Home > Blogs > Kathy Passarette > Kathy Passarette's (creativehome) Blog

We're Putting Our House On The Market

By Kathy Passarette

Home Stager with Creative Home Expressions

April 20, 2009 04:31 AM

Nope, this post isn't about a client or a home staging consultation. My husband and I have decided that it is time to put our house on the market and look to down-size. Is it going to be emotional? It sure is. Is it going to be exciting? You bet. Right now I'm going back and forth between feeling both ways. It's a new time in our lives, and one I am looking forward to.

for sale

While we just decided this past week, we have been talking about it for over a year; and what has to be done to make it market ready. We had already gotten started last year by stripping the wallpaper in the powder room and updating it a bit. I'll share those pictures in another post.

We have given ourselves a deadline of June 15^th to have everything done and ready. I plan on staging my own house, which I know might be difficult as I am emotionally involved; however, I think that with a little help from my friends I'll be able to pull it off. So far, I have been able to take a step back and look at the rooms in our home more objectively than I thought I could.

What I'd like to do is a series of posts bringing you through the process with us. Not only the emotions, but the reality. Not just the packing up of memories, but a chance to clear out the clutter and simplify. Not just removing our mark from the house, but showcasing our investment - the investment we worked so hard on these past 19 years.

report

I'll be posting "before" and "afters" so that you will be able to see what we've done, and know that even if you got a home staging consultation report, you could do these projects/tasks/fix-ups yourself before you put your house on the market. I want you to know that when I say, "I know exactly how you feel", I really mean it.

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are located on Long Island, New York and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign, color consultations and much more. Please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com for more information on our services and fees.

Re-Blog

Comments(43)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Sheila ~ Thanks! I have to make sure I tell hubby that I want "before" pictures in case he starts something when I'm not here.

Kate ~ It's already been interesting as we also talk about what we are looking for in the next house. We have some different ideas there, so that will be another saga all its own!

Apr 20, 2009 11:18 PM

Anne West

Coldwell Banker - Chicago, IL

Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore

Good luck with it Kathy- I look forward to living through the process via your posts and pix.

Apr 21, 2009 12:56 AM

C. Bartch

Newark, OH

Hi there Kathy, this going to be a great series, 'Property merchandising through the eyes & heart of a Home Stager'. I'll be waiting for every installment.

Apr 21, 2009 12:57 AM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Cathy ~ That's my hubby - he'd give up the yard. I don't know if I can deal with a little patio at the back of a condo. It will be interesting to see what's available.

Donna ~ That's it - my youngest is finishing his first year of college. It's amazing how the house feels it's size now that they are both (basically) out of the house. I'll probably post my powder room (1/2 bath) first since I did actually get a head start on that last year when we first started talking about this. Stay tuned!

Apr 21, 2009 01:11 AM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Carole ~ I'm sure I'll have my moments, but I'll let the logical over-ride the emotional. We will stay in the area, but probably not the same town.

S ~ Glad to hear you say that because that was my plan! : ) I'm sure I'll have a few posts in there asking my AR friends for their input and opinions. I already have one area that I know I will be asking for help on - a long hallway that connects the great room (an addition we added) and that now has family photos, award certificates, that type of thing on it.

Apr 21, 2009 01:24 AM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Susan ~ Thank you, I agree. I've read other posts on AR about members' moves and how much more they really feel for their clients emotions when they are selling a home. I can't wait to see our progress, too! : )

Maureen ~ Thank you! Hubby and I will be making up a plan by room this evening; next week he is off and will be starting on some stuff. I'm sure that means I'll be starting to pack up some pictures and maybe take the opportunity to go through and throw out what should have been thrown out years ago!

Apr 21, 2009 01:43 AM

Ginger Foust

Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA

Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Wow Kathy, the market must be a lot stronger in your area of NY than many places. Having down sized recently I have ONE recommendation. Don't downsize by TOO much. Your hubby and you still need your privates spaces and room. We errored and are now too crowded..big mistake. Enjoy the process, as much as possible and you could write a book....seriously!

Apr 21, 2009 01:48 AM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Hey Karen ~ I hear ya! This was the perfect house for us - when we moved in 19 years ago! I will absolutely keep you all informed as to the search as well!

Benita ~ Thank you! From your lips to . . . : )

Apr 21, 2009 02:02 AM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Anne ~ Thank you! I'm sure it will be interesting, to say the least!

Cynthia ~ I appreciate that Cynthia! I'm sure at times I will feel like I have a split personality going between homeowner and stager! : )

Apr 21, 2009 02:05 AM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Ginger ~ Well, we're not going to get what we could have 2 years ago, but we know that. On the other hand, we will be able to buy something a bit less than it would have been 2 years ago, so I guess it evens out somewhere along there.

See, you mention what I am afraid of - my hubby is so into going smaller now that I am afraid he is thinking too small. I probably want something in between what he's been talking about and what we have now. I don't think you can go from something like what we have now to a very small house or condo. I'm with you, I do need my space - I think that's how we made it this long! : )

Apr 21, 2009 02:08 AM

Sandi Gerrard

Toronto, ON

Hi Kathy - Best of luck on the staging, sale and the next phase of your life.

Apr 21, 2009 07:00 AM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Hi Sandi ~ Thank you! : )

Apr 21, 2009 10:04 AM

Andrew Haslett

Van Warren Home Inspections, NAHI CRI - Fort Knox, KY

Heartland of Kentuckynulls, Best Home Inspector

Kathy, good luck. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.

19 years means lots and lots of memories and accessories to the memories.

Apr 22, 2009 03:23 AM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Andrew ~ Thank you! I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do to the place after 19 years. It's the accessories I'm worried about!

Apr 22, 2009 04:10 AM

Teresa Meyer

Cincinnati Home Stager - Cincinnati, OH

Home Staging Cincinnati-OH.

You know Kathy that I am excited to see your future blogs on this! This is a great idea and it will be fun to experience it with you and help you (should you need another expert opinion). Best of Luck!!

Apr 22, 2009 11:25 PM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Teresa ~ Thank you! I thought it might be good for the public to read too. Maybe get more people on board with staging. I am absolutely going to be asking my AR friends for help and opinions! In fact, I took some pictures this morning of a long hallway I have and I will be working up a post for AR members to give me their input and what I'm thinking about the space.

Apr 23, 2009 11:02 AM

Charlene Storozuk

Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON

Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

I'm so glad that you're going to do a series on this Kathy. You know I'll be parked on your blog to read each and every part of the process. You'll do a fantastic job staging your home. I just wish I lived closer, so I could give you a bit of a hand!

Apr 23, 2009 11:51 AM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Charlene ~ Thanks! Well, you will still be giving me a hand - I'm hoping to get input on areas I'm not sure of what to do. I've got one coming up that I'll be posting this weekend.

Apr 24, 2009 04:25 AM

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN

Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Ok when do we start??

Apr 24, 2009 12:09 PM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Kathleen ~ We start this weekend. I'm hoping to get a post up today "Members Only" with the first challenging area - THE LONG HALLWAY.

Apr 25, 2009 01:48 AM