Home Staging New Hampshire>>NH Professional Home Stager

Buyer's Agents: Am I Missing Something?

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:13:14 -0700

I just finished reading Ines's featured blog Working Without a Realtor. There were 71 comments that I waded thru, and if you haven't taken the time to do the same, you should. Another excellent blog is Janie Coffey's The Benefits of Working With a Realtor That Specializes in Your Area. Ki Gray has written Why Use a Realtor?.

Now please don't get mad.

I'm a consumer with a question! This is not an attack on my agent friends here or any kind of personal charge, it's just a consumer question.

Photo by Mike Geraci of New Hampshire

What I'm learning so far at Active Rain is that a buyer's agent "represents" you, the buyer. They will:

negotiate the price for you
understand the local market
know the inventory and comparables on the market
be able to point out what's good and bad about the property
ease you through your buyer's remorse and emotional swings
be able to give you, the buyer, "the inside scoop"

This is my question: IF the sellers have disclosed honestly what the condition of the house is, IF the buyers hire a home inspector, IF a buyer spent the time researching homes that have sold in the area and studied the internet for what's on the market and for how long, what are they missing?

It seems to me "the inside scoop" may be private information that the seller doesn't want the world to know, e.g., divorce, death, personal circumstances that are no one's business. Or isn't privacy respected anymore?

Staged First Impressions, a NH Home Staging company.

Home Staging, FSBO & How To Choose A Realtor: Adult Ed Class Soon in NH

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 13:55:55 -0700

Where can you learn about getting your home ready for sale, how to choose a Realtor, the pros & cons of selling a home without an agent (FSBO)? And receive info about home inspections, listing photographs/featured tours, and Open Houses?

**Where can you go to ask a Realtor, a home stager, a lawyer, a mortgage broker, and a home inspector YOUR questions?**

What: Selling Your Home in the Near Future?* An adult ed class.

When: This 2-evening class is offered Sept. 25 & 26th, and Oct. 2 & 3rd from 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Where: Winnacunnet High School, Alumni Drive, Hampton NH 03842

Contact: Director of Student Affairs and Community Relations, Jan Petrou @ 603-758-9231 or 758-9233 during business hours. Email: jpetrou@winnacunnet.org

Cost: $30. for the 2-evening class.

Who: Sue Argue from Staged First Impressions, a professional NH home stager and real estate listing photographer

Notes from adult ed program: "Early registration is encouraged since the number of offerings will be determined by enrollment. Persons wishing to enroll in a course must register at least one week prior to the first meeting of class. For registrations made after that time, a late fee of $5.00 will be charged.

A $5.00 discount will be applied per course for any registrant who is 60+ years old or a SAU #21 employee. Verification will take place at registration."

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. *This course will help you reach your goal of selling your home quickly and at the top of its price range.

Like to read some New Hampshire home staging blogs by Sue Argue from Staged First Impressions?

Can I stage my own home?
I don't think my house needs staging, it's just right for me!
Who pays for home staging, the seller or the agent?
Can you teach me to stage my own home?
How come Realtors don't pay for home staging?
Why are the listing pictures so important?
I'm moving; what should I do with my household hazardous waste?
When it comes to fixing up my house for sale, what is most important?
My house is vacant and I can't afford to stage it.
How do I get started staging my home in NH?
What is a home staging consultation?
Do you know any green LEED builders?
Tell me how to interview a home stager.
Tell me who to contact to join the Active Rain blogging community.
Where can I find info on home staging statistics?
My house needs curb appeal, can you help me?
Another example of curb appeal
Staging it Forward with Realtors in NH
*What is Staged Photography?
Using Staged Photography to sell your home in NH
*A Life Raft for Sellers in This Shallow Pool of Buyers
The Secret Option for Builders to Stage a Model Home
Vacant Kitchens are Just Too Doggone Empty!
Selling Now? Make Peace With the Current Market
The Home Doesn't Look Like It Did In the Pictures!
Staged Real Estate Photography in NH
How to Sell Your Staged Home Furnished & Recoup Your Staging Fee

NH Home Staging: Are You Really Ready To Sell Your Home?

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:31:05 -0700

This article was written by a professional home stager, my dear friend Karen Otto from Plano, Texas. She is an incredible home stager and writer, She is a wonderful person, I felt like an old friend the first time I talked with her. I hope you have someone like that in your life.

Karen has given me permission to use a large portion of her article, The Virtual Home Buyer, so that I can help my New Hampshire neighbors who are selling their home now, or in the near future. Here it is:

"As a Professional Home Stager I often tell clients that buyers today are in a different league. With access to the internet, virtual tours, digital photos and new types of on-line real estate shows that are becoming available, a savvy home buyer does not need to leave the comfort of their home to decide whether or not to see a property listed on the internet.

Often, time strapped buyers will make a decision at their computer screen as to whether or not the house is worth getting in the car (or plane in some situations) to see. In the case of relocations, it becomes necessary to view properties cross country or globally and access to the internet becomes crucial.

I make it a practice to regularly search real estate on line to preview the virtual tours and photos. I find myself "virtually" staging the houses that look like they need it. I always wonder what the reasons are behind why certain homes have no photos or tours available. I'm especially curious about the homes that don't have any photos or tours. Is this a marketing strategy to keep a buyer guessing? Is it due to lack of information about digital photography or virtual tours? Is it seen as too expensive or time consuming? Is the home in such poor condition that no photos should be taken? Why?

This is one of the most important tools after listing that sellers have in getting their house seen and sold.

Another valuable tool in the process is home staging. Staging will present the home in the best condition to appeal to the most number of buyers, which translates to a quicker sale and in many cases, higher profit. There is never a second chance to make a first impression. Staging is crucial for making that fabulous first impression, whether on-line through amazing digital photos and virtual tours, or in person as the buyer walks up to the door.

Professional Stagers make the job of Sellers, Realtors, Digital Photographers and Virtual Tour Operators much easier. Stagers compliment those services and promote the sale of a home in ways beyond the norm. Staging is becoming a "must have" service, not only for sellers, but also for real estate professionals who understand what home staging can do for their bottom line."

