Be at war with your voices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better man.– Benjamin Franklin

Reflecting on 2010

As year-end comes around, it’s a time to look back and assess the year’s activities. The idea is to evaluate and make adjustments to improve in the new year.

I found that I spent 2010 busy being busy. Constantly on the go: going to meetings, going to events; going to presentations – you get the picture. I spent more than 60 % of my time going to meetings and participating in marketing events, and the balance of my time actually Staging; making telephone calls, working on non-profit organizations' activities; trade shows/expos and financial planning/meetings.

A restless night came to an end at 5:09 a.m. by the realization that it may be time for me to reassess not only where I’m spending my time, but also what profitability actually means.

Of course, there is the monetary profitability we all automatically defer to when the word profit is used. What about personal profitability? What is it that makes us feel good and contented? Maybe all the social interaction with others actually triggers more creativity in us. And could it be that others inspire us to do better and be better in many phases of our lives? And maybe, I realized, the enjoyment I get spending time in the company of others -- whether doing a presentation or listening to one -- is invaluable. This is my reward, i.e., profit, for spending time with others.

And, what about the bigger picture? You know, the one beyond our P&L and desires to grow our business.

Maybe it’s just because it’s Christmastime, but as I was laying in the darkness this morning tossing around all of these questions, I could not help but think of Jimmy Stewart’s character in “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Well, actually it was this movie combined with a recent Mastering Performance luncheon I attended. In the luncheon, our instructor shared with us the reality that 75% of our world as we know it is filled with stuff that we don’t know – and we simply don’t know what we don’t know. Are we making a positive impact somehow, someway, on someone or some thing that we don’t even realize?

And all through this process I hear a voice that says, “you’re doing fine.” My company is less than two years old and intellectually I know that as the business grows, the time paradigm will shift accordingly.

But this morning I resolved to stop worrying so much about making more money and to stop focusing solely on monetary profit. I realized that God is in control of my life and I’m only a small part of His big plan. I must trust and believe that these things that keep me up at night will all work out. Perhaps it is the Christmas season -- and all that it is about -- that is now speaking softly to me in a very big voice.

Merry Christmas.

www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Partnership with the Power of 2 Brokers

Ballantyne Home Staging is excited to announce a partnership with Keller Williams Ballantyne Realtors® Jim McGuire & Eileen Simms "Power of 2 Brokers"! Ballantyne Home Staging offers a proven track record and will Stage® your home to make an excellent first impression and invite offers!

Eileen Simms & Jim McGuire PowerOf2Brokers
http://www.powerof2brokers.com/
Contact Eileen & Jim:
Phone: 704-497-2224
Cell: 704-608-7863
Fax: 704-717-5772
3430 Toringdon Way, Suite 101
Charlotte, NC 28277

www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

We want to see THAT house. The importance of online pictures.

How many home buyers start their home search on the Internet?

 

 

I’ve seen statistics ranging from 82% to more than 90%. So just for fun, I conducted my own non-scientific survey of those looking at houses and asked them:

 

1. “What are you looking for while viewing all the different homes for sale online photos?

 

2. “What makes you stop and spend more time looking at a particular house online?”

Here are the most common/similar replies:

• Empty rooms don’t show me anything (except what color the walls are painted.)
• If the house looked like a mess, we skipped it.
• If the pictures were too dark, I skipped right over them.
• If the pictures were hazy or blurred, I skipped past them.
• It’s hard for me to see how large the rooms are when they’re empty.
• I can’t tell if our furniture will fit or not.
• If the furniture is worn & out of date, it makes me think the house is worn and out of date, too.
• Houses that look nice and clean go to the top of our list.
• Houses that look nice on the outside and inside catch our attention because they seem to be well maintained.
• Nicely decorated houses are attractive, plus we can see how big the rooms are more so than when looking at empty rooms.

None of the answers surprise me, but does make me continue to wonder why so many home sellers do not seek the assistance of a professional Home Stager prior to listing their houses. Home Staging makes such a huge impact and should be done prior to any photographs being taken.

Professionally Staged Home + Professional Photography + Properly Priced Listing = SOLD.

www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Feng Shui 101

Feng Shui is the system for arranging your surroundings in harmony and balance with the natural world. Feng Shui means “wind and water,” in Chinese and give us a practical and easy to follow set of guidelines for decorating.


There are three Power Principles of Feng Shui: Chi – energy; The Five Elements – Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood; and the Baqua – the chart used to map influential areas of a house, room, or even the lot a house will be or is built on.
There are a variety of tools available for those who would like to incorporate Feng Shui into their lives:

Color – which adds emotion. The Five Elements are represented by colors, shapes & materials

Art – used to enhance Chi and create balance in spaces

Living plants & flowers – used to connect us with nature. Live plants can also absorb moisture in areas such as the kitchen and bathroom.  The best plants to use in these two rooms are upright growing.

Water features – used for calming effect and to attract Chi

Wind Chimes – used to attract Chi

Mirrors and crystals – used to attract, or slow down and redirect Chi. Be careful to no place a mirror incorrectly as this will have the opposite effect of attracting negative energy to an inappropriate place.

Feng Shui is a great set of guiding principles for home stagers and interior decorators – and at Ballantyne Home Staging we use elements of Feng Shui with each client


www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Space Planning Tips for Large Rooms

The great challenges with these spaces are simply defining areas and creating some sense of intimacy in the place. For these reasons, it is extremely important to create separate areas in these rooms where furniture is not spread too far apart, somewhat like a room within a room. The goal is to create social settings where people can interact. Multiple seating areas in large spaces are much more practical than having to scream across the bowling alley to have a conversation, so here are big space tips to help you out.


1. Place area rugs to anchor a space. These can be angled to add visual interest.

2. Use larger scale furniture – oversized, overstuffed, and higher backs

3. Use larger scale artwork and accessories

4. Mix textures in the flooring, furnishings, accessories, and draperies to warm up the room.

5. Use warmer colors on the walls, as deeper hues tend to bring the walls in a bit.

6. Don’t forget the ceilings! In large rooms with soaring ceilings, consider painting the ceiling one shade darker than the walls to visually lower it a bit. This will also help to create a more intimate space.


www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Space Planning tips for Small Rooms

I recently conducted a survey of REALTORSÒ to find out what they were most interested in learning from Home StagersÒ.  The #1 answer, with 83.3% of all responses, was Space Planning.  With such a large number of REALTORSÒ identifying space planning as a topic of interest, we'll do a series to cover the topic, starting with this particular blog on small spaces.

