Feng What???

Feng Shui is a practice used to create spaces that are attractive, comfortable, and harmonious with their environment. Translated, Feng Shui means “wind and water,” and the principles provide practical guidelines for Home Staging® and decorating. 

I run into a lot of people who are interested in the practice which is often referred to as “acupuncture for the house” or “the art of placement”. Conversely, I’ve met a few people who don’t believe in it at all. Feng Shui is not an ethereal idea. It is rooted in thousands of years of history, and has evolved through the years to provide practical applications of principals in today’s housing environments.

The philosophy is simple: everything is alive, interconnected and changing. It is about achieving balance and success in all areas of life.

The most commonly used principals of Feng Shui when Staging or decorating a house are the command position and armchair arrangements for furniture placement; the Five Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood - which are represented by colors, shapes & materials that must be balanced; and the positive, free flow of Chi (energy).

Ancient Feng Shui masters studied the land, the slopes of mountain ranges and curves of rivers to identify what they then referred to as dragon veins. They used this technique to identify auspicious sites for emperors’ tombs believing that future generations would prosper. Certain configurations of hills, valleys and rivers were considered fortunate, others were considered unlucky. Over time, these principals were applied to housing sites and eventually to interior spaces.

The command position refers to an area in a room that has a commanding view of the space. Look around and determine where in a room you would be able to see everything going on – people coming in or leaving, all activity – this is your command position. Generally, this will be along a solid wall and/or the tallest wall. The armchair arrangement refers to having your largest piece of furniture in a room such as a sofa or bed in the command position. The piece is then balanced on each side with similarly sized and shaped items that are slightly taller than your primary piece of furniture, such as end tables or night stands with lamps. The final touch is to hang wall art above the furniture. The overall result of this arrangement is an outline similar to the shape of an armchair. By combining the command position and armchair arrangement, which are both based upon the ideas of those ancient Feng Shui masters seeking auspicious burial sites for their emperors, is to provide balance and protection.

The five elements are water, wood, fire, earth, metal. Each element creates or enhances another and each element can destroy another. This is why balancing these elements through the use of shapes, materials and colors is a practical application of Feng Shui in today’s world.

Energy: Chi is considered good energy represented in all things. It flows freely meandering like a river, flows down hill, and can sometimes be directed. Sha Chi is negative or harmful energy caused by blocked, constricted, improperly directed, or too much & too forceful energy. Yin represents the passive principals in nature and is associated with femininity, while Yang represent the active principals in nature and is associated with masculinity. They cannot exist without the other and must be in balance.

There are a variety of tools available for those who want to incorporate Feng Shui into their lives:

• Color. Used to create balance and is brought into a room with wall art, accessories, area rugs, and lamps.
• Live plants and flowers represent life and abundance. From a practical viewpoint, live plants can also absorb moisture in areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. The best plants to use in these areas are upright growing.
• Water features are used for their calming effect, and the moving water attracts Chi. Water features represent wealth and prosperity, and are often used in an entrance area, a home office or outside near the front door.
• Mirrors and crystals. Used to attract, slow down and redirect Chi. Be careful to not place a mirror incorrectly as this will have the opposite effect of attracting negative energy.
• Mixed materials. By mixing woods, metal, ceramic, and glass you can create both balance and an impressive room!

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

Practical Home Staging Advice

Eliminate Clutter.  Everyone thinks of this as the first step in preparing a home to sell. Boxing up extra books, toys, clothes, etc. Homeowners also need to whittle down huge photo displays to a few frames. Pack up collections and knickknacks cluttering bookshelves, desktops, dressers and end tables. By the way – anything that has more than 3 pieces is considered a collection. A good way to utilize those photo collages without having to spackle & paint the walls is to use beautiful prints from magazines or calendars of scenic places you would like to visit or have vacationed, maybe just finding beautiful landscapes, flowers, or beaches. Simply place these images over your family photos and hang the frames again. Now, instead of a wall of family photos, you have a cohesive and simple selection of peaceful images. TIP: Similar frames (examples A & B below), identical matting (example A below ), and similiar images (example C below)  make picture groupings work best.

