Ana's Blog

 "Forget staging it has no value in the appraisal..... I look for updated kitchen and baths (if its an older home) condition of the exterior and interior. This will determine the effective age of your house. You can have a 35 year old house and never has been updated or very little and a effective age of 30 years and the same house next door that is 35 years old and completly remodeled with a effective age of 5 years. Appraisers look at condition and updated items. We also look for deferred maintenance like worn carpet, moss on the roof, bad gutters, house needs painting, bad roof, ect. if your house is in average conditon you will be fine. Your home is based on other comparables sales (withing the last 6 months) and within 1-2 miles of your home, with similar design....

This was part of a comment made by an appraiser responding to a blog question on whether a homeowner should Stage her house prior to her appraisal.  Staging as a part of home selling, to many, has no value. You may already see where I am going with this. 

I can't speak for what every appraiser looks at when evaluating a home but I have seen what some commented on and looked at when appraising my own homes for sale.

While we as Stagers don't get into evaluating the "bones" of a house (although I have  pointed out cracked and falling shingles visible from the street) we should and do address many of those things this particular appraiser mentioned. 

When a Professional Stager does a thorough consultation, these are some of the many things we look at and give objective observations on.  These "Staging" recommendations do affect the value of a home.  We help the homeowner determine which updates and fixes will affect their home value the most while spending the least. 

A good Stager has an understanding of these things. We are up on the latest trends and research what similar homes in a particular neighborhood have as far as cosmetic features too. If a house has laminate counters and most everyone else in the neighborhood has granite and modern faucets, does this affect the asking price of a home?  Size and location top of the list but condition is the other huge consideration.

A Staging consultation is about being brutally honest in an understanding and respectful way. It's not just about what curtains to hang and where the couch should go.  Preparing a home for sale is a time consuming process but more than that it is an investment. 

So as a seller or listing agent, would you rather be prepared to stack up against your competition saving time, money and possibly getting better offers or would you "Forget staging" ? 

No, pretty pots on the porch won't get you a higher appraisal, but fixing the cracked steps and painting your worn front door and replacing the hardware just may.

Staging is not just about the pretty.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line.  We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Member

Many times a home's best features are those that need no Staging at all.  It's under our very noses but is so heavily clothed, it escapes us.  So which would you rather see?

This formal living room was the first thing you saw upon entry to this home.  It is directly in front of the foyer.  Nice you say...

And this was what you saw directly outside the formal living room French doors once you got past drapes, blinds and patio umbrella.

Sometimes it's best to go naked.  Heavy drapery, blinds and obstructions can bring a property down.  When showing and Staging, these are things that are best gotten rid of immediately.  Pull them up or pull them down.

All you need after that are REALLY clean windows!

AccentPositives offers effective and economical consultations on sight and online.  We serve the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Yes, I know, you have all seen the blogs about how Staging does sell a property faster and how just a few changes can make all the difference. 

We did a consultation for this homeowner in April before listing.  We provided him with a detailed room by room plan to follow complete with interior and exterior color selections.  This homeowner did a great job in implementing recommended changes based on his budget.  Decluttering alone made this home shine and cost nothing but a little time. Below are some before and afters.  The home has sold already after listing in June...nuff said!

If you are overwhelmed, bring in a Professional Stager.  Let someone help you sort it out.

AccentPositives  offers effective and economical consultations on sight and online.  We serve the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

As a Stager, dealing with the client that wants it all done yesterday is all too common.  Proper preparation before listing and marketing seems to be an afterthought to so many sellers.  Granted there are always those cases where it has to get done and done fast but most times sellers tend to put off the inevitable. 

Many times I come in when the house is not selling and they want to know why and without the blessing of an REA.  Around here the MLS is full of photos of unprepped properties and they are not all foreclosures and short sells.

On a recent consultation, I showed up to find the painter already in place and the client wanting color recommendations now!  Call me crazy but I like to sample before committing, mistakes cost money and end up doing more harm than good.

How long has that floor been warped?  How long has the dirt line up the staircase wall been around?  When was the last time weeds were pulled and landscape trimmed? 

