Selling your home can be a source of stress even in the best of conditions. Selling your home in New England during the peak, snowy, winter months? Forgetaboutit!

Kids out of school, salt and sand on every surface, boots and coats and shovels and slippery driveways…need I go on?

Just when you get the news that the sun will not be coming out tomorrow, a little elbow grease and a lot of productivity can keep your selling plans moving in the right direction. Here are some strategies to get some of the little things done while you’re snowed in:

1. Repair and paint the trim around doorways and hallways. These areas are the first to get scuff marks and show signs of wear and tear in your home. (Save the front door for after the snow J)
2. Update outdated light fixtures. One of our recommended favorites is this contemporary light from Lowe’s.
3. Clean or replace the switch plates on all your lights switches. Basic white or ivory is best.
4. Clean and organize closets/pantries.  “Perception is reality”. If buyers think you’ve taken the time to organize your closets, they will feel assured you’ve taken care of the important things in the home such as the roof, the furnace and the bigger, costly components in the home.
5. Keep close watch for potential snow damage on the exterior of your home. Corners of the house and the garage, as well as the trim around doors can really take a beating during bad weather. Keeping an eye out for the hot spots (or rather, cold spots) can save you money when the snow melts and the damage is done.

If you are showing your home during the snowy winter, make sure to observe how your winter “living” may translate through a buyer’s eyes.  For example;

HOME SELLER…       →    BUYER Thinks..

Piles shoes next to door                   →   “There is a lack of storage space in the house.”

Places tape around drafty windows.       → “This house needs new windows.”

Regardless of the time of year you choose to sell, you can still achieve that essential “wow” factor with staging tactics that resonate with your buyers. For more ideas on how to stage your home, visit our website at www.StagingNewEngland.com 

Selling a house during the holidays?

That is the million dollar question. Some Realtors like Elizabeth Weintrub advise “it’s hogwash”, while others encourage Sellers to list during the holidays. Regardless of the right answer, thematic decorating can make or break or break a holiday selling game plan.

When selling a home during the holidays, one might assume a very motivated Seller would be willing to do what it takes to sell their home. Any real estate professional will tell you that in order to sell you need a “ready, willing, and able Buyer”. But often times (especially holiday season) a home remains listed or goes on the market without establishing that they have a “ready, willing, and able SELLER.”There is no greater home selling crime than taking valuable family time away from the Buyer, you the Seller, and your hard-working Real Estate Agent during the holidays (or anytime really) to show your home without the full intention to sell.

 Understanding our own motivation to sell can help prepare us in advance for feelings or circumstances that may arise (like the holidays) allowing us to move through the selling process with a greater sense of control. Once the decision to sell has been made, every household member should be on board with all of the; let’s face it, inconveniences of selling. If you do not have buy-in from everyone in the house, then you may find yourself getting some reluctance from household members when it comes to holiday decorating such as:

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without our stuff”

“How will we fit all of the family in the house”

“What about the kids”  etc etc etc.                    

If you have skipped one of most important steps in creating a positive selling experience, which is to bring everyone involved in the move together and have a discussion about moving, then you are in for a VERY long winter.

 “Keep It Simple Santa”

The goal of home staging is to bring out the features of the home; the windows, the fireplace detail, the ease and functionality of the floor plan, DOWN playing the personality of the Seller and playing UP the personality of the house. When you are selling your home and asking yourself whether or not to decorate for the holidays, it really comes down to a matter of priorities. Remember your goal:

“SELL THE HOUSE!”

 Holiday decorating could be an indication to Buyers of just how motivated you are to sell. If your house is decorated to the rafters with billowing holiday décor, it may be clear that the Seller intends to be there through Dec 31.  With that said, no one wants to be moving on Thanksgiving day so let’s set a realistic goal of finding a nice balance between celebrating life’s blessings and moving on to the next adventure.

Staging a successful holiday sale can be accomplished by following 10 simple holiday home staging rules:

1. Furniture arrangement should reflect how the Buyer will use the room on a day to day basis. Moving furniture to accommodate holiday décor is not a good selling tactic.
2.   It’s best to keep holiday decorating to a winter theme vs. religious themes. Remember, the goal is to appeal to a large audience. Keep the themed towels and pillows packed up for next year.
3. Use natural accents such as winter scented candles, pine cones, garland, and winter plants/flowers for display on table tops and counters.
4. Outdoor areas should be decorated with a “less is more” attitude. Keep it to well maintained window boxes, a simple garland wreath, and NO lawn ornaments. (Think of where you’ll put that blow up Santa next year ;)
5. Limit holiday reds and greens and use white as your “go-to” color for holiday decorating. Natural garland, raw bark, natural wood grains, warm winter whites and beige will absolutely make your home shine like the North Star. (Get fabulous holiday white decorating ideas from the Willow Décor Blog)
6. Keep your holiday cards/photos organized in a special album this year instead of hanging from doorways and mantels. No one appreciates your friends and family like you do but they will appreciate that crown molding when making an offer.
7. Keep wrapped presents stored in a closet or organized in a designated area. Presents everywhere can create security concerns in addition to cluttering up some valuable square footage in the room.
8. Keep those winter boots and shoes in the closet. A heaping pile of shoes next to the door can draw attention to a lack of storage space. Pack any shoes or summer clothing up and get it out of the way.
9. Kids take cues from you. Keep the positive attitude and holiday spirit high by doing fun activities together like driving around looking at lights, renting holiday movies, ice skating, window shopping, making a photo album…etc. Maybe this is the year to volunteer at school, church, or in your community? They may even need to borrow all of your extra decorations!
10. Give your Professional Home Stager a call for quick holiday styling help. For the cost of what you likely would have spent on new holiday décor, you’ll be making an investment in shorter selling time and closer to a reason to celebrate that New Year!

