westchester county: Two of My Staged/SOLD Properties This Year Were FSBOs!
- 08/30/14 02:15 AM
Compiling my YTD business numbers, surprised and gladdened to realize I had a new category of properties to track-FSBOS!
FSBOs-For Sale By Owner-are properties sold without the representation of an agent or brokerage. There may be a few reasons a seller chooses to go this route, but not paying sales commissions is almost always a big part of it.
Getting a property sold in Westchester County is much more than 2 parties agreeing on a number, and for the record, The Refreshed Home never, ever recommends a seller go it alone. I actually dedicate a good amount of time in the Staging classes and workshops I give to explaining the agent-seller relationship. But, like … (5 comments)
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westchester county: Buyers Can't Buy It if They Can't Find It!
- 08/24/14 05:07 AM
Prosepctive buyers always talk about looking for a house, but could they be talking about your listing, literally?
Problems with actually finding a listed property happens a lot more often than you might think, in both rural and urban settings. Many communities and HOAs do not allow broker signs, and GPS is imperfect, reception can be sketchy in all sorts of areas.
The Refreshed Home looks at ALL aspects of preparing Westchester County properties for sale, and yes, that does include making sure the property is easy to find, because buyers can't buy it if they can't find it.
There are … (49 comments)
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westchester county: More Worthwhile Things to Do in Westchester County (While Everyone Else is On Vacation)
- 08/21/14 02:07 PM
The best summer events include fun, novelty and tradition, with at least a smattering of redeeming value in there somewhere. If the Ice-Bucket Challenge thing is starting to wear thin (just send in the money!!) adding to yesterday's list, more worthwhile things to do here in Westchester County-while eveyone else is on vacation!
Get. Out.
The weather's been beautiful, before the season's end, seek out, and enjoy at least a few of these summer staples. Some Westchester County ideas: A drive -in movie, an outdoor concert, fireworks, a farmers' market, craft fair, a ball game, or maybe just stop by Walter's … (4 comments)
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westchester county: FAQs: What's the DIfference Between Decorating and Redesign?
- 07/10/14 01:57 PM
A good economic indicator>Decorating FAQs are popping up all over! Today's question centers on a popular buzzword, "Redesign".
Written or spoken, we communicate with words. The best word choices convey nuance and details, they also attract and engage listeners when they are different, or unexpected.
"Redesign" popped into our consciousness probably about 5 or 6 years ago; pretty much when the economy was fully on the skids. The prefix "Re-" meaning back, or again gave us us this new word, meaning to create something new from at least some existing items. Un-specific, but snappy and less-indulgent sounding, it appealed to those … (3 comments)
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westchester county: Home Stagers: Good Cop or Bad Cop?
- 01/15/14 03:43 AM
Good Cop/Bad Cop is a time-honored cliche, a tool used to shake up the equilibrium, and prod someone into action. The Good Cop is supportive, looking out for you; the Bad Cop says the tough things that need to be said.
Home Stagers often wear many hats during the course of even a consult (figuratively, of course-I hate hats in real life!)- Bad Cop is one of them...but Good Cop is another.
The Refreshed Home functions as the client advocate, only and always. My success depends on your success. If I can smell cigarette smoke, teen age boy or litter boxes; … (4 comments)
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westchester county: Giving the Gift: Finding Inspiration, and Treasure in Westchester County NY
- 11/30/13 02:58 AM
Giving the Gift is an annual series TRH creates to put Westchester County Small Businesses and Shops on your radar. So far we've covered Original Art, and now Special Gifts. Next? For Love of the Printed Word: Westchester County independent bookstores!
As so knowingly chronicled in the classic A Christmas Story, kids know what they want. Not always realistic, but persistent and specific? Oh yes. There is "Ralphie" in every child, and every generation has its own version of the an official Red Ryder BB rifle.
Adults are harder to shop for. Perhaps because being nicely surprised is part of the gift? … (0 comments)
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westchester county: On Checkers and Chess, Geometry and Home Staging
- 09/24/13 09:28 AM
Though the three of us were only separated by 3 1/2 years, as the oldest, I was smarter, and always knew better than my two younger brothers. Until they both got bit by the chess bug.
Checkers was fine! Clear and straightforward, simple rules I understood, and most importantly, I could win!
