Suzanne's Home Staging & Interior Redesign Blog

Enhanced Home Staging & Redesign Services Gaining Successful Results in St. Petersburg Florida

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:43:57 -0700

Suzanne Bennett, owner of Sold By Design, is thrilled to announce a recent partnership with Jennifer O'Brien, a certified feng shui consultant. Together, the two bring a unique team approach to the Real Estate Home Staging & Redesign industry in Pinellas County. In fusing their strengths, knowledge, and skills together, they have been able to provide assistance to homeowners on many different levels. Homeowners are very eager to receive much needed help during what can be a frustrating & discouraging time with selling in today's market. The renewed energy and success that they've seen transpire is both exciting & rewarding. This recent testimonial provides insight to the success of their efforts: Received 3/9/09 from Sarah E, St. Petersburg Homeowner "Our home was lingering on the market for four months. We had one actual showing and three cancelled showings in that time period. It was so frustrating. It was at that point, when I asked Suzanne and Jennifer to take a look at our home on Realtor.com to see if they had any suggestions to help it show better. They came to our home and transformed our living spaces to convey an aesthetically pleasing layout using the ancient Feng Shui philosophy. What a difference it has made! Suzanne then came over and took beautiful photos and created an amazing video tour of our home. Within a week of Suzanne & Jennifer's consultations, we had four showings in one week. The feedback we have received about our home has been wonderful and positive. I am confident that they have transformed our home from the last on house-hunters' lists, to the first one they want to look at. We are so pleased with the transformation of our living spaces that we wish we didn't have to move! Suzanne and Jennifer are so pleasant to work with and have such an intimate knowledge of design and Feng Shui that I would recommend them to anyone who needed to sell their house. I would also recommend them to someone who just wanted a consultation on how to make their living space a tranquil, aesthetically pleasing and healthy home." The most recent update is the homeowner received an offer on her home on 3/28/09 and is currently under contract to close. While Sold By Design has provided quality services with proven successful results since 2006, we feel the addition of our enhanced services will help suit the increasing needs of our clients in these changing times. With our unique and strong team approach to staging homes to sell, we provide the competitive edge needed in today's real estate market! Whether you're considering selling your home or have already placed it on the market, we welcome the opportunity to partner with you for a successful sale. Please give us a call to set up an initial consultation and discuss how we can tailor our services to suit your particular needs. 727.542.3705

Interior Redesign: an affordable solution for homeowners who are budget conscious in today's economy

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:29:25 -0800

The St. Petersburg Times recently ran two great articles in its Tampa Bay Homes section. Both articles, "Recycling to Redesign" (by Judy Stark) and "Home Design You Can Live With" (by Tracey Henry), highlighted some really great aspects of Interior Redesign and why it's a more practical option for many homeowners. With the state of our economy and its impact on budget conscious consumers, many homeowners are looking for a more frugal approach to designing and decorating their homes. By turning to Interior Redesign, homeowners are able to give their homes stylish & decorative transformations at a very affordable price. Interior Redesign is more economical than traditional Interior Design & Decorating, in that it incorporates using the homeowner's existing furnishings and décor. An Interior Redesigner comes into the home with a fresh perspective, and objectively evaluates each space within the home. Then, by shopping for items throughout the home, the Redesigner creates a whole new look. Most often, homeowners have already purchased great furnishings, accessories, and décor that really reflect their personalities and personal taste. However, the challenge lies with not knowing how to incorporate all of those items together to create the decorative look they're wishing to obtain for their home. An Interior Redesigner can simply use their expertise to help the homeowner put all of the pieces of that puzzle together. In addition to using what a homeowner already owns, an Interior Redesigner can recommend additional pieces to be purchased that may be needed to help pull a look together, and even personally shop for those pieces if desired. The Interior Redesigner can additionally help with color & paint selections, which can also dramatically enhance a room's decor without spending a lot of money. People are amazed to see their furnishings and décor used in new and innovative ways. It's not uncommon to hear "I would have never thought to use that table or artwork with that sofa" or "the new furniture arrangement really opens up the room and just feels right". Truly these individuals fall in love with their homes all over again. Interior Redesign is a great option for you if: You're budget conscious, yet wanting to decorate and give your home a fresh updated look. You're conscious of Eco-Friendly & Green Living: Redesign is friendly on the environment by reusing and repurposing what you already own. Less waste, time, and money. You've just relocated or moved into a new home. An Interior Redesigner will assist you in properly placing your furnishings & décor into the new floor plan. You're trying to sell the current home you're living in. An Interior Redesigner/Stager can assist you in making sure your home shows at its best. The only difference here is you're redesigning to appeal to the majority of buyers, not to reflect your personal taste. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Suzanne Bennett is the owner of Sold By Design, which provides both Interior Redesign & Real Estate Home Staging services. We have been proudly serving the St. Petersburg/Clearwater/Tampa Bay Area since 2006. For a complete list of our services, please visit our website at www.soldbydesignstaging.com Creating stylish facelifts for the home...whether you're preparing to sell, or redesigning your own!