As a seller, preparation should be your top priority.  Agents be honest with prospective clients. If neither is possible a Stager can accomplish this for both of you and in an effective and low cost way.

Everyone knows price is not the only consideration to most buyers, if it were....there would be no inventory ...around here anyway.

As a seller, the minute you decide you are going to list your home, start looking around.  How do you stack up!

If you are overwhelmed, bring in a Professional Stager.  Let someone help you before it's too late.  AccentPositives offers effective and economical consultations on sight and online.  We serve the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Don't you just love those awesome two day makeovers on HGTV?  Don't you just love the wonderful decorating ideas that cost next to nothing and make a huge difference?  We all do,  but there is so much more to the story.  The recipe has some vital ingredients....mainly a motivated Seller, a cooperative Agent and a concientious Stager.

All these ingredients can only come together if everyone is on the same page and all are educated as to their roles.   Each must know their place in the mix and how to blend with the whole.  We Stagers are not miracle workers but we can make success more likely if we take primary responsibility for this education. 

Sellers must realize they can't achieve something for nothing and Agents must help Stagers impart this to their Sellers.  Get rid of the junk, clean up and MAINTAIN it so that all the wonderful results of a good Staging job don't go down the drain along with the dollars.  I guess that is why they call it "sweat equity".

That is why Staging to live is so imperative.  Stage to who is in the home as well as who will be looking at the home.  It can be done.

The completed Staging job is not the end of the story.  When the Stager walks out the door, Sellers and Agents must keep "cooking" until the stew is done. Stagers need to follow up even after the check has been signed. It is a lesson I have learned more than once. 

 "The End" doesn't appear until a buyer signs on the dotted line.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line.  We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Staging has come a long way in just a few short years. Tremendous exposure and interest have also brought many misconceptions along with it.  These misconceptions are an every day challenge when it comes to running a Staging business. 

The majority of my business from the start has been Consultations or Reports for Homeowners who are on a tight budget and wish to do Staging themselves.  I found the need early on to begin my Consultations with what I call "the cherry on top speech." 

So many people out there consider Staging as a way to conceal flaws or at least divert attention away from flaws.   I think the Staging community sometimes unwittingly contributes to this perception through some of the marketing I have seen, including my own.  I see a lot of wording along the lines of.... buyers will focus on the overall feel and look of a property and will tend not to nit pick or notice minor flaws.  This no doubt gives naysayers ammunition in the "war" on Staging that seems to pop up a lot on blogs or comments on articles about Staging.  Stagers are accused of being Deceptive Decorators and other such nonsense.

So...my "cherry on top" speech is just another opportunity to educate Sellers that Staging is an effective tool if used properly. I am pretty picky and have turned down full Staging jobs because the Homeowner did not want to make repairs or upgrades I recommended.  It is a hard thing to do. Of course I always understand budget issues and try to consider them.  This is why all my Consultations prioritize fixes by expense and importance. Sellers need to realize that no amount of Staging will fix cracks, leaking plumbing or stained worn carpet.  Of course I always try to recommend creative fixs or solutions that could save expense but some people are down right stubborn.  Thus the speech. 

I am writing this because I lost a job just this week for this reason.  The Seller told me he was in a hurry and did not have the time (or money) to do the recommended fixes.  He wanted me to go ahead and Stage and "let's see what happens."  Yes, let's see what happens.  My company name will be mud and he will be out money that he could have used to fix a few things.  I could do it......nope not gonna do it.  I am sure he will find someone else who will, with my report in hand no less.  Days like these.

CALIFORNIA CLUSTERLILY

Curb Appeal is every home's first impression.  That aside, who doesn't like sitting on their front porch or in their backyard smelling and looking at a beautiful lush landscape?  It's food for the soul and one way to reduce the stress of daily living.  When developing a landscape plan, it's not just about color and texture.  There are local growing and weather considerations to consider as well. 

Here in Southern California, we are in the midst of a draught and wildfires are always a threat when warm, dry and windy conditions persist.  Using native plants and those that require little to no maintainance and watering are responsible choices.  There are many options to choose from.  In SoCal there are lots of native plants that fit the low water and low maintainance mold.  Cleveland Sage, California Red Bud, and Longwood Blue are beautiful flowering water tolerant plants.  Shrubs and trees such as the Big Berry and Mexican Manzanilla are also draught tolerant.  Succulents and Ornamental grasses can also add color and low maintenance curb appeal.  Flowering herbs such as Rosemary can grow quite large and also smell great with the added bonus of being your built in spice rack!

