Not your PlanO Home Staging Blog!

10 changes you can make to speed up the sale of your home

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:59:25 GMT

Home Sellers if you already haven't, prepare to change.

Especially in the current state of the housing market (& limited numbers actually buying & those that are -are being extremely picky with what they are purchasing) ask yourself this question;

"Is it really going to hurt too much to make a few changes that can speed up the sale of my home?"

As a North Texas Home Staging Professional I am sometimes faced with clients who feel that;

their homes
their choices [ cosmetic or structural] and
the way they are living in the home is perfect for them so why change?

It's time to stop focusing on how you live in YOUR home and get on with the business of selling this house to move onto your NEXT home!

NO MORE

Or deep down do you just really NOT want to sell this house? And I am very serious.

Your short term pain of having to make some changes will result in long term gain, the successful sale of your home.

I'd like to help you get there.

Here are 10 changes you can make to speed up the sale of your home

Wall paper removed and bold paint colors changed - buyers would rather see freshly painted walls in neutral colors and be able to make their own changes later.
Furniture removed, rented, re purposed &/or repositioned for optimal showing if you have too much or too little it matters!
Turn a room back to it's INTENDED purpose (I don't care if the office works in your dining room and you have to move some cables around! A buyer needs to see the DINING ROOM - don't make them guess)
Personal decorating choices removed(and yes even if you like those bottle caps glued to your game room wall and it's going to take you forever to remove - a buyer is thinking that 10 fold)
Collections, excess "stuff" and anything you can live without for a time boxed and packed for your move
Rent a temporary storage unit if necessary1-800-PackRat or PODS will come right to your door
Spruce up the yard, mulch and plant some flowers, even if that means having to water them
Get some updated fixtures [including dated fan kits] installed they're cheap and give a great bang for your buck, it's worth hiring an electrician if you don't know how.
Clean, clean and clean some more- even if you have 6 kids, work and the dishes & laundry never get done - now is the time to get it done or hire someone who will.
Keep the house in show ready condition at all times [the good news is that once you've done all the above, it will be easy to keep ready at a moment's notice!] and be flexible when showing

Still need some assistance in marketing your property?

Proudly serving real estate consulting services to Collin County and North Dallas, Realtors, Sellers & Investors, , Home Star Staging is here for you Texas!

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Buyers don't like your house? It's nothing personal.

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:08:18 GMT

Selling a home?

Perhaps it has been on the market for awhile?

Haven't gotten any offers or constructive feedback?

What could be going on?

You've know you've priced it right, it's in a good location and you feel it shows well.

Is it just the current housing market?
Are there too many other homes for buyers to choose from?

In all likelihood, even though everything you feel you've done is right, buyers simply may just not like your house.

Why?

The prospective buyers are probably not getting the emotional connection they need to mentally move in to this home. And it really isn't personal.

At least not for them.

We all know how emotionally attached we can all be to our homes. Truth be told many of us take the time to make it our own and by all means should. Our personal touches abound. From the wall of family photos, vacation collectibles to the matching chintz drapery and dining room chairs we so lovingly picked out.

Why shouldn't we make it our own?

It's our own special sanctuary, place of comfort in times of sorrow and loss, a party house in times of joy and celebration, and a workhorse that we can get our most mundane tasks accomplished in on a daily basis. My kids took their first steps here and I can still see them walking across that old wooden floor.

How can it not be personal?

Well of course while living in this old house we should all make it as personal as we'd like. It is a reflection of you and your family or possibly a reflection of something else;

times gone by
family heirlooms passed from generation to generation
a house that's been waiting for just the right dining room set to be found and in the mean time we'll just use this card table
a kitchen that we just couldn't decide on the granite for counter tops and the Formica has been OK
fixtures that still work and are just as good (in your mind) as something new

Now fast forward to selling this old house.

Those same personal (and some not so personal) touches that have made your house so special to you and your family could be making it impossible for the next family to see a reflection of themselves in.

People tend to see with the eyes of their heart when shopping for a home.

This is not just your ordinary shopping experience.

Think about going into a specialty store. Let's say Pottery Barn.

Although color of the walls, flooring and shelving of the store is very important to the aesthetic display and layout, what are they selling?

Pottery Barn is in the business of selling home decor and furnishings. That is their product. So the products take center stage.

Now think of your house in the same way of a specialty store. What product are you trying to sell?

Your custom drapery that matches only your chairs?
Your over sized sectional that fills up the media room?
Your grandmother's collection of antique clocks?

Start thinking like an objective salesperson who has a large ticket item to sell - a house.

And remember, it's nothing personal.

North Texas home sellers do you still need an objective eye to help take the personal out of the house selling process? Need the 'eyes of the buyer' who can constructively move you toward your goal - the successful and profitable sale of your house? Look no further Home Star Staging can provide you with tips to sell your home and give you the feedback you need. Home Star Staging is here for you North Texas!

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Home staging can be FREE!

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:09:59 GMT

"Home staging can be FREE?", you may ask unbelievably.

Yes, in some cases home staging can actually be free. For those of us in the home staging industry we understand the return on the investment that staging a home can bring to the sale of a property.

"Did you charge for your services?", would be a good next question.

Of course! this is a business after all.

Home staging is a powerful marketing tool that can assist in the successful sale of a home.

Staging is a MUST for selling a home in today's real estate climate.

With powerful statistics reported from the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) and the testimonies of others who have experienced the benefits and success of staging a home we know it works. Indeed in most cases, the staging pays for itself and is FREE and can even bring more money to the table.

"How do I know this is true?"

Let me tell you.

I recently received a wonderful testimony from a client. I did not know what she was going to write and when I read her letter I was thrilled to read that the staging paid for itself.

While I do not recommend adding costs to the sale of a home when it is priced right to begin with, there are cases in which a home may fall within a price range and can be priced at the top portion of that range when prepared and packaged for purchase properly.

Another powerful testimony to the fact that when working with a professional home stager staging works & can also be FREE!

"Thank you so much for all your help with staging our home. The final result was beautiful. We increased our asking price to cover the cost of staging, then put the house on the market on Monday. On Tuesday, we received two offers for our asking price! We are closing on our house within 30 days of putting it on the market. That's amazing! I am positive that we would not have had this result if we had put our house on the market vacant!!...."

T. M. Home Seller, Plano,TX

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For expert advice on preparing a home for sale contact Home Star Staging, a Real Estate Staging and Consulting company located in Plano,TX.

Home Star Staging is here for you North Texas!

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Selling a home is a family affair. 5 tips for selling with children to help ease the transition.

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:44:00 GMT

If you're selling a home and have children, then the home selling process becomes a family affair.

Oftentimes children can be overlooked in the business and process of selling a home however they are important members of the household that should be considered when it comes time to sell. Children, especially those old enough to understand, should be told and brought into the process as soon as possible. I know for my family when my husband was considering relocating us from Florida to Texas for a new job in 2001 we were all in on the decision making process although ultimately it was the decision of my husband and myself to move forward. We made it a family affair. From looking at houses online to visiting our prospective new city, our children were a part of the process as soon as it looked like we were seriously considering this "leap of faith".

After the decision has been made to sell your home whether cross town or cross country the needs, emotions and feelings of children should be at the forefront to make the process smoother for everyone. Based on my own experience and that of others I know who have moved with children here are some tips that you may want to consider to help everyone get on board and make the process easier for you and your children.

