…or the whole house if you want.

Here are some staging friendly ideas from Better Homes and Gardens on decorating your home this season:

• Miniature cypress trees are a great bargain at $5 – $10 a piece. They will survive outside and look better than empty planters and urns.
• Poinsettias come in a variety of colors to coordinate with your decor.
• Add sprigs of greenery to shimmering place settings. Go for an all white and silver theme with just a touch of natural evergreen.
• Spray paint branches silver and add them to a vase.
• Try a nature theme that is unique such as berries and ferns.
• Make your own wreath using an old frame and objects such as evergreen (blue juniper, norway spruce, holly, balsam, or blue spruce), ribbon, garland, fake snow, etc.
• Place electric candles in the windows rather than strings of lights outside. They are much easier to take down, friendly to all religions, and more forgivable if you leave them up past the holiday.

“Here’s the nitty gritty: Man (Let’s call him Mr. Jordan) puts home on market with real estate agent. Many months later, the house is still for sale, has had no offers and few visitors. Real estate agent suggested lowering the price. Mr. Jordan wanted to sell, so followed the expert advice of his agent and lowered the price thousands of dollars. The house finally sold UNDER the asking price that had already been reduced. On the same street, just a couple of doors down, another man (Let’s call him Mr. Wills) put his house up for sale with another real estate agent. Within just a few weeks, Mr. Wills house sold ABOVE the asking price. 

Since Mr. Jordan and Mr. Wills live in townhouses EXACTLY ALIKE except for the decorating, Mr. Jordan just couldn’t figure it out. Until Mr. Wills explained that his real estate agent suggested hiring a home staging expert to get top dollar for the home in the shortest amount of time possible. It worked.  Mr. Jordan was furious (justifiably so, if you ask me) and took his real estate agent to court. And won! So beware all you real estate agents. Your job is to sell people’s homes quickly and for profit. So get out your contacts, hit the internet or consult your yellow pages but make sure you offer your client the services of a home stager and protect your profits. And if you actually stop and think about it for a moment, hiring a home stager is a great thing for you too. A home stager will have absolutely no qualms about telling your client that while selling his/her home, the smelly kitty litter has to go and by the way, the cat has to go too. And do you really have time to make sure the client gets their home spic and span for selling or open house visits? Isn’t your job to get listings and sell? Let a good home stager do their job and remember, it’s an investment on a high return. Sure, 10k lower for the sale of a home doesn’t really affect your bottom line. But if you have 16 homes listed for sale, 10k on all 16 of the homes makes a major difference to your bottom line! And keep in mind that a home that has been staged sells higher, on average in 15 days and the trend is that staged homes are so nice, multiple offers come in on a home and then you can just sit back and advise your client to take the highest bid… Much better than telling your client to lower the price. Hire a home stager, let the client pay for it and you get to take all the credit for selling high and selling fast…”

What do you think of this article? Is this true?

Here are some questions to ask before hiring the home inspector:
   1. How long have you been practicing?
   2. Are you specifically experienced in residential inspection?
   3. How long does the typical inspection take you?
   4. How much do you charge?
   5. Can I be present during the inspection?
   6. Are you a member of any professional associations?

The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) suggests asking at least the following questions during the inspection:
   1. Is the house well insulated?
   2. What is the condition of the foundation? Is it sinking?
   3. Are the roof and all of its components in good shape?
   4. Are the joists, beams, and other structural elements in good condition?
   5. Is there any termite damage?
   6. Are the pipes and plumbing systems in good condition?
   7. What is the condition of the wiring?
   8. Is the furnace efficient, clean and running properly?
   9. Is there a mold or a moisture problem in the house?

Once you have these questions answered, it will give you a better idea of if you really want the house. From there you can draw up a purchase agreement that states which repairs must be made and the amount of reductions in asking price to fix problems.

From the Akron Beacon Journal’s Article “Area home sales freeze, down 29% in January”

According to figures provided by the Akron Area Board of Realtors, number of home sales in the area dropped a whopping 29% compared to January of last year. In total for 2007, the annual decline was 12% and things don’t look much better for 2008. The total value of home sales from 2007 dropped 28%. Not that it is good, but one number did go up, the average number of days on the market went from 91 days to 94 days. Well I guess there is some good news…the average sales price in January 2008 was $128,799 compared to $127,360 in January 2007. Don’t get too excited, that’s only 1% and there is more bad news. The National Association of Realtors announced Monday that national sales dropped last month to the lowest level in nearly a decade and is the fifth consecutive decline. Home values in Akron are reported to have dropped 3.8% over the past year according to the Zillow Home Value report. Can we say, “housing slump?”

…and that’s a good thing!

Why? Because winter is an excellent time to showcase one of your home’s selling features… the fireplace! A staged home will highlight the fireplace by making it a focal point (it already should be one) and keeping it free of obstructions. During a showing have the fire going to heat up the sale’s potential.

For another hot winter selling tip, click here.

Figures from K+BB January 2008 issue

1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Not only do you squeeze in a workout, but you save energy.
2. Bring your own travel coffee mug to your favorite coffee spot. People do it everyday, so the workers won’t even question your positive action.
3. Carry a reusable tote to the store and avoid wasting plastic bags. I just got a great one for $1.49 at Target, who is just one of many stores that have started carrying them. The impact will amaze you… see Rachel’s rant.
4. According to Rachel who put herself through college by working at a bank, online banking is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It’s free, doesn’t require envelopes or stamps, and gets your payments there on time.
5. Get a library card. Free entertainment. Free knowledge. Free from piles of books and clutter. (Had to throw that in…after all, we are home stagers).
6. Don’t litter. Come on! Do we really need to tell you?
7. Recycle.
8. Free your life from junk mail by removing yourself from mailing lists. It will change your life. Visit www.directmail.com/directory/mail_preference/ or read IdealBite’s Stopping Junk Mail article (a favorite site and great newsletter).
9. Turn your computer, printer, dvd player, stereo, etc. off when not using it. Even the little green (or whatever color) light takes energy in stand-by mode whether your are using the device or not.
10. Turn off the lights when you leave the room.

We’ve got plenty more tips up our green sleeves. Guess you’ll just have to come back for more!

The wirebound hardcovered book is published by Firefly Books and sells for $29.95.

1. Sub-Zero refrigerators
2. Solid surface, granite or quartz countertops (not tile).
3. Fully integrated appliances
4. Pullout pantries
5. Warming drawers
6. Timeless, not trendy designs
7. Wine refrigerators
8. Stainless-steel appliances
9. More storage
10. Products clients pull from K+BB

Home Staging is NOT:

“…Decorating – Anyone can make a home look decorated. Staging is about marketing your home to your target buyer. In fact, personal taste has nothing to do with it. It’s about making a great first impression that creates an emotional connection with buyers and helps them imagine themselves living there.”

“…Just for high-end homes – Every home deserves the best chance at selling quickly and for top dollar whether a starter home or a mansion. Remember, you are competing with other homes within your price range!…”

The list continues with 8 more facts on what staging is not. Check out Susan’s blog to read the rest. You’ll be surprised!

Note – One general rule of staging is not to run appliances during showings, so having a dehumidifier exposed is like raising a red flag. Hide them during showings.

If you do have house numbers make sure they are in great condition (can we say “curb appeal?”). If you don’t, well put them up! They can be found at any hardware store for very little money.