Thank you, Karen Otto, for this well written, informative article.

Like to read New Hampshire home staging blogs by Sue Argue from Staged First Impressions?

Can I stage my own home?
I don't think my house needs staging, it's just right for me!
Who pays for home staging, the seller or the agent?
Can you teach me to stage my own home?
How come Realtors don't pay for home staging?
Why are the listing pictures so important?
I'm moving; what should I do with my household hazardous waste?
When it comes to fixing up my house for sale, what is most important?
My house is vacant and I can't afford to stage it.
How do I get started staging my home in NH?
What is a home staging consultation?
Do you know any green LEED builders?
Tell me how to interview a home stager.
Tell me who to contact to join the Active Rain blogging community.
Where can I find info on home staging statistics?
I can't find a home stager in my area, can you help me?
My house needs curb appeal, can you help me?
Another example of curb appeal
Staging it Forward with Realtors in NH
What is Staged Photography?
Using Staged Photography to sell your home in NH
A Life Raft for Sellers in This Shallow Pool of Buyers
The Secret Option for Builders to Stage a Model Home
Vacant Kitchens are Just Too Doggone Empty!
Selling Now? Make Peace With the Current Market
The Home Doesn't Look Like It Did In the Pictures!
Staged Real Estate Photography in NH
How to Sell Your Staged Home Furnished & Recoup Your Staging Fee

Here is a photo of my son holding his catch after a day fishing in northern NH. I thought this blog needed some color, and well, I'm a proud Mom :)

TV is Gone & Ugly Wires Staring at You? Check Out These Electronic Props For Home Staging

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:39:55 -0700

Did the seller take the TV off the wall and leave ugly wires hanging out? No problem, buy a fake one to replace it! If you're staging a home office or even a kitchen desk area, it's nice to have a fake laptop to stage with. The one I bought from Props by IDM is lightweight and pretty realistic. The "screen" can be changed to black for the "off" look. So if you need a fake TV prop, fake PC computer prop, fake laptop prop, check this company out!

Props by IDM is located at 1000 Meyer Drive, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Their toll free # (800)-228-3918. Check out their website and see what they've got.

I bought mine in Chicago while at the IAHSP convention where they had a vendor booth, but you can order what you need. "Most orders are processed and shipped within 2-4 business days. If your order is in a RUSH, there is a $5.00 handling fee. Maximum expected transit time for orders placed in the United States is 5-8 days. Orders shipping to Canada can take up to 10 days."

Their prices are listed on the website, and are reasonable.

The young lady from Props by IDM working the vendor booth was excellent to talk with and a wealth of info. And her Dad was awesome too!

And... check out this! Fake washers & dryers for the vacant laundry room!!! Hey, sometimes those pipes are ugly, yes?

Staged First Impressions, a NH home stager. We're here for you, New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Getaway for $199,900, 2 miles from Hampton Beach!!

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:13:34 -0700

This beautiful condo was staged & listing photographs taken by Sue Argue of Staged First Impressions. Thank you Realtor Becky Lufkin of Atrio GMAC Properties for this referral. What a comfortable and affordable place to live or vacation!

Hampton, NH Condo
105 Winnacunnet Rd, Hampton, NH 03842 Click to View Show One bedroom new condo in 55+ community in Hampton, New Hampshire. 2 miles from the beach! Walking distance to all amenities, including the library, banks, coffee shops, Post Office and shopping. Elevator, garage optional, secured entry and jetted tub. Gas fireplace, breakfast bar, dining room and master bath. Laundry room within unit. These units won't last! Will sell beautifully furnished if buyer would like a turn-key vacation getaway option.

Details Asking Price: 199,900 MLS: 2638968 Sq. Feet: 1100 Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1.5 Property Amenities - Range/Oven - Full Refrigerator - Washer/Dryer - Dishwasher - Fireplace - Vaulted Ceilings - Patio - Grass Lawn - Central A/C - Central Heat - Walk-in closet - Tile floor - Living room - Dining Room - Laundry area - inside Community Amenities - Garage Parking - Guest Parking - Secured Entry - Elevator - Wheelchair access - Very close to fire & ambulance services!		Contact Info Sue Argue Cell 603-401-0316 Dir 603-926-2676 Email \| Website Other Shows

Looking for a NH Home Stager?

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 21:39:13 -0700

If you're looking for a NH home stager within an hour and a half of the seacoast, give me a call. If you're not sure your area is included in that range, call me anyway and we'll figure it out together!

My name is Sue Argue, from Hampton, New Hampshire. My NH home staging business, Staged First Impressions, was started in 2005. I have helped many sellers move on to greener pastures, and I hope I can help you, too!

What is home staging?

Home staging is the process of getting your home ready to put on the market so it sells faster and/or for more money. It can include moving furniture, packing up some of your things, scaling back on household items and adding some beautiful accessories. Sometimes suggestions are given for changing your interior paint colors, or removing old wallpaper.

Why is home staging necessary?

Buyers will see pictures of your home on the web looking clean, updated and comfortable. They will see photos of a home where the sellers look motivated to sell. When they get to your home for a showing, they will look at the selling features of your home, not at your stuff!

How can staging affect the sale price of a home?

Every time a buyer can pick out things that are "wrong" with a house, they reduce their asking price. For instance, if the carpet badly needs replacing, they will try to deduct the price of new carpet. The same for a new roof, new furnace or walls that need re-painting. Try to eliminate the "wrongs" from your house, so that buyers can't justify reducing their offer!

Home staging doesn't involve adding a new roof, but it takes care of the "feeling" a home has. A home should feel clean, comfortable and relaxing. This is what draws buyers in emotionally. A good traffic flow pattern through the house, colorful accents and an updated look all add to a good feeling. Buyers do need to connect with your house emotionally to imagine themselves living there. It's a huge decision, buying a new home, and people are naturally very picky!

Can you teach me how to stage my own home?

Yes! Call me & schedule a home staging consultation, 603-926-2676.

