Are you trying to sell your house?

Did you put your house on the market this spring but it has not sold? You definitely need to stage it. It should be decluttered, cleaned and staged to sell.


The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging Your Home to Sell is the best do-it-yourself resource for this project. (yeah, I am bias 'cause I am the author)



Don't make the mistake of thinking: "I know what to do" or "Everyone will like my house just the way it is".


Competition in the housing market is tough. Staging Your Home to sell helps you beat the competition and get the most out of your biggest asset.

Get this book today to help get the most money for your home in the quickest time possible.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging Your Home to Sell

The power of staging, again

Last week I was called in to consult on a very nice home in desirable area. It had been for sale by owner for a month or so then the real estate agent came on board.

He realized right away that even though it was nicely decorated, he knew with a few changes it could be great.

I came in and made several simple suggestions: Move furniture for better traffic flow, removed small area scatter rugs to make the room less choppy, and we even talked about painting over a small mural in the kitchen.

I met the homeowners on a Thursday night. They did much of the work themselves including painting over their beloved mural. On that Saturday's open house, the house SOLD!

Prepping a house for sale is decluttering but it is also depersonalization (the mural) and making the house appear as large as possible (traffic flow). The hardest part of this for homeowners is depersonalization because there is not objectivity - the exact reason to bring in a professional home stager.

The homeowners and real estate agent are thrilled! and so am I.

Julie

How about you, do you need so professional objectivity to get your house sold? call me (716- 912-1581)

the demograhics of doilies

I have been very busy these last couple weeks. Who said there is a recession. The housing market is hot.

The last three houses I have done a home staging consultation for have had one thing in common: doilies.

In my most professional manner I kindly explain that the house they are selling is aimed at a certain demographic - young upper mobile professionals.

The doily is not a decor object that normally appeals to that age group.

What I really want to say is doilies reminds that generation of their grandma and they do not want to buy a "little old lady house" - there I have said it.

If you are putting your house on the market - do a doily check. Please remove them from all horizontal surfaces including your end tables, toilet tanks and plant stands.

It is easy to do and costs no money - no excuses. And yes, that means you.

Satisfied Staging client

I recently got this sweet note from a client:

I just wanted to write to you and thank you for all your helpful advice you gave to me when I was staging my home in West Seneca for a sale. I believe you may have come over sometime before summer 2008. I made the recommended changes you suggested, i.e. new front concrete steps, laminate floors in dining and living room, removal of border in kitchen, and painting of many rooms.

My house sold in 3 1/2 weeks!

Jean P.

Do you want results like this? Contact me at (716) 912-1581. I can help you!

Helpful home staging book

This year's real estate market is ramping up. If you or someone you know is putting a house up for sale, be sure to have it decluttered, cleaned and staged to sell.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging Your Home to Sell is the best do-it-yourself resource for this project. (yeah, I am bias 'cause I am the author)

Don't make the mistake of thinking:
" this is not done in my area of the country" or
"my house is fine just the way it is".

Competition in the housing market is tough. Staging Your Home to sell helps you beat the competition and get the most out of your biggest asset. Get this book today to help get the most money for your home in the quickest time possible.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging Your Home to Sell

The Home Stylist quoted on MSN today

On MSN.com today there was a front page article on selling your home in a crowded market. I was interviewed for the article awhile ago and then to be honest I forgot about it until my Dad called me today and said "Hey - did you see this article?" Good catch, Dad!

This article has many good tips about selling your home in a difficult market.
Check it out here:

MSN on 7 Tips to Sell Your Home