The first thing to do is consider what it takes to open up the space.  This means that you can eliminate any piece of furniture or accessory that does not have a purpose, which might mean someone has to get rid of a sentimental sea shell from Spring Break '89, but it must be done.  In small spaces, it is best to remove and avoid heavy draperies, going instead for simple window treatments such as roman shades or sheers hung high near the ceiling and touch the floor, creating a light, flowing feel. 

In small homes or apartments, a smooth flow of energy from room to room can be accomplished simply by using the same color in various shades throughout. It's also wise to keep the trim work painted the same throughout for continuity.  When selecting furnishings for small spaces, remember that a monochromatic approach makes a room look larger.  Splashes of color can be brought in with rugs, wall art and accessories.  



Of course, the use of mirrors to reflect light is a nice visual enhancement in small spaces.  But a poorly placed mirror will do you no good at all. In small rooms, good places to hang a mirror are above a table lamp to reflect light, or across from a window to bring the outside in.  This only works if you have clean windows and a nice view. So, if you're overlooking the stockyard and/or haven't cleaned the windows in 2 or more years, do not hang a mirror across from the window.

Multi-Functional Furniture:  In small spaces, it's important to minimize furniture scale & also consider multi-functional pieces. For example, if planning a small 1-bedroom apartment, consider a sleeper sofa no more than 72” wide or even a sleeper loveseat, with a small storage ottoman and end tables that have drawers for additional storage. Bedroom nightstands should always have drawers, and small closets should be augmented with over-the-door shoe hangers, a small two- or three-drawer dresser inside the closet, and several pegs on the side walls inside the closet for belts, ties, hand bags, etc. 

Glass top tables -- whether cocktail table, end table, night stand, or dinette -- keep a space feeling open and airy.  Solid surface table tops block both space and precious light in small places.  For this same reason, in small kitchens and galley kitchens, the use of glass fronts in the cabinets is a good way to open up the space.  This can easily be done by removing the cabinet doors and inside panels, then replacing the panels with glass. 

And if you're trying to sell a small house that has dark wood molding and cabinets, it's a good idea to have these painted to brighten up the space. 

Look Up:  Did you know that recessed lighting draws the eyes upward?  By taking the eyes upward, these little lights can create a feeling of the ceilings being higher than they actually are in older homes.

Look Down:  If possible, use only one style of flooring in small houses because different flooring in a small house makes the space feel disjointed. Remember the goal is to have seamless flow from room to room.  Sometimes it's not practical, of course, because you don't want carpeting in the kitchen and bathroom; however, it is best to leave the flooring surfaces in small houses to only two if possible.

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

6001 Coatbridge Lane

www.ballantynehomestaging.com 980.322.5825 carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Using Autumn Colors when Selling a Home

Color affects us in a visceral way, and Autumn is the perfect time of year to bring in delicious oranges, lovely yellows and passionate reds into a decorating pallet.
Autumn colors are particularly soothing to home buyers who associate the Fall with family and gatherings, cooler temperatures and the excitement of the upcoming holidays.
Deep red is a color of romance and of strength. Deep red is perfect as an accent color in a table cloth, pillow or towel. Pair the deep red with a dark orange for a festive autumn look.
Dark orange is a warm color, representing the sun and fire and appetite. Orange has been shown to cause your body to increase its oxygen supply to the brain and stimulate mental activity. Orange is also a very contemporary and youthful color, so be sure to “mature” it by using its darker shades and pairing with red.

Yellow is cheerful and youthful. Yellow makes people happy and when paired with Autumn’s reds and oranges, it creates a lovely combination that is clean and seasonal.

Autumn colors do not need to saturate a space, but rather accent it. When it comes to the rich hues of fall, go subtle, but stylish, fun & festive!

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Fall 2010 Color Trends; Triple Threat; to Feng Shui or Not?

Fall is a beautiful time of year, with the leaves changing color, cool breezes and scurrying squirrels burying nuts for the season. I’m looking forward to crisp air, some apple cider and possibly some pumpkin carving, too!
The signature colors of this year’s fall season are gold, brown, burgundy, cream and green, all colors that reflect the current trend of bringing nature indoors. It seems as though people want to simplify their lives these days, and this can be seen in the color palette being used, especially in bedroom where calm colors are so effective. These color trends can and should also be applied when Staging a house for sale, not only through paint, but also with area rugs, pillows, linens, and accessories.
To Feng Shui or Not?
Incorporating some Feng Shui principals into Home Staging is an effective way to create interesting spaces by using color, shape, and texture along with proper furniture placement. Light, clean, calming, balanced, and spacious are the words that come to mind. It doesn’t really matter if you personally believe in Feng Shui or not, what matters is that your listing gets positive feedback and an offer. By combining Feng Shui practices with proven Staging techniques, a house can be totally transformed and made to stand out in the crowded marketplace.

www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

What Home Buyers Really Want

Have you ever wondered what home buyers really want when they are looking at homes? Certainly there are factors that are as unique as the buyers -- some folks love a "project" and others don't want to lift a finger once the boxes are unpacked, some like colonials, others cape cods -- but buyers do have universal wants and needs when looking at a potential new home, and by tapping into these factors, you increase your potential for selling a home quickly!

Buyers like a clean house. Even for those people who aren't "neat-freaks" buyers like to walk into a home that has no strong odors, is tidy and have been thoroughly cleaned. A lot of home staging is about "clean"- clean lines, clean appearance, lawn maintained, etc. Buyers are very easily distracted, and home staging gives the buyer an idea of what the home could look like, without the distraction of clutter and mess.

Buyers like to feel like they are "home." This is a tricky concept for many sellers, but I have watched this phenomenon many times. When a buyer likes a house, they will linger. They will pull out a kitchen chair and sit. They will explore around the house in all the nooks and crannies. This can not happen if there is too many "personal" items in the house. Someone else's pets, large pictures of family, a lot of toiletries on the bathroom sink... It just cannot feel right to a buyer if they perceive themselves invading someone else's space. Just as home staging is about cleaning, staging is about de-personalizing a space, allowing it to be neutral to anyone coming in.