Do you have references & testimonials?

Yes, visit Sue Argue's Active Rain profile page, or contact Sue Argue for further information.

To read more of Sue Argue's home staging blogs, check out this list of blog titles:

Carey & Giampa Realty, Hampton Falls Home For Sale in New Hampshire, MLS # 2657211

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:57:35 -0700

Executive Home, Hampton Falls, NH
45 Linden Road, Hampton Falls, NH 03844 Click to View Show Custom built home sited on 5+ acres of manicured land. Sits among beautiful apple trees. This home is in pristine condition throughout. Take a look at the inside of the 3-car garage in the "additional photos", looks brand new! Back deck extends the length of house and offers privacy and relaxation. Beautiful home in sought-after Hampton Falls, a small seacoast community one hour north of Boston and 15 minutes to ocean.

Details Asking Price: 949,900 MLS: 2657211 Sq. Feet: 3300 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Property Amenities - Range/Oven - Sink Disposal - Full Refrigerator - Microwave - Washer/Dryer - Central Vacuum - Dishwasher - Satellite - Fireplace - Hardwood floors - Vaulted Ceilings - Basement - Security System - Attic - Balcony - Patio - Deck - Grass Lawn - Yard - Secluded Setting - Central A/C - Central Heat - Walk-in closet - Tile floor - Family room - Living room - Bonus/rec room - Office/den - Dining Room - Breakfast nook - Granite Countertops - Stainless steel appliances - Laundry area - inside - Brazilian Cherry flooring, apple orchard on property, 3-car garage		Contact Info Mary Helen Corcoran Cell 603-553-4919 Dir 603-929-0900 x139 Email \| Website Other Shows

This home was photographed by Sue Argue of Staged First Impressions, a New Hampshire home staging company. Sue can be reached at 603-926-2676.

"But This Home Doesn't Look Like It Did In The Pictures!"

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:15:56 -0700

As a New Hampshire home stager, I offer Staged Photography services. And I often get asked, "What happens if the home looks beautiful in the listing photographs on the web, but buyers are disappointed when they get to the house and see it doesn't really look like that?"

It's true. The home won't look like the photos. But listing photos are NOT a substitute for showings.

To the buyers that whine "but it doesn't look like the pictures!" I say "So what?"
Do you look like your business card every day?

Does make-up change a woman's facial structure? I'm not PhotoShopping out power lines or stress cracks here, I'm bringing in beautiful accessories.

When you look at a brochure for an Orlando Disney hotel, do you really believe that there are no tired, grouchy people there? I'm not fooling anyone with a smokescreen of beautiful listing photographs. People are smarter than that!

A house is a living, dynamic place that is home for dogs, cats, gerbils and occasionally some rambunctious kids. Home staging isn't about perfection 24 hours a day until the house sells. And Staged Photography doesn't lie. It just puts the home's best face forward for the photographs.

Staged First Impressions, a NH home staging company. We offer Staged Photography for NH home sellers. Whether you want to post your pictures on the web, have a featured tour, create e-flyers, we're here for you...snapping beautiful listing photographs to help you sell your home faster.

Staged Real Estate Photography in New Hampshire

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:45:21 -0700

Listing photographs are what home buyers see first on the Internet when shopping for a new home. Let buyers see beautiful listing photos of your home so that they want to schedule a showing and see it in person. The first impression most buyers get is from the colorful pictures on the web's MLS.

Staged Photography can make your listing photographs stand out from the rest. We're here for you, New Hampshire home sellers.

Staged Real Estate Photography in New Hampshire
Click to View Show Staged First Impressions combines staging & beautiful props to photograph a home for sale. Staged Photography is less expensive than complete home staging. Call Sue Argue today @ 603-926-2676 for more info.

Details		Contact Info Sue Argue Cell 603-401-0316 Dir 603-926-2676 Email \| Website Other Shows

How To Sell Your Staged Home Furnished & Recoup Your Staging Costs

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:56:31 -0700

Stage your home, sell it turn-key furnished, and recoup your staging costs. Sounds smart, right? But how do you know what to furnish it with to entice buyers? How do you adjust the listing price if the buyer wants it furnished?

Here in New Hampshire, lots of second homes are bought to enjoy the seacoast, the mountains and the lakes. These second homes may be a small condo or a multi-million dollar luxury property. And sometimes, buyers would appreciate a second home fully furnished and ready to enjoy! Here's what can help make it happen:

Keep it warm & inviting. You don't have to buy thousands of dollars worth of original art. Just make sure your furnishings look clean and classic. Living plants add warmth and texture.

Add to the home what it's lacking. This condo doesn't have a large area to cozy up to the fireplace, so I used 2 recliners instead of a big couch.

Being a 1-bedroom, I added a pull-out sofa bed to create a "guest room".

A majority of buyers would like an area to put a computer & desk. I created a "home office" by staging a small low profile desk and chair. If a home is missing a dining room, show how a table and chairs will look when beautifully set in the kitchen. Eliminate as many "have nots" as you can!

Purchase one or two splurge items that add alot of tasteful appeal & practicality. A beautiful walnut armoire adds drama to the bedroom, while providing some place to tuck that ugly TV or music componenets. There's nothing like a small flat-screen TV all wired & ready to go in the kitchen to make buyers smile. An investment, yes, but you'll get your money back if you sell it furnished.

Add some local flavor! If you're selling a second home, the buyers want to breathe the local air, so give 'em some photos, plants, decor that speaks of that area. This condo is in seacoast Hampton, NH, so I added shells, seaglass, and black & white surfboard photos. There are Hampton Beach postcards left out on the desk. Don't over do it!

The master bed's linens are not the place to scrimp on your budget. Why does a hotel turn down the bed for you and use crisp white sheets? It's clean & inviting. Do the same for your staged home you're trying to sell. Use comfortable, good quality bedding. I'm not talking 500-count Egyptian cotton here, just not ultra cheap!

Develop a style and a color scheme that suits just about anyone. Do you know why more white oxford shirts are sold than any other color? Because white goes with any color/style necktie that a man may have. Do the same with your walls and colors. Not necessarily white, but keep it simple, keep it classic.

