Heidi Herbruck's Home Staging Blog

How to Report Spam

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:17:29 -0600

Are you bombarded with unwanted emails? I was getting up to 20 sexually explicit emails per day. The sender(s) cleverly misspelled words in the subject line to get past filters (reversing or duplicating letters in words). Needless to say, I was getting fed up with these vulgar subject lines. I searched the internet to find if there was any way to report spam. Luckily I found that I could Report Spam to the Federal Trade Commission by forwarding unwanted or deceptive spam to spam@uce.gov.

I then diligently started forwarding all the disgusting emails to the FTC. I am happy to say that in a matter of days, THE SPAM STOPPED, at least for a couple weeks. The sender(s) then found a different technique and have started sending spam again. I am only getting 1-2 a day and am happy to say that the content of these emails are not as bad, mostly about viagra.

For me, it has become habit - I forward each and every spam to the FTC. Will you please join me in the effort to STOP SPAM?

PLEASE FORWARD ANY SPAM EMAILS to spam@uce.gov and be sure to include the full email header.

Thank you for reading!

25 Real Estate MISTAKES, What Do You Think?

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:35:13 -0500

Tony Cannon wrote a post about HGTV's 25 Biggest Real Estate Mistakes and Greg Nino wrote a comment that I would like to respond to. Greg commented that he thought the number one should have been "not hiring an agent" (the number one was "not showcasing or staging your house"). I have read comments on other blogs and realize that others have the same misconception so I think it is important to clarify...

The program talked about MISTAKES. Most people don't make the mistake of not hiring a Realtor, but most sellers, at least in my region, miss the important step of not staging or showcasing their homes. When a home sits on the market and doesn't sell, who do they blame? Most times their Realtor. Before blaming their Realtor, they should look at their house, the product for sale, from a buyer's perspective and make sure it appeals to the broadest range of buyers possible, stands out from the competition and shows to its full potential.

Even if a product has the best salesperson in the world,
if the product isn't perceived as worth buying,
how can the salesperson market it successfully?

The same is true in real estate:

Even if a seller chooses the right Realtor,
if they make the mistake of not showcasing or staging their home,
their house is less desirable and will sit on the market much longer.

So in response to Greg's comment, I agree with HGTV, showcasing or staging the home is the number one MISTAKE from my perspective. What do you think?

Which would you rather market?

HGTV: 25 Biggest Real Estate Mistakes

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:19:31 -0500

HGTV aired a special presentation this weekend of the 25 Biggest Real Estate Mistakes people make when buying or selling their homes. In case you missed the airing here are the notes I jotted while viewing the episode. To cut down on the suspense I have reversed the list for you.

1. Not staging or showcasing your house

look at your house objectively, from a buyers perspective
appeal to the largest number of people
make minor enhancements
hire a stager to come in and arrange furniture
potentially increases price by 7% and reduces time on the market
best investment you can make
DON'T: show your house "as is"
DO: stage your home to maximize its best selling points

2. Setting your sale price too high

owners tend to be greedy - house is worth what others are willing to pay for it
if priced too high you are appealing to the wrong market - won't get buyers to come back even when the price gets down to the right price
look at comparables of SOLD homes - price in the middle of the comparables price range
once you reduce the price, it looks like something is wrong with the house
DON'T: set an unrealistic sale price
DO: research the comps to come up with fair list price

3. Buying what you want, not what you need

buying a house is an emotional experience - take the emotion out of it
look at your current space to see what you really need
make a list of needs and shop the needs
9 years is the average time we stay in each house - trade up a few times to get your dream home down the road
DON'T: let your emotions get the best of you
DO: make a list of what you really need from a home

4. Overlooking hidden costs

remember the cost of furnishing the home
costs to consider: insurance, property taxes, utilities
maintenance of a home averages 1% each year
DON'T: assume your mortgage payment is your only monthly expense
DO: think ahead and factor in other costs

