire

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Fri, 18 May 2007 13:05:34 -0700

You miss 100% of the shots you never take.

Wayne Gretzky

Activerain 1 year anniversary - Canadian friends let's celebrate!

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Wed, 09 May 2007 21:42:33 -0700

OK so most of us are aware that at least 3 celebrations are going on this summer with our friends down south, celebrating Activerain's anniversary. Seatle, Chicago, Orlando, L.A.

Don't you guys think we should get together as well? I would love to go to Orlando or L.A., but what if we could swing it so that we could celebrate on our own home turf? Maybe someone has deals/connections to pass on: flights, somewhere to stay. Maybe we could agree on a middle ground. Some cow pasture in Alberta? Any ideas would be great. Let's dream big, people. This could really happen!

Teaching Children Well

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Tue, 01 May 2007 15:30:26 -0700

This goes out to all the ladies. (Guys are welcome to enjoy it as well)

As Moms, most of us feel guilt about taking time away from our families. Here's a little something that always keeps me going.

The actress Amy Brenneman was depressed about leaving her 5 year old and coming to work. She asked her costar, Tyne Daly, "Why am I here? Why am I even working?" To which Tyne answered:

"Because you need your daughter to witness that women can work with PRIDE and DIGNITY.." That got me through the day, she says.

And me too.

Teaching Children Well

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Tue, 01 May 2007 08:25:03 -0700

This goes out to all the ladies. (Guys are welcome to enjoy it as well)

As Moms, most of us feel guilt about taking time away from our families. Here's a little something that always keeps me going.

The actress Amy Brenneman was depressed about leaving her 5 year old and coming to work. She asked her costar, Tyne Daly, "Why am I here? Why am I even working?" To which Tyne answered:

"Because you need your daughter to witness that women can work with PRIDE and DIGNITY.." That got me through the day, she says.

And me too.

Real Estate Market Stats

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 08:11:38 -0700

Hello fellow Canadians!

I am posting a current blog posted by Teri Clark. She shows stats about the American housing market. I'm sure you'll agree that it is extremely informative. I wonder if anyone out there has stats for us Canadians. This would be helpful for agents and stagers alike. Looking forward to your entries!

http://activerain.com/blogsview/70944/Up-To-Date-Real

Windows XP to Vista

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:18:29 -0700

OK I finally bought myself a laptop, and love it!

But my desktop runs on WIndows XP and has all my files and pictures. I have a flash memory device too. How can I copy all my files and pictures onto my laptop?

If I send them as an email, they don't get accepted by Vista, unless they are "condensed", it says - which they are.

Help - this is taking me forever...

Five Mistakes Sellers Make

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 07:34:49 -0700

Dreading the thought of selling your home with the last minute walk-throughs, inconvenient calls, and sale price adjustments? The difference between a profitable sale and a break-even, miserable experience is often a fine line.

Here are some pitfalls to avoid when selling:

Rushing to Put Your House Up For Sale If you are not serious about selling, do not test the market by listing your property. Indecision will ultimately blow the sale. Transforming a house for sale is an educational process for homeowners, as sellers need to realize, "I no longer live here. We are selling our house." Considering that homes are very likely an owner's single largest investment, why not delay a few extra days, and try to prepare the property for sale.

Not Finding Experts Who Have Experience in Your Area Gone are the days when you decide to sell your home, call the only realtor in town, list it and find a buyer. Compare TMR and The Plateau or Hudson and Laval and you'll quickly discover they are NOT the same.

Failing to Realize the Difference Between A Realtor and A Stager Selling your home is about intricate details and critical decisions ... all of which are never easy. While you simply used to call the only realtor in town to sell your property, times have changed. While Realtors and Homes Stagers work together to maximize the resale value of your home and minimize stress levels along the way, there is a crucial difference in their function.

· Stagers create the look that sells. They transform the home into a marketable house accenting all of its attributes, embellishing the existing furnishings of homeowners with additional furniture, art and accessories where needed.

· Once the home is staged, realtors can best recommend the pricing level, knowing the market that the staged home will now attract. The realtor will assemble all the disclosure information for potential buyers, advertise the property and solicit prospective purchasers. Their networking contacts will generate traffic through the front door who will hopefully be more than impressed by the home atmosphere created by the stager.

As the real estate market begins to moderate in many markets across the country, the need to impress buyers becomes even more crucial. A combination of suggested renovations and modern, tasteful décor is the best way to do that.

An overwhelming majority of people (83 percent) surveyed in the 2006 Royal LePage Home Staging Survey said that they would regard their Realtor's assessment of the home as somewhat or very important. As such, sellers need to impress both potential buyers and Realtors, who are local market experts. This dynamic raises the bar for everyone selling a home.

Refusing to Make Profit Inducing Repairs The 2006 Royal LePage staging survey stated that 58 percent of Canadians only need to look at 10 homes before submitting an offer. It also disclosed that 63 percent of buyers preferred a higher price home that didn't require any renovations over a lower priced fixer-upper. Selling 'as is' always costs more.

