Furniture Facts: The Bedroom Bench

Monday, December 18, 2017

Are any of your bedrooms lacking some personality?

Have you staged them to appeal to the masses by removing all those beloved furnishings that made them unique and memorable?

Let's bump it up a notch by adding the luxurious touch that a bedroom bench brings to the scene.

The addition of a bench at the foot of the bed can add that bit of flair that's lacking.

And the best part is a piece of furniture that adds so much to a bedroom doesn't have to bust your budget. There is no shortage of DIY versions you can choose from on Pinterest. If you look at what IKEA offers, you'll find a dozen basic benches for less than $100 you can customize with upholstery or trim or paint.

Sample some benches

These photos will get you started thinking about what style works for your staged bedroom.

Here's the classic and classy foot-of-the-bed bench --
tufted pastel velvet that begs you to sit down.
The curvaceous legs emphasize the old-fashioned,
feminine look. Photo: Giannetti Home  

Leather-covered seating on rectangular metal legs 
creates a more masculine bench.
The metal repeats itself under the 
nightstand. Photo: Zoe Feldman Design

A soft and shaggy topping on this simple bench
adds more texture to this bedroom.
Homestaging can mix decor styles
and still look pulled together. Photo: Terracotta Studio

This eclectic mix of furnishings features a rustic bench 
at the foot of this tailored
bed. Matched dressers and lamps add some 
formal balance. Photo: Martha O'Hara Interiors 

Another Martha O'Hara bedroom, this one with a
streamlined windowpane check
upholstering the simple bench for a retro look. 

The bedroom bench isn't always at the base of the bed.
It can appear in a corner, under a window, or like
this one, centered on a rug to the side
of the sleeping area. Photo:One Kings Lane.

Isn't this an inviting scene? The bedroom bench is 
sometimes a sofa or loveseat.
This side table is the perfect companion. Photo: Ivory Lane

A chest often stands in for the bedroom bench. This antique makes
the room less pretentious. Chests like this
give you handy storage space, too. Photo: Ginger Barber

Someone's not afraid of mixing patterns. The clean lines
of all its furnishings keep this bedroom from
looking fussy. Photo: Andrew Howard Interior Design

There's a bench for every decor style. See-through furniture like
this Lucite bench is ideal
for homestaging. The geometric print cushion gives it
some structure. Photo: Kelly Golightly

Here's the kind of bench that makes a dramatic statement. 
Its sinuous lines and zebra print cushions make it the room's 

focal point. Enrika Bonnell Interiors

There's no rule that says a bedroom bench can't be two stools. 
These beautiful square upholstered
seats will never go out of style. Photo: Timber Trails Development

Poufs and ottomans substitute for benches. They're economical to buy 

or make, fun, versatile, and trendy. Photo: Brook Wagner Design 

When you stage with bedroom benches, you can leave 

them bare like these X-stools,  style them with a throw, 

stack them with books, or add something like a hat. Photo: Chango & Co.

Get the look, get the book

I hope these photos of bedrooms have sparked ideas for you to use when you stage your home. For more ideas you can use to sell your home fast for a price you like, download my homestaging eBook and get the advice and encouragement you need.

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Five Steps to Painfree Homestaging

Friday, December 15, 2017

"I'm not fixing it up for the next guy!"

That's a common expression I've heard from people preparing to sell their home.

I don't consider home staging "fixing it up." Staging begins after you've done all the minor and major repairs your home needs.

Maybe staging a house sounds like lots of work and expense.

Maybe just the thought of selling and moving makes you tired.

Maybe no one is offering to help with the process.

Maybe the last time you tried to sell a home it was a nightmare.

Maybe you're worried about getting enough money to move to the home you really want. And maybe you aren't sure you can find that home!

Let's look at what you can do to smooth the process and take the sting out of getting your home looking great when it hits the market.

Step one: Plan ahead

The smartest home sellers are the ones who realized as soon as they moved in that one day they would sell. The average American stays 13 years in a home, even though people expect to stay much longer. The "forever home" is almost a myth.

As soon as you decide to sell, list what needs to be done. Have a schedule, Make a budget. Get estimates. Start educating yourself about things like market prices and decor trends. This is the step that will save you heartache and money because it minimizes impulse actions and uneducated decisions. You have time to shop around for that perfect drapery fabric at a great price or to locate the handyman you've always wished for.

