Home Staging for the Real World

Does Your House Suck?

2010-01-17T17:08:00.000-08:00

In Real Estate, a residential listing should possess a suck factor in three key areas that will draw buyers off the MLS and into your house.

-THREE KEY AREAS WHERE YOUR HOUSE SHOULD SUCK-

1) ONLINE: Contrary to popular belief, the buyers' first impression of your property does NOT begin at the curb but on the screen. Studies indicate that over 90% of buyers will look online first before personally viewing a property. I believe that percentage is closer to 100% (with exceptions in Amish communities and federal prisons, of course).

A house may look like a model in person, but if it does not show like one through online representation (a.k.a. photos), it may be difficult to suck in any buyer interest. Therefore, it is imperative that not only are houses staged for sale, but that they are photographed in such a way that it shows well on the internet.

2) EXTERIOR: Curb appeal. People love to use that phrase to describe how good the property looks from the moment the car pulls into the driveway. The outside of your home gives buyers an idea of how well you took care of the inside of the house. Loose shingles, broken fences, and neglected yards will deflate buyers hopes of finding their dream home, unless they are looking for an investment property. Keep the exterior looking fresh and clean to suck buyers out of their cars and into the front door.

3) ENTRANCE: OK, now you've got the buyers out of the comforts of their own house with their internet connections and playoff games; they drove through rush-hour traffic to find your listing in the middle of a busy work week; and they are now turning the key in your front door. When that door opens, what will be their immediate reaction? Will they want to turn away? Or, will they be sucked into the house, anxious to see more?

The entrance of your home dictates the atmosphere of the house. Stir up buyer excitement as they are stepping into the house by creating a "Wow-Factor" through decor and furniture. Set up the life-style they want to own.

Preparing your house for sale is a necessary step in the selling process. Today's buyer's market introduces new inventory everyday. Staging your house for sale will help create a suck factor that buyers cannot resist!

TESTIMONIAL: The first and third photo in this blog is from a KFM vacant staging project in Minneapolis that sold in five days (January 2010). This middle photo was a KFM vacant staging project in St. Paul (August 2009). Prior to staging, this house was on the market for over a year. After staging by KFM, it sold within weeks!

>KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin. KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations. Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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What Do Enchiladas Have to do with Home Staging?

2009-07-25T15:27:00.000-07:00

In today's busy world, time is at a premium for hardworking people. "Multi-tasking" has been engrained in our daily habits so much that it is almost second-nature. For example, at this moment I am writing a blog, updating my Facebook status, planning three vacant staging projects for next week, and cooking enchiladas for dinner (beef, not chicken).

Staging your house while juggling kids, work, and the dog may drive busy sellers over the edge. In situations like this, it is essential for these sellers to have a "plan of attack" when preparing their house for sale. It is the goal of home staging professional to give suggestions for color choices, furniture arrangement, and home accent placement. However, good staging consultations do not stop there. Realizing the importance of your time, stagers should prioritize your staging To-Do List.

So many times I find sellers cleaning out underneath the bed before cleaning the stain on the carpet that Fluffy left behind. (If you are taking notes... Pet stains on carpet take priority over the junk under your bed.)

Take me for example... although my Facebook status is long overdue for an update, it is not as important as planning my upcoming staging projects. And even though this blog post is keeping all my fan waiting (yes, fan - singular), I have been regularly checking my cooking dinner in an effort to not burn it... again.

PRIORITIES, PRIORITIES, PRIORITIES

Once you have received a proritized staging list, your time will be used more efficiently; thus, allowing your to take Fluffy on an extra walk to prevent further stainage. Yes, staging your house properly does take a lot of work, but it does not need to be an overwhelming obstacle.

While technically, this staging post does not offer the latest trend in home staging tips; hopefully, it will be an encouragment to homeowners who find themselves insanely lost in a pile of boxes and tchotchkes. There is hope.

The Result of Priority Planning --> The enchiladas (made from scratch) are now in the oven with the timer set... The vacant stagings are coming together... This blog is almost completed... and My Facebook status awaits, if I can pry the computer away from my teenage daughter.

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin. KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations. Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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The Happiest Place on Earth?

2009-07-13T14:51:00.001-07:00

Disney World is considered (by the Disney Corporation), the "Happiest Place on Earth." If you have ever been to the parks, you can reminisce how mouse ears, fairy princesses, and non-stop cheery music create a magical world that most children, young and old, cannot resist.

Over-zealous mouse fans can unintentionally turn Disney charm into nightmare when trying to imitate the Magic Kingdom in their own room...

