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

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

1. "Your kids aren't that cute... pack the photos."
2. "Multi-colored carpet does not include stains."
3. "Hummel collections are not considered focal points."
4. "Toilet seat covers do not qualify as 'spa-like' accessories."
5. "Mint green is not a neutral color."
6. "Your dining table should never be used as long-term storage space."
7. "Most buyers are not looking for Jeff Gordon themed houses."
8. "No amount of scented candles are going to remove that odor."
9. "Lack of lighting does not 'set the mood."
10. "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 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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Holiday Home Staging 101

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 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!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

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 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!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!