5 Tips for Selling with Children:

1. If they are old enough, don't keep them in the dark. The sooner they know the better.

2. If you're OK with the move, they'll be OK. Whether their initial reaction is excitement , confusion or anger as long as you are OK with the move and assuring them it will be a positive experience, eventually those who may not be as confident as you will come around. Sometimes it is necessary to bring in a trusted friend, counselor or member of your clergy if the child is really having a hard time with it and you're at a loss with how to deal with it. It is better to deal with these emotions as they arise than to dismiss them during the hustle of the move.

3. When ready let others know you're moving, especially those who deal with your children on a regular basis; teachers, coaches, parents of friends. Oftentimes change can bring on different behaviors and if these important folks know ahead of time what may be causing these changes, they'll be better able to assist your child as well as let you know what's going on.

4. Get them involved! Make it an exciting time for the family. Whether you're selling for a move up or downsizing due to a variety of circumstances (positive or negative), consider it a new adventure and help get the kids involved. Children are very much in tune with how their parents feel so keep your attitude positve and encouraging.

5. If they are old enough, make them responsible for keeping their rooms, closets and common areas clean. The prospect of a new home with a new bedroom (possibly one of their own), a game room, added space, great community pool and knowing that their things are going with them is often just the incentive they need to help the process go smoothly. The faster you can sell this one (and for the best price) the quicker you can move on to your next home.

Remember most importantly that you and your family make your home, not the physical structure of the buidling itself. So no matter where your new house is, you and the people you love will always make it your home.

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For professional home staging services and expert advice on preparing a home for sale, North Texas Home Sellers, Home Star Staging is here for you!

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Clearing the "cabinet cholesterol" & why it's good for selling your home

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:01:20 GMT

I spent my Memorial Day at home this year. What some may call a "staycation". However my idea of lounging by the pool and enjoying the weather went out the window when I realized I'd be hosting family in a couple of weeks for my eldest's graduation from high school. I am very happy they'll be here and there's nothing like hosting company to get your cleaning juices flowing.

For some reason I decided I needed to clean out the cabinets in my kitchen knowing my sister and mother-in-law would most certainly be using said cabinets while they're here. With kids helping unload the dishwasher, stocking the pantry and the occasional several weeks that go by with things shoved willy nilly into the pantry, things in a well-lived-in kitchen can get out of hand. As long as I know where things are I'm OK with it not always being perfect and thank goodness, I am NOT selling my home.

But that brings me to the point of this blog. When selling a home you have to treat everyday as if company were coming and yes, that company will look in your cabinets! And with that in mind...

Does your storage space suffer from "cabinet cholesterol" ? You know the kind....

Things falling out when you open the doors
Pots stacked in pots stacked in Tupperware bowls as old as my mom and lids you have no idea what they fit anymore?
A pantry full of stuff but most you won't eat or started to eat and never finished?
Potatoes that have started a family of their own
Canned foods that have exceeded their shelf life and stuffed behind 3 bottles of marinade that sounded good at the time but now make you queasy to look at?

The list goes on.

Cabinet cholesterol can be hazardous in more ways than if a pot falls on your head. Insects may take residence. Spills happen often overlooked in a crowded pantry or fridge. Foodstuffs that may have exceeded their shelf life could be potentially eaten by others who may not be as careful to look at expiration dates. My own sister is guilty of that one and she's not 13. Not to mention it's frustrating and stressful when you can't find something you know you have...somewhere...

So for 2 days - give or take several hours in between doing other things, I spent cleaning out my kitchen cabinets. From the junk drawer to the pantry, I went to town.

Saddled with a large garbage can by my side as I stood in front of the pantry I finally got rid of that almost finished bag of croutons that "I could always reheat in the oven and make fresh again" NOT!, picked up the stray birdseed that found it's way on the floor more times than I'd like to mention and disinfected the empty shelves for the first time in probably more than a year.

And boy did I feel good!

Even though the rest of the house wasn't my focus, I actually felt like my whole house was cleaner after the cabinets were cleared of their clutter and thoroughly cleaned. It was not only a physical cleansing but a psychological one too. It felt wonderful, freeing and good to know that my cabinets were organized and easy to access for the company that would be using them. I wanted to give them the experience of ease of use while they are guests in my home. like a hotel, and that's the same experience we should give our potential buyers when they preview our home.

I also gave myself that gift too, now only if I can keep it that way...

Deep down we may want to live like that everyday, and in a perfect world we might. However the reality is we have lives outside our homes and clearing the cabinet cholesterol is not high on the priority list for most people. But when selling it's important to capture that "ease of use" feeling and clean, clear and clutter free living for our buyers. Just like I'd like my company to feel while they're guests in my home.

Clearing the cholesterol in your cabinets is not only good for your own mental well being but the health of your home and the reaction your buyers will give when they get that same good feeling about living in the home you've prepared for your "invited guests".

This is after all what buyers are essentially, invited guests you'd like to purchase your home.

North Texas home sellers do you still need an objective eye to help get your home "invited guest ready" ? Need the 'eyes of the buyer' who can constructively move you toward your goal - the successful and profitable sale of your house? Look no further Home Star Staging can provide you with tips to sell your home and give you the feedback you need. Home Star Staging is here for you North Texas!

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Selling a home? Check your feelings at the door.

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:56:00 GMT

Home sellers often get offended at comments that are made regarding their home. It's only natural.

Home owners work hard to make their house a home, they may love every inch of it from the fabulous décor to wall color, why would they think anyone else would think different? Because we're human, each unique in what we like and dislike and not everyone will feel the same.

No doubt about it, home selling is a very emotional process for all parties involved.

Once you embark on the journey to sell your home one of the best tips I can offer as a professional home stager is to start to emotionally detach from your home and start allowing yourself to mentally picture a new owner moving in. No hard feelings needed here, after all the entire objective is to sell the property and move on to your next home right?

How can you do that?

Take a good look around your home and ask yourself, "is what I see helping or hurting prospective buyers as they look at what my home has to offer them?"

From the most exquisite of style to the very basic, quite possibly what you own and adorn your home with may in fact be distracting potential buyers from seeing what they need to see - the house itself and what it has to offer.

Consider this.

If you have exquisite taste and your home looks like a museum of modern art, will the prospective buyers feel intimidated by your style and not even consider your home due to the fact that they don't have similar furnishings and décor or your obvious style and taste?

Do you house collections of things from around the world travel; keep furniture pieces that have been handed down for generations (and look like it) or have a college dorm look still going on in your home after all these years?

What do you think a prospective buyer is thinking as they look around at your home?

Can they see what you're really selling?

And what exactly are you selling?

The fact that you have great taste?
Your prized collections and vacation trophies?
Your childhood bedroom set?
The idea that you never got around to purchasing quality furniture for this home?

Can you see where this may become a problem for a prospective home buyer?

If buyers can't see the home and what it has to offer like;

Large open rooms
Inviting entertaining areas
Great granite countertops
Lovely outdoor view
Beautiful crown molding
Ample storage space

You can't sell it.

Home staging is a marketing tool that helps you achieve the buyer ready appeal your home needs to sell.

Home staging is not about decorating with your style and taste in mind but creating a look that is more universally appealing and allowing a buyer to mentally move in to your home without the visual "clutter" or distractions that our furniture, possessions and collections may cause.

Distractions are not helpful when selling your home, especially that human beings are so visual by design.

Would you rather a buyer remember your style and décor or the home where they can put their stamp on?

A mantra I like to share with my clients as they prepare their home for sale is to "sell what stays".