This Weekend is the 6th Annual St Pete Beach Classic

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 04:14:57 -0800

Today's events are the Health & Fitness Expo being held at the Sirata Beach Resort until 7:00 p.m. The Expo is followed by a Beach Party & Bonfire---perfect for tonight's chilly weather. Saturday's events are the 10k, 5k, One Mile, and Family Fun Runs. There is also a Post Race Party on Saturday consisting of live music, food & great prize giveaways. There is still time to register for Saturday's races during today's Health & Fitness Expo at the Sirata Beach Resort, located at 5300 Gulf Blvd. St. Pete Beach. Special mention that this year... "The St Pete Beach Classic Goes Green". All products from the event are planned to be recycled...including old running shoes. For more information about the event, visit http://www.stpetebeachclassic.com/

Living in Florida is Paradise

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:24:50 -0700

Florida is an absolute paradise, with a long stretch of the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Gulf of Mexico on the west. In between these two vast bodies is the Intracoastal Waterway, hundreds of lakes, 1,200 miles of sandy beaches and 11,000 miles of rivers...not to mention countless bays, inlets and glades. With so much of the wet stuff around it's no wonder that Florida's residents and visitors are such water sports enthusiasts.~excerpt taken from Coastal Living Magazine; June issue I agree that living in Florida is paradise. What I truly enjoy the most is our beautiful beaches along the west coast of Pinellas County. Some of our beaches are so beautiful that they have made Dr. Beach's (aka Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman) list for America's Best Beaches. Caledesi Island ranked #1 on the list for 2008, and North Beach Ft. Desoto had the #1 ranking for 2005. What's even more intriguing is that two other Florida beaches made it on Dr. Beach's top 10 list for 2008. Siesta Beach in Sarasota ranked #3 and Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne ranked #9. To review the complete list, visit Dr Beach's website. Although I've visited some of the beaches named above, mostly North Beach Ft. DeSoto, most of my beach time is spent along St. Pete Beach & Pass-A-Grille. I've enjoyed many leisurely walks along the shore, as well as some pretty spectacular sunsets. I've also enjoyed many fun times building sandcastles with my children, or boogie boarding in the water with them. I've witnessed some great wildlife along the beach including dolphins; manatees; sting rays leaping out of the water; sea turtle nests; pelicans; and ospreys swooping down to get fresh fish for their dinner. Another aspect that I've enjoyed about St. Pete Beach & Pass-A-Grille is the increase in attracting water sports enthusiasts. Kiteboarding in particular has become a very popular sport in the area, and recently I've seen quite a few people enjoying Stand Up Paddle Surfing. Kayakers and windsurfers are often seen enjoying the waters out here on the beach, and when weather permits...you can even find local surfers catching some waves. There is always opportunity for something to do along the beaches...whether you're looking for relaxation, fun, or adventure. If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting St Pete Beach or Pass-A-Grille, I encourage you to put it on your list of things to do. What do you enjoy most about living in Florida? Where are your favorite spots? ******************************************************************************************** This post is dedicated to highlighting the positive aspects of living in Florida. Despite whatever market conditions are occurring, it's always a great time to buy in this area!

Pinellas Living Green Expo is This Weekend!

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:56:22 -0700

This year's Pinellas Living Green Expo will be held at the Harborview Center in Downtown Clearwater. The FREE event will take place on Saturday, May 3rd (9-5) & Sunday, May 4th (10-4).The goal of the Living Green Expo is to "provide real solutions for people to live better, healthier lives with less impact on the environment. The Expo connects people who are interested in making a positive difference in both their lives and in their communities".Come out to the event and visit the 100+ vendor booths and take advantage of the opportunity to attend some of the info sessions. Presenters will be sharing valuable information on topics such as Green Building; Energy Conservation; Green Gardening; Wildlife; Organic Foods, Green Transportation, Water Conservation etc...... There will be plenty to do, including activities for children, and all-natural food and beverages to enjoy.Free Parking is availableHarborview Center is located at 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater, FL

The 25 Biggest Real Estate Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:03:34 -0700