Selling during the holidays can be a real challenge however; with these simple strategies you will be putting your best holiday foot forward, setting the stage for a successful sale. If your holiday decorating takes priority over selling your home, talk to your Real Estate Agent about your selling options.

For home staging help in New England call New England Staging at 1-888-778-NEHS or visit us online at www.StagingNewEngland.com

The Union Leader newspaper in Manchester NH did a nice story on our company today. Our New England staging for home sellers continues to show fantastic results in a tumultuous real estate market.

Check out our story

You followed every “How to Prepare Your Home for Sale” list you could find online. You watched an entire season of HGTV staging shows. You cleaned the yard, fixed the door, re-painted the trim, removed the personal photos, cleaned out the closets, listed the house, put the fresh flowers in place, and what is the problem? 

MY HOUSE IS GETTING SHOWINGS, WHY IS MY HOUSE NOT SELLING?

In new construction, we help Builders market their product to a targeted audience based on Buyer Types. Many of the same strategies are used for fine tuning or staging re-sale homes because understanding what your buyer is looking for is the key to making the right preparations.

Buyer types:

Baby Boomers – Gen X - Gen Y 

Ist Time Buyer – Move Up Buyer – Active Adult

Buyer Types are based on:

New England Home Staging®  tips for making sure that your house is going to resonate with your buyers and reflect their individuality:

• Know thy customer:  The Seller’s style and the Buyer’s style may not be a match. Do your homework on what your Buyer likes and stage to meet their preferences, not yours.
• Create a sense of arrival: Decorating the door or porch can be the Buyer’s first indication of whether or not the house says “Welcome” or “Hmmm, that’s not my style.” And with some Buyer Types, the curb appeal starts way before you reach the curb.
• Create a clear pattern of circulation for the Buyer to walk through the home.
• Highlight storage areas. Organize by Martha Stewart standards and the buyers will think you’ve taken care of the bigger things; the furnace, the roof, etc.
• Create a “wow” factor or special memorable space in the home: It’s important that this hits a “lifestyle” button for your Buyer Type; a way of life they want to attain.
• The Kitchen is a deal maker! : Before making expensive updates to your kitchen, get a professional opinion from your Realtor or Home Stager. Granite countertops are not always the likely buyer’s preference, and poor accessories can distract away from really great features. In an article “10 Things That Make Buyers Bite”, they show a photo of a beautiful kitchen but I can’t help but spend my time looking at the 6 ridiculous roosters on top of the cabinets instead of the new granite counters.
• Dare to be different: Every model home seems to have the 2008 chocolate brown and robin egg blue color scheme. Stage your home with forward thinking schemes that appeal to your Buyer Type. Keep big pieces neutral and use pops of color in the accessories that are easily changeable.

 Just like selling any product, how the product is packaged and marketed matters. The bottom line is, before investing money or time making preparations for selling your home, put the dollars into a professional home staging consultation or ask your Realtor to help understand who your Buyer likely will be and how can you make your home appeal to that segment. This will save you money, time in preparations, and most importantly; time on the market.  Happy Staging!!

Visit us online for more info. www.StagingNewEngland.com

WHY IS A MODEL HOME IMPORTANT?
A model home is a silent salesperson. Merchandising is simply a way of packaging your product to your targeted market. Models are intended to influence home buyers by reinforcing their lifestyle desires, creating memory points and triggering their emotional hot buttons. This creates a sense of urgency in the buyer and solidifies their decision in choosing you- the Builder.

Today's buyer can be considered a "be back" on their first visit if you consider over 90% of buyers will have seen the home online first. A typical buyer will look at 50 homes, starting online, weeding out which homes they want to tour in person. Once the buyer walks in the door of your house, you can assume you've made it to their "top" list of homes they are considering for purchase. You have a matter of minutes to sell this buyer.


WHY HIRE A PROFESSIONAL?
If you are going to pay for the service, why not hire a professional whom is dedicated to merchandising new homes? It will cost you less to do it right the first time.
New England Home Staging® will ensure your model:

 - Is an extension of your marketing and brand

 - Demonstrates how the home will live
 - Draws ties to the community
 - Implements forward thinking design according to absorption rate
 - Increases the perceived value of your product
 - Identifies with the target market through style, function and memory points.

Interior decorators typically work for individuals to buy furnishings for creating a living space that fits their client.
Professional merchandisers understand the dynamics of real estate and target markets. We merchandise to the masses within a targeted market, highlight the features of the home without over-decorating, and create continuity within a marketing strategy.

Before you hire your Project Mgr., decorator friend, spouse, real estate agent, etc., to furnish your model home, give us a call for a FREE consultation. 

THE COST OF A FULL MODEL HOME IS LIKELY TO BE LESS THAN YOUR NEXT PRICE REDUCTION!

Visit our Builder Resources page for additional info.

For questions or to receive a Model Home Information Package through the mail, please call Stayci Fast direct at 603-548-3636, toll free 888-778-NEHS or email info@StagingNewEngland.com.

We offer model home merchandising in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

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

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!)

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

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

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!!

1. KeySpan Energy Delivery - Residential Energy Efficiency Programs
2. National Grid (Granite State Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs
3. New Hampshire Electric Co-Op - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs
4. Northern Utilities - Non-Residential Energy Efficiency Programs
5. Northern Utilities - Residential Energy Efficiency Programs
6. PSNH - Large Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
7. PSNH - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
8. Unitil - Residential Energy Efficiency Programs

 Residential Grants: PSNH - Energy Rewards RFP Program

Massachusetts Summary:

Loan programs: 

1. Berkshire Gas - Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program
2. Boston Community Capital - Energy Advantage Program
3. MASS Save heating program

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