Step two: Decide what stays

Choose your best quality pieces and mix them 
up with flea market finds.Stage  
to make the space look simple 
and fresh like this one from City Farmhouse. 

There's no sense cleaning what isn't staying for you to use to homestage, so before cleaning, pare down to what's important. This step will make cleaning, packing, and moving easier.

Judge every piece of furniture and decor accessory on its functionality and its ability to impress a buyer. Is that end table really necessary? Does it serve a useful purpose? Is it attractive?

And, most importantly, does it make the room look better?

Keep all the furnishings that you love and want in your next home, and that will contribute to successful home staging. Store temporarily the things that you love and want but that don't earn their keep as staging essentials.

Step three: Decide what to DIY

Carpeting has to be clean and free 
from any off-putting
aromas in order to please 
buyers. Photo: Mohawk

Doing work yourself is home staging's biggest money-saver, and I always encourage sellers to do whatever work they can if they need to keep expenses down.

It makes sense to pay for help if you have the kind of job that pays way more than what you will pay professionals to do work in your home, whether cleaning, carpentry, painting or any other trade.

Determine early in the selling process what jobs you will do yourself and what you will farm out. Some work, such as electrical,  requires training and licensing, and you'll need to hire pros for that.  

If you enjoy the satisfaction of doing your own prep work, rent a carpet shampooer if you don't own one, and refresh your carpets. If you can't sew but would like to, make your own no-sew window treatments. If it saves appreciable cash, paint your own furniture. If you want to have fun with a DIY project create your own artwork.

Remember that too many DIY projects can lessen the perceived value of your home. If you don't have the skills to do the job right, get someone qualified to do the work.

Step four: Recycle and repurpose

Runner-up to home staging's biggest money-saver is finding ways to reuse what you own and what you buy second-hand. 

Teach yourself to be a thrifty buyer. Being a re-purposer calls for imagination, so be open-minded and flexible. 

Can you style that old television armoire as a bar cart? 

Does the outdoor furniture your neighbor wants to throw away need just a coat of spray paint to make your patio staging come to life? 

Be humble.     

Wherever you shop, whether at garage sales, estate auctions, local discount stores, thrift shops, or online, look for bargains. Ask for discounts. Use coupons. Wait for sales. Stick to a realistic budget.

Step five: Spend where it matters

Find an exterior house cleaning 
service if your roof looks nasty. 
Dirt and mildew can be removed 
without damaging the shingles. 
Photo: Rose  City Pressure Washing   

Do repairs, then stage.

A house that needs repairs is appealing only to investors and flippers who hunt for a steal.

Spending some money to fix and stage your home will attract serious buyers who want move-in ready and are willing to pay for it.

Your home doesn't need to match all the state-of-the-art housing trends. But it has to be free from major repairs and obsolescence.

Hire a plumber to fix leaks, faucets, and toilets that don't work correctly. Pay an electrician to repair dangerous or horribly outdated electric systems and fixtures. Get an HVAC company to make sure your system is efficient. Repair the roof if it leaks or looks bad.

These are the infrastructures that matter. Assertive buyers will ask for a discount off your asking price for, say, a new roof. And their estimate of what a new roof costs will be higher than what you would spend for a new roof. That's just how negotiations work.

So, do repairs first. Then stage to impress buyers. For more tips to help you painlessly stage your own home to sell it fast for a price you like, download my eBook now.

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Eco-Friendly Updates that Impress Buyers

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Today's home buyers are smart buyers.

And that means they are looking for smart features, including earth-friendly materials and products.

It's no wonder an eco-friendly home is desirable.

It's a healthier place to live. It's economical because it reduces water and energy costs. And, there's a certain satisfaction that comes from knowing you're reducing your personal carbon footprint.

What eco-friendly attributes does your home have that you can boast about when it's time to sell? 

Think green

According to HomeAdvisor’s 2017 True Cost Survey, homeowners spent nearly 60% more on home improvement projects that year than they did the previous one. And while there are countless improvements you can make to your home, some of them deliver more bang for your buck than others. 

Some green upgrades-- like a tankless water heating system, solar panels, and construction materials from renewable sources --  might be so pricey they aren't going to return your investment unless you continue living in the home long term. As a home seller, you need to think more short-term.

Three of the most economical and environmentally sane investments you can make when you're planning to sell are improvements in your HVAC  system, your kitchen, and your landscaping. These improvements are clearly visible so they earn you bonus points from buyers.

