Stayci's Blog

NH home stagers helping homeowners sell faster with low cost solutions

Stayci Fast (New England Home Staging®) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:01:39 -0500

When you decide to sell, your home becomes a product. Home Staging is the best way to display your product to help buyers envision themselves living in the space. Statistics show that a well displayed home sells faster and for greater profit. Today's savvy, home buyer is looking for quality, style, and a smart investment.

A home that is offered for sale in "AS IS" condition or "un-staged" before selling, will likely get an "AS IS" price in the real estate marketplace.

New England Home Staging uses a variety of merchandising tactics to best present your home. Some of these tactics include:

Creating a neutral color palette on the walls. This helps the Buyer have a neutral backdrop to visualize their décor regardless of their particular style. Color on the wall is a personal preference. We want to leave the personal touches to the Buyer for after they move in because if your choice is not a match for the Buyer, they will not identify with the space as a fit for them.
Enhancing features of the house. This means the actual structure or fixtures such as the fireplace, windows, etc.
Eliminating easy projects. This typically includes updating lighting fixtures and ceiling fans that are over 10 years in age. Also, removing wallpaper and/or borders. (the chances are your Buyer sees it as a project- not a keeper). Removing dated or damaged blinds/window treatments.
Adding ambiance through staging countertops and surfaces with purposeful décor.
Clearing, de-personalizing, and editing out extra household items that are taking up unnecessary space. Vacant spaces lack definition and leave the Buyer disconnected from the emotional quotient they need to identify with the space.

Let us show you how staging can directly impact how well your home is presented within the Massachusetts marketplace. Call1-888-778-NEHS

New England Home Staging®

Stage Your Success:: Start a career in home staging.

Stayci Fast (New England Home Staging®) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:10:14 -0500

Careers
The home staging industry is exploding and now is a great time to make a career change to New England Home Staging. Buying a home is likely to be the largest investment one will make in a lifetime. Regardless of when, everyone thinks about selling their home and maximizing their profits. The need for professional advice from New England Home Staging is in tremendous demand. In addition, the popularity of HGTV and decor magazines continue to drive consumer awareness of the condition of the home. We are experiencing unprecedented growth in all areas of our business.

NEW TRAINING CLASS starting in Oct 2009.

Email your resume to sfast@stagingnewengland.com (no phone calls please)

The home staging business is a high energy, creative, dynamic and at times highly stressful business. Working as a home staging professional involves combining creative ability with extensive business knowledge. Our company is targeted toward continued excellence in the home staging industry.

New England Home Staging is always looking for intelligent, creative, highly motivated, people to join our exciting team. We are currently looking for Advisors in MA, CT, NH (North and West only), RI, ME and VT. Please send resumes to sfast@stagingnewengland.com (no phone calls please!)

Home staging solutions on a budget

Stayci Fast (New England Home Staging®) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:05:57 -0500

With home sellers scrutinizing their budgets for every conceivable way to cut costs and ensure a profit, it’s not surprising that home staging may not rank very high on the list of priorities for home sellers. Yet, it should.

In a sea of foreclosures and media scare tactics; nothing should be left to chance in the effort to connect with prospects. Home staging is one of the few tactics that you can tangibly control to sell faster and for more money.

“When selling your home, the fix-it-projects you want to do the least are likely the most important because

guess what?

Prospective buyers feel the same way you do!”

HOME STAGING STRATEGIES on a BUDGET!!

Exterior clean up is really important because there are plenty of foreclosures on the market with messy yards, unkept landscaping, and that “ packed everything and ran out the door” look. Give your home a clean and inviting look on the outside by implementing these tactics:

- Make sure your sales sign is well-maintained
- Landscaping is clear of dead plants, fallen branches, and trash.
- Leave your porch lights on to shine and invite.
- Sidewalks to door are clean and in good repair. (Check along drive where the plow has scraped the yard)
- Outdoor furniture is clean, organized and arranged in a purposeful manner.
- Porches are swept and free of clutter.
- Paint is in good condition (especially around the entrance)

Today’s decorating style is clean and uncluttered. Here are some tops tips for enhancing the interior:

- Give your home an updated look by taking out some of what’s already there and leaving

some empty space, or by replacing several small accent pieces with one larger piece.