Think objectively about your home when selling and by all means check your feelings at the door. After all, you'll be bringing that style with you to your next home - and isn't that what the objective is after all to sell this home and move on to the next?

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For professional home staging services and expert advice on preparing a home for sale, North Texas Realtors, Investors and Sellers, Home Star Staging is here for you!

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5 Tips to start thinking like a home seller, even if you're not selling a home

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:25:00 GMT

In the past few weeks I found out that a dear friend of mine and family are moving.

I was, to say the least, shocked and saddened that one of my friends won't be close by. Road trips are being planned already and long "girl's weekends" are on the agenda.

Her husband, took a great job within his company but had to agree to relocate quickly in order to fulfill the position. He has already left.

They've started the mad dash process of getting the home ready for sale and lining up schedules with workers for this month. She is concerned that he won't be around to handle some of the details we all know get in the mix when contractors converge and start work (or not show up!)

A little background.

While they've lived in their home over 10 years, they like so many of us took their time to decide what changes they'd like to make. Raising a family, two jobs, pets and life always seem to take center stage while living in a home that suits our needs.

Those "wish lists" and "want tos" on our home improvement projects can fall to the wayside. It happens to the best of us.

As I met with them last week to assist on some of the updates and home staging tips they need to be doing now to get the home ready, I was hit with a strong sense of sadness that all the wonderful things that they are doing now to their home will be enjoyed, not by the friends I love, but a new family who will reap the rewards of their investment in getting the home buyer ready.

Ironically (and fortunately) they had already started the process of updating their kitchen and master bath. Surfaces had been chosen and contractors interviewed and selected. They were ready to host Tex-Mex barbeques this summer and entertain in their new space. Not likely to happen now.

As a professional home stager unfortunately I see this a lot and I really hate to see it with my friends.

So with that being said, what I'd like to say here is this:

"Even if you aren't planning to sell your house, start acting like you are."

Ask yourself this question:

"If I were to have to sell my home in the next few months, is it ready for market?"

Scenarios that could happen that you find yourself in the position of having to sell quickly:

Job relocation
Job loss
Family emergency

It could happen.

What can you do that's not going to break the bank now that you've started thinking like a home seller?

Here are my 5 Tips to get you started thinking like a home seller, even if you're not selling a home. And these tips won't break the bank!

Set realistic expectations if you haven't kept up with the Joneses - if your neighbors have spent thousands on a variety of things they wanted to do to their house and you've always shaken your head at their perceived extravagance, think again. The Joneses are enjoying their improvements and over time will most likely pay for themselves. Although when selling is not the time to keep up with them be truthful with yourself as to how your house really shows.
Shop the local competition - visit your neighborhood open houses and get a look at what they've done to update their homes (or not) this will give you an idea of what you should be doing if you want the best price in your market for the house. This may give many a reality check when it comes to the fair price for your home.
Take care of those "honey dos"- from broken window screens to getting rid of the accumulation of old stuff you've got laying around the garage. These things have to be done anyway. With a little sweat equity and a few weekends, you'll feel so much better having checked them off your list.
Start living like company is coming every day - if you are anything like me, when I know I'm having company (especially the sleepover kind) I start a massive cleaning and de-cluttering of the place. And after I've accomplished that I sit back and think why the heck don't I do this all the time? It's so much easier to be orderly when things are in order! At minimum what I do on a regular basis is keep the "line of sight" from my front door company ready. It often inspires me to move toward the rest of the house and I really don't enjoy it when I feel uncomfortable not letting someone in my house because the breakfast dishes are still in the sink.
Hire a Professional Home Stager - yes you heard me. This is something I've been sharing with my networking group. Even if you're not selling, hiring a home stager for a cost effective home staging consultation well before you ever get to the point of selling will put you ahead of the game. Home stagers can provide you with helpful tips and make recommendations on which updates will improve the marketability of your home and can return the investment. Home stagers can make staging safe color recommendations and even tell you how to position your furniture or do it for you when the time comes. Wouldn't you rather know a year in advance than 1 month?

Start thinking like a seller even if you're not selling. You'll be well ahead of the competition.

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North Texas home owners and sellers Home Star Staging can provide you with tips you'll eventually need to sell your home and keep you ahead of the competition. Service areas include Collin County and North Dallas County. Home Star Staging is here for you North Texas!

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No furniture in a key selling space? Re purpose what you may already own

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:57:00 GMT

As a North Texas Professional Home Stager, I always recommend when selling a home that it's important to have furniture in every key room.

Key rooms include all main living areas, kitchen and master bedrooms.

Vacant rooms are very difficult for home buyers to visualize and often leave them sorely lacking in terms of connecting to the home.

In some cases understandably sellers have not gotten around to furnishing key spaces for lack of time, funds or desire to choose something - it happens! However when selling it will pose a problem should a key space remain empty.

Some key problems with vacant spaces are:

No identifiable purpose for the space (buyers see so many houses in a day they won't remember you had a formal living, dining, den and game room if there was nothing to remember in those spaces)
No focal point
Scale is hard to determine (vacant rooms actually feel smaller - buyers believe their furniture will not fit)
Flow issues may present a problem
Minor flaws, blemishes and small cosmetic details stand out creating problems

Below is an example of a home where a key selling space was not immediately identifiable. Using what the owner's already had (no rental furniture) along with a few pieces from Home Star Staging's prop inventory (but could have easily been found elsewhere) Here's a simple cost effective way to re purpose furniture you may already own to highlight a key selling space in your home that may be lacking furniture.

Dining area before

Dining Area After

Furniture pieces used:

"Buffet" is owner's own bedroom dresser re purposed with mirror taken off
Dining table is owner's white plastic outdoor patio table covered in a damask table cloth (legs that showed were thoroughly cleaned)
Parson's Chairs $10 each from a garage sale and covered in cotton slipcovers on sale at Target $7.50 each. Home Star Staging's prop inventory finished the look.

Get creative with what you already own. The results may surprise you.

North Texas Home Sellers, if you're lacking vision or need some assistance in re purposing what you may already own, Home Star Staging is here for you!

Proudly serving, Collin County and North Dallas, Realtors, Sellers & Investors, , Home Star Staging is here for you Texas!

North Texas home staging consultation $125. Return? $1,000 on day one!

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:26:00 GMT

North Texas Home Staging Consultation $125 – Day One Return on Investment $1,000

How is that possible? Let me explain.

Hiring a Professional Home Stager for an affordable home staging consultation has an excellent return on investment for anyone thinking about selling.

Money is tight for everyone. Home sellers need to know what updates and upgrades will be the best return for their dollars spent.

As a standard part of Home Star Staging’s home staging consulting services, we help you identify where to target your improvements and updates and what will provide you with the best return on your investment.

Recently Home Star Staging provided a verbal home staging consultation for a seller who has not yet listed their home. These pro active home sellers were in the planning stages of getting their property ready for sale.

After viewing the property and giving my professional assessment there was one recommendation that ended up returning their investment of $125 and would end up actually saving them over $1,000 more that very day.

Prior to my consultation the seller had decided they were going to replace carpet in one part of the house. Although no contract had been signed, the vendor had been chosen and there were samples of the carpet to be installed. However, upon my inspection, I found that that there really wasn’t a need for this new carpet. There were only minor blemishes and one small area where the carpet would benefit from carpet stretching, nothing that a good professional carpet cleaner and installer couldn’t fix for a fraction of the cost of newly installed carpet. The carpet was in good shape.