The report suggested a cost recovery of up to 5 times the cost of minor improvements incurred in contemplation of the home sale was not uncommon. It is well worth ensuring your home puts its best foot forward before it is listed ... and the staistics prove it:

· Spa-Like Bathrooms give you a 56 percent better return on your renovating dollar over the average return on other popular renovations.

Kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and brushed nickel finishes give you 44 percent better return on investment return
Neutral walls of fresh paint give you a 29 percent better return
Gleaming floors give you a 22 percent better ROI
Fireplaces, especially a nicely designed and efficient gas one, give you an 11 percent better return
Landscaping gives you a 7 percent better return

Refusing to Make Cosmetic Changes The way you live in your home is not the way you sell your home. Beyond completing required renovations, it also holds true that décor improvements help make a strong impact on buyers and ultimately increases a home's market value. People will pay a premium for a home with updated décor, and surprisingly more men than women will pay an additional amount for the trendier home.

People typically have two reactions when entering an unfamiliar home -- they want to see more or they've seen enough. Wowing buyers from the moment they reach the front door is therefore crucial. Holding their interest throughout the kitchen (the most significant room to influence their purchasing decision) and the living room is most essential.

Trying to sell an empty house? Buyer's biggest stumbling block is determining whether the rooms function well. It is difficult to easily comprehend the size of a room and its potential, without furniture and other objects as reference points. An empty room also allows buyers to focus on negative details instead of getting a sense of the use of the overall space and the flow of one room to the next.

Staging therefore gives the buyers the ability to envision themselves living in the space and to determine how their own furnishings can be placed in that environment. By utilizing the knowledge of well-trained real estate professionals and resourceful and talented home stagers, a quick, profitable sale of your home can be anticipated.

What is Home Staging? Decorating, redesigning or renovating your house to sell. Presenting your home in the best possible light to increase the selling price of your home. Mary Seferian is a Professional Home Stager based in Hudson, Quebec called DIVA DÉCOR DESIGN, http://www.divadecordesign.com/. She can be reached at 514-862-7890, or at mary@divadecordesign.com.

Confucius

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 22:05:28 -0700

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart."

Stain cleaning Tip - Bathroom tiles

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 10:59:20 -0800

In case you guys take the staging a little further:

Here's a quick and easy recipe for Mould & mildew stains around the bathtub

I really notice this when I do consultations as I'm sure the potential buyer will too.So either hand the recipe to your client, or roll up your sleeves! (Add the labour cost to your staging fee!)

To remove the mould that grows in the caulking around the bathtub, treat the area with a strong solution of chlorine bleach (2 oz. bleach to 1 c. of water). Use the bleach solution to remove any black mildew stains from the tile grout too. Apply with a stiff brush.

How to Stage Your Home To Sell

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 09:37:11 -0700

We're not just decorating to make a house look pretty. We're decorating to have a house sell quickly and for the highest profit.

GET RID OF CLUTTER - People subconsciously judge the size of a room by how much floor and wall space they can see and how much light is in a room. The more clutter in a room the less floor and wall space and light, and the smaller that room appears to the buyer. People will pay more for extra space. Clutter gives a neglected feel that suggests that the property has been poorly maintained. Don’t just shove your clutter away in a closet to deal with later. Get a head start on packing, and store it or donate it .Clear off counter tops, shelves and all flat surfaces. Clean out and organize storage areas (closets, garage, basement, attic). Buyers will look in every closet. And they should. They’re buying space, and need to see how much storage there is in this property.

FILL UP EMPTY ROOMS - It's hard to understand how large a room is when there's nothing in it as a reference point. The potential buyer can't visualize how furniture will fit in an empty space and if they're unsure, they don't buy. Instead of looking at the flow of one room to another, they ask themselves questions like, "Have they left town? “Why is that wall bumpy?” You want them instead to see how wonderful a space is in front of them. When a room is empty, potential buyers focus on negative details instead of falling in love with the overall space.

CLEAN - If you want it to look like it is well cared for, your home should look and smell wonderfully clean. Hire a good cleaning service then spend at least 15 minutes a day maintaining it. Deep clean kitchens and baths until they shine. Take care of pet or stale cigarette odors that will surely turn buyers away.

REPAIRS – Now is the time. If there are nail holes, or dents in a wall repair them. A home that is well maintained will deserve a higher price. Time to fix leaky faucets, nonfunctional lights and restore fences.

NEUTRALIZE - Remove dated wallpaper, furnishings, linoleum floorings and carpet. Pack up family photos, and personal collectibles. You want buyers to imagine themselves in the home. You want them to fall in love with the idea of living there. People don't buy houses they buy homes. We want a potential buyer to say, 'Wow, this feels like home.'