- Freshen wall color- wall color when selling should typically be neutral. If you have a color, it should be appealing to your target audience- not necessarily you.
- Don’t want to remove the old wallpaper? Your buyer doesn’t either :)
- Remove shabby furniture and create intimate spaces with less furniture.

(practice room arrangements with our online room planner)
- Replace old, worn rugs with indoor/outdoor- natural rugs for an inexpensive swap. (check out these options from Ballard Designs, Homegoods has them too!)

- Clear all items from window sills and lighten up window treatments. If you purchase new treatments, save money-avoid valances over panels, buy a natural fiber, neutral color.
- Home décor items should be purposeful, not personal. Personal photos should not be over or on the fireplace mantel. Think of other decor items that can make a statement without telling a story about you.

Other tips:

Evaluate your energy message. Big houses can mean big utility bills. Make sure you highlight any and every energy saver appliance, heating or cooling systems. How does it pay to buy your home? If your home is small- highlight the energy savings of small space- big savings.

Many boilers are being replaced with tankless hot water heaters. Make clever use of odd crannies that are left behind if they are on main floors in the home.

NEED MORE INFORMATION? Visit us online at www.StagingNewEngland.com

Incorporating home staging into your real estate business.

Stayci Fast (New England Home Staging®) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:40:49 -0600

Staging a home before selling is becoming the industry standard in a highly competitive real estate market, and many successful Realtors® are using a home staging "consultation" as a value add to their business.

What is a value add?

Wikipedia states....( it's in the 1^st paragraph J)

Does staging really add value to a house?

National staging statistics taken from Staged Homes ® show that a staged home will sell in less than half the avg. DOM which means:

LESS LISTING TIME = HIGHER OFFER

MORE TIME ON MARKET = LOWER OFFERS

Therefore, statistics show a staged home will sell closer to list price than a non-staged home.

How can incorporating home staging add value to your real estate business?

Offering a staging consultation for your clients (avg $200) can provide you with a tangible service to be taken away if the seller asks for a lower commission.

If a Seller asks you: "What is the difference in your 6% commission vs. your 4% commission", what do you say? Staging can be another way to show value in your business.

FOR EXAMPLE purposes only:

REAL ESTATE AGENT: "At 6% commission, you Mr. Seller get: The fabulous ME, my internet, my company brand, 15 newspaper spots, Realtor®.com, open house once per month, a FREE STAGING CONSULTATION..." etc.

"Will I work for 4%? Well, here's what you WILL NOT get at 4%........(start taking away).

Read Steve Woodruff's Personal Branding: What's Your Value-Add?

A home staging service offering can help with the following:
* Helps secure the listing during your actual presentation by offering the client
an "out of the box" service that will help sell the home faster and for more money. (Are you paying $400+ for a home warranty?? Hmmm)

* Helps secure your client's understanding of the connection between the listing
price and the readiness of their home before market time.

* Gives you the advantage of having a third party critique the home's
condition, keeping your relationship with the Seller in good standing.

* Aides in your marketing of the home by enabling you to better present the home
to the marketplace- which statistically will sell for more money and in less than
half the average DOM than a non-staged home.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: THE SUGGESTION TO YOUR SELLER IS FREE!!

(many times the Seller will happily pay for their own staging!)

Interested in free staging materials to add to your listing presentation?

(New England business owners only)
Our package includes: A brochure for your listing presentation, scripts for presenting staging services to your clients,full color materials.
Call us to hear about the innovative ways we are staging greater success for many Real Estate professionals just like you!

New England Home Staging® ph 1-888-778-NEHS

"Green" rebates for New Hampshire and Massachusetts home builders.

Stayci Fast (New England Home Staging®) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:02:21 -0600

Going green doesn't have to mean expensive new technology forced on home builders. Home builders and consumers are not always in a position to be able to afford trendy, eco-friendly, components. However, the consumer can see the value in a more efficient product and will weigh the benefits of short and long term cost savings. If you build it, will they buy?

The answer still lies in Place, Product, Price.