HGTV recently aired its special episode on the 25 Biggest Real Estate Mistakes. For those buying or selling a home, these helpful tips could help you avoid costly mistakes on one of the biggest investments of your life. The list was compiled by some of the top real estate experts in the field, including brokers; investors; contractors; market experts; buyers; and sellers. Although the show did a nice countdown towards the top mistake, I thought it would be most appropriate for me to just start with the number one mistake when selling.#1 Not Staging Your Home:That's right; the biggest mistake noted was not properly showcasing your home for potential buyers! When selling, take care of any deferred maintenance issues; make minor enhancements to the home; and make the investment in hiring a professional stager. A professional home stager can assist you in basically every aspect of preparing your home to show at its best. In doing so, statistics show you can increase the selling price of the home while decreasing the amount of time it remains on the market.If you're selling, avoid the number one real estate mistake and consult with a professional stager in your area!*************************************Sold By Design provides Home Staging & Interior Redesign services in Pinellas & Hillsborough counties. We are located in the St. Petersburg / Clearwater area. We offer our privately owned staging inventory to suit the needs of both vacant and occupied properties. We additionally provide staging services for model and builder spec homes.To learn more about our services, please visit our website:***************************************#2 Setting Too High of A Sale PricePrice your home competitively from the beginning. You don't want to make the mistake of pricing it too high and later having to do a major price reduction, as it can send the message that something is wrong with the home. As a seller, do research, educate yourself, and have realistic expectations. You'll also want to ensure you align yourself with a reputable realtor who's knowledgeable on current market conditions. #3 Buying What You Want, Not What You NeedIt's a good idea to re-evaluate your current living space and make a list of the things you're missing. This will help you identify your needs and remain more focused when house hunting. It's estimated that most Americans live in a house for an average of 9 years, so you can factor that in when "trading up" for your dream home.#4 Overlooking the Extra and Hidden CostsDon't forget to factor in expenses past the initial cost of the home. Calculate costs of taxes, utilities, electric, and any additional furnishings needed for the home.#5 Buying a Home Without a Professional InspectionHire a reputable and qualified home inspector. They can detect a number of things potentially wrong in a home that can't be seen by the average person. Ask the inspector to provide you with a detailed written report and photographs. #6 Falling in Love With the First Property You SeeDon't fall in love with the first home you see. On average, look at least three more comparable houses in the area. After you have viewed all of the homes, re-evaluate and decide which one fits your needs the most. Remember that this is potentially one of the biggest investments you'll make, so do your homework and make wise decisions.#7 Skipping the Loan Pre-Approval StepBeing pre-approved for a loan is an important step in the buying process. It sets a realistic expectation of what you're able to buy. By skipping this process you can set yourself up for a lot of disappointment in falling in love with a home that's not within your price range. You additionally create disappointment with a realtor whom has wasted time showing you properties that aren't in your price range, and sellers who may have gotten their hopes up in a potential sale. In fact, some sellers are now only allowing realtors to show their properties to pre-approved buyers. Being pre-approved for a loan indicates that you are a serious buyer.#8 Doing Major Renovations/Remodeling Before SellingDue to construction projects usually being underestimated in time and cost, experts suggest that minor upgrades to the home will bring you a higher return on your investment. While I personally wouldn't recommend major construction projects as additions or major overhauls, I do believe kitchen and bathroom renovations can help sell a home. It's important to consult with an expert on these projects to evaluate your options. Often time's sellers can complete a "cosmetic facelift" that will significantly increase the home's aesthetics, without the high price tag of a complete remodel. What project returns the biggest value on your money? The answer is enhancing curb appeal.*****************************************Sold By Design provides interior redesign services. We would be happy to consult and assist you with future projects. To learn more about our services, please visit our website.*****************************************#9 Not Being Pro-Active at ClosingAsk your broker for closing paperwork at least 24 hours before your closing. Review all paperwork, including charges, and make a list of questions to address. As a buyer, don't forget to do your final walk-through of your soon-to-be home prior to the closing date.#10 Visiting the House Only OnceVisit the house at different times and days of the week to get a good feel for the neighborhood. This will additionally give you further opportunities to think about your decision to purchase the home.#11 Not Setting a Realistic BudgetThe importance of being pre-approved for a loan has been mentioned, but it's also important to keep in mind what your other expenses are and come up with a realistic budget. A common formula is to take a third of your gross monthly income and set it aside for your housing expenses. It's also suggested that you have approximately six to nine months of mortgage payments set aside in a savings account.