As we stage homes we take these two starting and important steps: cleaning and de-personalizing before we bring anything in. But after we have a "blank slate" we can start working our magic. Fresh paint, clean carpet, and nice furnishings can create a warm and inviting space--one that the buyers want to sit and enjoy - not just during their visit--but for years to come.

Carol Schulenberg
Ballantyne Home Staging
Charlotte, North Carolina

www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Color... A red dining area makes you feel.?

First Impressions and the Front Door.

Curb Appeal is critical in selling a house. No matter how fabulous a house is on the inside, it simply doesn’t matter if the buyer doesn’t get out of the car to walk inside.

Make sure the shrubs are trimmed down below window level and shaped. If evergreens are overgrown, often times it is best to remove them all together and replace with size appropriate shrubs that do not grow beyond what the space can allow. And don’t forget color & movement near the front door. Of course, flowers are a great way to add color and decorative flags, water fountains or even birdbaths in the flowerbed near the front door can create movement, making buyers feel welcome. If not prohibited by an HOA, a nice splash of color on the front door is a great way to increase curb appeal.

Buyers will spend a good minute or two at the front door as their Realtor works on opening the lockbox and unlocking the deadbolt and then the door locks. Make sure the entrance to the house is in good order. Repair cracked concrete or broken steps, if the handrail is loose, get it fixed before listing. And please clean all cobwebs and buildup around the front door area. The front door should be freshly painted; porch light fixtures should be clean and freshly painted, the doorbell clean and in working order. And, of course, a new welcome mat is a nice touch!

Exterior Home Staging makes a difference: Watch this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNz_nyDzKe8

www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Home Inspection: For Home Sellers

HOME INSPECTION


Are you selling your home? Have you had a home inspection yet? Now, I know what you are thinking… home inspections are just for the buyers to do right? NO! Home inspections are important to do before a house goes on the market to be able to determine if there are any issues that need to be addressed ahead of time!

As a Home Stager, I often walk into homes that before they can be staged, really need to have basic repairs done! If the faucet in the bathroom leaks onto the floor, or the electricity doesn’t work in the guest room, OR if the front step has a dangerous crack, then Staging will be a waste of money and effort until that is addressed. Home buyers will see right past the Staging and obsess over the repairs they will need to do if they were to by the home—and usually they will pass up a house that doesn’t pass inspection, (and if they don’t, their mortgage company may).

Home inspections also give you the home seller indication of any of the objections that a buyer may have. If the roof is sound, but in need of repair within a couple years, you will know this, and even be able to accommodate a concession on price should this be brought up.

The repairs are likely going to have to be made before closing anyway, so by taking care of them in advance, a homeowner removes the objections and/or avoids making costly concessions. Having a home inspection ahead of time also tells potential buyers that you care about the condition of the home and that you are upfront and honest. It shows that you are willing to disclose any potential problem areas and that you are motivated to sell the home.

Home inspections are knowledge that you need before you put your home on the market. They are quick, relatively inexpensive and one more tool that you have in your seller’s toolbox.

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Your garage... is part of your home!

Do people not realize that the garage is really a part of the house? When you drive your car into the garage, (that is IF you can drive your car into the garage), how do you feel? Are you irritated by the piles of junk and the disarray? Are you frustrated because there is never enough room?

Well, your buyers will feel the same way when they look in your garage! It is important when you are selling your house to make it feel as open and big as possible while still making sure it feels like a home. Now is the time to clear out that garage, neatly put the tools on the wall and even put a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Your garage can be a significant selling point to your home if it is presented as an asset instead of an eye-sore!

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Selling a home? Where not to put the cat litter box...

When selling a home, pets can be an issue. We love our pets, but will a potential owner love the stains on the carpet or the odor from the litter box as they are looking at your home? NO!

People seem to have a difficult time knowing where or where not to put the cat litter box. Here are all the places I have seen the litter box and I highly recommend NOT putting them there.

1) The litter box was in the master bathroom. The bathroom was so small that the person using the toilet would have to straddle the box.

2) The litter box was in the laundry room, on top of the washing machine (so it is eye and/or nose level).

3) The litter box was in the master closet, where there is carpet. The kitty litter was scattered all over the carpet.

4) The litter box was in the corner of the pantry (the thought of this, still grosses me out).

5) A client had put a kitty door in one of their cabinet doors in the family room. When I looked inside the cabinet, I found the litter box.

6) I have seen a litter box in the kitchen. I had one client who positioned the box within 4 feet of the kitchen table, (ick!)

7) I have seen the litter box in a child’s bedroom.

8) I have seen the litter box in the main floor ½ bathroom (not a great impression for visitors).

So what is the best place to keep the litter box when showing a house? Well, if it is possible, it is always best to clear out the pets, their paraphernalia and any signs that they ever lived in your home! It may be difficult, but not everyone is a pet-lover, and Staging is all about making a home appeal to the broadest demographic.

…and if you need to keep a litter box and little fluffy at the house, remember to keep the box meticulously clean and discretely tucked away in a basement or garage. When it comes to pets and Staging… “out of sight, out of mind!”

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Check out my new youtube channel:
http://ping.fm/CUGjj

Kitchen Color Trends 2010 http://ping.fm/LOA5A

The Importance of Home Staging

In today's real estate market, a home owner needs to pull out all the stops in order to actually have their house seen, and eventually sold. The more visually appealing a house looks, the more tempting it will be for a buyer to sign those papers. I'm sure in your search for the best home, you have come across a house which looks cluttered, doesn't have much natural light coming through those dreary curtains, and sometimes it might have a certain smell to it that just turns you off. Home Staging® can be thought of as an important marketing tool that sellers use to merchandise their property.

Buying or selling a house could quite possibly be the biggest investment a person could ever make. The property should be presented in a way to attract a buyer. No matter what the selling price is, it is important for the house to be immaculate and flawless in appearance. The objective of Staging® a house is to have a potential buyer walk in, and immediately envision your house as their home, and become emotionally connected to it. A good way to do this is to imagine yourself as the buyer, and modify different things that you don't find appealing first. You have to look at your own home through a potential buyer's eyes, and treat your home as a product you want to sell. Through making the house look visually alluring, it will help the guest feel like the owner as soon as they walk in the front door.