In almost disbelief the seller’s questioned my recommendation and I assured them that it wasn’t the best use of their dollars to do so. This recommendation alone would save them over $1,000 in costs to replace the carpeting. A pretty decent return on their home staging consulting investment wouldn’t you say?

Home Sellers, for an excellent return on your home staging investment, a cost effective home staging consultation with a professional home stager is a wise financial decision.

Proudly serving, Collin County and North Dallas, Realtors, Sellers & Investors, , Home Star Staging is here for you Texas!

Plano,TX - based Home Staging Professionals featured in Dallas Morning News

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:18:00 GMT

This time last year ,Karen Otto of Home Star Staging along with another Plano-based home staging professional (and my good friend), Barie Pinnell, with WRE Interiors, were interviewed for an article by the Dallas Morning News. It was an article regarding (of course) Home Staging for sellers.

As we all know, in today's tough real estate market, home staging is fast becoming a way of setting a home apart from the competition, but not everyone understands how to work with a home stager.

Barie and I, along with a few other local home staging professionals had actually gotten together for the article and collectively staged a property that was photographed to be part of the story.

While we waited and waited for the article to appear it just never seemed to make it. Barie called me a couple of weeks ago and said she'd been contacted by the Dallas Morning News and that the article would run on September 5th.

Well, I'm happy to say my Google Alerts this morning showed me just that.

Here is the link to the Dallas Morning News article: How to Stage Your Home to Sell Fast

Proudly serving, Collin County and North Dallas, Realtors, Developers, Sellers , Investors, and news publications, Home Star Staging is here for you Texas!

Why you can't afford NOT to get your home in top selling or leasing condition in today's market

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:17:38 GMT

With a national financial crisis and the tales of woe and doom in the housing market many wonder how are they are ever going to get through this time if selling a property at this most uncertain time of our nation's economy?

After reading this article on MSN.COM titled: Top 5 Things home buyers and sellers should do now, I am convinced the services of a home staging professional are even more necessary than ever.

Listed below are the top 5 tips for home sellers from the article:

Wait out the market if possible, especially if your house is located in a very troubled market
Get your house in great shape but at a reasonable cost - THIS IS WHERE A HOME STAGING PROFESSIONAL IS INVALUABLE. A home staging professional can address cost effective ways to get your house in great shape. A cost effective consultation is a great way to achieve that. The article goes on to state that with all the homes on the market right now buyers need to be impressed by what they see in yours and having your house in top shape will set it apart from the lot.
PRICE the house right
Don't go FSBO - houses aren't selling themselves any longer and it's imperative to get the right Realtor on your team who knows how to get your house sold
Ask for buyers to have a pre-approval letter with any offers they make, this protects you and if a buyer isn't willing to provide that initially, you won't end up wasting time and money in the long run.

It's never too late to address your home selling concerns, whether thinking of listing or if you have a home currently listed.

Twice in less than a month, homes in Collin County, TX that Home Star Staging has staged, although previously listed for several months but not seeing the results desired, have seen successful results after staging. One home has sold and closed and the other, a sale/lease property is negotiating a 3 year lease with a qualified couple less than 4 days after staging.

Home Star Staging offers no nonsense, affordable solutions to home selling & leasing challenges .

Proudly serving, Collin County and North Dallas, Realtors, Sellers & Investors, Home Star Staging is here for you North Texas!

5 Secrets you SHOULD keep from buyers when selling your home

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:25:00 GMT

As a Professional Home Stager, home staging consulting is something I do for clients on a regular basis. In recent weeks I have been reminded that there really are some secrets sellers should be keeping from buyers while selling a home.

And I’m not talking about the structural integrity of the home or defects my friends. Let’s make that clear from the start.

Home buying and selling is an emotional process for all parties involved.

There are reasons why you are selling and reasons why someone is buying.

However, as a seller it is important to try and keep the upper hand when it comes to getting the most profit from the sale of your home.

How can you potentially lose the upper hand if you’ve priced your home right, it shows great and you have an interested buyer?

Think of it as a game of poker and everyone wants to win big.

Try putting on your poker face, but you’re not around to show your flat response.

But your house is giving your hand away for you!

Yikes! You’ve already started to lose.

How you ask?

Your house is giving away your secrets.

What secrets could your house possibly be revealing to your buyers you say? Houses can’t talk!

You’d be surprised just how much your house is saying about you and the secrets you’d rather keep.

Here are 5 of the most revealing secrets your house may be giving away:

1. How much money you make or what you owe through pay stubs & other financial information frequently found in home offices.

2. Your physical or medical conditions or that of other family members with medical equipment left out of any kind.

3. The medicines you take for what ails you through prescription medications found in the usual places. People are also aware of what certain medicines are prescribed for. Remember buyers will snoop in your cabinets!

4. The state of your emotional well being through self-help books or other reading material on bedside tables and bookshelves. From divorce recovery, depression to addiction, books you read reveal a lot to your buyers.

5. The fact that you may already have bought a new home or have your hopes set on one with photos or documents of the new place on display.

Can you see how potentially all these common household items can reveal something about you that you may not want a buyer to know?

All of these things can be used against you when it comes time to negotiate.

Your financial, physical and emotional state and a host of many factors can and will be used to determine how “low will they go” in the price of the home.

Buyers will ask themselves;

· “Are they desperate to sell?”

· “In a hurry to get out?”

· “Paying two mortgages?”

· “Dealing with issues or loss?”

· “Sick?”

Maintain the upper hand when selling your home and make sure your house isn’t revealing secrets you’d rather keep.

Keep these items secure while showing and your house will never tell.

Inspector Stager

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:56:00 GMT

As a Professional Home Stager I am always looking for ways to educating my clients on what I do. I've had the opportunity to use this term "aesthetic inspector" to describe in another way what we as Professional Home Stagers do. Home Stagers may be compared to home inspectors in how we do what we do but at different times in the course of a home sale.

A Home Inspection definition by Investor Words is

An inspection of a prospective home done by a professional, soon after an offer is made, to establish the structural and mechanical integrity of the house.

A Home Staging definition by MSN Encarta is (and this does not apply only to older homes - my add):

beautifying home for sale: cleaning, repairing, and updating the decor and furnishings of an older home to make it more attractive when shown to potential buyers.

Now these are very simple terms and we know they encompass so much more.

However as a Home Inspector

writes their report to establish the structural and mechanical integrity of a house,

Professional Home Stagers

write reports, called Consultations to establish the aesthetic integrity of the house and how best to showcase the property.

We establish the course of action for homeowners to feature their properties as buyer ready. Where as a home inspector generally writes a detailed report and identifies the problems and others do the necessary work, stagers will write the report and be able to address and fix problems identified in our aesthetic report.

Our cost effective, yet powerful reports, identify and address all the areas of a home that need to be prepared for sale. We make recommendations specific to a property and will assist our sellers to achieve their goal; buyer interest, a quick sale and for top dollar.

PROFESSIONAL HOME STAGERS ARE AESTHETIC INSPECTORS

One important reminder is that the aesthetic inpection that is done at the front end of the sale (a home staging consultation) will bring about the faster final home inspection at the end of the sale with a solid, qualified offer!

Please visit us on the web at www.Homestarstaging.com

Designed to Sell Secret

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:40:00 GMT

If you're a fan of those HGTV Shows like Designed to Sell you know the drill.