Snow White, Bambi, and a myriad of characters turn this room into a cluttered sight. Notice there is no furniture, no decor, just walls full of a busy print. Therefore, when selling your house, it is essential to neutralize the space for buyers.

Neutralizing walls have positive effects:

Suits various decor styles and colors
Increases the visual size of the room
Reduces a cluttered atmosphere
Appeals to a larger segment of buyers

This room in the picture above has a happy ending... but you will need to check out future blogs to find out!

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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Home Staging Precautions

2009-07-05T17:45:00.000-07:00

Working as a Minnesota home stager, everyday I tell homeowners to "remove the clutter," "pack away personal photos," and "hide the dog." All these suggestions help to create a desirable atmosphere in the house. However, there may be other "desirable" items in your house that we do not necessarily want buyers to enjoy.

TOP FIVE HOME STAGING PRECAUTIONS

Move OTC ephedrine tablets and all prescription medications to a personal dresser.
Keep personal papers containing your financial information in a secure location.
Place kitchen knife blocks inside the cabinetry for Realtor safety.
Empty jewelry boxes or remove entirely.
Remove house and car keys from key hooks.

Now this blog post is not encouraging sellers to turn anthropophobic, agoraphobic, or harpaxophobic. Instead, homeowners should be empowered and secure their belongings by removing the temptations altogether. The probability of a theft occurring during a showing is quite minimal; however, we do not want to take the risk (no matter how slight it may be).

So, in the midst of packing your non-essential home decor (as directed by your friendly, home staging professional), keep mindful of the Top Five Home Staging Precautions to secure your personal safety.

Falling in Love... with a House

2009-04-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

After several blog postings of home staging tips, techniques, and examples, it was time to revisit WHY home staging helps houses to sell. So, put on your lab coats, we are dissecting the science behind the falling in love with a house.

THE HUMAN BODY: Several chemical and physical reactions occur in the body when it encounters something it loves - pupils dilate, heart rate increases, and endorphins (happy hormones) flood the blood stream. Now, this may all seem very "unromantic," but these reactions trigger an emotional response which creates a memorable experience for buyers who are visiting your house.

THE EMOTIONAL RESPONSE: Studies indicate that buyers decide within 5 seconds of seeing a house if they like it or not. I believe that the emotional response when purchasing is instantaneous. Whether buyers like, dislike, or are indifferent about the property they are viewing, they have drawn a conclusion about the house from their immediate emotional reaction. This is exactly why home staging is essential.

THE HOME STAGING FACTOR: The purpose of home staging in the selling process is to create an environment in the house that buyers will (literally) love. Using stylish furnishing and design principles, home staging sets the scene for what life will be like when THIS house is purchased while re-enforcing the emotional connection for buyers.

Understanding the physical response to a positive experience restates the necessity of home staging in today's market. So stage your house, put it on the market, and let the love fest begin!

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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A Closet Shopper

2009-03-09T14:36:00.001-07:00

Staging a house during a recession may make sellers cringe at the thought of spending money just to "decorate" a house. Although some purchases may be beneficial, most homeowner can shop for free in their very own cupboards and closets. Take a look at some no-cost decorating/staging ideas below.

BATHROOM COUNTER DECOR:
-Rolled hand towels
-Basket of mini soaps, lotions, or perfumes
-Candles

The photo below displays two hand towels arranged on the counter for added color and softness to this area.

KITCHEN COUNTER DECOR:
-Large pepper mill and salt shaker
-Jars of flour, sugar, etc.
-Glass vase with various color beans
-Platters from China set
-Cookbooks
-Fresh fruit

This kitchen is staged using fruit and decorative dishes.

MASTER BEDROOM DECOR:
-Neutral photo frames
-Throw blankets
-Guest pillows
-Empty jewelry box.

This master bedroom was given an instant headboard using photo frames.

Hard times may call for drastic measures, but when sellers use their imagination, they may save themselves a lot of money when staging their home.

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin. KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations. Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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A Balancing Act... of Sorts

2009-01-29T12:54:00.000-08:00

Home staging has been identified as a key component to preparing houses for sale. Professional stagers have been known to beautifully redesign a living room within minutes of stepping into the space, leaving home owners scratching their heads and muttering, "Why didn't I think of this before?"

The truth is, there is a fine art (yes, art) to the act of rearranging furniture and setting home accents in "just the right place." More than having good taste in decorating, stagers follow proven design principles that show off the individual layout of a house and highlight the features of each room. To accomplish these tasks, stagers perform a "balancing act" that equally distributes visual weight around the room.

