You Might Be A Redneck Home Stager If...

I live in metro Atlanta, which is Jeff Foxworthy country.  Last I heard, he lived about 20 miles up the road from me.  We all love him around here.

Last week my husband and I went to the local diner for dinner (supper?) where they have a Jeff Foxworthy calendar on the counter.  He has a "You might be a redneck if..." line for every day of the year!  That got me to thinking that some of us may be redneck home stagers, but just don't know it.  I decided to come up with a list which will help us determine if we fall into that category.  If you see yourself (or your stager) in the stipulations below, I don't advise fessing up to it.  Here are the determining factors:

You might be a redneck home stager if...

1. at any given time, at least one of your clients is named "Bubba."
2. your hunting dog accompanies you on every job.
3. when tackling curb appeal, your main dilemma is how to camouflage the Chevy on blocks in the front yard.
4. decluttering involves getting the homeowners to par down the number of appliances on the front porch.
5. your favorite staging greenery is kudzu.
6. you've created a CD "mix" for your clients to use during their open house.  It includes such favorites as "My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend, and I Miss Him" and "If the Phone Ain't Ringin', It's Me."
7. your staging fragrance of choice is "fried catfish."
8. when updating, the homeowners typically replace their "comics" wallpaper with an Elvis mural.
9. your staging "trademark" is a greased cast iron skillet placed on the stove.
10. you always leave the toilet seat up.

If you have additional criteria to submit, please feel free.  We must get the word out before it's too late. 

If you know of someone suffering from "Redneck Home Stagers Disorder," please have them call our Stagers Anonymous hotline at 1-800-GET-HELP.  Time is of the essence!

Decorating, Updating & Staging:  What's the Difference?

A week or so ago I wrote a post titled "Please Don't Tell My Husband, But We're Moving."  In short form, it speaks of the fact that we began updating our home in December of 2008 to put it on the market in the spring of 2011 (only I'm still keeping this a secret from my husband, so don't tell).  In case you missed tip #1, here it is again:  START EARLY!  This is actually the 2nd in that series and is specifically regarding the dining room, but I'm also using it as an opportunity to discuss the differences in decorating, updating and staging. 

First, please take a look at my "former" dining room:

As you can see, this room is not quite ready for prime time.  (No, it isn't normally this junky, but the photo was taken whiile we were doing work elsewhere in the house.)  While it was decorated to my liking, it is in need of updating.  I still enjoy the fabric I chose for the window treatments and the floral arrangement, but they are not ideal for selling.  In other words, these things were placed in the home because they suited my tastes.  That's fine while I'm living there, but when we put the home on the market, they have to go.  This pinpoints the basic difference between decorating and staging.  A living space is decorated (customized) to suit the homeowner's tastes.  A selling space is staged (neutralized) to give it a wide appeal to the general public.  But in addition to this space needing staging, the immediate need is for updating.  While I loved the red when it was first painted, today it is too strong and is "so yesterday."  Also, nothing screams "dated" like a bound glass light fixture.  It had to go.  And while we are at it, why not rip up the carpet and put down hardwoods -- a great selling feature!  Here is a photo of the same room once it was updated:

Here's what we did:

• painted
• replaced the chandelier w/ a bronze & crystal fixture
• removed a leaf from the table to create more space
• spray painted the (formerly) brass planters
• replaced the carpet with hardwoods

While this room has now been nicely updated, it is still not staged.  Please note that updating and staging are not the same thing.  Updating is certainly part of the staging process, but not the end result.  One thing that needs to be done for staging is to remove the greenery.  See below:

What a difference removing the corner trees makes!  I will call this room "semi-staged."  Here is what must be done to complete the process:

• Remove the window treatments.  They are much too custom and many people will not like them.
• Remove the additional greenery from atop the china cabinet.
• Remove the floral arrangement and replace it with something calmer.
• Remove the rug.

Did you happen to notice the word "remove" listed four times above?  Yes, staging is much more about removing furniture and decorative items from the room than it is about adding them.  With the window treatments down and the rug gone, the dining room will look twice the size it does now.  This room is actually open to the living room which also has a busy rug.  I like the look for living, but it won't work for staging. 

Today's tip:  always remember that rugs take up a lot of visual space.  Use them sparingly.

So, to reiterate, decorating is personalizing a space for living, updating is bringing a room up to current standards, and staging is neutralizing and streamlining for mass appeal.  Any questions?  Call Stage, Show & Sell. 

It looks like Randy the Realtor is on to something!  See below.

Duluth, GA Home Stager Solves Problems, Atlanta, Suwanee

A few months ago I was called on to stage a cute little vacant townhome in Duluth.  As I previewed the property in order to bid on the project, I saw a potential problem that needed to be addressed through home staging.