•Who is your target market? (ah yes, the key to the universe)

The marketing twist: Not only is the 2009 Buyer asking "Why buy from you?"

The 2009 Buyer wants to know, "How does it pay to buy from you?"

Builders can use these rebates to not only "green" their new homes- but also green their own wallets. $$

New Hampshire Summary:
Loan programs: New Hampshire Electric Co-Op's SmartSTART (Savings Through Affordable Retrofit Technologies) Program

Residential Rebate Programs: (From www.Goodtobegreen.com) excellent information on this site!!

Residential Grants: PSNH - Energy Rewards RFP Program

Massachusetts Summary:

Loan programs:

Rebates: There are many! visit the goodtobegreen website page to see the list of 19 programs

Residential Grants:

KeySpan Energy Delivery: Building Practices and Demonstration Program

Yes, I know- alot of (not so fun to read) information however, there are thousands of dollars to be had in rebates for new construction homes so why not take advantage?

Want to get more involved in going green? Be our guest at the next member meeting of Emerging Green Builders of Boston.

If you have any new "green" projects coming up- let us know! You could be featured on a tour by the EGB group.

New England Home Staging® tel:1.888.778.NEHS (6347) www.StagingNewEngland.com

Selling New Construction: Bringing your house to life online.

Stayci Fast (New England Home Staging®) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:02:57 -0600

New England Home Staging® takes staging your home to a whole new level with interactive floor plans.

CLICK TO VIEW CARRIAGE MANOR TOWNHOMES by PEAK DEVELOPMENT CORP. (Make sure you click through the floors and view the little camera icons)

National Assoc. of Home Builders' studies show that now more than ever, buyers look online to weed out which homes they want to see. Our new interactive floor planner offers our clients (Realtors, Builders & Homeowners) another effective way to visually bring their product to life. Engaging the buyer through virtual tours and photos plays a major role in getting them in the door faster and more excited to buy. It's great for any new construction listings.

Once the home is ready to market, the NEHS completed floor planner can be launched directly from any website, buyers browse the detailed floor plan enabling them to measure the space and arrange furniture to confirm the property fits their needs, and view the interior photos, and even set up a showing, ALL IN ONE PLACE!

Who can benefit from the floor planner?

Homesellers who want staging help. Do you have a couple of rooms that need help in furniture placement?
Realtors looking to improve or add virtual tours on their online property listings.
For Sale By Owner marketing
Builders/Developers
Brokers
Vacant properties (after staging of course!)
Real Estate Agent marketing (another value add for your clients!)

What is the cost?

New England Home Staging® offers this floor planner free as part of staging services. Staging services start

at $200. Visit the website for more details

INTERSTED IN MORE INFORMATION email sfast@stagingnewengland.com

Massachusetts Home Staging:: Professional Home Staging Services

Stayci Fast (New England Home Staging®) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:29:12 -0600

VIEW OUR STAGING SUCCESS in Bellingham, MA

Some of the many benefits of using professional home staging services from New England Home Staging.

(ASP certified and trained in 2005 by Christine Rae) Having a real estate background plays a huge role in the success of the company.
We understand the dynamics of the real estate transaction. "Why take down my grandmother's chandelier, it makes the dining room sparkle?"-- We know why!
We understand the process and timing of the home inspection. Why trim those beautiful shrubs back from the house? We know why. Why not empty the house prior to the inspection? We know why.
We respect and understand the importance of client confidentiality. We understand the fiduciary responsibility of a Buyer/Seller agent including client confidentiality. Although we do not have a legal fiduciary responsibilty, our NEHS Advisors understand the confidentiality responsibilty of a licensed real estate sales person.
NEHS Advisors always work to honor and support the Real Estate Agent. We do not talk about price with home sellers. We always recommend using a professional real estate agent to market the property.
We know how to merchandise to a targeted market. Fist time, 1st move up, transitional, active adult, etc. We stage based on buyer types.
We have marketing services for Builders.No matter how excellent the product, there are certain things one must do to realize their market potential. Together with NEHS, builders utilizing our Stage Your SuccessTM program can expect to define their position in the marketplace through brand building and creative marketing solutions.