Ask your agent who is likely to buy this property, and cater to those buyers. This vacant condo had many single men scheduling showings, so the space was kept very gender neutral. If you had mostly young families interested in your listing, you might add inexpensive bunk beds to get more mileage out of a vacation home.

How do you price your home to recoup your staging/furnishing costs?

Make sure the property is appropriately priced to begin with (don't argue with your agent). You're not going to overcharge a buyer for a property!! Buyers are educated, and the agent that is bringing the buyer to your property is educated about home prices too, right?

Add the actual cost of the furnishings and staging to your original asking price. DON'T TRY TO ADD MORE and give yourself a nice reward! As I said, no one is stupid in this equation. If you recoup your costs, it will indeed be a good buy for you AND the buyer. It's a win-win! You'll have less stuff to move right before closing, and that saves time and money too.

THIS STEP IS HUGE: The agent showing the home must understand to let buyers know the benefits of purchasing the home furnished. It saves time and money. There is no picking out furniture, waiting for it to be delivered. "There is a true vacation here, the work has been done for you!" The agent can sell the idea by explaining to buyers what the advantages are to enjoy.

Staged First Impressions, a NH home staging company. We'd like New Hampshire builders & home owners who are selling possible second/vacation properties to know that there are clever ways to pay for home staging that will help the home sell faster, but not break the bank.

A Life Raft for Sellers in This Shallow Pool of Buyers

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:51:08 -0700

Last week I was invited to visit a wonderful woman named Deanne at her mother's home in Dover, New Hampshire for a home staging consultation. Her Mom had died fairly quickly from an aggressive brain tumor, and it had only been a week since the funeral. Deanne was raw with sadness and understandably nervous about the job of selling this home. Soon she would fly back to her home in the Midwest, and finish the selling process from miles away. She was open to discussing a detailed plan that will help the house to sell faster. And she was smart to get this plan in place BEFORE putting her Mom's house on the market.

It didn't take long for me to spot some obstacles that might get in the way of buyers wanting to purchase this house. If Deanne staged her Mom's home, it would appeal to more buyers, and increase the chances of getting an offer. Staged homes sell faster.

Challenge #1: Letting go. Deanne's Mom loved color, bright color. Cherry red and bright lemon yellow walls, and a guest bathroom with a black ceiling. I explained to Deanne, who is a clothing designer, that if she left the walls these colors, she would be limiting the number of buyers who would fall in love with the home. "But someone will like these colors just like Mom did." The analogy I gave this designer was this: if you created only size 18 dresses, how many would you sell? You are limiting your buyer pool to size 18 women only, and you are limiting your buyer pool here by keeping bright colored walls in the home. When you put your house on the market, it's not about you anymore. It's about the potential home buyers. Go neutral with colors and style to attract more buyers.

This living room in Kensington, New Hampshire was painted a dark brown before staging. It was given an updated lighter wall color, areas were staged to look larger, cleaner and more relaxed. Home staging makes a house appealing to a greater number of people.

Staged Living Room

Challenge #2: De-personalizing. Deanne's Mom had lots of beautiful photos of brides and babies decorating her home. Human beings are attracted to human faces, we can't help it. The problem is that buyers will be staring at her photos instead of looking at her home. Not good! Buyers spend only a few seconds per room checking it out for the first time. Precious seconds spent looking at your stuff takes away from showing off your home! This is not only true of personal photos...if you have an incredible collection of signed baseballs, precious Hummel s, antique doo-dahs etc on display, the buyers will be staring at your collection instead of concentrating on your house. Another area to de-personalize is your bathrooms. When there are face cloths, razors, toothbrushes etc on display in the bathroom, it gets too personal. Hide all bathroom items in a cabinet prior to showings and of course prior to your listing photos. Bathrooms should look like they do in a hotel, spotless and empty. And close that lid!

This bathroom in Lee, New Hampshire had pink feminine wallpaper that may not have appealed to a lot of buyers. It was painted a neutral color and personal items were hidden.

Staged Master Bathroom

Challenge #3: Welcoming in 2007 with open arms. We all have some "comfy old favorites". Perhaps the comforter on your bed has kept you warm for many, many years. It's broken in, you say, nothing wrong with it. Updating the style of your home does matter when it comes to selling it. If you were getting dressed for a job interview, would you wear a 15 year old suit? Or would you spiff up a bit, look your best? This isn't a dress rehearsal for your home, this is show time!! Put its best face forward.

This master bedroom in Greenland, New Hampshire needed a boost to beam it up into 2007. Blue mini blinds and a tired bedspread needed updating. Home staging gave this room a fresh updated look to help it appeal to more buyers. Turn on your lights for showings; light and bright is cheerful.

Staged Master Bedroom

Challenge #4: The front entry creates the first impression. It's the Universal Law of Wrappers when it comes to selling a product. Take a chocolate truffle for example. The prettier the wrapper, the better the chocolate is assumed to be, the more money you might be willing to pay for it. Successful confectioners know that presentation matters when it comes to selling pricey chocolate! Home staging prepares homes for market by using this same principal. Staging adds colorful accessories to transform your home into a beautifully packaged product to sell.

And staging includes the exterior of the home too. The first impression buyers have when they pull in to the driveway should make them want to see more. It should be clean, welcoming and friendly.

This staged New Hampshire front entry says, "Come on in!" It looks clean and well kept, it lets buyers know that the hard work has been done for them. Ahh, move in, and relax. The front of the house is almost always the first listing picture that buyers see on the Internet when they're browsing homes for sale, so make it good!

Staged Front Entry

Challenge #5: Making Peace with the current market. As your home stager, I'd like you to have realistic expectations. Just because your house is staged beautifully doesn't mean you can bump up the price in a buyer's market. Your staged home will most likely sell faster in a buyer's market if it is staged. The market is what it is! No one has a crystal ball to determine the best time for you to sell your home. But think about this: if your home sells for less than you'd like, you're probably going to buy one for less too.