#12 Buying the Most Expensive Home on the Block"The most expensive house will only depreciate in value over time, rather than appreciate, which is what you want. Also, those houses are often not the first house to sell because they are usually overbuilt to the neighborhood. It's absolutely critical that you research the neighborhood before you buy to find out what the price point should be." HGTV #13 Not Hiring an Agent"There's a lot more to selling a house than just putting a sign on the front lawn. If you don't have an agent, you will not get on the multiple-listing service (MLS). That means that other agents are not going to know that your property is for sale. Another thing to consider is if you are willing to show the house each time someone wants to come by and look at it? If you do plan to sell your house on your own, always have a lawyer present at a closing. It's really important to have someone on your side who understands all the complexities". HGTV#14 Picking the Wrong AgentHiring an agent should be conducted as serious business. Do your research: ask neighbors and friends about personal referrals; go to Open Houses and observe how the agent interacts with people; and meet with the potential agent at their office to see how they operate and conduct business. This person is going to be working for you. You want someone who is reputable and has your best interest in mind.#15 Trusting Everything a Real Estate Advertisement SaysLearn the meaning of real estate lingo. Certain descriptive words can convey hidden messages. For example: cozy can actually mean the place is small; as- is may mean the property is a fixer upper. Don't believe everything you read, and if it sounds too good to be true...it probably is.# 16 Buying Without Actually Seeing the Property80% of buyers are previewing available homes on the internet, particularly due to the increasing number of virtual tours being used. Apparently some of these buyers are taking the risk in purchasing a home without seeing it in person. Real estate experts caution against this for a number of reasons. The first reason for caution is that it's really difficult to get a "feel" for a property without seeing it in person. You need to be able to walk through the property yourself and thoroughly inspect it visually. Another reason for caution is that some of the virtual tours being used can be deceptive. What may appear to be a very spacious family room on-line may actually turn out to be a much smaller family room when viewing it in person. While it may seem like a good idea to use an ultra wide lens to photograph a property or use in a virtual tour, it can disappoint a buyer in what is actual reality.********************************************* At Sold By Design, we provide photography and virtual tours that capture the true sense of the property rather than give potential buyers a distorted view of the space. To learn more about our services, visit our website:******************************************************#17 Not Thinking About ResaleWhen updating and renovating your home, think about how those decisions will weigh when it comes time to sell. Think ahead and decide what will appeal to the majority of buyers when trying to sell. Some homeowners have chosen "trendy" remodeling only to find out that it's not so popular when trying to sell. #18 Failing to Market Your Home in Different WaysDon't limit yourself to a few for-sale signs. Talk with your agent about different marketing strategies they plan to use. It's imperative to use quality photographs and virtual tours to create positive first impressions when marketing on-line. Speaking of on-line, there are many options for marketing your listing. There are some that are free to use and will increase your pool of potential buyers-particularly those looking to relocate to the area.#19 Treating Real Estate Like the Stock MarketIn a hot real estate market when homes are appreciating really fast, people can get caught up in the frenzy like it's the stock market. Experts caution not to play in the real estate market like it's the stock market, but rather look at it as a long-term approach.#20 Waiting Until Spring to Sell Your HouseAlthough springtime seems to bring the heaviest real estate activity, experts remind that buyers are looking 365 days of the year. Go ahead and put your home on the market and emphasize whatever amenities it may have for that particular season. Don't sit around waiting and miss out on a potential opportunity to sell.#21 Trying to Make the "Hard Sell" While ShowingExperts warn to not hang around during open houses or showings. Trying to sell buyers on all the reasons why you love the house may not go over well. Give potential buyers some space and opportunity to give their honest feedback about the house to the agent. #22 Losing Money With AuctionsAs a buyer, be aware of possible outcomes of an auction. A great starting bid can end not so happily, particularly if you got caught up in the excitement of the bidding and went over your initial budget. When buying an auctioned house be aware that you typically don't get inspections, warranties, and guarantees that a conventional sale offers. Make sure you ask about any liens on the property, and if you'll be responsible for paying property taxes on top of the bid price.#23 Not Researching the NeighborhoodRemember that when you're buying a house, you're also buying into the land around it. It's essential to research the neighborhood you'll be buying in. Look around the area, check out the school district, check out local parks and amenities, and attend a community meeting.#24 Not Providing Easy Access for ShowingsMake it easy for potential buyers to view your home. Offer convenient parking, remain flexible with your schedule and available for showings, return phone calls promptly, etc...# 25 Buying a House for its DécorDon't get so distracted by the home's décor that you loose focus on its features. Pay attention to the layout of the home and the square footage. Imagine your own belongings in the home and how rooms will accommodate your furnishings.*******************************************************************************************The show will air again on April 20th at 5:00 p.m. and May 14th at 4:00 p.m.

