Ana's Blog: Ana Hitzel Corona, California (AccentPositives - "Putting Your Best Space Forward")

Did you ever have one of those jobs where everything that can go wrong does?  Well this was one of them.  We  had a very small spoon to work with, but the salad turned out right in the end.  We reused many pieces in this condo and had to get creative in the money saving department.  For example, the curtain rod for the wall of glass was created from PVC pipe, spray painted Kona Brown.  Total cost around ten dollars.  These are some photos of our latest transformation. 

Each room had it's own in progress headache that would take too long to explain.  There were lots of mirrored walls to work around presenting an addtional set of challenges.  On to the next!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging Consultations on site and on line.  We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire of Southern California and the Palm Springs area.  Call 951 833 8529 or email staging@accentpositives.com.  Visit www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com.

As I write this blog, my family and I are visiting Park City, Utah enjoying the Triple Crown Fast-pitch World Series in which my youngest daughter's team is participating.  There are 7 of us crammed into a smallish condo for the week. 

In our condo there are only 6 forks, 6 spoons and so on.  If you have a large family or came from one you all know it is usually survival of the fittest or..... "you snooze, you lose!".  Needless to say, we are traveling on a budget.  Eating out is a rare occurrence.  While enjoying a cheap and hastily put together spaghetti dinner last evening, mom lost out and had to eat her salad with a spoon.

This got me to thinking of how all of us these days are eating salad with a spoon so to speak.  In our current tight economy, small businesses, families and retirees all have to find ways to make do with a spoon. 

This is especially the case when it comes to real estate and professional Staging.  Many Realtors and Homeowners still have the wrong impression that Staging costs thousands and thousands and that in occuppied homes for sale, everything must be replaced and tres chic. 

Not so, at least that is not how our company approaches preparing a home for sale.  As repeated by others often, many times all that is needed is paring down and and cleaning up.  These two major activities alone can make what is left look fresh, brand new and yes even chic with a little punching up.  Improving the flow of space throughout your home and bumping up the lighting can achieve wonders for little to no cash output.

Of course there are the extreme cases where no amount of Staging will help and repairs or replacement must be done.  A reputable Stager should tell you if this is so during a consultation.  A reputable professional Stager should know what will make a property appealing and what sells in your neighborhood. 

Instead of paying rental fees for cookie cutter furniture, it may be wiser to refinish or replace a floor.  Instead of putting in granite counter tops it might be wiser to repaint or touch up the paint on the exterior of your home.  

A reputable professional Stager should and will assist you in prioritizing what needs to be done.  Yes, in many cases our company may lose out in additional service fees but getting your home sold is our priority.  We succeed as a business when you succeed in selling your home in less time and for a fair price. 

I know many of my Staging peers operate the same way.   Your home is a major investment.  In many cases, it is your family's only nest egg. 

When looking for Staging services always always ask questions and not just about price!  Make sure you will not be laying out money on unnecessary fees and gimmicks.  Make sure your Stager is a licensed business and not a "stager for fun."  If your Realtor claims to be a Staging specialist, ask to see pictures of their "staged" listings.  It's your money and time, get a second opinion, it could save you thousands in dollars and weeks or months on the market.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging Consultations on site and on line.  We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.  Call 951 833 8529 or email staging@accentpositives.com.  Visit www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com. 

There's a saying in fashion that goes along the lines of.... just because they make it in your size it doesn't mean you should wear it.  You know... like squeezing into a tiny bikini when you are not so tiny.  It's a rule that should be applied to staging and home décor, especially when it comes to color.

I usually see two types of client.  The one fearful of change no matter what and the other who believes they are up on all the latest and greatest, show it off in their homes and then seem insulted when you are trying to explain it may not be the best presentation for the home. 

Less is more and for me this is especially true of color.  Not meaning no color or all white but rather less combinations and mixtures.  Throwing in lots of textures while using the trendier colors in small doses is something I like better.  Color mistakes can be easily corrected in this way also.

For Real Estate sales, a professional Stager can help determine what fits best for a home.   Changing color is one of the easiest and inexpensive ways to update a property.  Color is something that stands out immediately to buyers and also opens a whole can of worms.  Painting is time consuming if you do it yourself and more expensive if a professional is hired.  Most buyers view it as a headache they don't want to tackle.  

Fact:  bad color choices set the difference between days or months on the market.  That doesn't mean paint everything white for you color phobics out there.  That can be the kiss of death also.

A 60s ranch in Palm Springs can take the latest trends in large pieces, its style is suited to them and will show great with the interior blue greens, cool grays and purples now seeming to be the trend out of Europe.  A two story traditional in a family neighborhood may take some of these colors too but in lower doses and thoughtfully placed.  Again don't try to stuff a house into that trendy tiny bikini.