Home Staging® is very effective because it highlights the strengths and reduces weaknesses of the house. Presenting a well maintained and cared for home will give the potential buyers a great first impression, and also helps them realize if their checklist of what they want in a home works with your home. Staging® a home to create instant and enticing curb appeal can help a buyer sell their home fast, and may also increase the value. Just to give you an idea of how important Home Staging® is, a recent survey done by Staged Homes, an accredited Home Staging® training company, found that 94% of correctly staged homes were sold within a month of being on the market. This number alone should give you the motivation and drive to take the time to stage your home and sell immediately.

While Staging® a home, pay mind to lighting, color, furniture position, clutter, and unnecessary objects. By maximizing the natural lighting, de-cluttering, paring down, positioning your furniture in a more pleasing way, and capitalizing on great color, a seller will be able to market, and sell their house quicker and more efficiently. Overall, Home Staging® is an effective way for a buyer to sell their home, and increase the value of it.

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/  | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Staging: Every Bit Counts

A friend of mine was recently looking for a housemate. He owned the home, and had spent a lot of money to upgrade many parts of the home. He had put in beautiful wood floors, new appliances in the kitchen, landscaped a bit in his small backyard, and painted almost every room an appropriate color. The only room he left unturned was the room he decided to rent. Being a considerate fellow, he thought that the NEXT occupant should be able to furnish and paint it in their fashion. But he had no luck finding a tenant! Nobody bit!

Eventually, he realized the problem. Most of us lack the imagination to really understand what a room can achieve. We need some help. After the advice of a professional stager, a coat of paint and moving some nice furniture into the room, he found he had no problem renting it out! He actually had escalating multiple offers.
This type of Staging® is on a small-scale of what you can do with your home. You can’t just expect your house to sell without giving the possible buyers something to understand. Furniture will give you an idea about the space, paint will give you a reflective mood, flowers or plants can bring life to room. If people have trouble understanding how a room can accommodate a queen-size bed, the put a queen-size bed into the room!

Staging® is key in any real estate transaction. It might cost you a few bucks extra, but you won’t regret it! Staging® will help you move the space quicker and make you happier in the long run!

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Hilarious blog on ActiveRain. Staging 101: A Day in the Life.
http://ping.fm/dJkvA

Pressure Washing: Make a Good First Impression

Mother Nature is not always a kind woman.
Plus, our grubby little hands and some dirty and nasty pollens and pollutants make anything that has to stay outside too long a target for some serious build-up. When we go to sell our homes, sometimes this becomes all too obvious. Nothing quite turns off potential buyers as much as stains and grime!

From concrete to asphalt and everything in between, your driveway and patio surfaces tend to take the brunt of wear and tear out of all outdoor surfaces. By adding detergent or degreaser to water and projecting with a high-strength pressure washer – it is easy to remove oil, rust, and most weathered stains!

(Pressure washing also eliminates the hard-work of cleaning your motor- boat, RV or sports utility vehicle. Spend a day spinning your wheels in the mud on your ATV? No problem with some solid pressure washing!)

If you use inadequate pressure with a pressure-washer, you won’t get the paint/dirt/mold off – but if you use too much pressure – you might take off some important bits of your beautiful home. This can be a delicate process and is often done best by professionals!

One of the first things I will recommend to many homeowners is to take a critical look at the outsides of their homes. Mold and stains on a home's siding will give the impression that a house has not been taken care of... you might never get a prospective buyer to come in if they get a bad first impression!


www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Feng Shui in Real Estate

Using the principles of Feng Shui can be very effective when preparing a home to sell. Yet modern American homes were not built with Feng Shui in mind and often have issue that need to be overcome to achieve the proper Chi.

For proper Chi (good energy), a home should look out over an open area (river, ocean, lake) and have natural and/or manmade landscapes. If no natural open area is present, creating one will do as well. Here are some suggestions:


• Install a bright light (porch light or gas light) at top of driveway near house

 

• Create Movement near house by:

• Hanging wind chime near house
• Placing a fountain near front door
• Hanging a flag near front door

Are you trying to sell your home in the Ballantyne / Charlotte NC area? Call Carol from Ballantyne Home Staging to learn how Staging and using the principles of Feng Shui can assist you in selling faster and higher!

 

www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui means “Wind, Water,” and is referred to as “The Art of Placement.” What that really means is that it is the Art of creating spaces that are comfortable, attractive, and harmonious with their environments.

Feng Shui is rooted In Chinese History, and has 2,000-5,000 years or more of followers. Feng Shui is known as an organized philosophy, with its earliest recorded writings appearing during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).

Wind & Water are key factors in assessing quality of movement and energy in a space

The philosophy behind Feng Shui is that the Earth is a living thing, and everything is alive. Each and everything is Interconnected and changing. Traditional Feng Shui combines land forms, magnetic influences, 8 house, birth dates & flying stars

Ancient Feng Shui masters studied slopes of mountain ranges & curves of rivers to identify “dragon veins” of land. They used the dragon veins to locate auspicious sites for emperors’ tombs believing that future generations would prosper. Certain configurations of hills, valleys & rivers considered fortunate, others unlucky, and over time these same principals were applied to house sites.

Think of the way mountains appear. Sometimes you can make out a pattern that appears similar to an armchair. This “Mountain Armchair” is an ideal location to locate a home (or tomb) because it is protected and secure. With the mountain in back, and the smaller hills on each side with gentle slopes, Feng Shui dictates that a home should be situated in an open front that overlooks a river, lake, or ocean.

Today Feng Shui solutions most often sought on existing structures after we’ve moved into existing house, so the traditional site selection & orientation is nearly impossible. Things like power lines, appliances, dense housing, cars parked on streets, and steel structures all can cause issue for Feng Shui, and likely will create different compass readings throughout a house.

Modern practitioners use Feng Shui in different levels and ways, but the goal is same: To assist in achieving success in all areas of life.

Would you like to learn more about how Feng Shui can help you sell your home, please contact Carol at Ballantyne Home Staging at 980.322.5825.


www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Staging Tip: Headboards

Headboards on a bed can set a theme, or create a beautiful frame. there are so many ways to create a headboard where there is none. The simplest way is to tape together 20"x30" foamboard panels in the desired width (queen bed 60", king bed 80", so you will need either 3 or 4 panels). Wrap these panels with fabric and carefully staple to the back of the boards. Using thin nails, attach these panels to the wall above the bed -- remember to keep the bottom of the panels 1" below the top mattress. A Queen size headboard can be made for less than $30!


www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Staging Quick Tip: Problem Areas

Learn More About Home Staging
Need a quick fix to solve a problem area? Apply wallpaper an old bi-fold door and you immediately have a beautiful new screen to use in a dead corner, the end of a hallway, or even as a headboard.

www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Outdated fixtures & cabinet knobs?