Improve your heating and cooling  

Although not the most glamorous or visually appealing upgrade, improving your home's heating and air conditioning system prior to putting it up for sale is an enormous selling point.

If your home was built more than 10 years ago and still has its original heating and cooling system, it's not energy efficient. Home buyers are often wary of older homes, and outdated HVAC is one of the reasons.

Your Realtor can point out to buyers that the new system will substantially reduce the average energy costs by as much as 20%. That means lower utility bills and a decreased carbon footprint -- both tempting selling points in any real estate transaction.

Other energy-saving perks that can impress buyers are a programmable thermostat, double pane windows, and non-toxic blown-in insulation. Depending on the condition of your home and the local market, it could be worth your money to add extras like these. 

Update your kitchen

Are you that homeowner who says, "I'm not going to fix up my kitchen for the next owner?" That's short-term thinking of the wrong kind.

DIYNetwork reports that "If you plan on updating only one room in your home, it should be the kitchen. Large, open kitchens have become the social hub of the modern home. High-end touches like granite countertops and energy-efficient stainless appliances are the gold standard in modern kitchens."

Don't be the seller who underestimates the ROI you can realize when you install upgrades like new countertops and Energy Star appliances. Realtors and other experts across the board agree that a kitchen remodel done right can return between 80% and 85% of your actual cost. Compared to other remodeling projects, that's a handsome return.

Of the 93% of homeowners who are updating countertops during a kitchen renovation, most are aware of buyers' preferences and are choosing natural stone materials. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it's durable, non-toxic, sanitary, and always attractive in a classic way.

Other green upgrades to your kitchen are a low-flow faucet; floors made of cork, sustainable hardwood, or bamboo; an under-the-counter water purifier; a recycling area; and a convection oven.

Rethink your landscape

No home seller can ignore the importance of curb appeal. The way the front of your home looks can determine whether driveby home shoppers are interested in your home or not. Landscape can make the difference.

A professionally designed landscape will incorporate
varying textures, shapes, and colors.

You don't have to spend a fortune, but hiring an experienced landscaper to design a custom plan for your front and backyard spaces can make all the difference in your home's appeal to potential buyers.

If you plan to keep some of your yard's existing landscaping elements, a professional landscaper should be happy to work with you to develop a unique plan, one that buyers will appreciate for its good looks and its eco-friendly features.

You want your landscape to be based on plants that don't demand lots of water to look good and stay healthy. You also want it to be easy to maintain. It should not require ongoing applications of toxic chemicals or excessive use of power equipment for its upkeep.

Fortunately, there are plenty of plants that require little or no upkeep. Some of my favorites are Variegated Ribbon Grass, Thornless Common Honeylocust, and Grey Owl Juniper shrubs. These are the kind of plants that let you -- and that next owner -- enjoy the benefits of a beautifully landscaped yard without the chore of yardwork and maintenance.

Central to the idea of sustainable and healthy landscaping is the notion that what you plant is suitable to your climate. Growing tropical plants in the desert is just one example of poor ecology. To learn what kind of landscaping is appropriate to your locale you can contact your county extension service for free literature and online advice.

It's easy being green 

It's not just young buyers or other niche markets that are interested in conserving resources like water and energy and living in ways that don't harm the environment. If your home wasn't recently built or recently remodeled with environmental factors in mind, you may want to consider some of these renovations.

Environmentally smart home improvement projects can come with big price tags, but if you choose the right ones, you'll see a faster home sale with less negotiating and good ROI.

Top photo: hgtv

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Four DIY Ways to Improve Your Bathroom

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Homebuyers aren't attracted to outdated properties, and a bath is one room that doesn't age well.

Let's face it. Tubs, showers, tilework, and toilets are not easy to replace.

But some DIY projects for renovating your bathroom don't call for major expenditure, hiring expensive contractors, or securing permits.

If you have some time, doing a DIY project or two can be fun and rewarding. These are some of my favorite ways for a homeowner to update a bathroom.

Add new backsplash

One of the most popular DIY projects in recent years is applying your own bathroom or kitchen backsplash. The fact that 87% of homeowners who renovate their bathrooms choose to update their shower, demonstrates the desirability of this DIY bathroom project.

A new backsplash will give your room the appearance of a much bigger renovation, even if it's a simple peel-and-stick project. You can redo the tile in your bathroom, for instance, or purchase prefabricated wood that can be easily attached to the wall with some heavy-duty adhesive.