Men and women tend to preview properties differently.  Women seem to notice things like appliances, kitchen layout and the garden tub while men typically have one question forefront on their minds: "Where does the TV go?"  For them, it's all about their electronics.  (I hope I've not offended either sex with this broad, general statement!)  In this home, I realized we had a problem, but being a home stager who solves problems, we quickly found a solution.

The entire right half of the downstairs was a large open space which was a combination sitting area on the front, family room with fireplace in the center and dining area to the back (see below).  The photo to the left is the front to back shot, while the photo to the right shows back to front.

While the most logical place to stage the plasma TV was above the mantle, the homeowner didn't want to put it there, as that area was not wired for TV and he didn't want to have to go to the trouble and expense to do it.  The wiring was actually in the front area on the wall opposite the fireplace.

So how did this home stager solve the problem?  Even though the wiring was on the back wall, we knew it could easily be extended to reach the front wall.  With the furniture & TV placement shown below, the family could sit in front of the fireplace and while viewing the TV or in the chaise (made for 2) in front of the TV and still enjoy the fireplace. 

The homeowners were happy, the agent was happy, and the next door neighbor ran back and forth between properties numerous times to stage her home exactly as we had done this one.  The townhome has since sold.  (Actually, BOTH of them!)

If you have home staging problems, we offer solutions!  Call Stage, Show & Sell today!

Please Don't Tell My Husband, But We're Moving

It all started about 3 years ago when our son graduated from high school and left home, college bound.  I came to the realization that it was time for us to move.  It wasn't so much that we needed to downsize, as we both have home offices and require additional space, but we needed a rearrangement of space.  (Helpful hint:  if both husband and wife work out of the home and you want to have a successful marriage, make sure your home offices are on separate floors.  You can always text each other mid-morning and meet in the kitchen for a coffee break.)  The main thing I wanted to accomplish with the move was to buy a home with the master on the main.  After all, we're not getting any younger and the steps in a 2 story with a finished basement will be a problem at some point.  All very logical, right?

Not quite.  "Hubby" was not the least bit interested in moving.  Have I mentioned that he and I are very different?  I get bored very easily and absolutely love change.  He hates change.  Of course, we've been in our home for 19 years now, so it's not like we haven't put in our time here, but he sees no reason to move.  ("Honey, when I can't navigate the steps, I'll sleep on the sofa in the family room.  Don't worry about not having a full bath down there.  I can wash in the sink.  When I get sick and can no longer get out of bed, we'll just set up a hospital bed in the dining room.  Not a problem."  Get the idea?

I was drowning very quickly and needed to change my strategy.  I had it!  "Honey, you know we really should start updating our home.  We need to make changes whether we move or stay, so let's begin making home improvements so that when we are ready to move, the house will be in great shape."  It worked.  In December of 2008 we began updating our home.

We had the deck refinished and stained, had hardwoods installed on the main floor, and replaced our ugly white laminate with granite counters in the kitchen.  We were on our way!  The only problem was that when we stopped to take a breather, my husband couldn't get over how much better the house looked and how great it would be to remain in it a long, long time while we enjoyed the updates.  Uh, oh.

(This is getting too long so I need to move the story along.  Back to updating our home.)

Since I am a home stager in Atlanta, I take it as a personal challenge to do everything right and make all the necessary changes so that when our home goes on the market it will sell quickly.  If I can't do this for my own home, then I need to get out of the home staging business.  We have made many changes since December of 2008 and I'll write several posts in a series on "Updating My Own Home."  This is the first. 

In the meantime, I have an important tip to pass along to those preparing to sell their homes:  START EARLY!!!  There are always surprises along the way to slow you down.  Here was our first:

One day I noticed that there was buckling of the front door frame at the floor board.  When I investigated, I saw that I could move the wall beside the door by 2-3 inches with my own hand.  (No, I'm not a bodybuilder.)  Long story short, we had to have the front door, door frame and rotten wood replaced.  Surprise!  This was not in our budget.  I'm guessing there will be more surprises to come.

For now, just know that this Atlanta home stager and her husband are updating our home for the spring market, but please don't tell him.

A Stager's Advice to Realtors

Lately I've been on the agent circuit, having done recent home staging presentations for local Keller Williams, Re/Max and Prudential GA Realty offices.  On the third presentation I realized that there are several key points that I always emphasize when I have the chance.  I'd like to share them with you.  Here they are:

• Never lose sight of the fact that the photos you post to your listings are infinitely more important than the VTs.  Why?  Because buyers shopping on the internet will always click on the photos first since they pop up immediately and do not require time to load.  If they like what they see of the photos, they will then click on the VT.  Always place your best photos at the top of the page and make sure they are just as impressive as the VT.
• A nicely decorated home and a staged home are NOT the same thing.  In the three years I've been staging homes, my most difficult clients have always been those who have spent big bucks to have their homes professionally decorated.  Yes, they are lovely, but they are also highly personalized.  Decorating is all about surrounding yourself with colors, furniture, accessories, window treatments, etc. that please you.  While you are living in the home, that's fine; when you are selling your home, having a beautifully decorated, personalized home can prevent offers.   Bring in a trained stager who knows the difference and can prepare the home in the proper way by neutralizing and depersonalizing it.  Once your client moves, he/she can call in a decorator to repersonalize the new home.
• Remind your clients what, exactly, they are selling; namely space, architectural detail, floor plans and views.  If clutter is rampant, buyers will never see the space.  If the rooms are crammed with furniture and lighting is poor, the architectural detail will never be noticed.  If there is an overabundance of rugs and furniture is not placed properly for traffic flow, the floor plan will be overlooked.  If windows are dirty and/or covered with tacky blinds or overbearing window treatments, the views will never be seen. 
• Homeowners will work much more diligently to make necessary changes in the presentation of their homes when a 3rd party stager is brought in.  Agents repeatedly tell me they are surprised and even shocked that the homeowners will "take" the staging suggestions from me after a staging consultation.  I don't say this to toot my own horn, but I know this is typically the case when homeowners work with stagers.  There is something about bringing in the "expert" that causes them to take note, even though you may have told them the same thing.  (I'm sure the case is similar when they hear directly from the home inspector or mortgage broker.  They are all ears!)
• Having your clients work with a home stager will help to preserve your relationship with the homeowners.  You have other battles to fight with them -- namely pricing, so take the day off (or go on a listing appointment) while your stager plays the "presentation game" with your clients.

There's lots more, but these are just a few things that come up repeatedly.  Remember that your goal and your stager's goal are one and the same -- to get the house sold.  Call a stager today!

Arby's Plays the Patriotic Card

Several days ago I was driving from one job to the next and realized I was thirsty.  Knowing there was a Chick-fil-a in the area (I LOVE their iced tea!), I started looking for the American flag flying high, which is one of their trademarks.  I spotted one coming up on the right and whipped into the drive-thru lane.

When I pulled up to give my order, something didn't look quite right, but I couldn't put my finger on it.  The worker said, "That will be $1.43 at the first window."  (On a side note -- when my husband is with me at a drive-thru window and the clerk makes that statement, he always asks, "Well how much is it at the second window?"  But I digress.) 

I pulled on around to pay and pick-up my drink.  As she handed it to me I happened to see the label on the cup.  I wasn't at Chick-fil-a at all!  I was at Arby's!  I've been scammed!

Of course, I soon realized that when I saw the flying flag I just assumed I was at Chick-fil-a.  So it seems that Arby's has decided that more than one can play the patriotic card (and perhaps pick up a few extra customers).  I say bring it on and let the (unsuspecting) consumer figure out where they are.  The more flag waving we have, the better!

Agents, do you have a listing that has been on the market for 3 months or longer?  Do you think the home would benefit from home staging?   I am a member of the The International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) Atlanta Chapter.  We just launched a contest in which a homeowner whose house has been on the market 3 months or longer, is owner-occupied and is listed with a Real Estate Agent can enter to win a prize package valued at over $2,500, including FREE Home Staging!    In addition, after the staging is complete, we'll help sponsor your open house so you can show off the transformation and attract more buyers.   Your clients only have until June 5th to send in their entry form.  Please direct them to www.homestagingcontest.com where they will be able to fill out the entry form.    If you don't have a listing that has been on the market 3 months or longer, please forward this information to a fellow agent that does.     This is a great way for you to help your clients in this tight economy.  Let us help you get your listing sold!    

Have you ever walked into a beautiful, well-maintained home only to be put off by a pungent odor?  That was my experience a few weeks ago.  As a result, I started a discussion on LinkedIn to get some ideas from other stagers as to how they get rid of them.  Knowing that we all run into this problem from time to time, I wanted to share what I learned with you.  Here are the results:

1. Nancy Lee - Replace all air filters and clean all sink traps.  Saturate and resaturate the room with an enzyme spray (meant for pet odors).  Set up a hepa air purifier and run it once the spray has dried (and on and on).  Insure that carpet padding is replaced when the carpet is replaced, as the odors can seep down deep.  And finally, change the air filters!
2. Andy Capelluto - Recommends a non-toxic product called Biocide Systems (www.biocidesystems.com).  She's had very good results with it.
3. Heather Stewart - For general purpose household odors, she uses Fresh'n Home (www.freshnodorfree.com).  Her second recommendation was for a home spray she makes from distilled water, lavender, eucalyptus and lemongrass essential oils.  It seems to not mask odors, but to absorb them.  (Interesting!)
4. Mary Habres - Pure Ayre.  (I think most of us are familiar with this.)  It's organic and guaranteed to get rid of tough odors.  It also is supposed to prevent them from returning.  You can purchase it on Amazon.com.
5. GraceAnn Simoni - A carpet cleaner once suggested to her that the carpet be pulled up and just the padding be replaced!  Then the carpet was cleaned.  Quite a money saver!  Also, she has used KILZ on the subfloor after replacing both carpet and padding to take care of "puppy" odors and prevent the stains from resurfacing.
6. Louise Henry - Charcoal!!!!  Buy a 10 lb. bag, open it, and leave it inside the front door to get rid of odors.  (Can't wait to try this one!)
7. Michele Rose - Have the air ducts cleaned.  This freshens the whole house.
8. Veronica Vera Sarkissian - If the home has been closed up and there are mildew odors, use Damp-Rid.  She has put some of the white crystals inside vases and plastic containers and scattered them around the house.
9. Linda Schleihauf - Open the windows and give the home a good airing out.  Try a Lampe Berger (???) and use an unscented fragrance to purify the air.  Check the floor vents and clean the microwave.
10. Darla DeMorrow - Fresh Air by EcoQuest (www.ecoquest.com).  This is sold as a single unit, which is about the size of a small sound system.  After the home has been treated, it will have that "fresh air" smell, like after a rain storm.  She used it on one of her problem homes inhabited by two chain smokers.  They repainted, replaced carpet and padding and removed all belongings.  Still the house smelled of smoke.  Two weeks after using Fresh Air, the home was completely fresh and had a "For Sale" sign in the front yard.  (This sounds fantastic!)

Okay, that's it.  Please let me know if you've tried any of these methods or have others to share.   

Since I just found the "Twitter" and "Follow Me On Twitter" groups, I'm reposting this. 

Has it come to your area?  Has it happened to you?  Here's how it went down on my block. 

Last December I got an iPhone.  Hooray!  My first thought was, "Wow, this thing is cool!"  My second thought was, "It's time to sign up for Twitter."  (Yes, I know I'm late coming to the dance, but at least I've arrived.)  I went online, signed up for Twitter, and promptly posted my first tweet.

Then came the delimma.  How do I get Twitter followers?  My husband quickly signed up and agreed to follow me, mainly since he wanted to keep tabs on Coach Calipari and UK basketball, but my son was not quite so anxious.  Okay, I had one follower.  Not too cool.  What would it look like for others to check out my Twitter page only to find out I had one follower?  Embarrassing!!

Then I had an idea...  I'll send an email to my CLOSE friends and family members and ask them to follow me on Twitter.  I was able to pick up a friend here, a friend there.  I was quickly up to maybe 7-8 followers.  Still not blowing the doors off, but things were progressing.

While I was pondering what to do next, the phone rang.  It was my good buddy "Chad" from church.  (Yes, the name has been changed to protect the guilty.)  We chatted for awhile and then I said, "Hey, I've just signed up for Twitter and need to pick up more followers.  How 'bout it?"  He immediately went into a rave about how he had no time for such things, he was on FaceBook and hated it because it was so time consuming and such a nuisance to get all those updates, he was busy at work, blah, blah, blah.  I tried to explain to him, "But Twitter is nothing like FaceBook.  The beauty of Twitter is that it takes all of 5 minutes to set up your profile, then about 30 seconds a day to tweet.  It's fun!  Try it, you'll like it!"  But he was having none of Twitter.  I went on to my next victim prospect and signed up another one.  Now I had 10 followers.

A couple of weeks passed and one day the phone rang.  Guess who?   Chad.  Guess what he wanted?  His son's ball team was trying to raise money for a new dugout.  Would I help them out by donating $20.00?  Gotcha!!!  I replied, "I'll be happy to, if you'll sign up for Twitter and follow me."  He promptly agreed, said he would do it right away, and thanked me for the donation.  I warned him, "You know, they send out a notice when anyone new signs up to follow you.  I'll know if you don't follow through."  "No problem," Chad said.  "I'll do it right away."

Well, a few days passed and no notice from Twitter telling me "Chad" was now following me.  Then a week went by, then another week.  Finally I couldn't stand it any longer.  I made a point of "bumping into him" at church the next Sunday and said, "Hey, I gave you the $20 bucks for the ball team.  Why aren't you following me on Twitter?"  And that's when it hit me.  I'd been duped by the "Dollars for Twitter Followers" scam!!!!  How could I have been so stupid?  Why didn't I see it coming?  The warning bells were going off, but I didn't hear them.  And where is Clark Howard when you need him?

Folks, the "Dollars for Twitter Followers" scam is very real.  It's too late for me, but, hopefully, not for you.  I'm posting this as a warning to all you tweeters out there.  Beware of those who say they will follow you on Twitter for a few bucks.  Trust me, you don't want to go there.  If I can save just one of you from the same shame and humiliation I've suffered in this terrible ordeal, then it will be worth it.  Watch your back!  You could be next!                             Follow Me On Twitter???