Staging your home before putting it on the market ensures that your home's first impressions are top-notch. Statistics show that the first 30 days after listing are when the most activity on your home occurs. Stage it, then list it, then sell it.

Staged First Impressions in Hampton, NH helped Deanne and many other New Hampshire home owners by creating attractive and comfortable houses to sell. We also provide excellent staged photography services. If you would like personalized instruction on how to stage your home so it sells faster, please call us in New Hampshire @ 603-926-2676. We've got a life raft ready & waiting for you!

Like to read more New Hampshire home staging blogs by Sue Argue from Staged First Impressions?

Can I stage my own home?
I don't think my house needs staging, it's just right for me!
Who pays for home staging, the seller or the agent?
Can you teach me to stage my own home?
How come Realtors don't pay for home staging?
Why are the listing pictures so important?
Do you have experience staging commercial spaces?
I'm moving; what should I do with my household hazardous waste?
When it comes to fixing up my house for sale, what is most important?
My house is vacant and I can't afford to stage it.
How do I get started staging my home in NH?
What is a home staging consultation?
Do you know any green LEED builders?
Tell me how to interview a home stager.
Tell me who to contact to join the Active Rain blogging community.
Where can I find info on home staging statistics?
I can't find a home stager in my area, can you help me?
My house needs curb appeal, can you help me?
Another example of curb appeal
Staging it Forward with Realtors in NH
What is Staged Photography?
Using Staged Photography to sell your home in NH
Selling? Make Peace with the Current Real Estate Market

The Secret Option for Builders to Stage a Model Home

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 22:31:16 -0700

There was a time when new condos in seacoast New Hampshire couldn't be built fast enough. Our population here in Hampton swells from roughly 20,000 to over 100,000 in the summer months. The winters are long and cold, but plenty of folks like to keep a vacation condo here for the summer months.

But times have changed. Too many condos have been built. Builders that get stuck hanging on to multiple units need to get creative in order to sell. As a home stager in New Hampshire, I've been asked, "What are my options?"

This model condo pictured below is 2 miles from the ocean; it is harder to sell than new condos located right on the water. Being a 55+ community, this also narrows down the buyer pool. This builder needed to get creative!

We agreed upon a budget of $7,000 for complete furnishings and staging of one unit.

I purchased everything and designed the space.

The builder kept all receipts and owns everything outright. (No monthly rental fees)

When this condo sells, all items will be moved into another unsold unit and used again. This means the model furnishings can be used to stage again and again, at no further cost to the builder.

If a buyer wishes to purchase a unit furnished, the builder can bump up the asking price and recoup the staging fee.

If you're gasping at the price of $7,000 and wondering, "Where the heck am I going to get that kind of money?" think about this: your first or second price reduction is probably going to be more than $7,000, am I right?

Another option is to work with a stager who furnishes a vacant home using rented furniture and accessories; there are monthly charges accrued. The option to sell the model furnished to recoup staging costs is not available. There would be continued monthly charges if furnishings were moved to another unit to be used again.

The vacant condo above was staged & photographed by Sue Argue of Staged First Impressions, a NH home staging company. Please call 603-926-2676 for a home staging consultation. We're here for you, NH.

Vacant Kitchens Are Just Too Doggone Empty!

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:56:11 -0700

The problem with a vacant kitchen is that it's too doggone empty looking. What's more depressing than an empty frig and no food? Everybody likes to hang out in the kitchen, unless it's completely naked!

Who wants to linger when there's nothing but cold, empty appliances staring at you? What do you do in an empty space with a Realtor that you don't know well? Hmmm, stare at the walls for a few seconds, and move on to the next room. But we want buyers to linger in a home and fall in love with it.

Now staging a kitchen is not that expensive. Do NH home stagers do small jobs such as this? Oh yes, they do! Staging one room is feasible. And I'll give a secret...staging before your listing photos are snapped is essential! Don't do it after the house has been on the market for a year as a "last resort".

The most activity occurs on a house in the first 30 days, so stage BEFORE you list it.

Check out this kitchen before & after staging. It'll convince you that vacant kitchens are too doggone empty!!

Don't leave the knife out during showings, just for the photo. Be safe :)

Staged First Impressions, a NH home staging company. We'll help you get a kitchen staged to warm it up and tempt buyers to linger for a while until they fall in love with the home. Give us a call today @ 603-926-2676.

Will 3-D Virtual Tours Eliminate Home Staging?

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:15:23 -0700

I read Amy Bergquist's blog today on 3-D virtual tours. There was an article today in CNN Money that gives an example of Coldwell Banker utilizing a Second Life virtual tour to advertise a 3.1 million dollar listing of theirs in Washington.

At first glance, it's cartoony and reminds me of Grand Theft Auto and some other video games that I despise.

But, on second thought... there's no clutter. No dirty carpets. No warped wide-angle lens images. Second life virtual tours would eliminate the need for home staging, professional photography, vacant staging, model homes.

What do you think of that?

EDIT: For more information on Second Life and this virtual real estate venture, check out Sara Washburn's blog.

Staged First Impressions, a NH home staging company.

Duct Tape With Humor Stuck to It

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:32:59 -0700

I received this email this morning and it gave me a very wide smile. Hope it brightens your day too! I knew that duct tape was a versatile product, but this is genius!!

I have to tell you that I have never seen a better use for duct tape in my life.
Makes you want to require everyone carry a roll for emergencies.

Maybe you know someone close to you that needs a roll...

Staged First Impressions, a NH home staging company with a sense of humor.

Selling Now? Make Peace With the Current Real Estate Market

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:18:50 -0700

There is no shortage of information about the current housing market. Most areas of the country have felt the pinch of this buyer's market. But what can you do if you need to sell a home and you can't wait for the market to pick up? You make sure your homework is done, and then make peace with this market trend. Breathe in...breathe out...

Tackle Your Homework:

Hire an agent that you trust, that comes with references from prior customers.

Allow your agent to determine the asking price. Don't be stubborn on this, you'll regret it every time.

Stage your home so it outshines the competition in your price range.