Show Me the Light.  Pull up the shades and draw back the curtains! Natural light invokes positive emotional responses. During showings, turn on every light in every room. It is also a good idea to leave some of the lights on in the rooms that face the street in the evening hours so that any potential buyer driving by sees a welcoming house inviting them inside.

Make the Background Neutral.  You don’t want potential buyers’ initial thought to be, “Well, I’d have to repaint the whole house, it's crazy in there!” so consider repainting dated colors, trendy colors, and bright-hued walls before you start showing. Neutral is NOT boring and does not need to be antique white. There are many beautiful complex neutrals available today. Safe colors include Sherwin William’s Softer Tan and Macadamia, but I always try to select colors that complement the homeowner's furnishings so the colors may include green or gold undertones. Remember that a room is balanced and livened up through "movable"colors -- artwork, textiles, lamps, accessories, and rugs. All of which add visual interest, but the buyer knows you’ll take them with you AND they don’t have to repaint anything.

Create a Lifestyle.  If you think your home might appeal to someone who entertains, go ahead set the dining room for a formal dinner party. Some Realtors® do not like this staging technique, but it works well in homes clearly built for entertaining. Creating a spa-like haven in the master bedroom is always recommended, especially if the stunning master bathroom is a selling point. If a buyer is looking for an upgraded lifestyle, it will benefit the home owner to help them imagine one.

Neutralize Odors.  If possible, open the windows and let fresh air flow through your home. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of trash cans and place a box of it in the fridge to absorb unpleasant smells. Like we often say in Staging, “You can’t sell it if you can smell it.” Place pet bowls and litter boxes out of sight or in the garage for showings. Soft scents such as lavender in the master suite, eucalyptus in the bathrooms and fresh citrus scents in the kitchens are nice touches.

Clean, Clean, Clean!  If you’re selling your home, you can’t stash clutter in the closets or have a fridge full of messy takeout containers. Potential buyers will be inspecting every square foot—and that means you should, too. Store clutter in neatly stacked boxes in the garage or basement if you have one; if not, go ahead and invest in a small storage unit. As Barb Schwarz, the Creator of Home Staging has taught us...the house should be Q-tip clean!

Rethink The Furniture.  If taking out a few pieces of furniture would make a room feel more spacious, then don’t be afraid to do it – especially if your furniture is over-sized and overstuffed. Put pieces that are rarely used (like extra dining room chairs) in storage, then rearrange what’s left to maximize each room’s space. One thing to hold on to: items that double as storage, like an ottoman with a lid, where you can stow clutter at the last minute. And remember that it is perfectly okay to have empty corners.

Don’t Forget the Outside. “All of the property should be Staged” is the mantra of the pros. This includes the outside. The house address/house numbers should be big, shiny and easy to read. This is so easy to do with a can of exterior spray paints from any hardware store or superstore. A $3.00 can of Krylon or similar product provides a fresh new look in 10 minutes! Landscaping should be pristine—and give the impression it’s easy to maintain, so opt for simple over fancy pruning designs. Finally, the garage and shed should be in reasonable order, too.

Music.  To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of this tactic. We all know that not everyone likes the same music and I was recently in a home for sale where I had to ask the homeowner to turn down the music so we could actually hear one another talk. This tactic makes me feel as though I'm in a department store.

Sell Higher | Sell Faster | Sell Smarter

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

CBS News Today --- Staging: Home sellers' secret weapon

This Sunday's video on Home Staging has people talking, and I can see why.  First off, I've never known any Stager who was paid $30,000 to Stage a house.  Not to say homeowners don't some times need to make improvements to their home that can add up -- but the Stager does not get paid for this work, the contractors do.  More about this below.

Although I don't agree with everything that was said, I do agree with this:  Home Staging is a home seller's not-so-secret-weapon for getting their home sold faster and for a higher price.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7366894n

I wonder if it is geographical differences because my friends in the business in other markets, including Chicago, can certainly charge more for their service than we can here in Charlotte.  For this reason, I wasn't too thrilled with the over generalized statement that "home staging costs about 3% of the listing price."  The cost to Stage can vary wildly.  My guess is that when this statement was made, they were including all  the expenses of getting a home ready for the market, including painting, flooring, repairs and upgrades.