5. Not getting a professional inspection

saving a couple hundred bucks on a home inspection can cost 10's of thousands later
they inspect things not visible to the human eye
owners may have patched problems so you can't see them
search American Society of Home Inspectors for a professional in your area
insist the inspection include a written report with photos
DON'T: skip the home inspection
DO: invest the money and hire a professional inspector

6. Falling for the first property you see

emotions can cause us to overpay for a property
look at what else is out there on the market
view at least 3 other properties
don't rush into it, sleep on it
DON'T: fall for the first house you see
DO: look at several homes before making a decision

7. Skipping the loan pre-approval step

knowing what cost you can afford helps in the shopping process
people take you seriously if you are pre-approved
some realtors only show if have pre-approval letter
DON'T: house hunt without a pre-approval letter
DO: get pre-approval to help you close the deal

8. Doing major renovations before you sell

won't recoup the investment of a major renovation
cost more than expect
take longer than expect
don't know if buyers will want your renovations
minor upgrades are good: example, increase curb-appeal
DON'T: undergo major renovations before you sell
DO: focus on small changes

9. Not being proactive at your closing

closing time can be hectic, you're stressed throughout process, you're excited to close, and may not be not thinking rationally
look at the closing documents ahead of time
know closing costs ahead of time (HUD 1 form) - 24 hours in advance
schedule in morning so don't feel so rushed
do a final walk-through before close
DON'T: go to your closing unprepared
DO: read paperwork in advance

10. Visiting a house only once before you buy

need to look at everything in house
may be different depending on day of week and time of day (noise, traffic, etc.)
drive by at dawn, dusk, midnight
DON'T: buy a house after only one walk-thru
DO: visit the house several times and at different times of day

11. Not setting a realistic budget

pre-qualify for a loan does not mean you can afford the payment
be realistic about your budget
should have equivalent of 6-9 months worth of mortgage payments in the bank
DON'T: budget for more than you can afford
DO: budget based on actual spending habits

12. Buying the most expensive house on the block

most expensive house on the block will have a smaller appreciation
takes longer to sell
DON'T: fall for the priciest house on the block
DO: find a house that will appreciate in value

13. Not realizing the time and effort in a For Sale By Owner

there is more involved in selling a house than you think
FSBO won't get on the MLS
you are not a professional and don't know how to sell a house
have to be willing and able to show the house whenever you are called
need lawyer at closing if FSBO
you can't know everything - take precautions
DON'T: think selling your house is simple
DO: homework and understand everything that's involved

14. Picking the wrong agent

treat it like a job interview
find an agent that lives in neighborhood you are interested in
referrals
attend open houses and observe how they interact with others
meet with agent in their office - see if they're organized, check out their working environment
look for best advocate
DON'T: choose a real estate agent at random
DO: take the time to find the right one

15. Believing every word of a real estate ad

advertising is meant to get you to view the house
cozy = little
as is = lots of work
up and coming = bad neighborhood
motivated seller = red light - may be reason behind why
if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
DON'T: assume that every ad is fact
DO: learn to decipher real estate lingo

16. Buying without actually seeing the property

virtual tours and photos can be deceiving - wide angle camera
need to see in person to get true sense of the house
hire an inspector to look at property
DON'T: buy a house without seeing it in person
DO: have someone you trust examine it

17. Not thinking about resale

think about resale when thinking about an expensive remodel
don't "go too far"
personalized renovations may not appeal to others
DON'T: think short term when remodeling
DO: think about the long term resale potential

18. Failing to market your home in different ways

utilize all marketing possibilities
set up with Realtor from the initial signing of the listing contract
virtual tours, web, floorplan, radio channel as drive by listing
creativity counts
DON'T: market you home with just a "for sale" sign
DO: explore other marketing tools to sell your house

19. Treating real estate like the stock market

real estate experiences slower moving price shifts than the stock market
buy/sell does not happen much in real estate
DON'T: gamble on short term real estate investing
DO: buy a home for long-term investment

20. Waiting until spring to sell your house

best time to sell is based on personal circumstances
talk with your team of professionals
DON'T: wait until spring to put your house on the market
DO: emphasize your home's seasonal amenities