Real Estate Housing Trends for 2008

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:37:49 -0800

I found an interesting report on What Buyer's Want & Don't Want in 2008, written by real estate expert and author Mark Nash. Among his list were some significant trends, which I wanted to further elaborate on. What's In:Buyer's Rule: With an overwhelming amount of inventory in the housing market, buyers have the upper hand. They are savvier and more particular in what they are looking for in a home. More buyers are looking for updated kitchens and baths, which can either make or break a deal. When buyers walk into homes with dated kitchens and baths, two things can potentially happen. (1) They're overwhelmed by the amount of work to be done and move on to the competition, or (2) They consider the amount of work that needs to be done to update the home, but generally overestimate the cost of the project. Unfortunately they immediately start deducting away from the asking price, and consider making a low ball offer. What a lot of sellers may not realize is that by investing a little money in updating kitchens and baths before selling, they will come out ahead in the long run. It will keep their house in the competition and buyers will see the value in the asking price. It's not always necessary to spend a lot of money completely gutting and renovating a kitchen or bath to gain successful results. There are several options for giving kitchens and baths an updated look or "stylish facelift" that don't carry a high price tag. Some of these options can be as simple as painting cabinetry, and replacing hardware or lighting fixtures with something with a more modern look.A Home's Carbon Footprint: Buyers are looking for eco-friendly or GREEN homes. This can be anything from looking at energy efficient designs, to upgrades in the home such as low-flow plumbing fixtures and energy efficient appliances. When you're reviewing your list of home improvements, consider options that are eco-friendly. Please keep in mind that there is a lot entailed to being actually certified as a "Green Home", but there are certainly options for improving your home to be more environmentally friendly. At Sold By Design, we make recommendations such as using low to NO- VOC paints, upgrading to Energy Star appliances and Heating/Cooling Systems, using CFL's, and options for replacing flooring and countertops with more environmentally friendly materials.What's out:Unrealistic Home Sellers: Sellers with overpriced homes and unwillingness to be flexible with buyer's needs are going to be passed up for the competition. The combination for selling your home in today's market is: realistic asking price + preparing the home to show at its absolute best + willingness to accept contingencies + willingness to offer closing-cost givebacks. Let's face it; the real estate market is tough. If you're not willing to be realistic, flexible, and ready to put your best foot forward, you better have a lot of patience because your house is going to sit unsold for a long period of time.Empty Homes for Sale: Mr. Nash reports that at least one quarter of the homes on the market in 2007 were left vacant. He also states that although Staging became the buzzword and attempted solution for these vacant homes, it wasn't always done properly. Staging is much more than leaving behind a few accessories and mismatched furniture items in the home. There is an art behind Staging. Accessory and furniture items are carefully selected and placed in a home to help highlight its selling features for potential buyers. Staging requires special attention to balance, function, flow, and scale of the items placed in the home. When done properly, Staging turns a lifeless vacant home into a warm and inviting space. Buyers will linger in the home longer, thus being able to make more of an emotional connection to the home and imagine themselves living there. Remember that part of the winning combination to selling a home is ensuring that it's showing at its absolute best. After a long day of house hunting, buyers will remember a well staged home over an empty one.For the full report written by Mark Nash, visit HGTVpro.com. For more information about Sold By Design, please visit our website. Our Home Staging, Interior Redesign, and Virtual Tour services are available to the Tampa Bay area. We are located in the St. Petersburg / Clearwater area of Pinellas County.

St. Pete Beach to hold Grand Opening of its New Recreation Center

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 01:33:45 -0700

St Pete Beach will open its new 11,000 square foot Recreation Center this Friday, July 6th. The ribbon cutting ceremony starts at 6:00 p.m. followed by an Open House of the entire complex.On Saturday, July 7th, enjoy free entry into the city's first public swimming pool. There will be plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy with the newly built playground, and bounce houses in the new waterfront open park. From 6:00-8:00 p.m. you can enjoy a free blues concert by Sandy Atkinson and the MoDeans, while enjoying free ice cream provided by the Hurricane Restaurant.For more information about St Pete Beach's new recreation center and upcoming events, visit their website at http://http://www.stpetebeach.org/

Wide angle lens for Nikon D70?

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:39:49 -0700

I'm looking to purchase a wide angle lens for my Nikon D70 and have been searching reviews online. I'll be using my DSLR more for taking real estate photos (staging), so I want a relatively good quality lens--BUT without spending a fortuneI'm interested to hear advice from others. Do you have a D70? What lens are you using? What are your top picks?

It's going to be a Green weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:26:32 -0700