Replacement them or not? Definitely not for the knobs. For about $10-$12 the knobs can be removed, primed (Krylon), painted (Krylon popular finishes include brushed silver or oil rubbed bronze), and one application of Krylon clear coat varnish and you have a brand new look in the kitchen. (I've actually done this at a home in Ballantyne and saved the owner $135!)

This can also be done with both interior and exterior light fixtures. A very cost effective way to update a look, assuming the light fixtures are not outdated in style vs. finish.

www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Feng shui for real estate professionals

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Feng shui for real estate professionals

View more presentations from Carol Schulenberg.

Feng Shui in Home Staging

So many people have heard of Feng Shui (pronounced fung schway) but just aren't quite sure what it's all about. I was invited by Karyn Lindsey of the Mingle School of Real Estate to discuss the basics of Feng Shui with about 100 Charlotte area Realtors this week and gladly accepted.

Often referred to as the "art of placement", contemporary Feng Shui - aka western Feng Shui - is based on the philosophies of traditional Feng Shui and makes improvements or enhancements to problematic areas using manmade items such as windchimes, mirrors, and crystals.

As a Professional Home Stager I use Feng Shui all the time, especially the 5 Elements. These elements - water, wood, fire, earth and metal, are all represented by materials, shapes and colors and should be in balance in every space.

Balance is absolutely key in Feng Shui, and is the principal theory of Yin & Yang. These two opposites cannot exist without one another and must always be in harmony.

When considering what Feng Shui improvements to make to any house, room, or even a house lot, the Ba Gua chart identifying the 8 areas of influence is consulted. But with today's home styles, shapes & sizes, often times you find yourself making the very best Feng Shui decisions by reverting back to the use of the 5 Elements to balance rooms and areas.

For more information on the use of Feng Shui in Home Staging or decorating, contact Carol Schulenberg at carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Sell Your Home Fast

As an Accredited Staging Professional, I can tell you that 95% of ASP® Staged properties sell, on average, in 37 days or less. That is impressive given the average days on market.  The average days on market in the Charlotte MSA is now 141.

What is even more impressive, and at the risk of bragging a bit, is that 83% of Ballantyne Home Staging's Staged properties this year have gone under contract in less than 9 days on average!  And that's not all -- 60% of our Staged® homes have sold at or above list price!

Last week, one of our Staged® properties went under contract in 2 days.  The owner is ecstatic because it is a divorce situation and he really needed to sell this house and move forward.  How beneficial was his staging?  If we use the current average of 141 days on market vs. actually having sold with a closed date prior to next month's mortgage due, it saved him $11,000 in mortgage payments.  Deducting what he paid for the Staging®, he earned a 467% Return on his Staging Investment!  But that's not all.  He also earned an additional $5,000 on his sell price.  Once Staged®, the house was listed for more than he and his Realtor® had previously discussed, and the sell price was $5,000 more than he thought he was going to get.

Man, I wish I could find me a financial instrument that could give me nearly a 500% Return on Investment(ROI).

The next time you ask yourself, "Is Home Staging Worth It?", consider these statistics.  An investment in Home Staging® is always less expensive than your first price reduction! 

 

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Of Course We Can Work With Your Items

I have had Realtors® call and ask if I can help a client with getting their house ready to sell.  "Of course," I reply.  The Realtor® continues by explaining that their client actually lives in the house and wants to use their own items.  "No problem," I reply.  And some times the Realtor® sounds relieved.

Evidently there is a perception that Stagers prefer to work with empty homes, or the Stager will want to bring in their own inventory.  Although some Stagers prefer to work with empty houses, many of our jobs are actually owner-occupied and we always do our best to use what they have in their house before bringing in inventory items.  It is necessary some times to do so, but not always.

A client of mine recently told me they had been quoted several thousand dollars by a Stager to bring in inventory furnishings -- even though the client had a house full of their own.  They didn't have this kind of money and really needed to sell their house.  We were able to use what they had, making modifications by repurposing items, using slipcovers, decorative pillows, and by making our own headboards.  The house sold the first week on market and for more than list price because of competitive bids. 

This experience made me wonder:  Is this why many agents and homeowners haven't or won't hire a Stager to prepare their listings or houses for sale?

It is absolutely bad business to waste a client's money.  After all, as an Accredited Staging Professional, my goal is to get the property sold as quickly as possible and for the best price possible.  This goal is to be shared with the Realtor® and homeowner.  Although it may be more lucrative for the Stager to rent out their furnishings, it is the client's needs that are to prevail, and that should always start with a budget. I can't imagine asking a homeowner to store their own items if they are in decent shape and scale (size) for the house.

Ballantyne Home Staging offers Home Staging® consultations for homeowners who are willing to do the work but are unsure where to start.  Additionally, we do both vacant and occupied Home Stagings® and offer redecorating services in the Charlotte area.

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Home Staging and Color

Home Staging® is an intricate and thoughtful process. One of the most important aspects of it is color. Color can make or break any home, and is never more critical then when your home is for sale. While you might love your eggplant color scheme, will buyers? Is your color scheme a few years out of date? Was it trendy in the 90’s but a little out-of-style now? There is a lot to think about when you are looking at what colors your walls are…and that is why working with a qualified professional Stager® will make all the difference!

Before picking up a brush, work with a professional home Stager® to determine your color palette. Many suppliers out there have massive selections, so you should be able to find something that appeals to everyone’s design aesthetic.

While picking out colors, remember that colors and emotions go hand in hand. Try to think of the emotional reactions the colors may evoke in the viewer. For instance, reds are aggressive colors, stir strong emotions, and are irritating if overused. You want colors that will attract buyers, not repel them. Colors that make them feel at home, comfortable, and happy. While some rooms might call for some colors to up the emotional ante – basically, you want to keep your potential buyers in a good state of mind.


If you have a home on the smaller side, color can help you create a sense of great space. The prevailing theory is that lighter colors will make rooms seem bigger, while darker colors can sometimes make it feel like the walls are closing in. Dark colors are also known as “subtractive” colors because they pull light out of the room. This is what causes the feeling of the room closing in on you and the perception that the room is actually smaller than it is. But a dark accent color on the short wall of a long room can also give the appearance of that wall receding.