21. Trying to make the "hard sell" at an open house

don't be around when buyers are looking at your house
detracts and distracts a buyer
buyers are uncomfortable giving feedback to agents - feedback is to your advantage
DON'T: Stick around when potential buyers show up
DO: leave and let your agent show off your house

22. Thinking auctions equal a good deal

research comparables
look into the fees and charges of the auctioneer
check liens on the property
stay strict with budget, don't get wrapped up in emotions
DON'T: Let your emotions cloud your decisions at auctions
DO: research before you pick up that auction paddle

23. Not researching the neighborhood

location, location, location!
check out school system
make sure the amenities you enjoy are close-by
DON'T: Buy before researching the neighborhood
DO: Learn everything you can about the area and the amenities

24. Not providing easy access for showings

lockbox
available 8am-8pm
make sure there is readily available parking
DON'T: Make it hard for potential buyers to see your house
DO: Make your house easily accessible to potential buyers

25. Buying a house for its decor

don't confuse gorgeous with the right house for you
measure dimensions of new home and your own furnishings
think about your own lifestyle - look at functionality
DON'T: Buy a home because you adore the decor
DO: Focus on the floor plan and square footage

The episode will be aired on HGTV again on September 21, October 22, November 14 and November 15.

New show - Will it be the real deal?

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:52:59 -0500

Do you watch HGTV? I confess - it's my favorite channel. I've seen advertisements for a new show, "The Stagers", premiering next Sunday. The DVR is already set and ready to record the show in case I miss it. I am excited to see how it portrays Home Staging. I must admit I am disappointed that some programs depict staging as putting time and money into renovations. Staging is not that extensive and is giving viewers a false impression. "True" staging of an occupied home creatively utilizes items that are already in the home and can cost as little as $80.

If you live in Canada, you may have already seen the first episode. If so, what did you think?

"The Stagers" premiers July 20, 2008 10:00 PM ET/PT

Fourth of July Treat

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:21:51 -0500

Have you clicked to view the recent video on the AR home page? I did and it was a Fourth of July treat. Wow!! Those young girls are talented and they're mostly preteens!

I double-clicked the video image and it brought me to YouTube where I quickly found an even younger impressive 7 year old singing our national anthem. Anthony Gargiula even got applause before ending the song when he hit the high note of "free". He gets my applause too. If it was audio and not video I never would have bellieved the singer was a 7 year old!! Another Fourth of July treat of an impressive rendition of tour National Anthem!!

God surely has blessed these young ones with amazing vocal talent. Hope you enjoy their renditions of the "Star Spangled Banner".

Another WZZM13 Super Saver this Thursday: Inexpensive House Updates

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:32:49 -0500

The last WZZM13 Super Saver I helped with was such a success (top rated newscast of the month) that Derek Francis is doing another Super Saver segment dealing with your home. (Yea! Let's try to boost the real estate market!) This time, the segment covers "Inexpensive Ways to Add Value to your House". Last week, Derek called and asked if I would help with the segment. (Who'd have thought that I would make it on TV once, let alone a second time?) I jumped at the opportunity and also recommended he interview Kris, a real estate investor.

I know Kris and his experience updating houses since I have staged (with furniture) five homes that he has flipped. Like Kris, I keep up with products (including their pricing) along with current trends to better consult home sellers with the process of affordably updating their homes to sell faster. Also, as an interior decorator, I have fun helping homeowners select design elements for their homes whether building, remodeling, or merely making minor updates.

To shoot the footage for the WZZM13 segment we all met at a house that Kris flipped and I staged (picture below). Kris walked through the house with Derek pointing out and explaining the many fixes that he put into the house. I then sat down and had a further conversation with Derek about changes homeowners should concentrate on first whether staying in their home or putting it up for sale.

The segment reveals many quick and inexpensive updates. Sorry, but I'll keep them a secret until the airing. If you know someone that wants to update their home through minor changes or to get their home ready for sale, you may want to tell them about the broadcast. The segment aires Thursday, July 3, during the 6:00 evening news and next Monday, July 7, during the 6:00 morning news. Hope to see you, and you, and you... (Remember Romper Room? Sorry, but I couldn' resist.)