Generally they start the show off with a Realtor (not the seller's agent though an independent third party) walking through the home seller's house to "critique" the place. The sellers are next door at a neighbor's house watching on video the blow by blow breakdown of why this house so desperately needs to be Designed to Sell AKA - STAGED!

With horror the homeowner's brace themselves for what the expert has to say. Another version of this show is Sell this House - even more brutal because the comments are coming from actual prospective buyers with no holes barred language (censored thankfully) and criticism.

"WOW", the owner's say we didn't think it was that bad!

And we know - really it's not.

It's a TV show - ratings are important, shock value grand! Who cares if the owner's feeling are trampled on - this is good stuff!

STOP! Rewind.....

What makes for good TV makes often makes it difficult for sellers in the real world to understand what professional home stagers do. Heck I'd be scared to call someone over too if I thought my house would be criticized and trashed.

What I'd really like to say here in the home seller's defense and to clarify any misconceptions is this;

Professional Home Stagers are designed to sell and tell. We are the experts. We are the "eyes of the buyer".

But.... we're here to help, not hurt, embarrass or shame someone into staging their property before listing. We CARE about our clients. Your success is our success - the sale of your home. Home Stagers understand that selling a house is an emotional process and we will treat you and your home with respect.

Realtors and Sellers, many home stagers can also provide you with a powerful marketing tool that doesn't have to cost a lot,.

I'll let you in on the secret it's called a Home Staging CONSULTATION.

Listed below are some things to know about how a home staging consultation can work for you.

What is a Home Staging Consultation? - A home staging consultation can be a verbal walk through or written report detailing all the necessary things for a seller to do to get the property ready for sale.

A verbal consultation is usually paid for at an hourly rate - the area you live will determine the pricing, ranging generally speaking, from $50 hour up. A verbal consult generally does not not take longer than a few of hours depending on the size & condition of the home and the number of questions the homeseller may haver. Just like in the show, we walk through each room and explain the changes we see that would be necessary to create the environment suited for selling - the owner is encouraged to and free to take notes. We in essence, are the "eyes of the buyer".
A written consultation is a detailed report or "blue print" of everything we recommend for each room, including (at least in www.homestarstaging.com 's report) the front two corners of the property (curb appeal) to the back two corners, as well as paint and carpet replacement suggestions that a lot of us do. This report provides the seller with all the recommendations they need to prepare their home for sale. This report is often billed at pennies per square foot or a flat rate depending on size of the property and scope of the project.

HOW CAN A HOME STAGING CONSULTATION HELP A REALTOR?

A home staging consultation is a powerful marketing tool which can be used as part of your listing package
Having access to a qualified, professional stager on your team sets you apart from other agents who are not using staging consultations or stagers for their listings
Saves you the awkwardness of having to explain to your clients what needs to be done to prepare their home for sale Home selling is an emotional and stressful process and we understand the needs of your sellers. We are trained and experienced in handling delicate details.
Very cost effective and high yield on the return - starting as little as $50/hour in some markets, (for a one-hour verbal walk through) your home seller will have the recommendations they need to prepare their house for sale
Helps ensure the condition of the home will be in top shape. Remember condition is one of the 3 key components to the success of the sale. Don't shy away from being firm with your prospects! It only hurts you and them when you can't tell them like it is.
We create equity for our clients and that means YOU !- the return on the investment in a staging consultation will always pay for itself - generally yielding a faster sales time, which lowers the probability of a price reduction (in the thousands!) and statistically the better the condition of the home, the higher the sales price!

HOW CAN A HOME STAGING CONSULTATION HELP A HOME SELLER?

Provides the home seller with the blueprint needed to prepare the home for sale.
Gives sellers the "buyer's eye" perspective before the first buyer ever walks through the door.
Cost effective and quick!
Sets seller's home apart from other houses in the comparatible market
Great for the do it yourself homeowner who is serious about selling quickly for top dollar.
High return on investment. By doing the work yourself based on the home staging consultation you receive from a Professional Home Stager you are well ahead of the competition. Your house not only shows better but is a pleasure for Agents to want to show.
We create equity for our clients and that means YOU !- the return on the investment in a staging consultation will always pay for itself - generally yielding a faster sales time, which lowers the probability of a price reduction (in the thousands!) and statistically the better the condition of the home, the higher the sales price!

HOW DO I FIND A PROFESSIONAL HOME STAGER?

Sellers: Right here on www.energizedseller.com
Sellers: Ask your Realtor
Realtors: Right here on www.energizedseller.com
Realtors: Ask your receptionist - A stager may already have dropped off cards and brochures in your office and they're justing waiting for someone to take one!
Realtors: Ask your fellow agents - they may already have a stager on file

HOW DO I KNOW THEY'RE QUALIFIED?

Check this link at energized seller for RESA's consumer guide to home staging

Proudly serving Energized Home sellers, Realtors & Investors , Home Star Staging is here for you!

"What if I don't like it?"

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:58:00 GMT

Hum.

That question, referring to the furniture and decor proposed for use in a vacant property, was posed to me this week by a client who has never worked with a home stager before. Although I've never been asked this question directly before, I could relate. I'm sure others have thought to ask me the very same thing just maybe didn't feel comfortable enough to ask out loud.

There are many sellers in this same predicament and some are nervous.

Home staging is an investment and it's not a small one when we're talking vacant property staging.

How many home sellers HAVE actually worked with a home stager is an interesting question.

My answer would be, "many more in the future", but I don't know if the market is even close to being saturated by examples, I'd say we still have a long way to go.

But, we're making great progress.

How we conduct ourselves, our businesses and our practices is being watched, questioned and judged whether we like it or not.

And rightly so.

Home Staging is currently an unregulated industry but a much needed one at that. The public is listening and is understanding the value our service brings to the home selling table. Make sure what you're serving is the right stuff.

Although this client says they "trust me", they were not sure about the choices I would make for furnishing their vacant home. Naturally they wanted answers.

I did not take this personally.

After all, it is still their home, once occupied by their family and adorned with their furnishings and decor. Although it is now vacant, it continues to hold memories and attachments for them.

I was prepared.

My answer to this question was honest and simply this;

"It is quite possible you may not like the choice of furniture and decor I've selected specifically for your home, however it really has nothing to do with whether it suits your specific style or taste. Home staging aims to appeal to a number of different buyer's tastes with furniture and decor that compliments your home's layout, style, detail and color palette."

I then went on to send a link to the furniture collections I'll be using and suggested they go see them for themselves prior to making the commitment.

Their vacant property staging is schedule for the end of this coming week.

Since I utilize the services of national rental furniture companies such as CORT and Brook Furniture Rental, I am assured that the collections these companies keep stay with the trends, whether transitional, contemporary or traditional and I base my choices on the homes themselves, the color palettes and architectural influences.

I want the home to sell, not the furniture, but I want the furniture to blend and compliment, not contradict the style of the house.

It's a pretty basic and simple formula but it does take a keen eye and experience to know just how to stage a property properly.

Note: For home stagers considering branching off into this area, I'd like to say this;

Know your limits before making the leap to vacant property staging. From price points to the inventory you keep it is not for the faint of heart. Your work represents not only your company but an industry and standards as well.

Even still for the most seasoned of home stagers, quite possibly your individual clients may not "like it" when all is said and done but then again, we're working to attract a broad range of buyers, not just one.

Sellers, I'm OK if you personally don't like it. It sometimes comes with the territory.

Just a follow up to the original post:

This home had sat vacant on the market for 3 months prior to staging. The home was staged and had the first offer in 5 days, that offer fell through but another came in shortly after, it closed in less than a month after staging.