In the photo below, the buffet and glass cabinet AND art work AND lack of space on the opposite wall create an over-crowded and unbalanced room that weighs heavy to the right. Off-centered to the light fixture, the improper placement of the table adds to the uneven representation of this room.

Removing the buffet and cabinet allows the table to be centered under the light fixture and with the window. Eliminating the large furniture pieces also creates a "lighter feeling" on the right wall which results in balanced visual weight with the opposite wall.

Rearranging and/or eliminating furniture while staging serves a specific purpose when preparing your home for the market. When properly placed, your furniture will accentuate the positive characteristics of each room.

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin. KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations. Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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Six Degrees of Home Staging - Wayne Newton

2009-01-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

For die-hard home stagers and staging fanatics around the world, home staging is believed to be linked to any profession, celebrity, or life event with-in six degrees.

For our first attempt, let's start with an easy one...

Wayne Newton and Home Staging

Wayne Newton is known as Mr. Vegas
Vegas's long-running top show was Siegfried and Roy
Siegfried and Roy are famous magicians
Magicians are known for their sleight-of-hand tricks
Sleight-of-hand uses misdirection to bring attention to a desired area
Attracting attention to desired areas is a key component in home staging

The master bedroom shown the photo below has several angles with low ceiling points. Having no other point-of-interest, the eye is immediately drawn to these low-set roof lines. Buyer's (especially those over 4'10") may view this master bedroom as a series of obstacles.

The staged photo below shows how staging redirects the eye from negative features by creating a visual display that captures buyers' attention. Instead of focusing on the negatives, staging allows buyers to see how to work around less desired areas of a home.

Some critics of home staging accuse stagers of "covering up" flaws in the house; however, that is a uneducated or misunderstood concept of the profession. Home staging shows us how to optimize the unique characteristics of each house.

*This blog topic is a blatant rip-off of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon that is a rip-off of Six Degrees of Separation.

KFM Staging & Design
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Curb Appeal: Winter Edition

2009-01-12T15:36:00.001-08:00

Sellers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other snow bound states have a unique challenge with the curb appeal of their homes during the winter months. After the holiday decorations are removed, home owners can apply easy winter staging techniques

Shovel driveway and sidewalks after every snowfall. Ankle deep snow will discourage buyers before they set their wet foot in the door.
Salt paved surfaces. Slippery walkways may pose a hazard to buyers and Realtors.
Remove snow from decks, porches, and patios. Although buyers may not step on to these areas, these spaces will appear larger than if the snow were to remain.
Remove dog droppings from the yard. You may want to spread fresh snow over the yellow sections to give your yard a clean look.

Curb appeal may be limited during the snowy season, but by using common sense staging practices, sellers can obtain great winter time curb appeal.

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin. KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations. Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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DIY Home Staging

2009-01-07T06:49:00.001-08:00

At a recent staging consultation, I inquired about a "Stage your House For Sale" book (not actual title) on the client's table. Naturally, I inquired about what tips the homeowner learned from the literature. Her reply, "Nothing, I didn't read it. A friend gave it to me." My wheels started turning, and a blog was born...

What is the purpose of a professional staging consultation?

In today's "Do-it-Yourself" world, there are dozens - no, thousands of "how to" books on home staging. Online searches yield pages of websites, articles, and advertisements stating, "You don't need to hire a professional stager. Stage your own home today for only $19.95...."

Have professional home stagers overstayed their welcome in the Real Estate community? Are they like your slightly, off-balanced uncle who won't go home when the party is done? After all, why would people pay $200 for a staging consultation when they can check out a book at the public library for free? Take a look at the analogy below...

Let's say you were given several 2 x 4's and were told to build a house. Don't worry, you won't need to do the plumbing or electric, just the framing. Easy. No problem. After all, there are books on the topic. You can just Google, "How to Frame a House." I'm sure Wikipedia has something on that topic.

The truth is, unless we have been taught about house framing, most of us would end up with just a nice pile of lumber, not having a clue on where to start. Then there are those who would be determined to have a go at it despite their lack of knowledge; their intentions may be honorable, but the end results would be less than perfect.

To get the job done correctly and in a timely manner, common sense would tell us to hire a professional who has experience with framing houses - someone who understands the process, who can prioritize the tasks, and utilize the tools in the correct manner.