Is the Market on an Upswing?

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:20:42 -0500

It seems the greater Grand Rapids real estate market is on an upswing. EVERY vacant house we staged so far in 2008 has closed or is under a pending sale.

I'd love to hear your 2008 success stories! Here are some of mine...

This house was under contract within a week of staging. Simply Staged has staged 5 houses for this a real estate investor.

This house sold to the first person that viewed it after it was staged and it had been on the market a few months prior to stage. The builder is a new builder in the area and wanted to take pictures for his website. The house sold so quickly he never got professional pictures but boy was he excited!

Here's a testimony from yet another happy seller: "Thank you so much for your assistance with the staging of our home in Kentwood. Prior to staging our house had been on the market for over 3 months and we only had one scheduled showing. After staging, we saw a tremendous increase in activity. Everyone had very positive comments. Most importantly, we now have a sale pending. Thank you again for all your help!"

I have several other success stories for 2008 but let's hear yours!!

THIS WEEKEND: Celebrate City Life

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:18:28 -0500

Above Image Courtesy of grmag.com

Want to learn more about what downtown Grand Rapids has to offer in city living? The fourth annual Parade of Downtown Living is THIS WEEKEND. This is a great opportunity to view several downtown condominiums and to see how our city is growing and changing.

To start your tour, you may park in any of three lots for free:

City Lot Area 7 - south of Michigan and north of Pearl
Northwest lot behind Boardwalk Condos - enter off Mason Street between Ottawa and Monroe
Southwest lot adjacent to Fairmount Square - on Hollister Street just south of Cherry behind Greenwell

Once parked just look for one of the buses marked "Parade of Downtown Living". The buses run the loop every 20 minutes. This year there are city tour guides on each bus to familiarize you with our wonderful city and to update you on the various downtown Grand Rapids living choices.

The event is sponsored by Grand Rapids Magazine and National City Bank and all proceeds go to Dwelling Place. The cost is $10 per person and you may purchase a wristband at your first condo stop. The wristbands are valid for all three days of the Parade and are also good for discounts at other stops on the tour. Some participating restaurants will even donate a portion of your tab to Dwelling Place.

Map Image Courtesy of mlive.com

Laughter is a Good Medicine... And Can Even be Constagious

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:09:12 -0500

Have you ever visited the website Bad MLS Photo of the Day? If not, take a look and I can almost guarantee it will give you a chuckle. And you don't even have to be in the real estate profession to experience the humor.

As I scroll the pictures on the website, I begin to smile, then it builds to a chuckle, and eventually I find myself laughing out loud especially as I read the captions to the pictures. Then the laughter catches on and I find someone peering over my shoulder joining in on the fun. Isn't laughter a great gift we can share with others?

Take a look and see if it doesn't lift your spirits. I'd love to know your favorite.

This is my favorite: #391, it takes home staging a bit too far!

Photo Courtesty of Athol Kay's Blog: Bad MLS Photo of the Day.

Statistics? I've Tracked Them and Here They Are...

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:51:59 -0500

Preview

Boy, have I been busy... Sorry for the delay in blogging. Between Home Staging , de-staging, Sunday School crafting, my aging mom, and my family, life has been a whirlwind lately.

Many of you have left comments to my blogs asking about Home Staging statistics. I have had the privilege of staging 29 vacant homes in my 3 years of staging here in the greater Grand Rapids area. From those stagings I have computed statistics based on the date of stage to the date of de-stage.

I wish I could access the MLS database to get information I need to formulate more specific statistics. Since I am not a Realtor and am only an affiliate member of GRAR, my fingertips cannot get me to the information that Realtors can access. I would love to be able to formulate stats about how long each home had been on the market prior to stage since many had been on the market 6 to 12 months prior to stage. I would also like to expand the stats to include list price at stage versus final sale price, days from stage to accepted offer, etc.