For small spaces, the best color scheme is monochromatic – including the furnishings as well as the paint. You can use two shades of color from the same family for a tone on tone look that is calming. Plus, if these colors match the upholstery color, the room will feel even larger.

Flat, dark color such as browns, deep reds and dark grays are great for the increasingly popular media room as these colors absorb light. The flat finish will not reflect any of the blue-white light projected by the equipment while folks are watching their favorite movie or show.

A final factor to consider is whether you are going with a “Pro” or going to do it yourself? While you save money doing it yourself, sometimes these projects can be done quicker and cleaner with a painting professional enlisted in the process. If you choose to work with a professional to help you stage the place – it might be easier and cost effective to hire a painting professional too. Too many people spend extra money trying to “clean-up” a bad paint job, or lose money by having to reduce the price of their homes to get it sold! Remember, it’s great to do as much as you can yourself – but sometimes, you really need to call in the Pros!

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Facebook | Brian Hines's Photos - SOLD & CLOSED in under a month!

Facebook Brian Hines's Photos - SOLD & CLOSED in under a month!

www.ballantynehomstaging.com 980.322.5825 carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Niche Home Staging: A Craftsman Style House

Welcome back to our serious of tips on how to Stage niche homes! Today we are going to cover one of the easiest, but it shouldn’t be overlooked…The Craftsman Style House!

These are simple homes to Stage. So the trick is not to overdo it when Staging – preserve the appeal! Keep it simple, and buyers will flock to the home!

Remember, this style of home is built with windows to let in sunshine. You want to augment the natural light and avoid bright unnatural lights. Absolutely do not even think about cheap fluorescent lights. No! NO! NO! And don’t forget to get those windows cleaned…inside AND out.

Before you dive into a massive repainting job - do some homework on the year your house was built. Knowing the history of your home really does help you prepare the house for sale. History will help you decide on a relevant color scheme. Without looking at your specific property, I can suggest going with beiges, greens, browns and other non-brassy earth tones. Avoid bold colors and busy patterns.

When looking at metal, think copper. Copper was amazingly popular during the craftsman era…the catch is that these days, it is very hard to find and can be costly. Whatever copper you have in the house now, keep it! And take some adventurous trips to farmer’s markets, flea markets, and yard sales for some inexpensive little touches. For example, a copper pot on the stove is nice touch to show off your home (but give it a good polish!) Metal fixtures w/colored glass are also perfect for this style home.


For accent pieces, remember to still keep it simple--nothing to overshadow your rooms or the house’s character. To compliment the rooms, use area rugs to define any open spaces. Craftsman style homes have an abundance of character, and they don’t need much to showcase their beauty. With just a little work, and some attention to cleanliness, you will have your home off the market and in the hands of another happy owner!

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Niche Home Staging: Coastal Property

Selling any coastal home can be tricky. There are plenty of gorgeous properties to compete with, and you need to make your property stand out amongst a very full and often dazzling crowd. Here are some things you and your professional Home Stager® can keep in mind during your sale.

People looking at coastal property tend to react positively to nautical style interiors. So keep it crisp and cool. Colors should stay on the more traditional scope, use shades of red, white, blue. You may want to consider offsetting these shades with some patterns – stripes or checkered prints work well in chair coverings, pillows and throws. Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the obvious nautical themes such as sailboats, anchors, knots, etc…It might sound trite, but it works well when not over done and will motivate buyers who really want that place on the coast to submit an offer!

If at all possible, Staging a coastal property should incorporate natural wood and crisp, clean shades of white or off-white furniture, oversized and luxurious. To compliment the natural woods, set out some woven-look accessories. But think Titanic State room, and not tramp steamer… upscale and clean.

www.ballantynehomstaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Niche Home Staging: The Mountain Property

Maybe it is your ski lodge or your hunting cabin. Maybe it is your weekend get-away in the woods—the perfect retreat! …Regardless of the case – if you are thinking about Staging your mountain property for sale, here is some advice for you!

Remember any house anywhere can be rustic without being—well…too “rustic.” Not everybody adores moose heads, antler chandeliers, twig chairs and stuffed raccoons. Too many hunting trophies give even some avid sportsmen pause. The trick with Staging® is to keep the flavor and style of your home without over-indulging in anything others might find to grim.

Another thing to remember: please don’t try to make distressed hardwood floors perfect! A mountain cabin should have some character. Hardwood floors are beloved for their unique look, and should be honored.
The general rule is to keep to 3-4 colors for your whole household pallet. Many colors (earth tones, blues, warm reds) work in a mountain house but, when Staging, keep the color variations simple and consistent from room to room.

It’s okay to mix and match your wood furnishings, too. As mentioned above about hardwood floors, wood has such unique character – it should be emphasized and spotlighted. Contrasting wood types with furniture is a perfect statement for a home in the woods.

This final recommendation might be the MOST important. Don’t obsess too much about the inside of the home. Remember why you bought that house. You are here for the landscape, the vistas, and the scenery – to that end, accent the views of your place! The inside needs to be neat and clean but draw the potential buyer’s eyes to your windows. Pull back the curtains; make sure those windows are squeaky clean inside and outside, open up your deck and outdoor space. Show off the views your home has to offer – in the end, that is what will make your buyers fall in love with this special place!

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Niche Home Staging: Beach Cottage

Staging your beach cottage to appeal to the eyes of a specific person – specifically a BUYER – usually requires a mix and match of specific colors and woods.

Color Schemes are important in any house, but incredibly important in any type of beach vacation home. When Staging such a place, it is wise to use soothing greens, earth tones, deep yellows, and of course sky blues… think sand, sea, and sky.

Many beach houses emphasize their geographic location in their décor. I remember one friend who had his beach house done with a charming lighthouse motif, down to a handcrafted headboard with lighthouses on each end. However, an easier route to take in Staging a beach cottage is to use coral, sand, starfish and seashells to make easy, inexpensive accessories and accents. It’s very easy to use smaller seashells to make custom mirrors. For little cost, you can create unique displays in glass containers and accent the edges of your curtains. Show off beautiful coral on shelves and bookcases, or simply have the kids comb the beach for some majestic shells. Mixing woven woods in the beach cottage will give your house a more tropical feel. I love the look of rattan and bamboo.