The shower walls, the tub surround, or the wall opposite the entry door are excellent choices for a new backsplash treatment. In the kitchen, backsplashes tend to go behind the kitchen sink or stovetop, or are used to accent a breakfast nook.

Update bath vanities

Besides fixing your bathroom backsplash, you can also redo your cabinetry with relatively little DIY know-how. Usually, a screwdriver is all that you need to easily remove the doors and then switch them out with new ones.

Or, you might want to take the doors off altogether and create an open storage space, a style that's increasingly popular. Changing just the cabinet knobs and drawer pulls is the easiest move for making your vanity look stylish.

Consider wall art

Simple framed prints are affordable and tasteful
bathroom art. Photo: Sussan Lari Archtect

USA Today says one of the simplest things you can do in any DIY home project is hanging up new wall art.

You can either buy inexpensive pieces and put them in cheap frames, or you can make your own pieces to add some buyer appeal to any room. Garage sales and thrift stores are also good sources for second-hand art that's perfect for homestaging.

Bathroom walls usually have limited wall surface for hanging art, but even a small framed print will make a small room look more interesting. With the right art, you can make a huge impact on your space without making a huge investment.

Paint the walls

One final way to update your bathroom is to give it a fresh coat of paint. Nothing beats paint for the return on your home improvement dollars. While it's not the quickest DIY project, it's often necessary before listing your home for sale.

Because of the constant use and high moisture levels, your bathroom's current paint or wallpaper probably needs an upgrade as part of your staging, especially if you just added a snazzy new backsplash as well. Buy paint that has mildewcide added, made especially for baths.

If you go with the same color you presently have, one coat will usually cover. But if you're making a drastic color change, you may need two coats. Make sure, however, if your bathroom is tiny to not choose a dark color. The dark color will make your room seem even smaller. Clear, cool, light colors work best for baths. 

Get the look, get the book

These DIY bathroom tricks will help improve your space without a lot of money. If you're ready to sell your home, these are the simple DIY home renovations that will improve your selling success. For more tips to success, download my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. 

Top Photo: Milano Carrera

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How to Mix Different Decor Styles

Monday, October 16, 2017

I get it. You're staging your home for sale, but when you look around at your furniture it doesn't look like a model home furniture.

No sweat.

You can stage with whatever furniture you already own and still keep to a budget. There's a current trend that will save your butt.

It's eclectic mixing of decor styles. So, smile! I'll show you how to use what you have and maybe add some thrifted pieces so buyers will get the message that your home is stylish and welcoming.

Professional decorators have always used this approach to make their clients' homes look layered, curated, fashionable, and personal. Now it's your turn.

It's easy to mix decor style when you've grasped the basic guidelines.  You'll make that model home look boring!

Four tricks of the trade 

Your first trick is to enlist the aid of paint. Paint some mismatched pieces of furniture or accessories all the same color. I once staged a vacant home with a collection of second-hand furniture, all of which we painted white. It was a cottagey look that reflected the nature of the property. The white colorway looked completely intentional rather than like a fallback option.

Here's a happy mix of different styles
and eras from Danielle Oke Interiors.
Antiques cozy up to modern upholstered
pieces, Asian rattan,
and a glass and brass table. 

Secondly, stage so that most of the decor of your home fits one particular style. Ideally, it will be a style that fits with the character and architecture of your home. Some decorators recommend an 80/20 rule. The formula is 80 percent of your furnishings are one style and 20 percent are random styles.

That's fine if you already know your style, have the furniture to match, and if it's not a style that is off-putting to any class of buyers. Millennials generally don't want traditional (grandma's) furnishings, and retirees, for the most part, aren't fond of a hard-edged industrial look.

Don't stage a girly bedroom on one side of your home and a man cave on the other. Mixing pieces from both rooms will make your home feel less specific and also larger. If your man objects to a fluffy, white rug in his personal space, remind him that's it's just temporary.

My third tip is to limit the attention-grabbers in your rooms. If you have lots of one-of-a-kind pieces, add some generic textiles, and a few identical items as props or accessories to make the decor seem less disjointed. You can always remove the unique pieces for a more stripped-down look, or replace them with more common objects. If your unusual pieces are large -- a baby grand piano, for example -- make it the focal point of the room. Buyers will have a crisp recall of your property after touring a number of homes that day.

Finally, use cross-pollination to bring a room together and keep it from looking like a garage sale. Need examples of cross-pollination? Lampshades and lamps that are similar in color and style throughout the room. Pillows that match. Pairs of furniture, like matching end tables or side chairs. Picture frames across the space of a room that are identical even though the artwork is different.