Back to home staging... Even when sellers are given all the correct supplies to stage their house, they may still lack the understanding on how to apply those tools to their home. Books, online sources, and t.v. shows (our home staging lumber yard) offer great resources for professionals and amateurs alike but will only take Do-it-Yourself home staging so far. Consultations by a trained stager will give sellers the "blue prints" for staging, specialized for their own home.

Professional home stagers are asset to the Real Estate community, because they understand the staging process from hands-on experience; they prioritize tasks so sellers are not overwhelmed, and they utilize staging tools in the correct manner for maximum effectiveness.

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin. KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations. Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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*Photos courtesy of fotosearch.com

The Holidays Are Over... Now What?!

2008-12-27T18:42:00.000-08:00

Once the presents have been opened and the guests have gone home, your house may need extra attention to return it to prime showing condition.

REMOVE HOLIDAY/SEASONAL DECOR: Pine garland, snowman decorations, and ornamental lights should be packed up no later than the second day in January.

CLEAN UP: Paper scraps, champagne bottles, and expired leftovers should be tossed to keep your house looking tidy.

REDUCE OLD INVENTORY: As your children collect new toys from Santa, pack away some older items to reduce the amount of clutter in their bedrooms. *This tip may be applied to the adult children of the house as well!

REMAIN POSITIVE: Even though the selling process can be quite stressful, retaining a positive attitude will help to decompress the pressure in your home. Instead of complaining about the showings or the lack thereof, use your energy to be proactive in the sale of your house.

Let the New Year bring in a fresh perspective on selling your house! Clean, reduce, and pack are the keys to post-holiday celebrations.

"Your Kids Aren't THAT Cute" and Other Things Realtors Won't Tell You

2008-11-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

In the real estate world, a seller has control over two things: the price of their property and condition of their home. While Realtors help sellers determine a price, many agents count on home stagers to deliver the "bad news" to their clients about the appearance of their house.

TOP TEN THINGS (some) REALTORS WON'T TELL YOU

"Your kids aren't that cute... pack the photos."
"Multi-colored carpet does not include stains."
"Hummel collections are not considered focal points."
"Toilet seat covers do not qualify as 'spa-like' accessories."
"Mint green is not a neutral color."
"Your dining table should never be used as long-term storage space."
"Most buyers are not looking for Jeff Gordon themed houses."
"No amount of scented candles are going to remove that odor."
"Lack of lighting does not 'set the mood."
"Crotch-sniffing dogs rarely make good hosts."

There is a lot of work that goes into properly preparing a house for the real estate market. This task is made easier by getting a professional evaluation from a trained home stager. Stagers will identify the "red flags" that could hinder a sale as well as develop a plan that will make your listing stand out from the competition.

The photos below show a "before and after" example of a KFM Staging consultation.

Before Consulting After Consulting

Home staging has been a secret weapon in the real estate wars, and it continues to win victories in the current makret. Even though some Realtors may not want to deliver the bad news to their clients; they can rely on professional stagers who will respectfully help sellers through the staging process.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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Holiday Home Staging 101

2008-11-18T11:48:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Tidings, and Festivus Greetings to all!

No matter what holiday you are celebrating, staging your home during the holidays can be hassle-free by following these simple guidelines:

DO NOT OVER-DECORATE: Too many decorations create unwanted effects on your home. 1) Buyers will not remember the house's features, 2) The house will appear small and cluttered, 3) Overwhelming religious holiday decor may be offensive to hardcore PC buyers.
DO, MINIMAL SEASONAL DECOR: Keep seasonal decor to localized areas such as the fireplace mantle, table center pieces, and vanities. Having just a few pieces will give the "flavor" of the season without "overwhelming the taste buds."
DO NOT SET UP A TREE IN SMALL SPACES: If you are selling a house under 2000 square feet, every inch of space needs to be seen. It is more important that buyers see all the corners in the living room instead of a 7-foot spruce.
DO USE OUTDOOR LIGHTING: Without going Clark Griswold on your roof, tastefully use exterior Christmas lights to stir up warm feelings in your buyers. Now that our days are shorter, it is important to use artificial lighting to set the mood.
DO NOT USE LARGE YARD DISPLAYS: The same theory for interior decorating applies to the exterior as well. Inflated snow globes may look neat, but buyers will have a hard time looking past it and may miss your landscaping and other exterior features.
DO KEEP DECOR TIMELY: Once your holiday is done, pack the decor ASAP. A house that retains holiday or seasonal decor past its due date has a neglected atmosphere.
DO NOT USE STRONG FRAGRANCES: Although tempting, using candles, potpourri, and room fresheners may irritate sensitive buyers. Instead, use natural fragrances such a baked cookies and simmering cider to boost the aromas in your home.
DO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS: Reduce the stress by reducing the amount of commitments you make during this time of the year. Remember, your holiday is about your faith, your family, and your friends. Keep it simple and remain positive towards the marketing of your home!