With the help of a professional Stager®, you can gain the eye of any finicky buyer and increase the likelihood of speedy and profitable sale.

www.ballantynehomstaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Home Staging by Home Style: Niche Home Staging!

The Staging of any home is always different. There is no cut-and-paste in home Staging. Every style of home calls for a unique Staging experience. To help you better understand the process, I am going to start a series of NICHE HOME STAGING blog posts! This is where you will learn how a professional Home Stager can tailor your house for the right buyer.

The things to consider in selecting colors and furnishings for a home are simple:

Geographic influence
House Style

Neighborhood Style

 

Geographic is fairly obvious. You shouldn’t be surprised to find out that the homes in Arizona have different characteristics then the homes in Massachusetts. But this is also true for homes in the same city when you consider demographic shifts and historical influences. Geography plays a big role in what your house looks like, and that calls for different approaches on the inside as well.

House style isn’t a shocker either. Do you have a ranch or a cape cod? Bi-level or duplex? Historic or ultra-modern? The style of the home lends itself to the décor…Always.

Finally, let’s not forget your neighbors – or more exactly, your neighborhood. Blending in or standing out – what is your house’s role? The Staging needs to match this…

So over the next few weeks – tune in to find out how a professional Home Stager might Stage your home – whether a beach house, mountain retreat, urban duplex, or historic showplace.

www.ballantynehomstaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Why you MUST Stage Your Vacant House or Condo Before Listing

To a lot of people, Staging may seem frivolous. Many people think it is an unnecessary expense right before a potentially expensive move. But, Staging usually means a quicker sale for your home. And it might also mean that you avoid a price reduction – which could knock your list price down by $10k or more. But there are some other powerful reasons to hire a Home Stager, like….

1) No knick-knacks, no furniture, no style. Your buyers cannot emotionally connect with an empty property. Home Staging® can give an empty property enough of a soul to create a desire in buyers to make an offer.

2) Not all of us are gifted with the best sense of space. Rooms can look bigger, or SMALLER, without furniture. Some of your potential buyers won’t be able to properly imagine what the property will look like once it is furnished and decorated. Staging® sets the scene and gives the homebuyer an idea of whether that bedroom is capable of handling a queen or a king bed.

3) Realtors will tell you one little secret. At showings and open houses, buyers truly cannot see the full potential of an empty property. Vacant property generally does not sell for as high a price as an occupied and/or staged one. You can expect to recoup the cost of your Staging – and then some – in the offer price you receive on your home.

www.ballantynehomstaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

OUTSIDE! Don’t Forget Exterior Home Staging

BEFORE

AFTER

While we all desperately try to not “Judge a book by its cover,” often times we are victims of habit. The outside of your home is going to get scrutinized, no matter what you think. It’s the first thing your potential buyers will see – so remember that and make sure the shell shines! The inside of a house can look like a grand museum, but if the outside looks to rough around the edges – your potential buyer may not even get out of the car! (It’s true, my Realtor friends have told many stories of this happening.) Too often, shoddy exteriors make buyers keep on driving – right down the road to someone else’s property.

Some things to think about when Staging your front yard:

Power washing – Give the old homestead a nice bath! Everyone likes a clean house, inside and OUT!

Paint – A fresh coat of paint can add several thousand dollars to your asking price? Is that incentive enough?

Landscaping & Yard Care – Trim the trees and shape the hedges, keep your lawn mowed and presentable, plant seasonal flowers to spruce up your yard. An inviting entrance to your home starts with flora, so make sure your lawn really pops. And if you need the help of a professional landscaper, call them!

How about your backyard?
If you’re selling a 4-bedroom, 2.5 bath home in a coveted school district, it’s safe to assume your likely buyer will be a family. Consider a covered sand box or a swing set (in good shape, of course) and a sitting area from where you can watch the children. Adding child friendly items to a home is a simple way of letting a potential buyer know that this place is perfect for their family.

www.ballantynehomstaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Home Staging on Steroids

Trying to sell a luxury home or perhaps just a neglected home? The bigger the home and the more neglected it has been, the more depressing it can seem if it is empty of furniture and in need of basic updates and human touches. If you are trying to sell a million dollar-plus property, or a property that has not been maintained well, you not only need Home Staging® – you need some Home Staging® on steroids!

These type of Staging® projects will nearly always require you to employ a professional to help with the project. It isn’t something I recommend doing on your own. Why? Funny you should ask, here are the top reasons that Home Staging® “on steroids” requires a master’s touch…

Project Management
You will need someone who can pull it all together. Some Home Staging® projects for large properties can be incredibly taxing undertakings. Managing the project – especially a big project – is a time intensive and labor-intensive task. The best Home Stagers have compiled their own teams of quality vendors to make such projects go smoothly for the homeowner including painters, electricians, countertop specialists, flooring experts, handymen, house cleaners and more.

Painting
What needs to be done to show off your incredible home? Maybe removing the 1984 wallpaper is a good start. How about the exterior, does it need some work? A professional Home Stager® will be able to suggest appropriate color schemes for your home.

Countertops
Don’t forget the countertops! Never forget the countertops! High-end, luxury homebuyers expect to see some fabulous surfaces in these kitchens.

Appliances
New appliances can increase your resale value IMMENSELY. Making sure they are the right appliances is a task left up to the experts. A good Home Staging® professional can help you navigate through the mire and find what will appeal to your potential buyers. That being said, your budget should always be top of mind with your Stager and will play a determining role in any appliance selections.

Flooring
From vinyl to carpeting to hardwoods, flooring issues can be a major squabbling point when dealing with potential buyers. Don’t let this happen to you. Call a professional carpet and rug cleaning company. Update the flooring or refinish the hardwoods if necessary. Again, your Stager should be able to help you find these service providers.

Fixtures
The devil is indeed in the details, and fixtures are the kind of details people notice. If your home is in a high-end area of town and/or listed for a high dollar value, you simply cannot show a home full of cheap fixtures. Take a strong critical eye – take a buyer’s eye -- to what you have in your home, and make sure that they are up to par. A professional Home Stager® can make sure the fixtures sing – and give your house the perfect finish.

Basic Repairs
Everything from making sure the faucet doesn’t drip to ensuring your door stops do their jobs; a good home Stager® will make sure all the little repairs are done around the house. When we live in a home every day, we sometimes forget the little dings, scrapes and scratches that have popped up from wear-n-tear. Your home Stager® can make sure everything is running smoothly and looking great.