What not to do

Resist the temptation to place all of one style in one room or one area of a room. That's deflating the whole appeal of an interesting mix. If you have a Colonial chest, top it with some batik pillows. If you have a mid-century-modern chair, set it on an Oriental rug. If you have a sh shabby chic headboard, cover the bed with a trendy geometric patterned duvet.

Starting with an ordinary bedroom and what
could be considered old-fashioned furniture,
this room gets its upbeat look from
some modern art and ethnic textiles.   

Don't use too many colors. Work with one, simple color scheme for the whole house. This system works well whether we're talking about wall colors, flooring, window treatments, or upholstery. Your color scheme should revolve around three colors.

Wood tones should stay in the same family. All stained pieces could be dark like ebony, a blonde like some oak, or a reddish tone like mahogany, or a light brown like walnut.  Aim for a consistent look in all your stained pieces,  whether flooring, furniture, or wood trim around doors and windows. If you have to stain some furniture legs, for example, chances are they will look good in your new home as well. A dark stain gel will cover prefinished stain work.

Why mix things up?

It's a great time to be a home seller staging her own home on a budget. Current trends are on your side. Chances are you can tweak the things you live with now, the things that you love (and even the things you don't!).

An eclectic mix is going to reach out to a larger number of buyers because everyone will see something he or she relates to. Your mix-up of styles, done right, will hit all the bumpers. That's pin-ball talk, not automotive.

So, forget the old rules of matching everything. Have fun with your staging. And don't forget to check out my homestaging eBooks to see where you need a crash course to make your home The One that sells.

Top Photo: Inspired Room; Photo Below: Better Homes and Gardens

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Stage Like a Pro, Even When You're Not

Friday, September 22, 2017

If you are staging your own home you face some challenges that professional stagers don't face.

You probably haven't taken an extended online course in home staging, or even attended a weekend crash-course in staging.

And you probably don't own a warehouse full of spiffy furniture and accessories to tap into.

But when you are a DIY home stager you have advantages the professional ones don't have.

You can use your own furnishings.

You can work with your own timeline.

And you can save money.

You might even have fun and learn some new tricks to make your next home look and function better.

The benefits the pros have don't have to be obstacles to you doing a successful staging of your own property. There are ways you can imitate the results that good professional stagers get.

Imitate the training 

I frequently see photos of professionally staged rooms that miss the mark. I don't want to bash the industry as a whole, but I think that just because someone is accredited by a staging school or organization doesn't mean that she or he has the imagination, experience, talent, energy, connections, or resources to make your home as handsome and sell-able as you could.

Using your own belongings, selectively chosen, to stage your home will save money 
and let you enjoy your home while it's on the market. Photo: Alice Lane 

Having lived in your own home, you know what's both unique and less-than-ideal about it. Most of us know what everyday traffic patterns function best with our floor plans. You probably know from rearranging your own furniture over time what looks best. You know the rooms that get the most compliments from visitors. You know what you like about your home, inside and out.

By reading my homestaging eBooks and my blog, you can zero in on what gaps you see in your staging education. If there are certain rooms that seem problematic, you can do a search right here to read in the archives about how to stage them to sell. Look in the sidebar labels to see what topics interest you.

You can also study my Pinterest Boards, where I've carefully curated images and stories specifically targeted to help DIY stagers. These Pins are not just pretty pictures and impractical or obvious advice. They give you the guidance and encouragement you want, whether inspirational or hands-on tutorials.

Imitate the inventory

So you don't have stacks of dining chairs, rows of dressers, and shelves full of fluffy pillows to dress your home on the market. You have what's worked for you. It probably just needs some editing and some refreshing.

These are the four steps to take to when you are staging with your own furniture.

New slipcovers  and some paint can pull 
together a mismatched dining set. 
Photo: Pink & Polka Designs, where
Kristi makes custom slipcovers in 
Wilmington, North Carolina 

STEP ONE 

Decide what pieces are the best looking. Most of us have too much furniture.

Choose the pieces that make your home look like it is lived in by prosperous people, not down-and-outers.

Anything that looks like its best days are over needs to go into storage or repaired or repainted or cleaned or sold or donated.

STEP TWO

Decide into which rooms these best pieces will go. Don't assume that furniture needs to stay in its present location.