Take a look around the neighborhood.  What are you seeing next door or across the street?  Great clean and strong exterior colors attract positive attention and invite people inside.   You don't have to go crazy to stand out in your tan, yellow and gray neighborhood but don't be afraid either.  Play with samples on an inconspicuous part of your home.  This is easy now as many paint retailers and box stores offer small inexpensive jars of samples versus the larger cans one used to have to purchase.

For exteriors, consider your roof color, hardscape and landscape.  You can pull a great color from your surroundings that stands out.  Strong rich colors complement what's going on outside your home without appearing out of place.  Grass looks greener and flowers look brighter.  Color should flow outside to in but your main exterior color should not continue on into the interior on a large scale. It kills interest and is cold.  Tan walking in to Tan is very depressing.

Always consider your outside surroundings when choosing interior wall colors.  Lighter, warm neutrals create a nice frame from which to view your yard and patio.  They can keep things cheerful during the winter months in colder parts of the country. You can bring in the pizazz with an accent wall and accessories.  These things are much easier to change when the trend is gone or you are tired of it.

There are many colors that are like the classic black dress.  They never go out of style and hardly offend anyone.  It's great to show off the latest and greatest, but the classics never go away.  You will snatch buyers if you choose wisely.  If you don't have the eye, hire a professional to help you.  It's inexpensive and will prevent costly mistakes that need to be corrected down the road.   

Remember, neutral never has to be boring. It always has the right fit if paired with the right accessories...just like the little black dress!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging and Color Consultations on site and on line.  We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire area of Southern Calilfornia. Call 951 833 8529. Visit www.accentpostives.com and www.accentingspaces.com

I blog in spurts it seems and usually not this time of year.  I fit my business and blogging in between 4 pretty busy kids, laundry, cooking and cleaning.  Two of my girls play fast-pitch travel ball, a rampant disease in my house.

In between consultations, driving and sitting through 3-4 practices a week and games and tournaments on weekends, I have very limited (and yes I have tried blogging during practices....CAN"T FOCUS!)  windows of time to squeeze in the blogging.   I have used the very wee hours of the morning or late night when I have the cone of silence.  Cone of silence is bad, it makes one very sleepy.  

This daily life craziness and the loathing of office politics is why I chose to be self employed.  I don't like having to ask "the boss" for time off or permission to leave early.  Those are nuisances only for regular working stiffs, not me!

The flexibility of self employment could be my downfall.....

I suffer from what I call Scarlett O'Hara Syndrome.  Those of you old enough may know what I mean.  For you youngsters, Scarlett O'Hara the main character in the novel Gone With The Wind (now days she would be called a DIVA!) was always saying she would think about it tomorrow.  Bad, bad, bad.  I have nobody but me on my case if I don't do things in a timely manner. If I ran my business like that I would be out of business. 

So why the blogging issues?  More than just not blogging I am behind in my reading other blogs and commenting.  I am missing stuff... watching the AR train rolling by me at a fantastic pace.

Do I sound like I am whining?  Well I am!  I have subscriptions to about 17 of my favorite bloggers here on AR.  Most of those bloggers are very active posting daily or sometimes more than once daily.  Shoot, I get smug if I can do two a month!  How does one manage their time so efficiently that they are able to consistently contribute to this forum? Fantastic self discipline I say.  That self dicipline translates into consistent business and success eventually.

I have considered interviewing individuals  whose sole job will be to crack the whip around here and hold me accountable.  I am thinking of making Rusell Ray my cyber boss. His blog today was terrific and he is always my kick in the pants when I slack on AR (I don't think he is aware of this:)) He is top of my reading list.....uhh...when I am consistent. I guess I need a boss after all!

AccentPositives provides effective and affordable comprehensive Home Staging consultations on site and on line.  We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire area of Southern California. Call 951 833 8529 or email staging@accentpostives.com

Often times we Stagers hear the comment that smaller lower priced homes do not benefit from staging and the cost is not worth the return.  It's a misconception that many hold on to.  Some agents will say they don't specialize in high end homes so staging is not a realistic service to offer the "average" seller.  Some home sellers figure staging is just for big fancy homes and in today's economic climate it can be hard to convince them otherwise.

Staging is beneficial in any price range. In fact smaller, lower priced homes may benefit the most as staging is all about enhancing space, flow and functionality as well as decor. Why make a potential buyer imagine when they can see it when they walk in the door. 

How do you make smaller homes more attractive to the average buyer?  Pump up main living spaces and storage potential.  As far as buying homes now days, there is a growing trend towards smaller more efficient spaces.  Baby boomers don't need the McMansion any longer and the green movement has really gone mainstream.  Large "fancy" homes mean more maintenance, clutter and financial burden.

Buyers hire a home inspector to find structural flaws. When selling, why not hire a "cosmetic" expert that is up on the latest trends and has knowledge of the local market?  The cost for your average staging consultation is very small in comparison to the return at the end of the sales process.  Think of Stagers as an Inspecorator.