CURB APPEAL - Pay special attention to the front entrance. Prune trees and shrubs. Put some planters on your front porch. Plant a few flowers in the garden if weather permits. Perhaps set up a small sitting area. Paint the front door and update the hardware, including the front lights.

DECOR - Rearrange existing furniture, lighting, and accessories to highlight the home’s best features, such as fireplaces, and high ceilings. If needed add rented, or purchased furniture, but don’t overdo! Keep it light. Freshen up the walls by painting them in either a neutral color, or maybe a bold color to create cosy and inviting rooms.

Open House day - Add a vase of fresh flowers on your dining room table, turn on lights, open draperies to let the natural light in, put on soft music and get ready for your big day!

STAGED TO SELL - Space

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 08:48:18 -0700

Is this Space big enough for my needs? When a buyer looks for a new house, they are not thinking “I need it to have cream carpets and beige walls” Or “It better smell like like fresh bread and candles” More likely they will be thinking, “Is this space big enough for my needs?” “Is this space good value for my money?” Whether you identify your space as “It has 4 bedrooms”, or “It has 800 sq. feet.” No matter how you look at it…. Space SELLS. If they see a property with rooms full of storage boxes, too many things in the closets, things poking out from under the bed, and doors and passageways blocked by furniture, the potential buyer is going to think that there isn’t enough space. Therefore you must maximize the space you already have.

How many bedrooms? It is a fact that the more bedrooms you have to offer, the better your chances of selling your property. If you use an extra room as an office, think of moving that desk out and create a new bedroom, or guest room. Whether you need it or not, you are trying to appeal to as many people as you can. You can then place your desk in a corner of a larger room, as in the basement

Get stuff off the floor If you can’t see the floor because there are too many things on it, then the room will look and feel smaller than it needs to. The more floor you see, the larger the room will feel

.Edit each room Recently a homeowner had all the furniture lined up against the walls, and windows. We took a walk around. “Do you really need 3 sofas in this room? And all these end tables?” By editing the furniture we freed up both floor and wall space. Suddenly viewers could walk around the room and get to the windows. While you don’t want rooms to look sparse, having furniture lined up around the walls will make the space look small.

Be honest – If you don’t use it, lose It Enough said

Use color to conjure up more space This is a huge subject all of its own, but colour is key to creating the right environment and it has a huge impact on the feeling of space in a property. Very simply darker shades of colours make a space feel smaller and sometimes more cozy, while lighter shades of colours can have the opposite effect. No surprise why people often say 'paint everything cream when you’re selling'. But you don’t have to go to this extreme, and you can end up spoiling a lovely interior by making it look bland and uninteresting by ‘beiging’ out the place.

Mirror mirror on the wall Most hallways and other small or narrow rooms benefit from positioning a mirror on the wall in the narrow part of the room. Not only will the mirror help double the space, it will also increase the light reflected and create a nice focal point too.

Let there be light If your property looks dark, it will also look small. Creating a bright, not glaring, environment will help increase the feeling of space. Get those curtains pulled back, and let the light flood in.

STAGED TO SELL - First Impressions Count

Mary Seferian (DIVA DECOR DESIGN) — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 12:34:29 -0700

When you are first introduced to someone at a party, what’s the first thing that you do? You spend the first 30 seconds having a good look and making a lot of judgments. If that person has, say spinach on their teeth, you will remember THAT long after you forgot what they were saying.

First impressions count and make a big impression on your potential buyer. It can make or break the sale during viewing.Today’s buyer is very different. They have higher expectations. Today’s buyer is also very design savvy, thanks in part to TV makeover shows. In short, you have to do more in preparation to sell your home than you were ever expected to do in the past. Buyers today, quickly sift through properties and will disregard those that don’t interest them.

Home stage before the real estate agent comes around.The Agent knows that a property that is well presented and in good order and is welcoming, is going to be easier to sell. You are relying on them to value it and then sell it. If they think that they are going to have a hard time selling it, then they will price it lower to attract people. And that’s not what you want. Real estate agents would like an easy sell. Make sure you help them help you.

Curb appeal is what gets those buyers interested in your property. Will yours stand out for the right reasons?

Is your front hedge neat and tidy?
Are the flowerbeds bare or flourishing?
Is there an obstacle course? Recycle boxes, kids’ toys?
What about the gutters? Have they been cleaned of all debris?
How does the front of the house look? The windowsills? The front door? Could they use some new paint?

As they stand on the doorstep, are they thinking “I wonder if it’s just as nice inside?” or “I wish I wasn’t wasting my time here. How quickly can I turn around and leave?”

Your Entrance Hallway Although this is one of many rooms that your potential buyer will see, this is the first impression of the interior of the house. This is your first chance to impress them with your décor.

Is it welcoming? Do the lights work?
Is there space to step inside or is it a dumping ground?
What about the décor? Are there fresh flowers, a mirror, or an attractive coat stand? Or are there smelly shoes, umbrellas and a stroller?

First impressions are really important. Make them count.