After staging, your listing pictures should look fabulous and include all of your home's best selling features (hardwood floors, fireplace, crown molding, nice landscaping, big bedrooms...these are some examples of great selling features that should show in your pictures.)

Be ready for Open Houses and showings. You have control to make sure the home is kept clean and tidy to impress buyers.

You'll add to your own stress level if steps on this list are skipped or skimmed over! Complete the whole list so that you can feel good about marketing your home for sale.

If the list is done, then relax, and your home will sell. Please, please don't call your agent and blame him/her because your home has not sold!! Casting blame is easy, but it doesn't help.

So let it go...make peace with this real estate buyer's market. And if you're buying a home, you're buying at a wonderful time. Rejoice!!

Staged First Impressions, a New Hampshire home staging company. We offer home staging and staged photography services for seacoast & southern NH.

Like to read more New Hampshire home staging blogs by Sue Argue from Staged First Impressions?

Can I stage my own home?
I don't think my house needs staging, it's just right for me!
Who pays for home staging, the seller or the agent?
Can you teach me to stage my own home?
How come Realtors don't pay for home staging?
Why are the listing pictures so important?
Do you have experience staging commercial spaces?
I'm moving; what should I do with my household hazardous waste?
When it comes to fixing up my house for sale, what is most important?
My house is vacant and I can't afford to stage it.
How do I get started staging my home in NH?
What is a home staging consultation?
Do you know any green LEED builders?
Tell me how to interview a home stager.
Tell me who to contact to join the Active Rain blogging community.
Where can I find info on home staging statistics?
I can't find a home stager in my area, can you help me?
My house needs curb appeal, can you help me?
Another example of curb appeal
Staging it Forward with Realtors in NH
What is Staged Photography?
Using Staged Photography to sell your home in NH

Real Estate Shows User Guide

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:32:35 -0700

Real Estate Shows is a marketing tool that allows you to take digital images, link them together in a slide show that mimics live video, and personalize the "show" with music and your own text. Obviously the uses are unlimited, but specifically its application to marketing real estate is powerful. These featured tours can be loaded into the MLS, Realtor.com; they can be emailed, and embedded in a blog or website. Versatile, EASY. If you haven't already, check it out!

This blog was inspired by, of course, Sarah Cooper. She writes a blog nearly every day for Real Estate Shows to offer creative ideas on the multitude of uses for these featured tours, their marketing potential and of course, she lets us see lots of examples of quality shows. The how-to tutorials make this process EASY. Did I mention how easy it is? Subscribe to Sarah's RES blog!

Here at Active Rain, we are fortunate to be on the cutting edge with this versatile real estate marketing tool because of Jeff Turner's (President of Real Estate Shows) diligent blogging here. Jeff is a sharp guy who knows marketing, and so it makes sense that he scooped up Sarah Cooper to help him get the word out about his user-friendly featured tours. If you're using RES in your real estate marketing, I strongly suggest you subscribe to their RES blog to keep up with new features and tutorials.

** The RES website Help is in plain easy language, and the RES video tutorials are very good. Use it again and again! (Hey, search the "help" before emailing Jeff and Sarah with questions!!)

I wanted to create a place where there were a lot of RES helpful hints in one Active Rain page, so here it is, and I hope it helps someone. If anyone has more to add, of course you do, leave me a comment and I'll add it! Please leave me the link too!

Get me started with Real Estate Shows!
How much does it cost?
How do I create a Real Estate Show?
An example of a Real Estate Show to advertise a listing
An example to advertise a home staging business
An example to advertise a Realtor or a Realty
Why would you want to link 2+ shows together?
How do you email a show to someone?
How do you embed a show into your blog?
Can you embed all of your active listing shows into a blog? Yes!
How do you embed one of your shows into your blog's sidebar?
Can I add panoramic shots to a show if my camera doesn't have a "stitch" feature?
Can I add my shows to my feature page and featured listings on StagedHomes.com?
What www links should I add to my shows?
Can I launch a RES into a web page to advertise a listing?
Can I make a show longer than 60 seconds?
How do I organize and link all of my active listing shows together?
Have any helpful info on camera movement when creating a show?
How do I remove a show if my listing sells?
I don't want my show linked to my others, can I stop that?
Can you make the show automatically play instead of hitting the "play" button?
I need help choosing the music to best market my show!
I need to replace a photo in my show
where's the "related show button" to play a show that's related to the one I'm watching?
How do I change the order of my photos?
How do I put a Google map location link to my show?
How do I get a mortgage calculator on my show?
How do I get a schools link to my show?
How do I edit my property details?
How do you link shows together?
How do I add a panoramic shot?
Can I turn off the "schedule an appt" button?
Can I embed a YouTube video into my show?
the MLS says I can't post my show because of my branding info!
Show me a good example of a community show that could help me get referrals
I need help coming up with a title for my show! More titles info here More title info here
Why would I want to put a YouTube video in my real estate show?
Can I track where viewers are coming from to visit my shows?
How can I use RealEstateShows.com to get more listing opportunities?
How do I link my Real Estate Shows to Realtor.com?
How do I link my Real Estate Shows to my MLS?
Does it matter how big my digital photos are?
How do I link my Real Estate Shows to my MLS?
How do I download files for a CD?
Is There a Cost to Linking to Realtor.com?
What are the costs to link to Realtor.com?

***MASTER ARCHIVE FOR RES HOW-TO VIDEOS, for help tutorials click here!!

How To Contact Real Estate Shows
EMAIL: info@realestateshows.com
13082 Mindanao Way #27, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Staged First Impressions, a NH Home Staging company happily uses Real Estate Shows to market my home staging and staged photography services. Thanks, RES!

Use Staged Photography to Sell Your Home in New Hampshire

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:07:03 -0700

Staged Photography involves the use of props to enhance a photograph's composition. For real estate listing photography, it is the use of props (colorful accessories that are brought to the home) to compose a beautiful image that will be posted on the MLS to lure buyers in from the Internet.

What if buyers get to the home and see that it doesn't look like the photographs they saw on the web? They will know what potential the home has. So...

