Color is were it's at!

I have just returned from a trip to Ireland.

Wow what a use of color! From the colorful front doors in Dublin, which has a historical story, to the small towns and inlets throughout the countryside, the Irish really use color.

So often color is neutralized in our homes when it is goes up for sale. This at times is necessary if our color choices are too bold and personal.

White walls are boring, beige is just so-so, but color is were it's at .... if it is used properly.

Kitchens that are painted in warm, yummy colors can evolve the emotion of being invited into a space. Color can even encourage or discourage appetite.

Master Suites when painted in those spa colors of sage greens, calming light blue grey and taupe are quite an asset. They create the peace and serenity we all long for in our lives.

Children's rooms often times are the place that need a bit of taming down especially it they are painted in bright crayons blues, reds and yellows. A much muted version of the color is my recommendation, because painting it beige would be a bore! Let the accessories be the colors that punch up the space.

Red is the color that so many times comes into question between sellers and their realtors. Before I recommend painting a few questions must be asked .... First where is it placed? What is the tone and shade? How much natural light does the room get? Can three walls be painted and one wall left to accent the space? Red can be used it used properly.

The 'cheapest' way to add color to a space is with paint. But the 'easiest' way to add color to a space is with accessories. Theses can be switched out quickly for an up-to-the-minute look or for a seasonal change.

Color is such an important part of our daily lives. It can create an emotional connection with space, surroundings and events.

Look around, drink it in, use some color in your space today!

Depersonalize Part 2- Collections

Many of us have items for which we have a great fondness.

Maybe it is our lladro figurines or those cute cows in our kitchen that somehow have turned into a 'herd' that continues to grow with each gift giving occassion!

Collections can be distracting to buyers for many reasons. For example, they may have a few of theses same pieces and be admiring yours or the collections are just the opposite of their taste and they just can't understand your choices at all.

Sports memorbilia can also fall into this catagory and should be packed especially if they are signed and 'touchably' displayed.

Show the space not the stuff! A few well placed pieces are best.

If the collections are valuable or irreplaceable they should be packed without question.

Collections are really decor choices and can be quite personal in nature.

Pre-pack to appeal to the widest array of buyers.

Depersonalize Part 1---Remove the Photos

The need to depersonalize a home for sale leaves many homesellers feeling that their home is now devoid of all personality. The object is to show the space not the stuff.

The importance of this task must be understood as an exercise in psychology.
It is hard for buyers to visualize themselves in a home that is full of YOUR family. Depersonalizing benefits the seller as well, once your 'family' is packed away you start to emotionally detach from the house and mentally move on.

Start by packing photos from the main living areas of the home. The large family portraits must go. This will leave an empty space that needs to be filled. Art, of some sort, should be used to replace these photos. Consider borrowing the art instead of making a purchase.

Smaller, colorful photos are are next on my list too pack. People get caught up in your lives actvities and forget to look at the house. They may remember that you went to see the great pyramids in Egypt but forget the beautiful built-in bookcase in the family room!

Black and white photos are the exception to the rule. They come across like art so they are perfectly fine for most areas in the home as long as they are not used to excess.

If you're having a hard time packing all of your family photos, the hallway is the best place to display them. The reason being, this is a pass through and not a room to be viewed for space or living. The gallery should be kept to a minimum.

By pre-packing photos you allow the buyers to see themselves living in your house making their own memories.

Valuable or irreplaceable...you decide

When I give consultations occasionally the same verbage I use to describe the pre-sale preparations start to bore me. So I will change my synonyms a bit to make the consultation 'fresh' for myself.

One phrase I hear myself say over and over without a single change, 'If it is valuable or irreplaceable go ahead and pack it '.

The intention is not to frighten the seller but make them aware of the potential for theft.

In the past I have had sellers ask if people really steal while 'house-shopping'. My response is 'Let's keep honest people honest'. Then a few weeks ago after repeating my afore mentioned phrase, Mr. 'Seller' tells me that he had name brand garments missing from his closet, after a showing, while his house was previously listed. I would never have thought to recommend packing designer clothing!


The items that fall into the catagory of valuable or irreplaceable vary from listing to listing.
Jewelery is a big one on the list.
Most people want some baubles and bling to adorn themselves with during the sale of the home. To these individuals I say conceal the jewels, out-of-sight out-of-mind, right!
Other sellers are ready to pack them off to the safe deposit box, which is a great idea in my opinion.