That's right, not a house fluffer or the knick knack patrol but a truly informed, expert part of the selling team. Just like the home inspector, agent, appraiser and closing specialist we can help speed along the process for sellers. A true professional will not only recommend the cosmetic but also needed repairs and improvements that will give a seller the most bang for the buck.

So the next time the term staging comes up, think Inspecorator!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging Consultations on site and on line.  We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire area of Southern California. Call 951 833 8529 or email staging@accentpositives.com

It's a relationship, the bond between homeowner and house. In like any relationship, after a certain number of years comfort and complacency may take hold. Things are taken for granted. Things are overlooked that once would have bothered or maybe they just don't seem as important any longer. You don't notice the "little" things that a prospective buyer would catch right away.

Sounds silly right? Maybe not. A fresh perspective is not always easy when the stress of moving and selling take hold. It's difficult to pack away treasured memories that have been shared with families and friends for any length of time. Financial pressures play heavily into the mix too these days more than ever. Little fixes or improvements put off now loom large.

Like any relationship, no matter how short or long, time and emotion have been invested in a home. Everyone wants to put his or her personal stamp on where they live. It wouldn't be home if they didn't.

As Stagers know, these are things that should be thought of every time we ring the doorbell of a new client. A business like professional approach must be tempered with empathy for each situation. Too many times Stagers get caught up in the "nuts and bolts"of staging and overlook the importance of this aspect. It's why you hear Stager horror stories sometimes. It does account for some of the reluctance of many agents and some homeowners to use a professional Stager. I have been told this more than once.

Honestly, it's one of the aspects of staging I love most. Knowing that you are helping someone through a tough time is very rewarding. Being able to help a seller see the forest through the trees is something Stagers are great at.

By the way, this is also one of the great qualities of a truly professional Real Estate Agent. That is why a Stager paired with a Realtor can make a truly effective team for homeowners.

Whether you are a home seller or a Realtor, a professional Stager can ease your path down the listing and selling road.  A professional Staging consultation is the first step in making your journey swifter and easier.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging Consultations on site and online.  We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.  Phone 951 833 8529 or email staging@accentpositives.com.

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

Sir Winston Churchill

AN EXERCISE IN COURAGE

I am a history buff and have always loved that quote. Listening seems sometimes to be a lost art.  Think of how many people in your everyday encounters really listen to what is being said to them.  Truthfully, every now and then I find myself zoning out while thinking ahead to other things on the horizon when I am in conversation with someone. It's a really horrible thing born of always being in a rush and trying to be a step ahead.  I find I do this way more than I should, kick myself a few times and get back on track.  I do this a lot with my kids.  I get really impatient for them to get to the point.  But guess what?  If I'm not really listening I miss the point!

  I hate to admit that I have done this with a client or two in the past. In business this can be a real killer.  What is your client really saying to you?  Are you so jazzed in presenting yourself and your service that you run over them with a steamroller of facts and statistics?  I think this was my biggest mistake when I first began talking with potential clients.  I was so eager to sell my service that I didn't really listen, I mean really listen. I reviewed the conversation in my head, thought of things I should have said and then stopped dead cold.  I realized what I missed and should have said because I wasn't really listening.  Has this happened to you before?

Listening to things we may not want to hear falls into this category also.  How does service improve or business grow if one is not open to listening to constructive criticism or alternative ideas?  I have gotten some great input for my business by listening to clients and mentors.  Sometimes listening to things not so pleasant but none the less valuable.

I am not saying anything new here.  Listening is first and foremost the most important part of any business arsenal.  Unfortunately it can seem rare in today's hurry up world.  How many times have you felt rushed at a visit with your doctor?  How about the clerk that is speaking on the phone while trying to wait on customers? Do I want someone having that recollection of my business or service?  Would you?

Reminding myself to listen effectively is an exercise I must do on a daily basis.  An exercise that brings great rewards to me, my business and most importantly my clients.  Who knows who will be listening to them after I have long left the scene.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging consultations on site and online.  We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire area of Southern California. Call 951 833-8529.

THE PRICE OF IDEAS

Madison avenue makes tons of money for ideas in advertising.  Donatella Versace makes money for her fashion ideas.  Ideas and creativity are a commodity that many pay top dollar for.  If creativity, innovation and problem solving were so easy, everyone would do it and there would be no Madison Avenue or Versace.

How do you put a price on creativity and the ability to envision a plan before it even is put on paper? How do you put a price on problem solving and the ability to improvise?

One of the most common complaints and misconceptions about Staging is the cost.  Staging is too expensive and not worthy of the fees being charged.  Why should Stagers be paid at time of service instead of when the property closes?  After all, how hard is it pick colors, pare down floor plans or pick out "knick knacks".