When planting in Wildfire prone areas always remember to plant low density and widely spaced.  Rocks and other hardscape materials can complement minimal plantings, require no water and hold down the weeds too. 

Deer Grass                                                 Concha

For more information on California native and water wise plants, www.bewaterwise.com is a great resource to check out.  Happy Planting!!!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line.  We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Member

No budget and lots of furniture made this space a challenge.  There were 2 couches and 2 love seats stuffed into this small main living area.  All the furnishings were packed towards one area of the space creating a huge hole in the kitchen.  The huge TV left few options as there were no outlets on the main living room wall.  The back of the TV protrudes making flush against the wall not possible.  The backside of the couch in the living room created a cramped and narrow entry into the home.

This house is a little over 1400 sqft.  We used only existing furnishings and pulled accessories from other parts of the house. The extra couch went to a spare bedroom being replaced with a love seat.  The other love seat was turned opposite the couch to create a small reading/sitting area.  The hutch in the small seating area was one of two crammed into the kitchen area. The dining table was moved out to create a defined dining space. 

Staging or Redesign does not have to cost a small fortune.  A professional can work with existing furnishings and tweek for a more open and inviting feel.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line.  We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

  Member

 This is a part of our job that I am sure many more experienced Stagers and Redesigners are used to but it has been a real learning experience for me being new to the business.  There are so many things to consider when you are handling the details of a job for a client when specialized work is needed. As you handle all these details for your client, it makes their Staging/Redesign experience way less stressfull and this should definitely be one of your goals as a Professional.  I thought I would share some tips on things to look out for when you are hiring a Contractor.  If you are not fortunate enough to have a working relationship with a Contractor you trust, the screening process can be daunting. 

First and foremost never hire anyone who does not have insurance and workers comp coverage.  This is a biggy.  I took it for granted that a Painter who I have worked with several times had coverage but found he had none.  Many Contractors do not carry the necessary insurance to cover their workers should they become injured on the job. 

What this means is you or your client could possibly become liable should someone become injured while working on the property.  It's a chance you don't want to take. This information can be checked very easily by looking up the contractor's license number through your state's Contractors State License Board.  When getting bids this is an important question to ask, cheaper may be cheaper for a reason not just quality of work. I recommend getting at least 3 bids.

To find a good contractor I like to go up to homes where I see work being done and talk directly to homeowners. It's a great way to source a Contractor if you do not know one for the particular kind of work you need.  Ask friends who have had home improvements or renovations done.  Those Contractors who are very visible advertising wise may not necessarily be the best. I am always looking subconciously when I am out and about, it is a compulsive habit!  On exterior job sites, I always note what is laying around, what does the job site look like?  Your client won't want trash around and won't appreciate tripping over tools and such in non work areas.  Who you hire reflects on your own business.

Some Contractors can be pretty unreliable when it comes to showing up on time and working a full day.  I recommend laying out strict but reasonable expectations up front and tie full payment to agreements to those expectations in writing.  Never allow your client to pay more than 10% to 20% up front.  If it is a big project, additional "draws" can be made as each portion of work is complete.  Most reputable contractors are ok with this and it is an insentive for them to complete the work in a timely manner.

As a Stager/Redesigner I can say when you find a Contractor who meets these requirements and does quality work YOU HAVE STRUCK GOLD! 

Below are some in progress before and afters as this project is nearing completion.  I am a Dunn Edwards girl so the colors I selected for this job were Dunn Edwards Alluring Umber for the main body, Dunn Edwards North Territory and Navajo White as the accents.   These photos do not do the colors justice.  The goal here was to warm up a big cold looking facade and soften with landscape improvement. New exterior lighting was added where there was none to add balance and interest.  The paved walk up and patio are nearly complete.  A beautiful wall fountain has been selected and will be installed shortly as well as mediterranean style awnings over the front door and upper right set of windows.