Furniture Arrangement & Accessories
This is what we expect a Home Stager® to take care of when we put our home up for sale. Furniture can show off a space, giving a sense of the home, and really sell the spirit of any place. Accessories shouldn’t be forgotten either. The right artwork, rugs and accent pieces will help show your home’s character and turn a massive empty house into something that every buyer can imagine as theirs.

www.ballantynehomstaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Tight budget? Staging is still possible

Even when operating on a small budget, you can still Stage® your home. You and your professional Stager have several options available to make a thrifty transformation happen to your property. Here are a few creative ideas that can help keep costs down.

Your junk is another person’s treasure – so sell it! Use your move as an opportunity to get rid of the clutter in your life. Take stock of your possessions and have a yard/garage sale. You will get rid of some unwanted merchandise, and make a little income to help with your Staging!

Perhaps some of your current pieces can work in your Staging process. Consider repurposing some old furniture or existing pieces you have in your home to work with your Staging set-up. For instance, take that old buffet to the extra bedroom and use it as a dresser. It might even be possible to borrow some pieces from a friend or relative. Consider cleaning old upholstery or using slipcovers to hide worn and damaged pieces. You’d wash your car before you tried selling it, wouldn’t you?

BEFORE

AFTER

Inexpensive accessories can add the right accent to your home without blowing your budget. Trust us, tablecloths are a girl’s best friend! A tablecloth over that beat up old table you thought was such a good buy on an overly optimistic day of garage-sale-ing during your college years gives the piece an up-to-date look for next to no expense. Tablecloths can also be used to recover Aunt Nancy’s faded brown corduroy chair. A few stick pins in the right place and voila – you have yourself a beautiful chair! Simple sheers on your windows will complete a room’s look; no need to go into debt purchasing expensive draperies. In your bathroom, it can be as simple as hanging a fresh, new, mildew-free shower curtain.

www.ballantynehomstaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

How Much Does it Cost to Stage My Home?

What does it cost? What is it going to cost me? How much?
These are the first three questions people ask when they have to consider any possible work action. It’s no different with home Staging. Once you have realized it is the smartest thing to do in your quest to sell your home – you might start to wonder what the cost will be…Here are a few considerations that you should maul over when you start to think of the budget.

1. Is your home occupied or vacant? This is a major factor…and will affect the cost either way. Empty homes are easier to stage, but nearly always require more heavy lifting, more furniture, more artwork and more accessories than occupied homes.


2. How large is the house? Bigger isn’t always better, but it is safe to assume that a larger home will require a proportionally larger investment in Staging. The more spaces to stage, the more time and effort required to properly complete the job, the more the Staging fee will be.


3. How much work is there to be done? This question goes hand-in-hand with the above issues. Home Staging can be incredibly labor intensive, and labor (and sweat) do deserve to be acknowledged and compensated.


4. How much furniture is needed? Again, this is a labor-intensive issue. Using items from the Stager’s inventory will result in a monthly fee that is dependent upon how much you need to use as well as the size, style and quality of pieces required.

Don’t let this post put you into a panic. The cost for home Staging always pays for itself – in a better sale price and a quicker sale. A good home Stager will absolutely work with you on your budget, and find a way to make your home shine. You won’t regret your decision. I’m just giving you these details as something to think about…something to remember when you are making the best decision of your home sale!

www.ballantynehomstaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Some Tips When Choosing A Home Stager

Carol Schulenberg ASP, IAHSP
Ballantyne Home Staging
980.322.5825
carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

It is going to come as no shock to you if I tell you that today, it’s a buyer’s market. Not only is it one of the best market for buyers in years, they KNOW it is…Today’s home buyers are savvy, and the current economic condition has given them a lot of inventory.

If you are a seller, it is time to reach deep into your bag of tricks to find some magic to sweeten the sale of your property. Real estate experts all agree that the presentation of a home is just as important as choosing the right Realtor. It’s just not about repainting the kitchen any more; it’s much deeper than that…It is all about Home Staging®.

Whether the home needs just some small changes or perhaps a serious overhaul, Home Staging® can provide serious pack to your punch. In the hands of a smart Stager, you should be able to move your property much more quickly than your competition. But, all home Stagers are not created equal. So picking the right home Stager for you is critical.

While there are plenty of training programs, courses, and professional certifications offered to people interested in working in the Home Staging® field - there is no industry regulation. That means that whomever you choose could be a talented novice, expensive and awful, or gifted professional. With so much riding on the line, you have got to make SURE you pick the latter. Here are our tips to help select the right Home Stager:


1) The Price Is Right
Don’t think of the cost of Staging® as an expense, think of it as an investment. The cost of the Home Stager’s work should be reflected in your eventual sale price. Like anything in life, you generally get what you pay for- so choosing an experienced and efficient Stager®--who has successfully Staged® homes in your area and price range, will mean a higher cost then a novice. Remember that Home Staging® is a negligible expense compared to a price reduction.

2) Pro Versus Amateur
While it might be nice to go with your neighbor’s daughter or the unproven rookie, you might want to consider selecting a talented professional with a solid track record. Does the Home Stager® you picked have extensive practical experience? How many homes have they Staged®? You ideally want someone who has worked in your region with area Realtors, is capable of handling the entire Staging process, carries their own inventory and is insured. An experienced Home Stager® will have client testimonials and will gladly provide references.


3) Check out Their Stuff
Check out their website. If they don’t have a web presence, consider this a red flag. Does their website specifically detail the services they offer? Does the website provide you with customer testimonials? Do they have images and photographs of their own work? If their online presence is slim, make sure to check their physical portfolio and confirm that the work being shown is actually theirs.

4) Sign on the Dotted Line
Make sure that this process doesn’t end up a calamity; your Stager® should have a business license, carry business insurance, and provide you with a solid contract. If they do not, you may be held liable for any damage or injury that may occur during the Staging process. Your contract should detail all the work that will be done, both inside and outside of the house, and include a time frame.

5) Connection, Connection, Connection…
Take the time to meet with your possible candidate, and gauge the interaction. Often times this first step is the Staging Consultation. You want to make sure you hire someone you feel is honest and open with you and, naturally, you want someone you feel you can trust. We don’t have to be your future best friend, but the Stager should be a true professional, who will tactfully address any concerns a buyer will have with your home.

Carol Schulenberg ASP, IAHSP  | Ballantyne Home Staging | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com