"Why Is My House Not Selling?" Answer our questionnaire and find recommendations on how to sell faster and for greater profit. Call us at 1-888-778- NEHS or e-mail at info@StagingNewEngland.com

Home Staging in New Hampshire still going strong in the 2009 market!

Stayci Fast (New England Home Staging®) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:15:40 -0600

A great thing about selling in a slow, tumultuous, snowy, cold, real estate market in New England is that home sellers can assume the buyers looking at homes are serious about purchasing. As a service provider in the real estate market, we went into January with high hopes and anxiety about the 2009 market. Our clients whom staged their homes in January continued to show strong results, each going under agreement right away, consistently beating the average DOM in their market. View success stories

What is the staging difference and does it really matter in a slow market?

VIEW this MLS listing BEFORE staging on the market 122 days, getting showings yet no offers (prime staging candidate!!)

VIEW this same MLS listing AFTER staging This house is UNDER AGREEMENT from the first showing after staging!! Yes this is real estate market January 2009!

If you have a listing or a home for sale that is getting showings yet no offers, you have the perfect home staging candidate. Every showing you receive is an opportunity for a sale. Trust us, the tire kickers are home shoveling the driveway, they are not out looking at homes right now. Buyers in 2009 mean business!

Regardless of market conditions, when you decide to sell, your home becomes a product. Staging is the best way to display your product to help buyers identify with the lifestyle your house represents. Statistics show that a well displayed home sells faster and for greater profit. Today's savvy buyer is looking for quality, style, and a smart investment. A home that is offered for sale in "AS IS" condition or "un-staged" before selling, will likely get an "AS IS" price in the marketplace. If you are selling a home without staging then you can consider yourself in the "as-is" marketplace where unfortunately, many of the homes in New Hampshire for sale are foreclosures or bank owned homes in NH.

Especially for Builders, you are off to a rough start if you have a peice of raw land and are asking your real estate agent what you should build. Few small to mid-sized builders understand the role of marketing in new home sales. Construction competence, while necessary for a strong product, is not enough to ensure sales. If you produce quality however find your sales disappointing, chances are you are lacking an effective marketing force. We're not talking about simply hiring the right real estate professional- rather employing a team that together will define your position in the marketplace through brand building and creative marketing solutions.

If you would like more information on home staging or marketing solutions for new homes, CALL New England Home Staging at 1-888-778-NEHS

How to avoid the "Nice House Syndrome"- Home Staging Strategies

Stayci Fast (New England Home Staging®) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:13:31 -0500

The room in these photos is a great example of how we live in our home differs from how we must market and sell our home. This is a formal dining room which needed to be defined as such.

Before After

The "Nice Home Syndrome" is what we at New England Home Staging call it when your home gets showing activity, the Buyer feedback states " Nice House, we're going to keep it on our list and think about it", yet they leave and you never hear from them again. We find this is the most common syndrome in our long list of clients needed some fine tuning. These Sellers have decluttered and depersonalized, they have repaired and conditioned yet still they find themselves without an offer on their home.

How can you improve your home based on the feedback if the Buyer never has any negative remarks or constructive criticism?? Here are a few of the tactics we use to bring quick, inexpensive, solutions to this common dilemma;

Spatially define each room by the room's original purpose. (Using a pool table in the dining room is great if you are not selling, but when selling- we need to see a dining room setting.)
Know the demography of your Buyer. What will likely be their age, their style, their likes and dislikes? Playing up to their "likes" will surely help them identify with the home. This creates an emotional connection. We have a secret strategy for mastering this. :)
Keep small projects to a MINIMUM. What may be tiny things here and there, add up to " Let's keep it on the list and maybe come back to it after we've seen a few other homes"
Pay CLOSE attention to the last area the Buyer will likely see in the home. This is typically the basement. Often times we make the upstairs fabulous but leave the basement as a dumping ground. First impressions are important but, create a lasting impression by making the basement, or the last area the Buyer sees, complimentary to the best parts of the house.

Give us a call to find out how you can move from the "nice house syndrome" to SOLD. 1-888-778-NEHS

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