Staging works!

Sellers, do you know why the first showing of your property probably won't be in your home?

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:44:26 GMT

Home sellers, today's home buyer is in a different league.

With the Internet, virtual tours and great digital photos that are available, a buyer with access to the Internet, truly does not need to leave the comfort of their home in order to decide whether or not to see a property they may be interested in. Essentially that means the first showing of your property may take place on the internet not in your actual home.

It is estimated that 86% of buyers are shopping online first, and that's not just for any product but for homes too.

Buyers can make their decision right at the computer screen whether the house is worth getting in the car (or plane in some cases) to see. And often, with job relocations, it becomes necessary to view properties cross country or globally and the only way to do that is on-line.

I make it a practice to view www.Realtor.com to check out the virtual tours and photos. As a North Texas professional home stager I find myself virtually staging the houses that need it and wondering what the reasons are behind those homes that don't have photos or tours available. In my opinion, this is one of the most important tools after listing today's seller has in getting their house seen and sold.

There is never a second chance to make a first impression and home 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.

While selling, make your home's first impressions count. whether the buyer is previewing online or in person.

Thank you energizedseller for your sponsorship at the DFW Stage it Forward Roundtable!

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:44:00 GMT

On Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 I had the honor and priviledge of leading the discussion at the 2nd Dallas/Ft.Worth TX Stage it Forward Roundtable event.

On a national level, professional home stagers are gathering during the month of November, which by the way has been designated National Home Staging Awareness Month, by the Real Estate Staging Association, RESA, to network and brainstorm ideas to move the home staging industry forward. Collectively we are moving the service of home staging into the homes of every seller and on the radar of every Realtor with the idea of making home staging a standard part of every residential real estate transaction.

We could not have done it without the support of our wonderful sponsors and I'd like to take the opportunity here to thank Dan Eason, President of Energized Seller for so generously sponsoring our Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX event by providing our wonderful lunch.

Energized Seller has shown its support not only by highlighting the home staging industry and professionals on their website but also reaching out to our national associations and organizations in an attempt to bring awareness to the importance of home staging to sellers and Realtors alike.

Thank you again Energized Seller for your support of home sellers and the real estate professionals who work to serve them!

Sellers - Unwrap your walls to reveal the gift to your buyers

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:48:00 GMT

Wallpaper, wallpaper on the wall are you the fairest of them all?

Love it or hate it or have no opinion of it, most Professional Home Stagers do address the issue. It comes, it goes, it's in fashion it's not. It's neat, it's versatile, it's dated, it's faded, out, in - whatever your feelings on it, in my opinion, in many cases, wall paper removal may and should be recommended.

Now fair seller, you say, WHY?

"I love it!
I paid lots of money for this designer look it matches my chair cushions!
I paid someone else to hang it perfectly straight!
All the flowers and leaves are joined seamlessly together and it looks like custom paint!
We could never remove it ourselves!
We have memories tied to this wall paper!"

My answer to you would be this simple two sentence answer, as you said,

YOU love it but not all buyers are going to be of the same opinion. In fact most won't.

What they will see your wallpaper as, especially if worn, torn or forlorn, is WORK, TIME & MONEY and NOT MOVE IN READY.

What will be a bit of sweat, time and about $50 for paint/supplies for you will be a sight for buyer's eyes to behold! A clean, fresh, slate. A warm inviting space. MOVE IN READY CONDITIONS!

And isn't that your goal? To sell your house and make it appeal to the most number of buyers possible?

Below is an example of just what removal of the top portion of the chair rail wallpaper and a warm neutral paint (the color below the rail stayed the same) can do to lighten and brighten up a room.

Can you see the gift that these sellers have unwrapped and given to their prospective buyers?

Dining Room Before Wallpaper Removal, Painting and Professional Home Staging

Dining Room After Wallpaper Removal, Painting (by owner) and Professional Home Staging by Home Star Staging

This Frisco, TX home was professionally staged by Home Star Staging in early November 2007. The home had a contract prior to Thanksgiving 2007 and closed shortly after (3 weeks on the market). By working with the right Realtor and professional home stager you too can set your home apart from the competition!

For Professional Home Staging Services and Consulting in Collin County, TX and surrounding areas please visit Home Star Staging on the web or us a call at 469-964-0516.

We're here for you Sellers!

Let us help you unwrap your home's gifts and make your HOME the STAR attraction in the competitive North Texas Real Estate Market.

Selling a home this holiday season? Should you decorate?

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:51:00 GMT

Around this time last year I wrote an article about selling a home during the holidays with a focus on the question, should you decorate? I thought it was timely enough now to bring it back again because as we approach the various holidays this season, you may be questioning whether on not you should decorate while selling. It's a valid question and one to consider.

In general my recommendation would be, yes, go ahead and decorate, just do it in moderation! Afterall, you'd like the buyers to remember the large dining area that is great for entertaining, not your vintage collection of porcelain Santas that took center stage.

A decorated home is usually warm and inviting, if not over the top. Keep lawn decor to a minimum and the same rules apply to your interior. Once the season is over, make sure you pack and put away those items for your move. After all your objective is to sell the house isn't it? Don't put those holiday decorations in the attic, put them in storage and get prepared to move!

For more recommendations and tips please check out this article: Selling a Home during the Holidays? Should you Decorate?

I wish you all a very happy holiday season and a successful sale of your home!

A real life "Selling and home staging with kids" blog you have to read

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:01:58 GMT

My Google Alerts had an interesting blog post and I want to share here.

The blog is written by a seller who had their Realtor stage the listing.

She describes in really good (and humorous) detail the process and how it was to live like that for a very short time apparently. You'll see for yourself if you read the post Selling a house with kids

Selling a house with kids

We are moving and we are staging our house.

Everyone tells me I should start packing weeks ahead of time. This is sensible advice, so I try. I really try. After the kids are in bed I attack the fringes of ten years of clutter. I sort through clothes. I clean out the dining room buffet and toss old candle stubs. I take down the wall of postcards that grandparents have sent from exotic vacation spots, carefully peeling tape off each card and tucking them into a box. (I wish I could travel to Copenhagen!). Then I start to panic. It's clear that at this rate, we'll never be ready.

We up the pace one weekend by renting a portable storage pod. A parade of relatives helps us cart off the extra dining rooms chairs, shelves and the daybed. I box up the dishes we seldom use, books, throw pillows, wicker trash baskets and candlesticks. By the end of the day, the house feels barren.

A few days later, our real agent arrives with a color consultant, on her dime, and spreads paint samples all over the living room rug. They decide on a palette of saturated colors that we would never have dared if we hadn't been moving. We stay in my mother's basement while the painters have run of our house.

A few days later, I leave for work just as our agent pulls up with a rental truck and two assistants. I'm apprehensive. Suddenly this whole endeavor seems over-the-top. Our agent told us that staging has helped some of her clients "let go" because their house no longer looks like their home. How will my house feel when I return? At the end of the day, I walk up to the front door and notice that the pileup of scooters, bicycles and helmets in the front porch has been replaced by two wicker chairs and a table and a tin star ornament. So far so good.

I feel like one of those reality TV show participants when I open the door. Oh my! Why haven't I thought of putting the living room rug at an angle in front of the fireplace? The house that has felt cramped now suddenly feels spacious. And what a nice Mission style armchair. (Wonder if she'll sell it to me?) There are a dozen new lamps casting pools of cozy light. The paint colors look splendid. And I really like her artwork. Remind me again, why are we moving?