But there were different, and incontrovertible rules for moving different chess pieces. I was annoyed, it felt arbitrary and unnecessarily complicated, something that didn't come easily, and I didn't want to be bothered to learn or understand. It was an attitude that resurfaced when faced with memorizing Regents Geometry theorems.
In 10th … (2 comments)
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westchester county: POP QUIZ #5
- 09/17/13 09:28 PM
Combining two staples of September: Renewed interest in home improvement and questions with tricky answers, the POP QUIZ series returns!
Questions could have more than one correct answer. Give it your best before scrolling down, good luck!
1. White walls will make a small space look bigger
a) Yes
b) No
c) Depends
d) Bigger is not always better
2. When a contractor is hired by, and paid by your Decorator or Home Stager who is responsible to be sure their insurance, certification and licensing is all adequate and current?
a) Client
b) Decorator/Stager
c) Contractor
d) Depends
e) All of … (3 comments)
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westchester county: What (ELSE) to Do in Westchester County in Summer 2013
- 08/12/13 09:31 AM
Hear that tick-tick-tick? YUP, it's Summer 2013 winding down.
In May, the promise of summer stretched out in front of us, as bright as the sun, and as far as they eye could see. But now, with only three weeks til Labor Day, you may be inclined to rue the days passed, and start making resolutions for next summer, while shopping for real shoes, and corduroys.
NO!! RESIST!! There are still plenty of Summertime things to do in Westchester, but you must plan NOW!
Here are some ideas (and links) to help you make the most of these next few … (6 comments)
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westchester county: "I'm Ready For My Close-Up, Mr. DeMille"
- 02/18/13 05:24 AM
Because we're in February, both Spring Market and Oscar fever are upon us, so famous movie quotes that resonate with Real Estate are a natural.
Made famous by Gloria Swanson's portrayal of actress Norma Desmond-"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille" became a punchline, an elbow and a nudge to someone who was taking themselves too seriously, living in the past, breaking from reality, even sounding delusional. That, in itself probably sounds waaay to familiar to agents who've seen plenty of that in recent years, but that's a topic for another time....
The word "Staging": you know it. You may love … (9 comments)
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westchester county: REALTORS and BROKERS: Are You Ready?
- 01/13/13 06:00 AM
Less than two weeks in, 2013 has a number of Westchester County Realtors and Brokers walking with a spring in their step. While I've yet to hear anyone actually whistling (yet), it's clear they are feeling and seeing a positive shift in the housing market.
YES>buyers are showing up! Financials in order, and they're making offers. And inventory is dwindling. Excellent news, right? Well, how about 2 out of 3?
Demand and prices tend to rise when inventory is lowered, but once they're gone, they're gone. And now the dinner bell rings for those who've been on the fence, thinking … (7 comments)
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westchester county: Furniture Sharehouse: You Can Help Support Westchester County Veterans
- 11/11/12 01:06 AM
Furniture Sharehouse is Westchester County's own furniture bank. Run by volunteers, Furniture Sharehouse collects unwanted clean, basic furniture, and re-distributes it FREE to clients of about 40 different Westchester County agencies.
Every month, on average, 7 to 8 Westchester County veterans are helped to ease into permanent housing by Furniture Sharehouse, through the Veteran's Affairs arm of WestCOP (Westchester Community Opportunity Program).
Donations (furniture, time, funds) are always sought and welcomed, but right now, your online VOTES are #1 ask.
Larchmont's own Kate Bialo, founder of Furniture Sharehouse is one of 10 National Finalists vying for a $25K grant from … (3 comments)
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westchester county: RUTHLESS?? Yeah, OK, Whatever...
- 07/30/12 05:46 AM
Over the weekend the NYT ran a great feature, Ruthless Came the Stager. Two clients fw. me the link, wanted to be sure I saw it.
Thought the article was good: accurate and fair, sharing insight to the range of things Stager can come up against.
FAR more telling were the comments...what a hornet's nest! The passion, the indignation, the NERVE!!
Yeah, whatever....where are some of these readers coming from?? It's not like this is pending legislation or anything....(I know, not going there...)
Staging is like any other personal service. Lots of different approaches, lots of different people out … (4 comments)
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Compiling my YTD business numbers, surprised and gladdened to realize I had a new category of properties to track-FSBOS!
;)
;)
