Home Staging TNT

Often times there are a few spaces in a home that confuse a buyer, especially if the home is empty. Another proven way to sell your home faster, is to utilize each space.

An empty wall or small corners are areas that most people wonder how to use. Sometimes, there is a wall of nothingness that seems like it could be utilized. Other times, its a small nook that is underused.

Only about 10% of the population can picture how to utilize the space in a home, especially when its empty. But People love a good idea when they see one, especially buyers. By doing this effectively, you are helping them understand the lifestyle they will have in your home.

Its important to use each space otherwise it becomes an eye sore, and maximizes the homes flaws instead of minimizing them.

Your goal here is to show your homes potential in every area, whether you are selling it on your own or with an agent, so that you can increase your profits.

I staged a home recently that had a space off the kitchen that people really didnt know what to do with.

I created a peaceful reading nook with a couple arm chairs and bookshelves and it worked very nicely.

The buyers loved it and bought the place within 10 days of my staging it had sat on the market for weeks before that (during the hotter time of the market)!

Enhancing your odd spaces is another proven best way to sell your home for top dollar in a buyers market.

Here are 4 easy ideas to enhance your odd spaces:

1. Create a Coffee/Tea Area

With smaller spaces off of the kitchen, you can create a coffee area with a small bistro table and chairs and some “coffee” art/dcor.

You can even do this idea in a home or condo that has little or no dining area to make it seem that the space was designed for food and entertainment.

I did this with a condo that had no dining area and it made it seem as if that area was designated for the bistro set right off the kitchen. It was cozy and warm, and perfect for the demographic of people buying in that neighborhood.

2. Create a game area.

In another home I staged, there was a large room that needed some special attention due to its generous size.

Besides staging the main area with couches, I placed a small table and chairs in the corner. I also placed a crystal chess set on the table. This made the space very attractive and fun and got rave reviews!

3. Conversation area people love small cozy spaces to sit and chat on a more intimate level.

You can create a conversation area by using two smaller arm chairs, a small end table, and presto – you have a conversation area. Put the chairs a little closer together so the feeling is more intimate.

You can also define the space with an area rug, as long as its NOT used to cover a flaw.

Add some flowers or a nice centerpiece on the table and you have a nicely decorated area that invites people in to have a more meaningful conversation.

4. Create a Reading Area

Its important for you to know how you want each room to “feel” when you are defining the underutilized space, or any space for that matter.

I have a space in my home where I wanted people to feel they could cozy up with a good book. In that room, I placed a smaller bookshelf and a cozy sitting chair and small end table. Then, I added a warm throw blanket on the chair.

Inevitably, my niece and other relatives always use that space to read when they come to my house. It happens exactly as I pictured it and I know they feel welcomed into the space just as I planned it!

Now that you have some trusted home staging tips, take a look at your current setup and see where you can use the ideas.

Using these ideas for those “odd” spaces, can really maximize each space in your home and show them off to the buyers!

Buyers will love that each part of the home is maximized (yet uncluttered!) when you do it right.

Depending on the size and shape of the rooms in your home, you may want to give some thought to the kinds of wood pellet stoves that are available. It is also important to consider where the chimney is in your home. For the most part, any homeowner should be able to replace their existing heating system with wood pellet stoves.If you have a fireplace, you can purchase wood pellet stoves that will fit right in where the grate is. These stoves will also work well in archways, under mantles, or almost any type of recessed cavity in your home. If you have more than one fireplace in your home, or it is an especially large house, you may want to purchase more than one stove. You can even purchase wood pellet stoves that match the color scheme of your rooms. On the other hand, you might even want to purchase a stove that is bright red, and use it as a unique and charming accent piece. Aside from being functional, these stoves are likely to get the attention of any visitors that might see them.You can also purchase wood pellet stoves with other decor issues in mind. If you do not have a fireplace, there are stoves available that have brick facades. This makes wood pellet stoves look just like a real fireplace. Irregardless of whether you want red brick, or some other color, these beautiful stoves are sure to become the centerpiece of any room you put them in. Other than the fact these wood pellet stoves may not be recessed into a wall, they will still look very attractive.Many smaller homes do not have a fireplace, but they still have an intact chimney. For these homes, stand alone wood pellet stoves are perfect. Chances are, if you have furnace installed, you can replace it with these stand alone units. Considering the range of sizes available, you can most likely find wood pellet stoves that will fit in almost any area. Similar to the models that fit inside a pre-existing fireplace, stand alone units also come in a wide array of colors. You may even find wood pellet stoves that come with enough space on top to utilize for cooking foods.Finally, there are wood pellet stoves that include a boiler and central heating unit. These fascinating stoves often look just like a furnace. The big difference is they burn wood pellets, and not expensive oil. If you strongly favor central heating, or like using your heating system to obtain hot water, these types of wood pellet stoves would be ideal for your purposes.Chances are, wood pellet stoves can meet every home heating requirement that you have. From elegant decor to cost saving fuel efficiency, wood pellet stoves offer a number of advantages. In addition, the various styles of wood pellet stoves available on the market virtually guarantee that you will be able to find one that will fit into your home with ease.