Sometimes a love seat will work better in the master bedroom than on the sunporch. Sometimes a bookcase will look better staged in the front entrance than it does in the already-crowded home office. Think outside the box.

STEP THREE

Decide which accessories are the most flattering. Once you have located the major pieces, you can add the minor pieces like end tables, coffee tables, side chairs and rugs. Then choose the wall art, tabletop[ props, lamps, and  window treatments that help that help sell your home by making it look newer, cleaner, prettier, and more stylish.

STEP FOUR

Decide if you need to supplement any furniture or accessories by buying, making, or borrowing. Here's where a friend with a fresh eye and maybe a  talent for decorating comes in handy. Lacking that, train your eye by studying professionally designed rooms in shelter magazines and decorators' portfolios on their websites. Just by browsing these images you will become a better judge of what needs tweaking or embellishing in your own home. Trust me on this.

Get the look, get the book

Don't let the lack of professional experience or training deter you from staging your own home. Start planning your staging projects and you'll get the results you want -- a home that sells quickly for a price you like. Begin your planning by downloading my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. 

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The Magic Words That Turn Buyers On

Monday, July 10, 2017

Most people looking for a home to buy start their search online.

Yes, they drive neighborhoods, but they start their research on the Internet. If they don't see what they want in a listing, you're swiped left.

You can educate your Realtor about what's special about your home-- the things that make you love it. These qualities will help her know best how to describe your property so it attracts buyers.

I'm going to make it easy. Here is my list of seven words that are what buyers want to see and hear.

Turnkey

This term tops the list. Most buyers are impatient to get settled into their new homes. Many of them lack the skills or budget to manage the upgrades they'd love. Give them what they want and you're golden.

If you have unfinished projects -- the garage shelving you bought and never installed, the window treatments you started and didn't quite finish, those closets you've been meaning to organize -- start by making a list. When buyers see a home that needs fine-tuning or repairs, they fall out of love with it.

Spacious

Everyone wants more room. You can't claim spacious if your whole property is tiny, but if the closets or the yard or something else is large, use the magic word "spacious."

If you get unnecessary furniture and personal  belongings off-site, it's gonna go a long way to letting you claim "spacious." It may inconvenience you. It may cost you, but no one ever said that selling a home isn't like running a business, and you may have to spend money to make money.

Immaculate

It isn't just the neatniks out there who get turned on by the word "immaculate." Buyers expect clean. They might have just come from touring a home that was cleaned professionally, or a model home, or a new home, or one tidied up by a professional organizer and then staged to impress. These homes could be your competition.

No home on the market is too clean. I know it takes work and constant attention if you are living in your staged home. Tell yourself it's only temporary. Tell yourself you can do it. It helps if you have a routine cleaning schedule and some help from whoever lives with you.

Remember, declutter first, then clean. Why bother cleaning what is leaving the property? 

Well-maintained

Who doesn't want a place of their own that isn't going to drag down their weekends or bust their budget with repairs? The expression "well-maintained" is over-used, so if you're going to claim your home is well-maintained, make it genuine. When you clean your home, do it the way you would detail your car. Better, yet, the way a pro would detail your car. Get into every corner. Polish what should be shiny. Dump the junk.

You can't advertise "well-maintained" if your roof is 30 years old, your wood-burning fireplace has never been cleaned, your faucets are crusty, and your siding sports a layer of mildew.

Low-maintenance

Not every buyer thinks ahead to what it will take to keep a home in tip-top shape. But more experienced homeowners can spot a maintenance nightmare. The list might include white carpeting, an expansive lawn, a pool, wooden windows, siding, and porch railings that will need painting, and yes, even stainless appliances (not everyone loves 'em, so don't hate yourself for not upgrading).

Sometimes installing a fancy new 
countertop and faucet, plus a fresh coat of 
paint on surfaces can let you claim
"recently updated" in your 
description. Photo: Martha O'Hara

Most low-maintenance features are part of a house's original design. There's not much you can do on a shoestring about not having a brick exterior, solar heating, and a 100-year metal roof, but you can add some visible, low-maintenance features.

You can reduce the size of your turf by increasing the mulched areas. You can have wood windows replaced (or do it yourself if you have some muscle and basic tools.) Look for other after-market features that will make sense for your price point, your region of the country, and your market of buyers.

New

In your home's MLS description, "new" is a word that stands out. Its definition can be a little loosey-goosey.