Although I've seen statistics stating that Home Staging costs can range from .5% to 3% of listing price, I honestly don't know any Home Stager who bids their jobs based upon a percentage of the listing price. It's more about where the house is located, whether it is a vacant home staging or an occupied home staging, the houses's condition, the style of the house, and and how many rooms are to be staged that factor into the cost of real estate Staging.

What I LOVE about this broadcast segment is the Chicago real estate agent, Ian Schwartz, who said, "You have 2 choices, either stage it or not. And if the answer's "not", I'm not working with you". He states that he cannot waste time on ugly houses and doesn't want to have to apologize for any of his listings. So, "Bravo" Ian Schwartz! Ian is one of the top real estate agents in the Chicago area, and now we know why.

So thank you, CBS Sunday Morning for informing home sellers of the importance and benefits of having your home professionally staged. Yes, hiring a professional home stager and hiring the right real estate agent are definitely a home seller's not-so-secret weapons when selling a home!



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

A Perfect Home on (Apparently) a Not-So-Perfect Lot

UPDATE:  This house has gone under contract Day 22 after Staging. Previously on market for 8 months!

I recently began working with a young couple who has been trying to sell their former home in Waxhaw for quite some time. When we first meet at the house, they tell me that the driveway was a huge objection.  It is a sloped driveway – but it is sloping upward, not down toward the house thereby inviting rushing rainwater into your crawlspace or to pool outside your front door! (I've seen this before.) Yet, since some buyers want a flat lot, I shot new photographs of the exterior so any Realtor® or potential buyer could clearly see that the home sits up on a small hill. And since some folks actually like their homes sitting above street level, this new photo may help us out more than we think.

They also shared feedback from prior showings about Cuthbertson Road, a 2-lane country road that sees more traffic than it ever had before thanks to the enormous housing boom Union County experienced the past 10 years. But the road runs in behind their neighbors’ backyards, not theirs. Perhaps road noise was the objection? In any event, we cannot move either the road or the house. 

So, we go inside the home and I see beautiful hardwoods throughout the entire first floor and staircase. An upgraded cooktop, upgraded faucets, granite countertops, a large kitchen island, stainless steel appliances, double ovens, a vegetable sink, a wine cooler, upgraded light fixtures in every room and wrought iron spindles! With 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, I was falling in love with this house and started going through names of people in my mind who would love to live here.

We walk through the screened-in porch the owners had added onto the house, then out onto a paver patio with a fire pit, and into a professionally landscaped and irrigated back yard. Perfect for children to play in as the adults grill out on the pergola-covered deck attached to the gourmet kitchen. I envision my son and daughter-in-law entertaining while our not-yet-born grandchildren frolic about. Yes, I think we can put the swing set right over there. My mind is whirling.

Okay, get it together, Carol. Your son lives in Ohio, for crying-out-loud!

This house is located in the development of Lawson, with a state-of-the-art swim complex, tennis courts, fitness area, a community lodge, covered picnic areas and a nature center. Kids can attend the highly ranked Union County Schools. The brand new Cuthbertson Middle and Cuthbertson High School are across the street from the development.

If you or anyone you know is looking for a fabulous home large enough for a growing family to put down roots, prefers the security of a cul-de-sac home, likes the idea that the house actually sits on the high spot of the lot, and wants their kids to attend good schools – please have them visit 1105 Periwinkle Drive in Waxhaw! Listed at $349,000 and all serious offers will be considered.
www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

M/M Homeowner: I'm here to make you $

Home staging is the act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money. ...Wikipedia.org

Well, yes.  But it is always about the money!  Money for the homeowner and Realtor®. 

1. A Staged® home sells as much as 80% faster and 7% higher on average than it's non-staged counterpart.
2. The faster a home sells, the faster the homeowner gets out from under the mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA fees, utilities, and maintenance costs. This can save them tens of thousands of dollars.
3. The cost of Staging a home is almost always (if not always) less money than the first price reduction.
4. Realtor's simply do not get paid unless and until a home sale closes. They invest time and energy marketing a property, but it must actually sell before they earn any money. Staging their listings brings higher offers and faster sales, which enables them to work on securing their next listing.