When you are trying to sell your home it’s about minimizing the number of days that you have it on the market and it’s about getting top dollar for the purchase price.

In order to get these numbers right, it’s important to reduce some other numbers.

Take a look at the following list of things you have in your house. Here are some key areas and items where the numbers need to be reduced:

1. Books in bookshelves can be reduced by at least a third

2. Items on countertops should be minimal

3. Knick knacks

4. Extra chairs around dining room table

5. Extra pieces of furniture in living room- too many small pieces will detract from any room. Leave a few prominent larger pieces

6. Personal photos

7. Clothes and shoes that are piling up in closets

8. Plastic containers and plastic bags that fall out when you open up cupboard doors

9. Papers and magazines that are piling up

By reducing the number of items around your home you can count on getting a faster offer and one that will add more to your bank account.

Colette Robicheau, President of Organize Anything, is a consultant, coach, and public speaker offering corporate, residential, and personal organizing services. For more information contact Colette Robicheau, Organizing Consultant and Coach visit her website www.organizeanything.com, email , or read her blog at http://organizeanything.blogspot.com/

Is the ASP or ASPM logo included on your business card? Featured on your website? Have you included information about your ASP or ASPM Certification at your Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts? Do you provide all prospective clients brief information about your ASP or ASPM Certification and how that matters to them?

These days, most potential clients will do some research as they consider hiring you. The easiest way to do that today is by going online and search for your name through a search engine. I suggest you review all your marketing and other materials and of course online platforms where you have a presence to make sure every visitor, every time, sees that you have made a commitment to your profession by earning the Accredited Staging Professional Certification.

Just the other day I heard from an Accredited Staging Professional who has made it a point to always discuss her ASP Certification in every step of her marketing, relationship building and Staging process.

The reason, she said, is that sellers want to know that the person they hire is a professional and will do a great job for them. She mentioned that having earned the ASP Certification has further given her credibility in her community, not only with consumers but especially with REALTORS and other real estate industry professionals.

From the early days when I created the concept of Home Staging that’s truly been the focus of my efforts. From day one it’s been a priority to create not only the Accredited Staging Professional Courses but also a certification that is recognized throughout the industry and of course by home sellers.

I specifically founded the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, IAHSP, for that very reason. Not only will your membership in IAHSP help you to grow your business; the message it sends to those who come in contact with you and your business will know that you are a professional committed to serving your clients in the utmost ethical way.

Holding the ASP or ASPM Certification shows that you

are a dedicated professional who has studied and learned the proven and powerful techniques of Staging homes with two primary goals: sell faster and for a higher price

have successfully attended and graduated from the ASP course and have passed a required thorough examination on preparing homes for sale to earn the Accredited Home Staging Professional Designation

are committed to the principles and practices of marketing properties that are Staged

are held to professional ethical standards as they follow the IAHSP Home Staging Code of Ethics.

Earning the ASP Certification is an excellent way to build credibility within your marketplace and to build an excellent platform for future business success. Make sure to communicate that you did, and what your ASP Certification means to those you work with and serve.

We’ve all heard the sating that your home is your greatest asset. Although this is true to a certain extent you need to keep in mind that your home is only worth what its worth within the current real estate market. The value of property is relative and although its traditionally been a very stable market in the long term, there is a lot of fluctuations in the short term.

If you want to sell your home, then its very important that you maximize the value. Obviously the more you get, the better a property you can invest in for your next home. In some ways, fixing up houses and increasing their value is an art and many people make a living doing just that by “flipping houses”. You don’t need to be an expert to be able to increase the value of your home. There are a few very simple things you can do that can potentially add a lot of dollar value to the selling price.

1. Painting

A paint job goes a long way. In fact, you’d be surprised when you see just what a lick of paint can do to the value of your home. Selling is all about the perceived value and by presenting your home in the best possible way, you can really increase this perceived value. Its really important that you give the inside a new layer of paint and stick to basic whites. It will make everything look new and fresh and for a few hundred dollars you can potentially add thousands to the price of your home.

2. Garden

A nice garden is something that can swing even the most stubborn buyers. Greenery is such a rare thing these days and if you can add a few flower beds, a lawn and some nice leafy trees then the overall look and feel of your home will be so different. Plants are cheap and it’s a really inexpensive way to add more perceived value to your home.

3. Bathroom

Its ironic, but the bathroom is often the one room in the house that makes or breaks a sale. There is absolutely no excuse. Your bathrooms have to present well. An old, stuffy bathroom will chase away buyers. If you are going to spend money, spend it on the bathroom. Keep is simple and clean. It’s the one investment in your home that will pay off when it comes to clinging the deal.