In the last 3 years, I have staged 29 vacant properties and here are some of the stats:

Average Staging Length: 91 Days
Median Staging Length: 87 Days
Minimum Staging Length: 27 Days
Maximum Staging Length: 208 Days

The homes that took the longest to sell were homes that Realtors commented should have been listed at a lower price to begin with.

Here is a list of sold properties that I staged this spring and have already sold:

Zip Code	List Price	Date Staged	Date De-staged	Days Staged
49301	$700,000	03/05/08	05/30/08	86
49341	$179,000	03/18/08	04/28/08	41
49525	$339,900	03/25/28	06/05/08	71
49548	$89,900	04/23/08	06/04/08	42
49506	$99,900	05/08/28	06/06/08	29

2008 Spring Parade of Homes Starts May 21

Sat, 03 May 2008 10:18:32 -0500

The annual Spring Parade of Homes starts in less than 3 weeks! How time flies...

Wednesday, May 21 - Saturday, May 31
Tuesday, Thursdays & Fridays 6 - 9 p.m.
Wednesdays, Saturdays & Memorial Day 1 - 9 p.m.

The Parade of Homes is an excellent chance to ...

Experience first-hand what local builders have to offer
Get Ideas for building a home or remodeling your existing home
See current trends in decorating or design
Learn more about the latest gizmos and gadgets for your home
Tour a variety of new homes for the fun of it!

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children. On May 12, the HBAGGR website will have images, information and maps to view for each of the 2008 Spring Parade Homes. For more information about the Parade of Homes^SM, contact the HBAGGR at (616) 281-2021 or (800) 305-2021.

Photo taken from the HBAGGR website.

Can You Give Me Some Insight?

Thu, 01 May 2008 09:48:20 -0500

Most of what drives my business here in West Michigan is Staging vacant homes, but I am wondering why more people here don't call upon professional Home Stagers to stage their occupied homes?

When I started Home Staging almost three years ago, I was surprised to find that most Realtors in West Michigan were turned off or offended by the fact that I even suggested Home Staging services for their clients. The response I often got was, "I already do that for my clients" or "I don't need that." As the market declined, I started to notice a little shift as a few Realtors began to see the advantage of calling in professionals to Stage their listings.

When setting up a staging appointment, I suggest a client first read my Home Staging: Room by Room Series before I come to stage their house. That way, they can tackle the basics of preparing their home for sale: cleaning, de-cluttering and what-not. I then focus on the psychological art and science of home staging including furniture placement, repositioning of items, color selection, and other ways that enable the house to communicate to a potential buyer. Strategical placement of items is key and most people are not skilled in this aspect of home staging.

My questions is, why don't more homeowners and Realtors in West Michigan call in the experts to stage their occupied homes?

I have a handful of Realtors that pay for a 1-2 hour consultation as part of their marketing plan. For Realtors, it only costs $60 for a one hour consult plus a travel fee. That's a small investment considering staged homes in West Michigan sell in half the time and for 6-8% more than a comparable unstaged home.

Thanks for reading!!

Were the Realtors Statistics Given on the Super Saver Last Week Correct?

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:30:27 -0500

Did anyone see the WZZM 13 Super Saver last Friday evening or this Monday morning titled, "Sell Your Home and Cash In"? The Realtor interviewed said,

"Your home is worth about 15%-20% less than it was a few years ago," says Faber. "That's a difficult number to swallow.

View Transcript of the Super Saver Segment

It sure is a difficult number to swallow but my question is, is it an accurate assessment of the West Michigan real estate market? Is so, we have to keep reminding homeowners that there's no better time to sell and move up to a higher priced home.

Here's the way the 15% statistic plays out for someone moving up using former valued homes of $150,000 to $225,000:

Former Value	Current Value (15% of Former Value)	Difference
$225,000	$191,250	$33,750
$150,000	$127,500	$22,500
$75,000	$63,750	$11,250

If selling in a 15% down market a homeowner is actually saving $11,250 by selling and moving up now versus in a flat market. The savings is even more when compared to an up market.

So, homeowners, if the 15-20% statistic is real, now is a great time to move up and turn your losses into gains!