One final thought... when listing your home over the holidays, DO NOT decorate your home to suit the current season or holiday unless you are going to update the photos when the season/holiday is past. Photos on the MLS of Christmas stockings hanging on the mantle is not appealing when it is the middle of March.

Happy HanuRamaKwanzMas, Everyone!

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

2008-11-09T14:41:00.001-08:00

Mirrors are a wonderful decorative addition to any room in the house! As with any wall decor, principles of height, size, and space must be followed to ensure proper art placement on the wall. (See the previous blog "The Art of Art Placement.") Mirrors, however, pose an additional concern... reflection.

Properly placed mirrors will reflect an image worth reflecting such as a fireplace or a seating area. Mirrors that reflect blank walls, dark corners, or stairways add no decorative detail to the room and should be removed or replaced with a different art piece.

The "Before" photo shows a reflection of two small photo frames. These two pieces were too small for the wall, and the reflection emphasizes this flaw. The "After" photo's mirror reflects a nice piece of art that doubles the decorative effect in this room.

Mirrors can add visual value to your room when properly placed. Be sure to abide by the design guidelines for correct placement!

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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The Art of Art Placement

2008-09-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Adding art to the walls requires more consideration than picking between a nail or a screw.

Proportion and placement of home accents are just as important as choosing the style. Improper placement of an art piece will cause focal point confusion; furthermore, choosing decor that is out-of-scale with the space will leave buyers questioning the quality of the home. Take a look at the examples below:

Many amatuer decorators are under the impression that art work needs to be hung at eye-level; the problem with that theory is that what is eye-level for you isn't necessarily eye-level for the buyer.

In the photo to the left, the art pieces (hung at eye-level) leave too much space between the pieces and the furniture. The phenomenon is called "floating art syndrome," and this room suffered from a double case with breakouts on both walls.

The perscription for this "illness" is to reduce and lower. The photo below shows how the artwork has been condensed to the focal point of the room and lowered to create a more intimate atmophere. (Dr. KFM has cured the patient, and this house is now sold!)

The next example (to the right) shows a bedroom with art work that is too small for the space. Ignoring all the other obvious flaws displayed in the picture, this relatively small art piece is dwarfed by the king-sized bed. If you thought the corrective measure would be to add a larger art piece, you would be right and wrong.

By adding a larger art piece, the room will start to look unbalanced (topic to be addressed on another post). The method of correction would be to choose a piece or series of pieces that would add length but does not overwhelm the wall.

Rememer the "intimate" feeling created by lowering the art in the living room (pictured above). This intimate setting should be refected in the master bedroom as well. The photo below shows several small framed pieces placed side-by-side to create a horizontal display that is as grand as the bed itself but is not over-powering.

The improper placement of home decor and art pieces may seem like an unlikely culprit that hinders the sale of your home, but it is a "quiet killer" that leaves a bad impression on buyers. So whether you are preparing your house for sale or are just updating it for your own pleasure, style, size, and placement of art should be considered before picking up your hammer.

The examples above show how good intentions at home staging backfired due to lack of knowledge. After consulting with KFM Staging & Design, these sellers were shown the proper staging techniques that made gave their house memorable appeal. Your largest financial investment deserves a professional evaluation!

KFM Staging & Design
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Home Staging Tips for Fall

2008-09-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

With summer quickly drawing to a close, sellers should consider how to update their home to keep current with the seasons.

Home Staging Tips for Fall

Lawn Care: Keep your grass well watered and trim to maintain a lush appearance.
Landscaped Areas: Cut back spent flowers and vegetable plants. Withered plants make the exterior of your home look tired. Freshen up garden areas with fall perenials such as mums.
Holiday Decor: Halloween and other seasonal decorations should be minimal and tasteful when marketing your home. Replace skulls, witches, and ghost with pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn.
Fall Scents: Avoid using artificial room sprays. Instead, use natural fragrances such as simmering cider or fresh baked pumpkin bread.
Update Photos: If your home has been on the market for several months, be sure to update the online exterior photos.

The changing seasons envoke special considerations when selling your house. It is imperative to retain a fresh and updated look!

KFM Staging & Design
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