This weekend provides an opportunity to increase awareness and knowledge about living a more sustainable Green lifestyle. The Pinellas Living Green Expo will be held in downtown St. Petersburg on Saturday June 16th (9-5) & Sunday June 17th (10-4). The FREE event will be held at the Coliseum, located at 535 4th Ave North.The event will host several vendors showcasing concepts, products, and services to the community. Look for demonstrations on how to design homes, cities, and transportation systems to be more economically and ecologically sound. Also new this year is a film and seminar venue. A few of the films are being provided by Eckerd College and have not been readily available for viewing in this area before (hats off to my alma mater).Also happening this weekend is the Clam Bayou Cleanup, sponsored by The Green Armada. Clam Bayou is reported to be one of the last naturally functioning estuaries on Boca Ciega Bay and is home to otters, manatees, eagles, and fish. Unfortunately over the past few decades there has been a major issue of trash & debris being released from storm drains and collecting along the mangroves of Clam Bayou. Imagine the major risk this poses for the wildlife in the area, not to mention it being an awful eyesore. Fortunatley The Green Armada has been organizing efforts to clean up the estuary, and have developed a mechanism for helping to prevent trash and debris from escaping the storm drains and dumping out into the Bay.The Green Armada is still looking for volunteers to help with this event on Saturday morning. To learn more about the event or to volunteer, visit their website at http://www.greenarmada.org/ I snapped a picture of this Bald Eagle soaring above the waters of Boca Ciega Bay & Clam Bayou recently. Truly a beautiful sight! To read more about the designation of St. Petersburg being named Florida's first Green City, visit. www.stpete.org/news/051007.htm; or you can check out Sharon Simms blog at http://activerain.com/blogsview/55297/St-Petersburg-Florida-is To learn more about a "Green City" visit the Sierra Club website at www.sierraclub.org/community/stpetersburg/green_cities.asp Look for Living Organic News publication around town. Its Tampa Bay's Resource for Green Living and contains valuable resources and information for living a cleaner and healthier life.

Reminder: Designed To Sell Top Selling Selling Secrets airs again this evening

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 03:18:49 -0700

For those who missed the original airing of Designed To Sell Top 35 Secrets, it's airing again this evening on HGTV at 5:00 p.m. ET/PT.All three Designed To Sell teams compiled a list of their top 35 ideas for bringing in a top dollar selling price. The episode is very informative and reinforces a lot of important aspects of preparing a home to sell.If you're interested in reading highlights from the show, I posted the top 35 list in a previous blog on 5-21.

Benjamin Moore’s eco-friendly paint: dries quickly & requires less coats

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Tue, 29 May 2007 01:42:13 -0700

Benjamin Moore has developed a new line of paint called "Aura". It was launched for use on the West Coast late 2006, and coming to other parts of the US this year. One of the key features of this paint is its ColorLock technology. By blocking color pigmentation into the paint you experience richer hues and fuller coverage: requiring only 1-2 coats. I read in one article that consumers have used Aura without priming over darker colors first. They've also claimed to have painted a dining room in the morning, and held a dinner party that evening. Aura dries quickly with very little odor.Another key feature of Aura, which critics are claiming that Benjamin Moore isn't marketing enough, is it's an eco-friendly product. Aura releases only 1/3 as much of VOC's than regular paints. VOC's are chemicals which contribute to air pollution and ozone depletion. In my opinion, this is a great marketing aspect of Aura that consumers should take notice of!Of course with any product, there is one feature that some may consider to be negative. Aura carries a higher price tag than most paints at approximately $55 a gallon. However when you consider using less product and less time involved...the higher price tag may be justified for some.To read more about Aura, visit http://www.myaurapaint.com/ *****************************************************************************************I'm interested to know if anyone has used Aura? I'm also curious to hear feedback from others about the price tag of Aura vs. other paint products. Would you purchase the product for personal use? How about for professional use?

Here it is....HGTV'S Designed To Sell Top Selling Secrets

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Mon, 21 May 2007 04:04:36 -0700