What is Staged Photography?

Listing photographs taken after the area is staged and props are added to the space to improve/update its look
Images are PhotoShop'd to edit any imperfections or crop unwanted background
Photos can be uploaded to the MLS, Realtor.com, Trulia, or wherever you'd like them to go!

What are the benefits of Staged Photography?

Attractive listing photos draw buyers in from the web, they will be more apt to schedule a showing
Staged Photography is less expensive than full home staging because the props are not left at the home

Staged Photography gave this home in Brookline, New Hampshire a better shot at selling with these beautiful listing photos on the MLS. Judy Conover from Hollis, NH ReMax would love to show you this home! Give her a call at 603-465-8800.

Staged First Impressions, Hampton, NH, specializing in Staged Photography to market homes for sale. Call Sue Argue at 603-926-2676. ALL OF OUR STAGED PHOTOGRAPHY CUSTOMERS RECEIVE A FEATURED TOUR FROM REAL ESTATE SHOWS WHICH CAN BE POSTED ON THE WEB OR EMAILED. Here is the featured tour that was created for this NH home for sale:

More articles to read from Sue Argue's home staging blog:

Can I stage my own home?
I don't think my house needs staging, it's just right for me!
Who pays for home staging, the seller or the agent?
Can you teach me to stage my own home?
How come Realtors don't pay for home staging?
Why are the listing pictures so important?
Do you have experience staging commercial spaces?
I'm moving; what should I do with my household hazardous waste?
When it comes to fixing up my house for sale, what is most important?
My house is vacant and I can't afford to stage it.
How do I get started staging my home?
What is a home staging consultation?
Do you know any green LEED builders?
Tell me how to interview a home stager.
Tell me who to contact to join Active Rain blogging community.
Where can I find info on home staging statistics?
I can't find a home stager in my area, can you help me?
My house needs curb appeal, can you help me?
Another example of curb appeal
What is Staged Photography?

The Way You Shop Could Change the World... "Climate Counts" from New Hampshire's CE-Yo

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:52:59 -0700

New Hampshire's own Gary Hirshberg, CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farms (organic yogurt) has more than a farmer's green thumb. He's got a penchant for all things green. Last year Gary started "Climate Counts", so that folks would know where to shop to support large companies that are doing their part to slow global warming.

By studying the large companies that provide us with most of our everyday products (household, food, apparel...), Climate Counts can give us their results so that we can shop responsibly. The winning companies were judged by "their climate 'footprint', their impact on global warming, their support of progressive climate legislation, and publicly disclosed their climate actions clearly and comprehensively."

Links to check out if you're interested in shopping at Earth Friendly Companies:

Find out what companies are taking climate change seriously and buy their products
download a Climate Counts Pocket Guide on cardstock and give it to your friends and family
number one household products company? Proctor & Gamble
P & G products: Cascade, Charmin, Cheer, Clairol, Cover Girl, Crest, Dawn, Downy, Dreft, Duracell, Febreze, Fixodent, Folgers, Gain, Gilette, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Ivory, Joy, Lacoste, Luvs, Max Factor, Metamucil, Mr. Clean, Nice 'n Easy, Noxzema, Olay, Old Spice, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, Pepto-Bismol, Secret, Scope, Swiffer, Tampax, Tide, Vicks, Bounty, Boss, Braun

The Climate Counts website has this to offer about their own accountability: "GreenOrder, a leading sustainability strategy firm, provided strategic guidance on the Climate Counts program, assisted in the development of the scoring system, and verified the scoring results for accuracy."

Want to stick a link on your web/blog to help out the mission of Climate Counts? Copy & paste this into your "Settings" section of your profile page:

Thanks, Gary Hirshberg for thinking globally and acting locally!

And your yogurt is awesome too. Hey, where do you get green cows?

These are actually very cool plastic containers useful for leftovers that happen to come with delicious yogurt inside. Ummm...

Active Rain's Localism "Listings" Category: Getting the Biggest Bang For Free!

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:34:43 -0700

Blog about your active listings by placing your Real Estate Shows and/or your website into a blog via iFrame, and post it on Active Rain's Localism, under the "listings" category. You could put your listing show and a linked community show in one blog to advertise a listing.

Cheryl Johnson gave us an iFrame tutorial, how to put iFrames inside a blog, which I have done here to insert this website and Real Estate Show URL into this blog page. I’ts real simple, copy and paste into your blog while in the HTML format. Put your website or Real Estate Show URL in after the www. You can change the size of the frame by changing the height and width values. For this Real Estate Show, I've got them both set at 600, the website height and width is set at 450.

Here I have put Mary Helen Corcoran's staged homes (and ooops I did the Staged Photography too) into a blog to post on New Hampshire Localism.

Placing a blog like this in Active Rain's Localism "listings" category could potentially help Mary Helen's listings to sell AND advertise my home staging and staged photography services too. Thanks for checking this out and I hope this helps!

Staged First Impressions, a NH home staging company.

Your Home Staging Niche...Have You Found It?

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:09:12 -0700

After writing the blog about my successes and failures, I came to the wonderful realization that I had finally carved out a niche for myself here in New Hampshire. I enjoyed 26 years of cardiology nursing before switching over to home staging, so I knew a little about specializing. I got a broad nursing education, but then narrowed my work experience down until I reached a point where I was pretty darn good at something!

Remember those mazes that you did as a kid when you were on a long car trip? You took your pencil and moved it along the paper until you came to a "road block", then you'd have to backtrack and find the path without blocks, and finally you'd get to the End. Ha! Satisfying.

Here is my work maze: I've gone thru vacant staging, occupied staging, model staging, $2.2 million dollar to $300K home staging, staging consultations and staged photography. I started out rather broad then narrowed my work experience again until I've reached a point where I'm pretty darn good at --Staged Photography. I LOVE IT!!

There are so many home stagers at Active Rain who create gorgeous spaces from vacant properties. Now we have a Vacant Stager's Group dedicated to these business owners. It requires inventory and/or furniture rentals, monthly billing, trucks, deadlines, elevators, parking out front of buildings hoping you don't get towed...am I being clear? It's a tough home staging niche!

