Are you planning on selling your house this year? Before you put your house on the market, take a long, hard look at every inch of it, from the front walkway to the back fence. Try to distance yourself and view the house as a product on the market. Take the emotion out of it. Doing this will help you take the necessary steps in preparing the house for sale. Besides cleaning and making necessary repairs, consider having your home staged as well.

For the sake of full disclosure, I will reveal my bias and confess that I do believe in staging. Home staging is a large part of my business. In fact, two years ago I expanded my staging business, rented warehouse space and filled it with sofas, chairs, tables, artwork, and lots of accessories. Over the last eight years, I estimate that my company has staged well over 600 homes.

Here are two things that my experience has taught me:

• It is truly difficult for most homeowners to stage their own homes. There is frequently a lack of objectivity about one’s own house; everyone thinks their house is better than the one down the street. When you have lived in a house for many years, your eye doesn’t notice the scuff marks on the wall, the faded curtains or the dusty light fixtures. It really does make sense to let an outsider come into your house and give you an honest assessment. This outsider can be a friend, your realtor or a stager. The advantage of a bringing in a professional stager is that we are also professional interior decorators who know how to show off your home to its best advantage.
• Similarly, it is truly difficult for many buyers to visualize a home’s potential and look beyond a homeowner’s personal décor. Many sellers don’t realize that their personal photos, collections and religious items can be distracting and off-putting to many buyers. In this buyer’s market, it pays to do a lot of the work for the buyer. Painting neutral colors, updating the décor, and of course, repairing anything needing attention — leaky faucets, creaky doors, cracked windows, damaged floors — should be taken care of prior to putting your house on the market.

Don’t be intimidated by the thought of having a stager come to your house. We are certainly not rude, like some of the ones you see on television! In the most respectful way possible, we will help you decide which items should stay in the house and which should be packed away. We are there to help, not hurt your feelings. If a stager recommends that you remove the wedding photos or replace the worn sofa, for example, know that it is nothing personal.

Home staging is akin to purchasing a nice new suit for a job interview. To make a good first impression, you would not wear an outdated, wrinkled suit. Likewise, having a clean, beautifully arranged home can make a big difference.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on Jan. 19, 2008.

I recently received a call from a couple inquiring about my home staging services. They plan to sell their home and want my help in deciding which home improvement projects will reap the most benefits come selling time.

I get many calls like this; however, this one was a little different: This couple is not planning to sell their house for four years! Usually we only have a week or two to get a house into shape. But, in general, the more time you have, the better the results.

For those of you who plan to sell your house this year or in the future, take a lesson from this couple. Rather than wait until the last minute, they are planning ahead and taking their time. They want to update their house now so they will have time to enjoy all of the new features, budget accordingly and spread out the projects.

This house has a lot going for it: a nice neighborhood, a beautifully landscaped yard and atrium and a comfortable floor plan. By their own admission, however, the homeowners have not done any improvement projects since they moved in 20 years ago. The home is due for a variety of updates. My clients will be changing the light fixtures, most of the floorings, and the window treatments. In addition, they will be remodeling the bathrooms and updating the kitchen by re-facing the cabinets and installing new counter tops and appliances.

Our challenge is to update the house not only with the homeowners’ own taste in mind, but also taking into account what future buyers will want to see.

The style and setting of the house warrants using natural materials such as slate, hardwood and granite. Fortunately these are all things my clients like. Natural materials provide a timeless, classic, high-end look, which not only appeals to the current homeowners, but to many home buyers as well.

I have recommended slate tiles for the entry and hallway and hardwood for the kitchen and dining room. Hunter Douglas Silhouettes and Luminettes on the windows and sliding doors will enhance the windows and not detract from the views of the yard.

The bulk of their budget will be spent renovating the baths and kitchen, which are top priorities for home buyers. In a high-end home, buyers expect high-end materials such as granite counter tops in the kitchen and tile floors in the bath. Dated vinyl flooring and original fixtures are not going to command the price you want for your house.

By planning ahead and doing the renovations now, my clients will be able to enjoy their home for the next few years and again when they sell house for a great price.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on Feb. 3, 2007.

On HGTV’s Designed to Sell, an “ugly duckling” house is transformed for $2000 into a beautiful swan in preparation for putting it on the market. As a home stager myself, I find this program very entertaining to watch. The real estate experts on the show can be very blunt, even insulting, about the house’s features and decor. When I meet with homeowners, I am very kind and gentle about the changes they need to make. This is their home, after all– the place where their kids grew up; the place they decorated with loving care. But maybe kind and gentle real estate experts would not be as interesting to watch on television. The point is that the moment you decide to sell your house, you must put your emotions aside and think of your house as a product on the market.