HDTV ran an episode last night about Designed To Sell Top 35 Selling Secrets. It featured all three of the Designed To Sell teams, who compiled a list of 35 ideas for bringing in a top dollar sales price for a home. I thought it was a pretty informative episode which reinforced a lot of important aspects of preparing a home to sell. I actually taped the show and thought it may be a great resource for educating others about the importance of staging a home.For those who missed the show, here is the top 35 list, along with some of the designer's comments:#35 De-Clutter: The single most mistake sellers make is not picking up their clutter.#34 Clean Up To Clean Up: Nothing is more disgusting than seeing someone else's dirt. The second buyers see the dinge (especially in kitchens and baths) the sale is blown.#33 Fix It or Forget It: When a buyer sees deferred maintenance they immediately make a mental checklist for everything they will need to do to move into the house. This means that money is coming off of the asking price. It will cost the seller less to fix it than the dollars buyers will deduct off of the asking price.#32 Go Neutral: Neutral colors will make a space feel warm and cozy, and not put anyone off. Paint is money in a can-a gallon can make you thousands of dollars.#31 Design To Smell: Buyers don't just look at your house, they also smell it. **Interesting introduction of "scent packets" which you can add to a gallon of paint. Apparently it gradually releases a good smelling scent over a period of time.#30 Spring Into Action: The best time to sell is in spring. 40% of homes are put on the market during springtime. The worst month to sell is December.#29 Clean It Up or Clear It Out: When buyers pull up and see shabby landscaping they're going to think it's just the beginning of what they're about to see on the inside. Donna Freeman shared one of her worst curb appeal experiences. When they cleared the front yard out, they found a bicycle and an old washing machine. Have bursting color of flowers for interest. In the east coast during colder seasons-use red mulch to add color and contrast to landscaping.#28 Embrace Your Architecture: It's important to highlight the great architectural features of the home. It helps differentiate the home and set it apart from others on the market.#27 Opportunity Knocks: Make sure your front door is appealing. Put on new hardware and give it a fresh new coat of paint/stain. A great looking front door says "come on in".#26 Deck It Out: Buyers are buying square footage. It's important to tend to your back yard and make it usable space. ** Great transformation of a deck & patio area on the show. #25 Have Them At "Hello": The minute the buyer walks in the door, the seller has 10 seconds to make a good impression.#24 Fire Up The Fireplace: Fireplaces are one of the most desired things by a buyer. If you have one, it better be your focal point. The 1st rule of real estate is...show off the assets!#23 Furnish For Selling: Furniture placement makes a huge impact as buyers are walking into a room. To make rooms look bigger, pull the furniture away from the walls. This will allow buyers to see the perimeter of the room, which creates an illusion of more space. #22 The Money's In The Details: Details such as crown molding are a great way to make a home feel richer, more custom, and having more character.#21 Design To Dine: Defining a dining space adds value to the home.#20 Know Your Competition: If you want to get top dollar for your home, you better be the top house in the neighborhood. Go to open houses to check out the competition. It's a good way to see how other realtors are marketing homes, hear buyer's comments, and find out what's important to buyers. You've got one shot to keeping these people at your house-don't let them go to the competition!#19 Pare It Down: Have one purpose for each room. A room serving as more than one purpose will have buyers thinking there are not enough rooms in the house.#18 Make It All About The Bed: When a buyer walks into a bedroom, the first wall they see is where the bed should be placed. **Interesting footage of a seller's homemade headboard. They used a light fixture from the kitchen and their wedding veil.#17 Create Instant Luxury: Buyers are expecting to see luxury in a master bedroom. To create a look of a high end hotel suite: buy a nice bedding set, pull a color from it to paint the room, and add matching window treatments.#16 Clear Out The Closet: Buyers are looking for storage space. Clear out excess items and organize shelves.#15 Price It To Sell: Buyers always ask how long a house has been on the market. If it's been a long time, they will think something is wrong with the house. When pricing you want to have a small gap between the list price and the selling price.#14 Use High End Materials: Two rooms that sell houses are kitchens and bathrooms. Buyers will be drawn to materials such as granite, stone, and marble. These materials are perceived to have high value.#13 Primp Your Vanity: Vanities are the only piece of furniture in a bathroom, and therefore should show beautifully. Buyers want storage and beauty.#12 Don't Pour Your Money Down The Drain: Spend the money to change out a shower door or refinish a tub. Buyers don't want to see a used space. The bathroom needs to look fresh and untouched.#11 Whisk Them Away: With bathrooms, buyers want to feel like they've walked into a spa. Accessories are a great way to take it up a notch. Use folded towels, baskets, and spa lotions. #10 Cook Up Your Kitchen: If buyers think they need to do things to rehab a kitchen, they're going to take off. Even very modest alterations and improvements to a kitchen are going to bring you a lot of money for your investment. **The single most important aspect in a home to a buyer is the kitchen!#9 Reheat Your Cabinets: Sanding, staining/painting, and adding new hardware are great ways to give cabinets a new look. When painting, use high gloss or enamel paints.#8 Use Counter Intelligence: Buyers want to move in and start chopping food on the counters. They won't want to do this if the countertops are grungy. You can never go wrong with updating countertops with granite.#7 Apply Yourself: Buy new appliances for your kitchen and you will get the money back when you sell. Stainless steel is a good choice.#6 Open Up and Say "Offers": Buyers are looking for open floor plans, especially kitchen great rooms. Knock down walls and open up rooms.#5 Go With The Flow: It's important for rooms to flow within the home. Proper furniture placement is key to ensuring there is a good flow of traffic from room to room.#4 Go From Trash To Treasure: Useable space in a room is key. Clear out unnecessary items from a room and show off a well defined staged room.#3 Match The Book To It's Cover: Having good curb appeal is essential, but the inside needs to show just as well. #2 Complete The Picture: Finish unfinished projects around the house. You're more than likely to get top dollar if your house is move-in ready.#1 Go Over The Top: Pick your projects, pick your battle, and spend a little money. **featured a Designed To Sell home which sold for $61k over the asking price. They went top notch with upgrades, including an updated kitchen with granite etc.Final Notes: Lisa LaPorta said she is often asked "What is the #1 thing you can do to sell your home?" Her answer was "don't do nothing". She and Clive Pearse reiterated that the biggest mistake is to put your house on the market and do nothing to it. Bottom line: it will cost you!