Nan Hayes offers training classes for Certification in Relocation & Transition Specialty, CRTS. This organization helps 55+ residents with relocation and re-organization. National Association of Senior Move Managers, check out this site if this sounds interesting to you. If you'd like to learn more, check out Nan's website or email her at nhayes@moveseniors.com

If you're a new stager trying to figure it all out-- try different staging projects. See what works for you in your area. Find out what you're good at, and what you're passionate about.

Grab hold, work hard, speak the universal language called kindness...I wish you great success.

Have you found your niche?

Staged First Impressions, Home Staging in NH. Offering Staged Photography to market homes for sale.

What is Staged Photography?

Active Rain's Home Staging Statistics, Realtors, Tell The Public

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 11:52:24 -0700

I created this Wufoo web form because people rightfully want to know, does Home Staging really work?

So please Active Rain Realtors, give your feedback. Entries need to be in by July 18, 2007. Results will be posted by July 20, 2007.

*your name & contact info are not required. PLEASE ONLY ONE ENTRY PER USER. Obviously, home stagers cannot respond, unless you are a Realtor that stages your own listings.

If you check "there are no home stagers in my area, I need more info", and sincerely want feedback, please enter your info.

**the more info you give me, the more I'll have to share with the Active Rain community and the public that reads our blogs.

Fill out my Wufoo form! Powered by Wufoo

Staged First Impressions, Hampton NH. Questions/comments, contact Sue Argue.

Portsmouth NH's "Tree House Toys"

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:48:53 -0700

I love kids. I love toys. I love watching kids happily playing with toys. So as you can imagine, going to Tree House Toys in Portsmouth, NH is a blast for me.

Treehouse Toys, Portsmouth

143 Market St, Portsmouth, NH
(603)433-8697

This store has something for everyone. If you can't find your little buddy a gift here, you are too picky. They've got everything from trains to dolls to puppets to...toy lobsters. Quality, durable, unusual, FUN toys.

What would seacoast NH be without toy lobsters, fish, octopuses (octopi?) and moose? The first picture is Market Square in Portsmouth. If you are standing in the square, walk to your right (it's one-way for car traffic, but you'll be walking anyway), Tree House Toys is down on your right.

Check it out when you're in seacoast NH. Tax free shopping at its finest!

ps- In the first picture, see the crowd on the right, gathered around LawDawg's Hotdog Stand? Ummm, stop there when you're ready for a delicious dog, and throw on all their hots, too. And yes, the Law DOES eat there, I watched them!

Staged First Impressions

Professional home staging services, and Staged Photography for Rockingham County, NH

My Successes & Failures Are Teaching Me

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:27:56 -0700

Recently someone asked me about my business statistics. What they meant was, for every house I staged, what was the outcome? How long did it take for the homes to sell? And what was the offered price compared to the asking price? Did my staged homes sell faster and for more money?

Some of the statistics are good, some not so good. The best outcomes I have blogged about, of course. But the houses that (still) sit on the market after staging, I cannot hide. And I cannot blame someone else. But these "failures" have taught me a lot.

Mistake #1:

I failed to let the Realtor & seller know that their staging budget wasn't enough. When a Realtor asked me if I would work within a budget, I said yes. And I kept the staging to within the $700 budget as requested. But the home needed much more work, and I knew it. But I kept my promise of staying within the budget. I brought in accessories and staged the whole first floor. The upstairs still needs staging, badly, and it's hurting the outcome.

Mistake #2:

I failed to explain well enough that after home staging, you cannot raise the home's asking price tens of thousands because it shows better. I know I talked about it in front of the seller and the Realtor, but obviously I didn't explain it well enough. It's easy to assume people understand, but sometimes they don't. And when the price is fixed by the seller with no budging because "now it's beautiful and should sell", it sits on the market. I feel badly, the Realtor is upset, and the seller feels that we both let her down.

My successes have reminded me that hard work pays off and that kindness is a universal language. I have also learned through my successes:

Lesson #1:

Be happy with success, and don't try to change it. Realtors are pleased with my work and happy with their outcome, but they are quiet about it. At first I wished they would blog about how fantastic home staging is, but now I'm very happy with quiet repeat business.

Lesson #2:

It's OK if I'm not all things to all people. I don't provide furniture rentals for vacant homes. Having a huge inventory of furniture is not for me. What I'm good at is Staged Photography and occupied home staging. My niche is a blast for me, and has a positive impact for my customers.

Do your successes and failures have a helpful message for you too?

Staged First Impressions, home staging in NH

Craig Schiller, Sue Argue & Cindy Lin Meet in Chicago: Home Staging Coast to Coast

Sue Argue - NH Home Stager (Staged First Impressions) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:40:52 -0700

We ate deep dish spinach pizza in the heart of Chicago, and talked for the first time face to face. From New Hampshire, Chicago and San Francisco, we came together and shared our backgrounds, our home staging business stories, and our hopes for the future. And ladies, Craig is much more handsome in person.

Craig Schiller treated Sue Argue and Cindy Lin to a guided tour around Chicago, which was fantastic. If you haven't been to this city in a while, go...it's a friendly, clean and FUN place to visit.

Craig, never wear that hat in Boston, OK? You might get beat up by the Red Sox fans.

Cindy and I tried the local beer, 321 I think it was called, very tasty.

The subject of home staging and Active Rain did come up :)

Craig is well aware that eyes are on his blog and he obviously cares about helping other staging business owners and his own customers.

Active Rain is a fantastic platform and it is working to get home staging's success out there! We're getting referrals from AR.

And we all see this happening: Realtors that team up with home stagers are more successful at selling homes than ones who don't. Same results, coast to coast.

Thank you Craig Schiller for your kindness and hospitality in Chicago. It was a pleasure meeting you both, and I wish us continued success in our businesses :) You can come visit me in NH next time, ski, kayak, hike, lobsters, autumn leaves...

Cheers!