In this current real estate market, it has become very important for sellers to put more time and effort into preparing their homes for sale. Most realtors recommend doing property inspections early on and making repairs and upgrades before the “For Sale” sign goes up. This is excellent advice. Don’t show your house to buyers until it is ready. This has been a good year for home stagers, as sellers look to us to make their houses look as attractive as possible to prospective buyers. Savvy sellers know that if a house looks great and is priced right, it will sell faster than the plain house down the street.

On Designed to Sell, the design team sometimes makes big changes, such as installing French doors and knocking out walls. (Remember, their two thousand dollars does not have to pay for labor!) Much of the time, however, changes are smaller– removing clutter, painting, and purchasing new accessories. Don’t underestimate the impact that these changes can make. Both on Designed to Sell and in my business, we strive to add color, style and personality each house. Sometimes we enhance the furnishings the homeowner already has, and other times we start from scratch, bringing in furniture, artwork and accessories.

Most of the houses I see have one of two problems. They either have too much stuff, or not enough stuff. Fortunately, both problems can be solved. If there is too much stuff, such as clutter and extra furniture, it should be stored, packed up, given away or thrown away. Good stagers make the most of what remains, rearranging furniture and repositioning art and accessories. Sometimes we add extra decor, such as green plants, throw pillows, new towels and bedding.

Other houses don’t have enough stuff. They may have basic furniture, but very little in the way of decor. Adding artwork, lighting and accessories can add a lot of warmth, personality and style to the house. Vacant homes can feel cold and uninviting. Again, adding furniture, art and accessories can do wonders. Just like on TV, the time, effort and money you spend in preparing your house for sale will pay off in the end.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on Oct. 28, 2006.

If you are planning on selling your home this year, there are a few things you should know about this year’s real estate market. Since half of my interior decorating business involves home staging, I keep up with trends in real estate. According to the newspapers and what I hear from my colleagues in the real estate industry, this year is predicted to be a more normalized market between buyers and sellers. Sellers should be aware that homes may stay on the market a few weeks longer than was typical last year and that competitive pricing will be extremely important. On the bright side for sellers, however, experts are still predicting about 8-10% price increases in the price of homes over last year.

This year, sellers will have to be even more diligent in getting their homes ready to sell. To increase your likelihood for a fast, profitable sale in this kind of market, make sure your home looks great and is in excellent condition. According to a recent article in the Argus (Bond craziness impacts borrowers, January 3, 2006), “Now, the process of staging an open house becomes more important and sellers have to make sure homes are cleared of clutter and not in need of major repairs.”

Since you will be competing with many other homes- new developments as well as homes in your own neighborhood– you will want your home to stand out from the crowd. Based on my experiences as a home stager, I’ve listed below three mistakes I see sellers making and how to correct them.

Mistake #1: Selling a home “as is”
While there may be a few buyers out there who want a fixer-upper, most buyers really do want a home in move-in condition. Of course this means that you should make any needed repairs, but it also means you should spend some time and energy updating fixtures, flooring and paint colors. Remember, you want your home to look better than the home selling down the street.

Mistake #2: Not clearing the clutter
I’ve said this in my columns many times– clutter can wreak havoc on even the most beautiful of homes. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes– would you want to walk into a home and see someone else’s paperwork, junk mail, laundry and 35 pairs of shoes? Remove the clutter, remove most of your personal items, and neutralize the interior. Buyers will open cupboards and closets, so spend some time tidying those up as well.

Mistake #3: Clearing out too much
Sometimes people go overboard and clear too many of their belongings. Vacant homes look cold and uninviting; furnished rooms with no artwork or accessories lack personality and warmth. Decorative touches like artwork, green plants and candles are really important to help create an appealing home environment. If you have a talent for decorating, you can prepare your own home for sale. If not, a good home stager can help create a home that buyers will love.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on Jan. 21, 2006.

As an interior decorator, I’m always trying to learn new things that will help my clients. I read a lot and attend as many seminars as I can. Since quite a bit of my business is home staging, I was excited by the opportunity to attend a presentation by Ann Maurice, host of BBC America’s The House Doctor. Maurice has made a name for herself in Britain and the United States as a very successful interior designer and home stager. I found myself nodding in agreement at just about everything she said, and I appreciated her matter-of-fact style.