Pricing Your Home and One Thing that Can Help It Sell in a Fraction of the Time

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:15:04 -0500

Have you seen the teaser on WZZM13 for their Super Saver of the week, "Pricing Your House and One Thing that Can Help It Sell in a Fraction of the Time?" Derek Francis of WZZM13 interviewed me on camera last week about that One Thing. Watch the WZZM13 6:00 evening news on Thursday to learn more about that One Thing. I'll fill you in on the rest after the broadcast...

Home Staging Room by Room: The Kitchen

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:09:49 -0500

Home Staging the kitchen is crucial when it comes to selling your home . The kitchen includes much more than just walls, floor, and ceiling. With so many components in the kitchen, many buyers evaluate the condition of the entire home based upon this one room. A sparkling, well maintained and organized kitchen speaks volumes to buyers that you have attended to every detail in maintaining your home.

The first step in staging a kitchen is to eliminate any unneeded "stuff". Grand Rapids home buyers look for kitchens that are functional and spacious therefore the goal is to maximize all counter and cabinet space. Remember that you want the kitchen to look as organized as possible.

Next, depersonalize the kitchen spaces.

Now it's time to address any repairs needed in the kitchen. Inspect the entire kitchen.

Now that your kitchen is clutter- and repair-free, you are ready to tackle the most important "C" of home staging, CLEAN! A kitchen can never be too clean so clean like you've never cleaned before.

When home staging your kitchen, please don't ignore any of these items. I have clients ask, "Do they really look in the cabinets?" My answer is a definitive, "YES!" A buyer will inspect any and everything they are considering buying. A little elbow grease and organization will have your pristine home screaming, "BUY ME!"

Staged Home For Sale

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:22:59 -0500

This vacant home was staged with Simply Staged furnishings

MLS#:707436 Details	Price: $700,000	Bedrooms: 5 Baths: 4+
Address: 4700 OLD GRAND RIVER TRAIL 49301		School District: Forest Hills
Listed by: Pat Adams, Coldwell Banker/Schm (Cascade)		(616) 957-1680
Directions: S of Knapp on Grand River W onto Catamount to street.

Listing Comments: Rolling hills and peaceful woods make for a private, retreat like, setting in beautiful Catamount. This former Parade home is just minutes from Forest Hills Eastern H.S., Knapp's Corner or downtown Grand Rapids. The home was built by Insigna Homes and features the detail and quality that one would expect. From the gourmet kitchen, to the large dining room, to the huge lower level family room, there is lots of room to entertain or relax. The bedrooms, closets and bathrooms are all generously sized. This house feels like home from the moment one enters. Association dues are $443 quarterly for road care and trash removal.

Excellent Brochure Highlighting Greater Grand Rapids Area

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:38:07 -0500

I was just looking at some lisings on GRAR and found a link to "57 Things to Know About Greater Grand Rapids". What a great job The Right Place, Inc. has done putting together this publication. The pictures are wonderful and the brochure highlights the greater Grand Rapics area magnificently. It is an excellent way for out-of-towners to become familiar with the history, culture, and character of West Michigan.

Myth: A Bad Market is a Lousy Time to Sell

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:26:37 -0500

All I hear from people and the media is that it is a lousy time to sell a home in the greater Grand Rapids area. THAT IS NOT TRUE AT ALL! If a person wishes to move up to a higher priced home, there is actually no better time to sell and buy than in a down market.

Hypothetically, say that homes have depreciated by 5% in your area so you sell your $150,000 home for $142,500 and buy a $225,000 home for $213.750. Do the math and you'll find that you have actually saved $3750 by selling and buying in a down market versus a flat market and compared to a 5% inflated market you have saved twice that amount.

In the long run, selling and buying in a down market puts you further ahead financially than if you sell and buy up in any other market. Now is a perfect time to sell and buy your dream home. You may lose money on your current home, but you will get an even better bargain on your dream home!