St. Pete Beach's 2nd Annual Fish-A-Thon is this weekend

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Tue, 08 May 2007 01:52:04 -0700

St. Pete Beach is having their 2nd Annual Children's Fish-A-Thon this Saturday, May 12th. The event will be held at Merry Pier on Pass-A-Grille Beach from 10-Noon. What a great opportunity to bring the kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews out for a fun day of fishing. It's also a great opportunity to enjoy Historic Pass-A-Grille Beach and its attractions. Looking for some ideas? visit http://www.floridahistory.org/westcoastfla/passagr.htmFor more information about the Fish-A-Thon, please call Mary-Jo Golliner @ St Pete Beach Recreation Department 727-363-2146; or Merry Pier 727-360-1400.Hope to see you there!

20 Ways To Add Value To Your Home

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Mon, 07 May 2007 05:14:48 -0700

HGTV ran a special presentation last night revealing the Top 20 Ways To Add Value To A Home. The show featured many experts (builders, designers, appraisers, realtors) offering their opinions on which home improvement projects will reap the biggest rewards. Here is their top 20 countdown: What do you think?#20: Update the Home Office- "as more people are working out of their homes, a home office isn't just a luxury, but it has become a necessity"#19: Spring for a Sunroom- "anytime you add square footage & living space to your house, it's a winner" #18: Create or Renovate a Master Suite-"33% of house shoppers are more than likely to buy a home that has been recently renovated; Master Suites are an expected feature"#17: Add On a Family Room-"people want open floor plans"#16: Get a New Roof- "a shabby roof leaves a first impression that the current homeowners do not take good care of their place"#15: Liven Up the Landscape-"Turn your desert landscape into a destination hot spot with plenty of seating, elegant water features and lush plants"#14: Invest in a Major Kitchen Remodel- "size matters when it comes to kitchens. Update with recessed lighting and lots of cherry cabinets"#13: Bring in a New Bath-"if your home has fewer faucets than beds, you might want to consider adding a bathroom"#12: Be Sure an Addition Blends-"Combining design elements of the original house and the addition can pull together to create a flawless makeover"#11: Install New Windows-"new windows are important in terms of energy issues, but they are also a signal to a future buyer that the current homeowners have really taken good care of the house"#10: Refurbish the Basement-"maximize unused space; create an entertainment area that will wow people"#9: Put in a Deck-"On average, when a homeowner adds a deck to their home, they are likely to recoup approximately 76 percent return on their investment"#8: Do a Major Bath Remodel-"Stealing space can be a better solution if you can find the extra square footage"#7: Paint, Paint, Paint-"think classic & neutral"#6: Add On to the Attic-"The space above a garage is often small, dusty and cramped space and sometimes rarely even used for storage. Why not turn it into a bedroom suite?"#5: Build a Second Floor-"Adding a second story can do more than just create square footage. It can bring balance to an uneven house"#4: Keep Rooms Flexible-"too much customization can be a problem when selling"#3: Revive the Kitchen-"kitchens sell houses, so investing in an improvement in this room is the way to go"#2: Make Minor Bathroom Changes- "Minor changes can be advantageous because they cost less and often net a greater return than the investment"#1: Spruce Up the Siding- "bad siding is going to earn you the title of a fixer-upper" Also highlighted in the show were the Top 4 Home Improvement Myths.Myth #1-Any Remodel Is a Good One-featured a musician who put in a 2nd story concert hall balcony so guests could watch him perform.Myth #2-I Can Do It Myself-featured a "wanna be handyman" who wanted to save money by doing it himself. He ended up hiring a contractor to complete the project. Myth #3-Pools Add Value-discussed issues relating to liability and maintenance.Myth #4- Follow the Latest Design Trends-featured peach textured wallpaper in a bathroom (yuck). "Features like this must go before the house is on the market" "Neutral colors or palettes have more of a timeless feel and will appeal to far more people". The show will air again on May 13th @ 5:00 p.m. ET/PT.Also, look for Designed To Sell's Top 35 Selling Secrets to air on May 20th @ 9:00 pm ET/PT

Putting life back into an empty living room: Before & After Shots

Suzanne Bennett, Sold By Design- St. Petersburg (Sold By Design) — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 01:07:30 -0700

I've enjoyed viewing everyone's posts and seeing the incredible transformations that take place. There is a lot of great talent here on AR!The above photos are taken from a recent project on a vacant listing. I offered to co-host the first open house and enjoyed hearing a potential buyer walk through the front door and say "wow". It's amazing how much that one single word meant to me and how it reinforced what I (We) do. Constructive criticism welcomed :)Thanks for allowing me to share.