For those of you who may not know, home staging involves preparing a home for sale so that it shows as beautifully as possible. Home staging is becoming more and more popular, due in part to television shows such as The House Doctor and HGTV’s Designed to Sell. It is true that staged homes tend to sell more quickly and for a higher price. Staging can include large ticket items such as remodeling a kitchen or bath, but it also includes de-cluttering and furniture rearranging. If you are planning to put your house on the market this year, I encourage you to start now by taking a long hard look at your property.

Ann Maurice compared an Open House to a job interview. Would you appear at a job interview in tattered clothing and scuffed shoes, the handle on your clutter-filled purse held on with tape? Would your hair be unwashed and messy? I don’t think so. The same idea applies to your home. Before you put in on the market, make sure the leaky faucet is repaired, the house is clean and fresh, and clutter is under control.

I liked how Maurice described her “3 C’s”—Clutter, Color, and Clean. If a buyer sees a lot of clutter on countertops and in closets, he will feel as if there is not enough storage space. Excessive clutter can be an instant turn-off for some buyers. If clutter is a problem for you, start now by giving it or packing it away. Personal items such as family photos and awards need to be packed away. The idea is to create a neutral environment that allows the buyers to imagine themselves living in your home.

I am big advocate of gorgeous color on your walls, but not necessarily for homes on the market. Maurice says to paint your walls in a nice neutral tone—a creamy white or tan works well. But do bring color into the room with accessories and artwork to avoid a stark, bland space.

Cleaning is an absolute requirement. Maurice says, “Clean, then clean again.” I tell my staging clients to clean like they’ve never cleaned before. This is especially important for windows, kitchens and baths. They should sparkle. Buyers will look in cabinets and closets, so cleaning and organizing them is also a must.

Keeping Ann Maurice’s 3 C’s in mind will get you well on your way to a home that appeals to buyers.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on Feb. 19, 2005.

If you are planning on selling your house soon, there are many things you can do to boost the selling price of your home and shorten the length of time on the market. While an “as is” sale might appeal to some buyers, most buyers want a house in move-in condition. The idea is to present a well cared for, light, bright, spacious, clean home.

Before you list your house for sale, take a good, objective look at it. Try to see it from a buyer’s perspective. Start at the front door. Is the light fixture worn or dated? Replace it and use the brightest light bulb possible. Replace the tired welcome mat, and place colorful flowers next to the front door. Clean the cobwebs from the eaves, wash or paint the front door, and sweep off the porch.

If you haven’t painted your walls in a few years, they probably do need paint. Evaluate the flooring as well; new carpet and fresh paint can do wonders for a home’s appeal.

In the entry, remove the piles of shoes and kids’ backpacks. Store the coat rack. Is the chandelier dated? A stylish new one can be purchased inexpensively.

If you have piles of junk mail, newspapers, magazines or other recyclables anywhere in the home, remove them now. Nothing can ruin the look of a home more than clutter.

Since you have to pack anyway, why not start now. Remove at least half of the books and knick-knacks from bookshelves, closets, curio cabinets, etc. Pack away your excess videotapes and DVDs, along with the toys the kids won’t need every day. Pack away your family photos and other personal items such as trophies, religious articles and kids’ artwork. This enables buyers to visualize themselves living in the home.

In the kitchen, remove all items from the top of the refrigerator, along with all of the magnets and notices stuck to the front of it. Aim for counters clear of appliances, food items and clutter. Decorate the counters with a pretty platter, bowl of fresh fruit, healthy green plants and an attractive cookbook on a stand. Scrub the ovens, sink, refrigerator, cabinets, counters and floors. Organize the pantry. If your faucet is dated, consider replacing it.

In the bathrooms, hide the toilet brush and wastebasket. Display only decorative items such as candles or bath accessories. Store all personal hygiene items. Purchase fluffy new towels and a new shower curtain. Scrub the sink, tub, shower doors, floor and commode.

In your living room, arrange the furniture in a cozy conversation grouping, and remove extra furniture pieces. On the coffee table place a healthy green plant, a candle and a decorative plate on a stand. Mantels should be clutter free; keep them simple with a piece of art, a plant and a candle.

Make sure all the beds are made and that your bedding is in good shape. If it looks worn or dated, buy a new comforter. You can always use it in your new house. Add a few coordinating throw pillows and perhaps a cozy chenille blanket. Display only one or two decorative items on the dresser and nightstands. Hide all laundry and personal items.

It may seem like a lot of work, but on Open House day, when your house looks clean, bright and spacious, you’ll be glad you took the trouble.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on June 12, 2004.