Phyllis's Blog

Staging homes is all about doing the necessary "PREP" work to get that home ready to DEBUT on the real estate market. Are your PREPARED?? You may think so, but as a professional home stager I can tell you that even while homeowners are ready to list their home, they ARE NOT ready to "LET GO" of their decor.  

When I enter a home I often tell the sellers to remember that I am here to view their home with the objective eye of the buyer. With that being said I am here to buy YOUR HOUSE, not your furniture or decor. If your things are blocking your house, then I will be distracted and possibly pass up a very lovely house.

Let me give you an example: If a home has beautiful built in nooks, but the rest of the walls are covered in a large flowery wallpaper, then I may be so distracted from the wallpaper that I never notice the nooks. If a beautiful hard wood floor is being covered by a stained, outdated pink carpet the carpet MUST GO! Never block your fireplace with furniture or large, metal screens.

When you move your furniture, these items will remain, THAT IS WHAT THE BUYER IS BUYING and that is what the REALTOR MUST MARKET.   

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind before you call on the services of a professional home stager.

It is a fact that you live in your home a lot differently than you would show it to sell. I have yet to see a house that could not use at least a minor adjustment or two when that time comes.

First, you must emotionally detach yourself from your home. With any luck it will not be yours for very long. What you are living in is about to become just another piece of real estate available for sale. With that being said, take inventory of your necessary possessions and begin packing away everything that you can live without.

If you haven't read those books cluttering your bookshelves in the last 18 months, donate them. Yes, your country dolls look lovely, but it is time to pack them away. I love your designer draperies, but they have been up for 30 years, it is time to shed some light on this house.

I know this sounds like a simple task to some and possibly even a bit amusing, but from personal experience I can tell you that this is very hard for most clients. 

You need to understand what potential buyers are there to see. They are not there to observe your décor, but in fact your décor could hinder them from seeing the home's best features. Observe your house from their point of view to realistically understand what it is they are actually seeing. Then make the transformation accordingly.

A Staged Home creates an environment for the target market wherein a buyer will walk in and immediately fall in love and say "THIS IS IT"!

Every time your home is shown is an opportunity to sell your house and every opportunity is a one-time shot. Once a prospective buyer has seen your house, they've seen it. And, if they are not initially excited by what they see, the opportunity has passed you by. 

WHEN FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER MOST,

                       YOUR HOME NEEDS TO BE.....                         

                                                                          RESTYLED TO SELL

732-995-3425

www.restyledtosell.com

  ARE YOU READY TO MAKE THAT CALL??

As a professional Home Stager, I have had the opportunity to meet many people and view hundreds of homes. One thing that has been consistent time and time again is my reaction when I pull up to the front of the home. Immediately I could tell what kind of shape this home is going to be in, OR SO I THOUGHT!!

Has this ever happened to you? You pull up to a house and it looks magnificent and you cannot wait to view the inside. With great expectations of grandeur, you enter the living room to find torn, mismatched furniture, stained carpeting, and old wallpaper. WOW, was I wrong. BUT at least you got me to enter the home! HOW? The curb appeal of the home welcomed me in!

Now, take the other scenario for instance.....a curb appeal that screams HELP, this house has not been cared for?? Will a buyer enter in or keep on driving? My guess is they will keep on driving. Oftentimes, missing out on a very, lovely, spacious home. WHY risk it?

Here are some tips to help welcome buyers in:  

1. Powerwash the front walkway and house....remove the green mold. This is a quick, cost effective way to freshen the appearance

2. If your screen door is broken, try removing it and painting your front door a complimentary color that will stand out from the neighbors homes. 

3. Touch up or replace damaged shutters

4. Replace your house numbers. I cannot tell you how many times I cannot find a home because there are either no house numbers or they are not visible. A buyer will just drive on by to their next appointment.

5. Repair cracks in the foundation and repaint

6. Clean out all flowerbeds, rake those leaves, and trim large trees and bushes as to not hide the house

7. Replace or repaint your front entry light

8. Install the doorbell. This is a huge problem I see over and over again...NO DOORBELL!

9. If the house has a pond or a water feature but you have not kept it in working order, take the time to repair it.

10. MOVE your boat or car collection OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY! People driving by need to see your house, not your toys

11. Replace the rusted mailbox

12. Clean your windows

13. Remove the dog cages and dog poopie. That is a common problem as well. Hey, that is the last thing you want tracked into your home, now isn't it?

14. Take down your Christmas decorations, unless it is the month of December of course!

15. Weather permitting, add some lovely, potted plants. I always like a rocking chair and small table strategically placed by a front door or on porch

This is just some ways you can boost the curb appeal, but honestly folks, without tending to the above, you may not have the opportunity of showing buyers your beautifully remodeled home on the inside. They will view your home as being unkept and just drive on by.

Contact ReStyled to Sell Home Staging @ 732-995-3425, for your initial consultation. Our team can help you tackle all of the above in as little as one day.

ReStyled to Sell...we are in the business of helping sellers move on!

Visit our website at www.restyledtosell.com for more information

First, let me wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. As the busy season is fading away and we are recovering from the Christmas fun, eating and shopping, it is time to settle down and begin setting goals for the New Year. So let's look at some simple guidelines that I have found helpful.

1. First be true to yourself and your business plan. Don't try to mimic anyone else's model. Your talents and gifts are unique and that is what sets you apart from other businesses. Everyone has a special niche.

2. Connect with your previous clients and/or realtors. Meet new realtors by doing office presentations.

3. Don't give up! Over the past week, I have received phone calls from realtors that I spoke with over a year ago who are looking to finally add staging to their marketing plan. More than ever, staging services will be needed in order for houses to sell. Remember that anytime that has been put into your business is NEVER a waste of time.

4. Remember why you got into this business in the first place!

5. Join a new business referral group. This will expand your horizon of referrals and hopefully help you to tap into a whole new group of people.

6. I said this before, but it is worth repeating...Do One Thing Everyday That Makes You Uncomfortable! The first time I tried this I met a realtor that did not use my services but was kind enough to refer me to her friend who belonged to a large realty company. To this day, they are one of my biggest clients. I remember sitting in my car in front of that Open House and I DID NOT want to go in, BUT I said "Okay, this makes me uncomfortable, but it's my one thing for today", I'm glad I did and so will you.

7. Organize your paperwork, inventory, address books, portfolio, your books, office and anything else that may be causing you stress to be around. Get your taxes prepared and completed EARLY!!

Be prepared as the busy season is upon us. Remember, now is the time that sellers will be calling upon home stagers. The Spring market is around the corner, now is the time to get those homes into shape!! December was an unusually busy month and January is proving to be the same. ARE YOU READY??