Is a year-old refrigerator "new?" Can you call the bath remodel you did two years ago "new?" When is a "new" deck considered old?

If you hired a good listing agent, she will filter the fluff out of your list of amenities. The last reaction you want from people coming to view your home is disappointment after you have set them up to expect what doesn't exist.

One alternative is to simply list the year of the purchase or when the work was done. There are other words that can stand in for the word new. In some cases, "recent" or "fresh" can describe things like paint jobs and carpeting that wasn't exactly done yesterday but still looks great.

Recently updated

When you describe your home in literature, online listings, or conversations, one word to avoid is "repaired" or "replaced." These words indicate a problem existed. The better words are "upgraded"  or "updated." They sound more like the decision was based on trends, cosmetics or simply a boost in quality.

The word "recent" carries some serious weight. Buyers prefer to imagine they are among the first to use the feature, whether it's the shower stall, flooring, or media room.

Unless they are FSBO, most home sellers are not writing their own real estate listings, but you can still feed your listing agent the facts. I've blogged already about how to write a home-for-sale listing that sells.

I've written three homestaging eBooks to help you prepare your home so it will sell fast for a price you like. Download them now to get a headstart on your home staging today.

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Staging Diagonally: A Way to Fool the Eye

Monday, June 26, 2017

The larger your home on the market appears the more money it commands.

Yes, buyers will study the square footage stats, and appraisals will be based on numbers, but buyers will also respond to how your home feels, how they experience it.

Of course, removing clutter and excess furniture goes a long way to making a house look spacious. But what else?

One trick decorators have up their sleeves is employing the magic of diagonal lines.

If you think about a square, and then visualize the line that goes diagonally from corner to corner, you'll realize that the line that goes from corner to corner is longer than the line that goes from side to side.

A diagonal arrangement forces the eye to wander back and forth across the space, and makes the walls of a room appear "pushed out."

Tables, chairs, and couches are the obvious choices for diagonal furniture placement, but a bed can be set kitty-corner as well, even in a small bedroom. Don't overlook the possibilities of setting case pieces like bookcases, benches, armoires, chests or dressers the same way.

This kitty-cornered loveseat rounds out the room while it directs attention to
the outdoor space, a selling point in this home. Photo: BHG

A simple twist of the four chairs so their lines don't parallel the walls of this
narrow patio, make the space more fluid and interesting. Photo: Suk Design Group 

  This approach is a big improvement over the traditional 
arrangement of a major piece of 
furniture facing the opposite wall straight on. Photo: Homedit

Everything in this room that could be moved was 
re-arranged to sit at 45 degrees to the wall.
Doing so makes the room look more friendly, 
less formal. Photo: One Kings Lane   

Furniture groupings such as conversation areas and dining rooms often take on a cozier look when they are placed off the square grid. One caveat: Make certain the angle is pronounced enough to make the placement look intentional, not as though someone has simply been careless about shoving furniture around. To be safe, keep angled furniture at 45 degrees to the wall. And make sure there is still adequate room to move about easily.

Floors can handle it, too

I laid peel-and-stick tiles in two rooms
 of this 1920s home to unify the 
rooms and make them look wider.  

I love the jazzy look of floor tiles set diagonally, no matter what the pattern or size.

If you are laying flooring like pre-finished or engineered wood, running the boards diagonally will create the illusion of a bigger room.

A square or rectangular rug will do the same thing if placed 45 degrees off the wall.

Tiles on the floor or wall, in a herringbone pattern or otherwise, are widening as well.

Anytime you can show off the longest line in the room, do it, either by what you put on the floor or walls or how you arrange furniture.

So, even if your home's measurements aren't all that impressive, when buyers step inside your home, you can still make them feel like it's roomy. 
To test this method yourself, move some pieces of furniture to be 45 degrees off the wall, and see if you haven't increased the visual dimensions of your space.

Have you staged your home like a square or a diamond?

I give many more pointers on how to arrange furniture in my eBooks written especially for people staging a home. You can download it now and start your home staging today.

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Summer Style: You've Got This!

Friday, June 16, 2017

As soon as summer starts, home buyers get serious. New listings pop up, people take vacations, they're out and about, and the mood is upbeat.

For families with school-age children, the hunt is even more serious, since they want to move before school starts up again.

Most people would rather move during the summer than when the weather isn't so iffy, and they may have vacation days to use for moving.

It's a great time to have your home on the market. But it's also a  time that your home needs to be "summer-ized." The summer buyer has special needs, and the sooner and more closely you match those needs, the sooner you'll see a purchase offer.

