Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging
2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - Toronto, ON

great post Kathleen.

You are absolutely right!

Sep 05, 2007 05:41 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL
I agree Kathleen, and I once heard its good to place a mirror in the entryway because potential buyers will see their reflection and therefore see themselves in the house.
Sep 05, 2007 05:43 AM
Andrew Clemente
United American Mortgage Corporation - Anaheim Hills, CA
I agree. The house is judged at the moment of entry.  I watched an episode of "Flip This House" and making sure all the door knobs and brass are all uniform. Good post!
Sep 05, 2007 05:58 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Thank you Dane, Terry & Andrew  - you don't want them to be disappointed when that  fabulous front door opens up.

Sep 05, 2007 06:16 AM
Yvonne Root
rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ
Home Stager - Northern Arizona
Kathleen, Come on in, we are so glad to see you! Daddy used to add a word which sounded like, "Jeetyet?" What he meant was, "Have you eaten yet?" The reason -- he wanted everyone to feel right at home when they entered ours. This is so true of the entry hall, welcoming area of any staged home and you have done an excellent job of pointing that out. What's for supper?  
Sep 05, 2007 11:34 AM
Yvonne Root
rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ
Home Stager - Northern Arizona
Kathleen, Come on in, we are so glad to see you! Daddy used to add a word which sounded like, "Jeetyet?" What he meant was, "Have you eaten yet?" The reason -- he wanted everyone to feel right at home when they entered ours. This is so true of the entry hall, welcoming area of any staged home and you have done an excellent job of pointing that out. What's for supper?  
Sep 05, 2007 11:34 AM
Tina Parker
Keller Williams Select Realty - Bedford, NS
CNE, REDM, SRES, CSP Home Staging REALTOR, Halifax

I totally agree with you, I believe this is the place where the sub-conscience decides to look at the positive aspects of the house or the negative depending on the feeling they get upon entering.  After all, it is an emotional purchase, isn't it?

Yvonne: LOL!  I knew exactly what you meant when I read "Jeetyet?"

Sep 05, 2007 11:40 AM
Phyllis Pafumi
ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ
ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

I agree and that is why my inventory has alot of entry tables with mirror and lamps and little bowls to throw keys in .... you alway need that last look before running out the door.

Phyllis Pafumi

Sep 05, 2007 02:22 PM
Betty Haney
Haney Consulting - Calgary, AB
Kathleen, I absolutely agree with you (and so should everyone else.)  We also use a lot of hall tables with a lamp, mirror or picture, flowers, and a curiosity box sitting on a few books.  I'm actually thinking of arranging my hall table like that - when I get time.  Now that I've removed the doily - it is looking a little bare.  Betty 
Sep 05, 2007 02:36 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

All so far are in agreement with Betty who agrees everyone should agree with me!

I am really liking this and no lawyer's letters on here, so far ,threatening to sue me because they declared the  guest bedroom the most important.

Sep 05, 2007 04:30 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
See a great foyer photo on  Susan Peter's blog
Sep 05, 2007 04:38 PM
Cindy Lin
Staged4more School of Home Staging - South San Francisco, CA
Host, The Home Staging Show podcast

Great post! It's all about first impression. What Barbara mentioned was the same thing what the book "Blink" pointed out.

Cheers,

Cindy 

Sep 05, 2007 04:52 PM
Lori Kim Polk
Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA
Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento
I am soooo sorry to burst your bubble... and I will get my... ah.... lawyer on this right away! I agree that the house must have the wow factor, therefore, it must have a high class door handle on the front door.  That is right, first impressions are number one and as I reach for the door.... I want it to feel like I am walking into a million dollar home. A heated handle would add points for sure in the winter.  The handle is everything in MY world. If you can not change your blog to this focus, then I would defer to the door mat. Yes, a welcome mat... high end... possible black and gold.  If you don't change your Blog to what I want then.... well.... you just better change it! (Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...! Gotcha!)
Sep 05, 2007 05:09 PM
Lori Kim Polk
Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA
Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento

Oh... and I forgot.  That was according to LKP!!!

anonilla... another nilla wafer please :)

Sep 05, 2007 05:11 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Sorry Lori Kim - if you had carefully read aforesaid blog and indeed looked at the fine print, you would make notice of the fact that I did indeed mention front doors , hardware and all other such peripheral items in my aforementioned blog , which was aptly named "Looking Good".  And you thought that was about you , sis?

Gotcha back!!! 

Sep 05, 2007 05:32 PM
Yvonne Root
rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ
Home Stager - Northern Arizona
It may be time to put the heated door handle to rest. And, as our friend Karen Otto might say, "Calm down Chicas." Upon further reflection I have decided the most important room is the laundry room. Gotta have it! Should use it. Will some day.
Sep 05, 2007 09:05 PM
Betty Haney
Haney Consulting - Calgary, AB
I think the least important room in 'my' house is the kitchen.  My dream home simply wouldn't have one.  Okay a fridge for storing beer and wine - but no cook thing!  I want to eat out or have a gourmet delivery service every single day.  Betty
Sep 06, 2007 08:01 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

I love my kitchen, my personal chef and the caterers that fly in for my weekend parties. It does get a bit crowded with the butler, maids, and all, but that is why we are remodeling.

We helped tear a home down for Habitat last year  that had this situation - it was $7 Million.  They bought out the neighbors , tore their houses down and are still building their new mansion . It was estimated at $9 M , but I think it will be more when they are done.

 A different life, but their stone bathroom counters are now in my house -  LOL !!!!  I buy lots of good things in the Habitat ReStore and I help the stuff get there in the first place.

Tea, please - James!! 

Sep 06, 2007 08:36 AM
Ed Vogt
Midwest Properties of Michigan - Grandville, MI
Grandville, MI Midwest Properties
Hi Kathleen - I agree that the entryway should say "Welcome" (and smelling good is sooo important).  I recently showed a nice home that had us coming in through the side door into an area where their dogs must have slept and all you could smell was dog!!  The rest of the house really was decent, but you couldn't get past the smell.
Sep 11, 2007 06:54 AM
Michelle Minch
Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA - Los Angeles, CA
Home Staging Los Angeles and Pasadena, CA
Kathleen: Very good points. I especially like the idea that they will see it coming and going. Thank you for sharing this information. You are absolutely right!
Sep 11, 2007 07:10 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Sights and smells - nothing can be ignored. Clean is a really good smell.

Thanks Ed and Michelle. 

Sep 11, 2007 08:31 AM