RISMedia published a report in 2010 illustrating the signifcant impact Staging has had on the real estate market.  Of the 500 Realtors® from across the country surveyed at the National Association of Realtors Expo:

• 96% believed buyers react better to Staged homes than vacant ones
• 94% believed vacant homes take longer to sell than Staged homes 
• 94% believed vacant homes sell for less money than Staged homes
• The majority of Realtors surveyed agreed that vacant homes take twice as long to sell and sell for at least 15% less than a Staged home.

Occupied homes also do very well when Staged. Within the past 10 days we have had one Staged occupied home go under contract on Day 15 at 95% of list price, and another went under contract on Day 5 near list price!

Home Staging is really about making money for the homeowner. With typical ROIs of 250% to more than 300%, it simply doesn't make financial sense to try to sell a home without the assistance of a Professional Home Stager.



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

Oops...You Shouldn’t Have Done That

Has this ever happened to you?

You get to the appointment and walk into a home with an unusual mix of styles, colors and upgrades. The proud homeowners are beaming with pride and it is up to you to (as gently as possible) burst their bubble?

It’s a terrible position to be in, and I wish we could band together to stop homeowners from bad, equity-draining home repairs and/or upgrades before they happen.

Problem #1: The do-it-yourselfer. This is perfectly okay if a) they actually pulled a permit if it were required and b) they are capable of doing the work properly themselves. Doing work that requires a permit WITHOUT a permit can cause quite a bit of pain when it’s time to sell. Although painting is a good way to update the house, please seek professional advice on colors BEFORE you paint.

Problem #2: Kitchen & bathroom upgrades. They aren’t always the best place to spend $$. Before a homeowner spends thousands of dollars on upgraded appliances, granite countertops and the latest fad sinks and tiles, let’s consider the ROI for each improvement. What style is their house? At what price will it likely sell? Does their competition offer these? Will these “upgrades” appeal to the likely demographic buyer? Are these upgrades necessary to sell their house at the price the market will bear?

Problem #3: The Right Stuff. Did the homeowner update their house too cost-effectively? (Yes, there is such a thing.) Nothing says poor craftsmanship louder than badly cut crown moldings, paint roller marks on the ceilings, gaps between the vent covers and hardwoods, and missing quarter rounds. Oh, and in the $450,000 home, nothing says cheap more like a vinyl floor that looks like wood!

Since not all home repairs and updates are created equal, let’s help home owners and sellers make wise choices.

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

Short Sales and Staging

This afternoon I met with a Realtor and we were discussing the plethora of distressed properties in the Charlotte market.  And we both agreed that even sellers of short sale homes typically receive higher offers and sell faster if they stage those short sales before putting them on the market.

Yet we all know the problem: most, if not all, short sale sellers are upside-down on the mortgage and dont' want to spend money to get their house sold. I understand this completely because all these homeowners want is to get out of the house and out from under the mortgage.

This, paradoxically, is why they need the help of a Stager. 

We’re all guilty of it. When we live in our houses for a while, we tend to overlook – or truly do not see -- the things that need attention. Yet with so much distressed inventory on the market, even short sellers have only seconds to make a good first impression. Even short sale properties should be q-tip clean and memorable.

Hiring a professional home stager for a consultation will help a seller understand:

1. What should stay, what needs to go, an dwhat can be repurposed
2. Space planning – how to make the most of each room
3. Proper furniture arrangements
4. Proper accessorizing

Never underestimate the impact of proper color combinations, which can almost always be done with accessories the homeowner already owns, or from discount stores in the area like Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Kirkland’s and Ross. Don’t forget about second-hand stores and garage sales, too! Of course, the most cost-effective way to accessorize is to borrow items from family or friends.

To improve the curb appeal, a short seller can use a little sweat equity to make a big difference. Paint the mailbox & porch lights, straighten the flagpole, clean the gas lamp, replace burned out light bulbs, weed the flower beds, trim the shrubs, clean out gutters and – for the cost of a quart of paint – paint the front door with a high gloss finish.

Sell Higher | Sell Faster | Sell Smarter

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