Great-grandma's vase on top of the buffet is another piece that should be packed away for safe-keeping, there is nothing like a shattered memory. And this goes for anything that can never be replaced. Why leave it to chance?

In the children's rooms all of their little collectibles and even some toys are so special they should be pre-packed.

As a stager I cannot always identify the possessions that a seller considers valuable or irreplaceable, my goal is to make them think about those special items in the home and keep them safe.

So until I come up with a way to convey this message in a different phrase, I will repeat this one ....
'If it is valuable or irreplaceable, go ahead and pack it!'

Let there be light!

Lighting your home for showing is a very important part of staging to sell.

Natural light is your best friend, so let the sun shine in, open all your curtains and blinds.
The exception to the rule comes when you create a 'hot spot' in a room or the view is less than stellar. In that case open the curtains but crack the blinds just enough to let some light in the room. Shield your buyers from the poor view or the heat.

Lamp light is warm and inviting. The down cast light from lamps encourages buyers to step in and cozy-up to your house. Remember how a moth is drawn to a flame, it's the same principle.

Overhead fixtures light the room so buyers can get a sense of your space. Pantries, closets and especially basements can seem stale to buyers without light.

Be sure to have plenty of extra light bulbs on hand. I do not recommend those energy-smart, coiled bulbs.
Sometimes they cast to much light that is almost to the point of blinding in rooms with mirrors.
It can feel like you have your 'high beams' on!
Choose the wattage recommended on the lighting fixture.

GE Reveal bulbs are good to reflect your truest colors in a room.

Turn your front porch light on during the evening, like 'guests' are expected, maybe buyers are having a second look at your house. However there is no need to leave them on all night.

All lights and lamps should be on for showings, even on a sunny day.

The power bill may go up just a bit while your house is on the market, but providing a well light view of your home can be priceless!

Seller 'Stuff-ication'

We tend to accumulate 'stuff ' the longer we live in a house.
I remember thinking my current kitchen cabinets where more than ample for my needs.
Now, just five years after we moved in, those same cabinets are full and in need of constant neatening so they don't overflow!
If we were selling our house tomorrow 1/3 to 1/2 of that stuff would need to be stored during the sale.

Storage can be a big issue for sellers.

The last impression you want to give buyers is that you are moving due to lack of space!

So what do you do with all of it?
Can you put it in the garage?
How about the basement?

Off-site storage is always my first choice.
This means renting storage or borrowing storage. Renting a climate controlled unit was our choice for our last move.
Do you have family, a neighbor or friends who could store a few of your boxes while your house is for sale? If you don't think you can afford to pay for storage or you can't borrow storage what is your next option?

Is the basement finished? If the answer is no, I suggest boxes neatly stacked in the last corner to be seen by potential buyers. However, a finished basement is not the place to use as storage no matter how neatly you stack!

If the garage is a three car garage, that third stall is usually storage for lawn care or outside toys, so a few boxes neatly stacked is quite okay. Never gobble up space in your garage with boxes if it is already full to the brim. Make sure that visually a buyer can see two cars parking in that garage.

This is the perfect time to 'spring clean'.
Donate those seldom used items.
Many organizations will pick-up those donations.
My favorite is ARC.
1-800-CALL-JANE

Remember when selling your home you want to show your space not your stuff!

Over The Hedge...

This time of year it can be difficult to add value with curb appeal.

We can still get a ton of snow in the blink of an eye.

So how do you enhance the landscape without wasting money on flora that will only freeze?

First I would say, give all your shrubs and grasses a trim. Just a bit off the top, especially if you are concerned for the plants survival, there's no need for the full springtime haircut right now.

Edit yard art. Just like the knickknacks in your home yard art can be too 'themey' or appear like clutter for most buyers.

Next, freshen the flower beds with mulch. When the ground is clear of snow it will smell great and give a well maintained appearance.

Empty flower pots and planters should be put away for now. I would never recommend that faux flowers or greenery be substituted for the real deal. It can look a bit cheesy, especially with a foot of snow on the ground.

A well groomed landscape instantly tells buyers you have a well maintained property!