But how to deliver a savory summer home on the market?  What's important? And how much money and effort will this take?

Let's take it one step at a time.

Go breezy

Forget the warm and cozy vibes your property exuded all winter. A fresh, colorful look will lure in more of summer's house hunters.

Inside, stage your home's interior with warmer weather in mind. Switch out your accessories. If you haven't already, put away the animal print and earth-tone pillows and bring on the pastel ones. If your window treatments are a dark color, replace them with sheers. Use white when in doubt. It's your default color whether you're painting furniture or adding slipcovers.

Even if your home isn't in a perfect summer destination, like the mountains, lake, or seaside, ask yourself if you can play up the way your home is a treat to live in during the summer. If it's close to any summer attractions, make sure buyers know. Don't assume everyone knows your town and its amenities, and you can't assume the real estate agent will think to talk up all that your surroundings have to offer.

Keep the house cool so folks on tour feel refreshed when they enter. It doesn't have to be ultra chilly, but you can't underestimate the impact the immediate impression of comfort has on someone entering from the toasty outside.

Outside has to shine

The best exterior home staging for summer advice I can give is to dress up those outside living areas. 

Make them look like the perfect places for relaxing, entertaining, and playing. If you don't have a patio or deck or porch, chances are you can still imitate the experience no matter what your property is like.

Put a bistro table and chairs on the balcony if that's your outdoor space. Add some comfy seats if you have a front or back porch. Make a simple, economical firepit, or add a hammock out on the lawn if space allows.

Colorful plants in containers create killer curb appeal. Bright colors are the rule here. Cash outlay is minimal for the ROI.

Make sure your lawn is tidy, and areas around shrubs are mulched. This project should not cost you much either.

Of course, your home's basic exterior maintenance needs to impress buyers. Check for red flags that might worry them  -- things like paint that is faded, peeling, or mildewed, windows that are cracked or fogged, gutters that are clogged, or walkways that are uneven.

Does your siding, driveway or any other surfaces need pressure washing? Power washers are rentable for a low fee and are easy to use. Has your driveway been patched? It can be painted with a good quality paint used for concrete. Do you have a pool? Make sure it's in great condition, clean and staged with some tempting lounge chairs.

Elbow grease is free and bleach is economical.

Add seasonal touches inside

The thought of summer calls up happy images for most of us -- road trips, pools, beaches, picnics, baseball games, outdoor meals, light reading, sleeping late, and a relaxed state of mind (unless you're a mom of little ones).

I like to let people on a house tour reflect, even momentarily, of what kind of life they will live once they move into a house. For that reason, I like to add some thrifty items that will trigger those thoughts -- furniture that looks relaxing instead of just impressive, sports equipment that anyone could love, lots of refreshingly cool colors, entertaining essentials that look like fun, and props that capture the spirit of the season.

Even if you don't own furniture that itself speaks to 
casual comfort,you can still stage it to say, 
"Relax! It's summer!" Rattan, bamboo, 
wicker, metal, pine, teak,and painted furniture
are some  of the most  
common materials for leisure furnishings. 
Let's not forget slipcovers for converting a 
formal space to look more relaxed and
low maintenance. Photo: Sunbrella on Coastal Living.

Okay, maybe your family doesn't play baseball, 
hockey, football, basketball,
and volleyball, but if you can show the 
possibilities for local recreation in your area,
 it is going to impress some people. 
If there is a pool nearby, have noodles 
in your garage . If there is a tennis court in your 
complex, display rackets in your hall closet.
Photo: The Land of Nod
  

The coastal decor pillow is the icing on the cake here,
surrounded by bright whites and colors of the beach and water.
Doesn't everyone wish for a house at the shore? You can stage
to create the illusion of that fantasy come true. Photo: Completely Coastal

This collection of summery hats and bags, all in one place,
function like a piece of wall art. It's an easy look to engineer with
a visit to a second-hand shop and maybe your closet.
The plant also lends a seasonal touch. Photo: One Kings Lane  

When in doubt, go white. Get out the paint and give furniture,
fixtures, frames and other accessories a fresh, new look.
The white treatment is especially appealing to buyers in spaces that
call for cleanliness, the kitchen and baths. Photo: Jules Duffy 

If you need more tips on how to get your home ready for market, download my home staging eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. I guarantee you'll get staging ideas. And results that matter to buyers.

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