She has rearranged the den as a "music room" with the piano against one wall. Our master bedroom looks like a page out of a Pottery Barn catalog. There are matching IKEA bedside tables and brushed pewter lamps where our mismatched shelves used to sit. A bold black and white spread has replaced the flannel Navajo print comforter cover that my husband brought to the marriage (and which I've been intending to replace for years!). The bathroom has a new shower curtain and artwork and a fake plant (...ok, I could live without the fake plant). Plump striped towels hang on the towel bars with washcloths carefully folded over the tops. "What if I forget and wipe my hands on them?"asks the 8-year-old.

Uh oh. Reality sets in.

A staged house looks nice, but just try to live in one. In ten minutes the children have recluttered every room. At least with most of their toys in storage, it doesn't take as long to pick up. That night I undress in the closet because one of our bedroom windows now has no curtain. My husband and I stand on either side of our staged bed to lift up and fold the new bedspread. Then we retrieve our Navajo comforter and lumpy pillows from the closet where they have been stashed with our other unsightly belongings. The next morning, we reverse the routine. The photographer is coming!

The kitchen counters look spartan, empty except for two fancy condiment jars with corks. My knife block has gone missing and I finally find it under the sink. The toaster has been moved to a pantry shelf. At breakfast I fold up the ends of a fancy table runner so the kids won't smear it with peanut butter. I hand dry the dishes because we can't leave out the dish rack.

Just before we leave for work and school, the five-year-old gets in a fight with his brother and hurls his sobbing self onto the sofa. I'm afraid that instead of consoling him, I start yelling frantically.

" Get your snotty face off the silk pillow!"

I flip the pillows to hide the stains from his teary face. Then I stand there draping and redraping the afghan to get it to look like it had before. It reminds me of going home after getting my hair styled and trying (unsucessfully) to get it to look the same way the hair dresser had left it. We almost miss the bus.

We put the house on the market a couple of days later at the start of spring break and fly out to California to stay with grandparents for the week. It ends up being an inspired decision. We are high above Las Vegas as the brokers' tour is going on. We fly back to Minnesota with an offer. We only have to keep the house tidy for several more days while our buyer comes back with various inspectors.

A week later, the agent sends her assistants to collect her things. My two-and-a-half year old daughter howls when she sees her pink bedding and the tulle netting canopy carried out the door. I promise to get her a canopy for her bedroom in the new house.

We are moving in two weeks. The knife block and our old comforter are out of hiding. Watching television is a challenge, however, since the TV is in the "music room"; where there is no seating and I haven't bothered to move it. But I discover I like living without TV.

I have also discovered that I like living without a lot of stuff. I like the space. I like not having to dust and clean it all. I'm beginning to forget what we actually packed away. And, with the exception of my silver candlesticks and my son's Harry Potter Wizard cape, I not sure I really want it all back.

Posted by Maja Beckstrom on June 3, 2008 12:33 PM | Permalink

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It is so spot on and true, especially when selling with children. However this family made the committment to sell and the results speak for themselves! Stagers and Realtors should read it!

To their Realtor, I'd love to say Congratulations on a job well done!

Sellers, I feel your pain

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:54:36 GMT

Let me first say, we are not moving. At least not this month. But we are re carpeting our 2nd floor and replacing our white wooden stair balusters for our enjoyment as well as the future return on investment.

Why did we really want to do this?

Heck, we want to enjoy the upgrades now while we live in it! As a professional home stager, I have seen far too many sellers upgrade to sell and wish they'd done it years ago for their own use once they see how great it looks.

But sellers, I feel your pain!

When you're told to replace your carpet by a professional home stager or your Realtor (or just know you need to do it) and say "I'll just give the buyers a carpet allowance", I understand why.

It is quite a job to replace carpet while living in a home. I know, I've done it.

But it's also quite a job for a buyer to move in to a home and have to replace the carpet once they're in. Consider your inconvenience as doubly theirs and why many buyers choose to move on to another newly carpeted property when they hear "allowance"in yours.

The work involved in moving and storing items while in the process of re-carpeting (or laying any flooring for that matter) can seem overwhelming(especially from upstairs). Although the carpet installers will move the large furniture it's up to you to relocate and move everything from the tops of dressers, closets and whatever else may get in their way, break or become too much for them to have to deal with.

And then... after all that... you have to put it back!

But there is a silver lining. You finally get to the closet cholesterol that has been accumulating for years and may decide once and for all to get rid of it.

We're still, after 2 months getting rid of stuff, in fact, we declared this 4th of July - Independence Day from our junk! (well alot of it anyway)

A little background....For the past several years my husband and I have talked about replacing our upstairs carpeting. We'd already replaced all of our downstairs carpet with wood and tile when we first moved in 6 + years ago but not the upstairs carpeting. With 2 kids and a dog and countless trips up and down the stairs by friends, relations and various animals (from birds to dogs we've housed for friends on vacation... don't even ask what some of these "house trained" pets have done to my house...) the carpet was to say the least "well worn". We decided this summer to replace our carpet and enjoy it while we can.

But.... that's not all.

While checking out craigslist for a client who needed some furniture at a discount I came across a company that replaced wooden stair balusters with wrought iron balusters. Coincidentally, I had a client who had asked me about the cost of replacing his and I truly had no idea at the time nor did I know the return on investment to do this. Well, I researched further the company and the cost. Turns out this is a popular item with new homes. I've seen them myself and worked in newer homes which have this upgrade.

Well we decided to install them in our home as well, why not? We loved the look, the price was great, and we were replacing our carpet anyway and I knew it would be a good investment for the future. I have to say, the company we worked with Grandstairways was awesome and totally professional. If you're in North Texas and considering this upgrade, contact Alex Kaiser. He's a man of his word and their prices are about 1/3 of what others are charging.

After a couple of months of milling over carpet selections (had to think long term, wear, color, "green" factor and padding choices too) we made our choice.

Now if you don't already know about carpet, go out and shop for some if you're in the market for it and you'll learn lots from the reps at each carpet store.

Some basic things to consider when choosing a carpet:

If you have a pet with claws don't opt for "loop" carpet entirely. Their claws will catch the loops and they will pull and fray.
For homes with pets, a "cut" pile will work as will a combo of "loop and cut pile". Simply cut the loops that get frayed and they'll match the cut pile nicely.
Consider the long term if you're not selling. Since you are still living in and using the carpeting, don't go for the lowest grade cheap stuff unless you plan on replacing it when you sell. You want it to last for a while in case you sell in the next several years.
Think about the carpet color you choose. High usage areas will get worn and dirty. Don't go for white or very light in those areas unless you are meticulously clean, wear booties at all times and have no pets or kids traipsing through your home on a regular basis.
Again with color, if you plan to stay in your home for a while and want to really get personality injected into your carpet choice - go ahead. But when thinking about long term use and resale, opt for colors that will be universally buyer friendly. We chose a color in the "cashew" family.
We opted for the upgraded padding with a moisture barrier. Not only does it make the carpet feel plusher, spills don't soak into the pad and "reappear" over time. The barrier acts as a protective shield to ward away those magically reappearing stains.
Green is clean and consumer friendly, something I believe most people are looking for now and in the future. The carpet we chose was from Mohawk. It's called SmartStrand and it's partially made from recycled materials. Check the link for more information.
I was also reminded today in fact that most carpeting is petroleum based and very soon the price of it will also increase. Keep that in mind if you've been on the fence about replacing yours and consider alternatives if you've got your eye on other flooring surfaces (wood, bamboo, stone, tile)

Now that I'm at the end of the most recent upgrades the work was definitely worth it.