Clipart courtsey of www.wpclipart.com

Home Staging Room by Room: The Family Room or Great Room

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 10:21:44 -0600

Home Staging the family room is one of the most difficult tasks when it comes to preparing a home for the Real Estate market. While at home, we spend most of our time in the family room therefore through the years we have formed an imprint of who we are in this room. Effective home staging eliminates that imprint and creates a space in which buyers can visualize their unique imprint in the room.

According the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, a "family room" is "a large room designed as a recreation center and informal gathering place for members of a family." Keeping that in mind, let's take a glimpse at home staging the family room.

First of all, the definition tells us that the family room is "a large room". When staging, we want to make sure the family room shows off its true spaciousness. The best way to achieve this is through effective use and placement of furniture.

Secondly the family room is a "recreation center". Today's recreation in the family room comes in various forms. Having too many activities going on in a single room can distract a buyer so it is best to make the space as generic as possible.

The last part of the definition states that the family room is an "informal gathering place for members of a family". Successful home staging creates a comfortable family room in which buyers can envision themselves enjoying lots of time together as a family.

Many homes in the Grand Rapids area have what is called a "great room". Merriam-Webster states that a "great room" is "a large room in a residence usually serving several functions (as of a dining room, living room, and family room)". Multi-purpose rooms can be a challenge to stage, but with proper use of furnishings it can be done effectively.

Home staging the family room may be a difficult task but it will pay off in the end. Look at the room through "buyer's eyes" and you will create a room that buyers can't resist. Happy staging!

Home Staging Room by Room: The Living Room

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:25:45 -0600

Home Staging a living room need not be a daunting task. Keep in mind that the function of a formal living room is plain and simple, a cozy room to invite friends to sit and have a conversation. If you are fortunate enough to have a formal living room, it is wise to market the "formal" in the room.

When staging the living room, start by standing in the doorway and ask yourself, "Does the room invite me to want to come in and sit? Is there a clear path to maneuver around the room?" If the answer to either these is, "No", then rearrange the furnishings to create a welcoming, cozy room that invites guests to come in and sit.

When selecting décor for your living room, keep in mind that Grand Rapids is generally a conservative community so simple, tasteful furnishings are best. In addition, the placement and use of those decorations can play a major role in revealing the key features of your home. Done properly, the emphasis will be on the product for sale, your house.

Ample lighting, especially in the winter months, helps reveal the appeal of your living room. Too little light can be ineffective, but too much light may inhibit the desired mood in this formal setting.

Have fun as you stage your living room!

Home Staging Room by Room: The Bathroom

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:01:27 -0600

Home Staging bathrooms is where applying the three C's of home staging is essential. When preparing a home for the real estate market, bathrooms should be clean, clutter-free, and the wall color should be light and neutral.

CLEAN

Get out your cleaning supplies and start cleaning! In my years of home staging, I have encountered many dirty tubs hidden behind shower curtains. Please don't make this mistake. Instead, impress buyers with a squeaky clean bathroom.

Another thing to consider when it comes to clean is the bathroom towels. The bathroom may be clean but dirty, old, or mismatched towels can give the opposite impression. If this sounds like your towels it would be worth investing in a new set.

CLUTTER-FREE

No one likes this "C" even when it comes to home staging such a small room as the bathroom. Clutter can be found on your countertops, inside your shower, and in your cabinets. After de-cluttering, give yourself a pat on the back, take a mental picture of your de-cluttered bathroom and work hard to keep it that way. Soon you'll be on your way to your dream home.

COLOR

Color choice is a very important factor in small spaces such as bathrooms. The incorrect use of color or wallpaper can make a bathroom feel cramped. To make your bathrooms as spacious as possible, consider painting the walls a color that helps to open up the space.

A great way to add color and interest to a bland bathroom is through temporary items such as towels and artwork. Keep in mind that temporary items should never be the main focal point, though. I had a client wanting to use white towels in every single bathroom. This is fine for some bathrooms but in a refined master bathroom with dark cabinetry and darker tones, a white towel would stick out like a sore thumb.

These three C's of home staging can be applied to any room. Hopefully with this bit of advice, you will create a spa-like, relaxing, and depersonalized bathroom that is sure to impress potential buyers.

Happy Staging!