Staging is advertising; very cost effective advertising when you consider the potential returns. Think about it.  Staging is live advertising that people can reach out and touch.  How much is that worth?  Especially when it doesn't come across as high gloss and contrived.

If it involves little skill or creativity, why has the industry emerged?  Anyone can do it, right? Why denigrate the worth of this service?

As a seller, I have listened to agents we interviewed brag about how much they spent in advertising and getting the word out about their listings.  "Nobody does more."  I have heard this common theme from homeowner clients who have not seen the results of all this marketing and advertising. Well how much did all that advertising cost?  Advertising a listing that shows poorly for a typical listing period is way more expensive than Staging. 

A simple Consultation, depending on the company, can range from $500 on the high end to about $150 on the low end.  This many times alone is all that is required to get a home ready to show and shorten time on the market.  How much was that print spread that just shows the outside of a listing and not always in a flattering light?  What will generate more interest, that or photos taken of a ready to show listing loaded on multiple Internet websites for all to see.

Consider the price of ideas and then take your pick.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging consultations on site and online.  We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.  Call 951 833 8529.

HANGING POT RACKS: ART OR EYESORE

Hanging pot racks are a common fixture in many "gourmet" kitchens.  You see them in many style homes where they may not even belong.  They can make run of the mill kitchens look a little more upscale, adding contrast and interest to an otherwise boring space.

Hanging such a fixture must be thought out carefully as much for style as function.  The most common mistake made when hanging these is the location.  They will most often close in a kitchen with low ceilings and outdated lighting.  Another common error is hanging racks in spots that actually block overhead lighting and so low that heads hit the pots.

Placement should make sense, like over an island prep area or next to a cooking surface, again not blocking lighting or chopping up walking around space.  It's not fun hitting your head on a pot when walking around the room getting to things.

When hanging a rack, consider how it will be used and how often.  Some like hanging racks as decor, others like the function aspect.  When staging a home for sale that thought process will tell you if you should take it down.  In small homes, where kitchen storage is at a premium, it can be an attractive selling feature if presented neatly and in a location that makes sense. 

It must be totally spotless with the minimum number of clean, colorful items hanging from them. The items should appear functional and complement the kitchen and it's surroundings. No fake chili peppers or garlic bulbs please! 

It should look sturdy and stylish.  There is nothing uglier than a homemade rack that looks homemade. I have seen many that are barely hanging on by a thread.  It must be securely mounted or a nice smack in the head could be on the horizon. 

Probably the above left could be considered art, but what about below?                                                          

An exaggerated example? Yes but as a Stager, the most common problem I see is that many who have hanging pot racks use them as a catch all for everything that won't fit in cabinet or drawer storage.  They gather dust and grease if not cleaned on a regular basis and so do the items hanging from them. 

Nothing says yuk! better than greasy dusty pots hanging from the ceiling.  It most certainly gets potential buyers thinking there is not enough storage in the kitchen.

If you have a pot rack hanging in your kitchen, step back and really look hard.  If you use it and can't do without it, pare it down and spiff it up.  Many buyers like them.

If you are not sure about it, take it down.  You can always take it with you to the next place!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging consultations on site and online.  We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.  Call 951 833 8529.

ODE TO SEINFELD

"I am so busy doing nothing, that the idea of doing anything..which as you know always leads to something...cuts into the nothing and then forces me to have to drop everything."  Jerry Seinfeld

Those of you who were fans knew that Jerry always said his show's premise was a show about nothing.  That's right, he and his cast could turn 30 minutes of nothing into a whole lotta funny.  Whether it was Kramer eating Jerry's cereal or Newman and a look, it was funny and entertaining.

I often wonder if the same principle could hold true for blogging.  I have found the well run dry recently.  Just not into it as much.  I haven't been feeling well.  Sucking up too much dirt on the softball fields of socal.

Could I too write a blog about a whole lotta nothing? I have seen them on AR. 

I feel the pressure to blog about a topic, any topic.  I have thought of none interesting to ME lately.  How rude of me to not consider what others may find interesting, I know. 

I try to keep my blog subjects tight, you know, somehow related to Real Estate.  I do stray here and there into the political or bitchy but not too much. 

I know you people out there don't want to read a blog by me bragging about how Staging works, those never get many comments, for me anyway. I don't do many of those. 

My keyboard stares back at me in silence lately.  It screams, write somthing you dummy....anything....it will make you feel better. 

I say...why clog the blog with nothing?  Is "nothing" going to inform anyone, make them laugh or cry?  Shoot, I can't even think of any good realtor jokes lately, that's something my best friend loves.  Did you hear the one about the realtor who......aghh you've already heard that one.

So if you've stuck to reading down this far you obviously have realized that this blog really is about a whole lotta nothing!  Thanks for reading it!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging consultations on site and online.  We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.  Call 951 833 8529