Sellers, many Professional Home Stagers are homeowners too. We understand what's involved in owning a home and we understand what it takes to help you prepare your home to sell too. We feel your pain but in the end the real goal is financial gain!

Proudly serving Collin County and North Dallas Realtors, Sellers & Investors, Home Star Staging is here for you North Texas!

What does $125 get you for Home Staging in North Texas?

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:08:00 GMT

ALOT!

Home Staging does NOT have to be expensive.

Many Professional Home Stagers provide many levels of service at different price points. Budgets are always considered when I speak to my clients and I am well aware of being cost conscious especially in today's economy.

I'd like to share with you two testimonials I recently received from local Realtors® I've been working with. I started working with these Realtors® this year and they have committed to contacting me for a verbal home staging consultation for each of their new listings. For $125 and up to 2 hours, Home Star Staging provides this service to home sellers in North Texas.

Any home, in any price point can benefit from a home staging consultation. In my professional opinion this service should be considered a standard part of a Real Estate transaction, just like a home inspection has become after a home has an offer, a home staging consultation can be seen as the "aesthetic inspection" that can get offers on the table!

Home Staging does NOT have to be expensive.

As evidenced below, the value of a Home Staging Consultation far exceeds the investment.

For pro-active sellers who are motivated to do the necessary work to prepare their home for sale and with the guidance of a Professional Home Stager TARGET those areas that need addressing (no more guessing games), the results are amazing!

NORTH TEXAS REALTOR® TESTIMONIALS

"I have to tell you that the home you helped stage [verbal consultation] at Old Shepard Place in Plano had an offer in 2.5 days! The other home you staged hasn't been listed yet. But both clients were so satisfied with your suggestions & assistance that they commented they loved the way their homes felt after staging & promised to never go back to the clutter again."

C.Hahn, Realtor®, Coldwell Banker Plano, TX

"You have done an excellent, fabulous job on my listing. You probably provided 30-40 times of value, for the price I paid [verbal consultation]. You have exceeded my expectations by a great extent. I am going to utilize your services for all my professional and also, personal needs. For a person as skilled as you are, you have absolutely no airs, you are very flexible, friendly and personal which makes you wonderful to work with."

S. Chaparala, Realtor®, DFW Realties

Realtors® Home Staging Consultations are a great service to recommend to your sellers and set your listings apart from the competition!

Proudly serving Collin County and North Dallas Realtors®, Sellers and Investors Home Star Staging is here for you North Texas!

Does a home staging consultation make a difference for selling?

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:01:00 GMT

Below are some photos of an owner staged property after receiving a home staging consultation from Home Star Staging.

Included in a home staging consultation are many, many recommendations. Below are just two of the following which highlight the purpose of this blog:

Paint recommendations
Furniture placement / arrangement suggestions

The owner could choose to do as much or as little as they wished. As is always the case in a home staging consultation by Home Star Staging, sellers will get honest, respectful feedback about what changes need to occur and how to showcase a property to appeal to the most number of buyers.

Staging has NOTHING to do with your personal choices or style, it's more about the presentation and "move in" ready conditions that today's buyers are looking for.

In many cases, sellers will say, "this doesn't feel like my home". To which we respond, "Good!" The way we live in a home is very different than the way we market and sell it.

The owners choose to do the following as well as have JRM Photography take the after photos for the MLS. Note: Their Realtor had already chosen to acquire the services of JRM Photography as part of the listing package.

Clearly just three recommendations have taken what the owner's already had and made it buyer ready.

Lightening and brightening with a paint choice they had already made for a good portion of the home unified the spaces
Furniture was rearranged and re located from other areas
The final touch was great photography by JRM Photography that gives buyers more depth and vision on the MLS as to the potential of the house. The photos invite them from the internet to come visit the property in person. When over 80% of buyers are first shopping the internet how could you NOT consider professional photography for the highest impact?

Proudly serving Collin County and North Dallas Realtors, Sellers & Investors, Home Star Staging is here for you North Texas!

Selling a house? Use this FREE valuable resource to help with the successful sale

Karen Otto,ASP,RESA, Home Star Staging — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:02:00 GMT

Sellers, do you want to know what is one of the most valuable things you have in terms of the successful sale of your home and it's FREE?

I'll give you some hints:

It's a something we never seem to have enough of
It's gone before you know it
Sometimes it seems to stand still
It flies too fast when you're having fun
If only we could buy more
Where does it go?

Have you figured it out yet? The clock is ticking......

Well some may argue that time is money and you would be correct especially when selling a home, one of the most valuable things you have in your corner is time to prepare your house prior to listing.

But TIME is FREE.

It's how you carve it out and make it a priority when selling your house that you'll see big rewards with your time investment.

Now I know not all sellers have this luxury; if you need to move quickly for a job relocation or other reason, but in many cases, sellers should have ample time to get their homes ready prior to sale.

What you'll need time for:

Choosing the right Realtor
Preparing your home prior to listing

Want to know how to SAVE TIME and MONEY and learn what you should focus your time, energy and money on when preparing your home for sale?

Contact a Professional Home Stager to provide you with a Home Staging Consultation and find out where you'll get the most bang for your buck!

Why a Home Staging Consultation?

A Home Staging Consultation can provide you with the right recommendations for you to best spend your time and dollars on and what will give you the highest return on investment.
A Home Staging Consultation is cost effective, quick and great for the do-it-yourself home seller.
A Home Staging Consultation will help eliminate the time consuming guessing games of "What should I do to prepare my house?" "What updates and improvements make the most sense" "What if my budget is limited, where should I spend my dollars to make the most return?"

Why waste precious time?

Get the facts from the professionals who know what it takes to get your house show ready.

Contact a Professional Home Stager today to get started.

The clock is ticking...

For Professional Home Staging Services including cost effective Consultations in Collin County, TX contact

HomeStarStaging.com

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Selling a home is a family affair. 5 tips for selling with children to help ease the transition.

Clearing the "cabinet cholesterol" & why it's good for selling your home

Selling a home? Check your feelings at the door.

5 Tips to start thinking like a home seller, even if you're not selling a home

No furniture in a key selling space? Re purpose what you may already own

North Texas home staging consultation $125. Return? $1,000 on day one!

Plano,TX - based Home Staging Professionals featured in Dallas Morning News

This time last year ,Karen Otto of Home Star Staging along with another Plano-based home staging professional (and my good friend), Barie Pinnell, with WRE Interiors, were interviewed for an article by the Dallas Morning News. It was an article regarding (of course) Home Staging for sellers.

Why you can't afford NOT to get your home in top selling or leasing condition in today's market

5 Secrets you SHOULD keep from buyers when selling your home

Inspector Stager

Designed to Sell Secret

"What if I don't like it?"

Sellers, do you know why the first showing of your property probably won't be in your home?

Thank you energizedseller for your sponsorship at the DFW Stage it Forward Roundtable!

Sellers - Unwrap your walls to reveal the gift to your buyers

Selling a home this holiday season? Should you decorate?

A real life "Selling and home staging with kids" blog you have to read

Selling a house with kids

TrackBack

Sellers, I feel your pain

What does $125 get you for Home Staging in North Texas?

Does a home staging consultation make a difference for selling?

Selling a house? Use this FREE valuable resource to help with the successful sale