Ana's Blog

Peanut Butter And Jelly

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:56:10 -0400

I don't know about everyone else, but I love Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. It's just that everything goes so well together. It's sweet, sticky and filling. I tend to have food on the brain, maybe watching too many cooking shows but guilty I am.

Thinking of Peanut Butter and Jelly brought to mind all the great professionals sandwiched here together on AR. Realtors, Inspectors, Appraisers, Stagers, Mortgage folks. All the great fillings for a Super Real Estate Sandwich.

cheezy analogy you say....OK.... maybe another blog.

We all have so much to offer each other professionally and in that offering all our respective clients come out on the winning end I think. The knowledge shared here, the experiences and diversified opinions all serve our customers in the best way. Even our disagreements and differing opinions are valuable as they spark ideas on how to serve our clients better.

Peanut Butter and Jelly is simple, straight forward and hard to get wrong.

I read so many great blogs on this forum and marvel at the thought that goes into them. The smiles, laughs and comfort that derive from these blogs is just like the simple comfort of a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich.

So, as I am constantly dieting, I freely admit the one thing I will never, ever give up, are my Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches, both literal and figurative!

A great Labor Day to all!

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

Salad With a Spoon II..Before and Afters

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:16:09 -0400

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.

Salad With A Spoon, Make Sure Your Stager Can Do It

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:24:04 -0400

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.

Just Because....

Mon, 17 May 2010 19:11:52 -0400

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

Scarlett O'Hara

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:45:05 -0400

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

The Price of Ideas

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:08:31 -0500

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.

Inspecorator

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:44:20 -0500

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

Nuts and Bolts

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:20:47 -0500

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.

MLS Descriptions...what do they really mean?

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:45:49 -0400

MLS DESCRIPTIONS...WHAT DO THEY REALLY MEAN?

This morning I listened to a very amusing talk on the radio about a NABA piece released discussing the disconnect between the reality a buyer sees and MLS descriptions used to market homes.

Take the description "COZY", you may have heard the old joke the house is so small you have to go outside to change your mind!

This brought to mind the descriptions I read when house hunting and what I actually saw after crossing the threshold. A buyer's agent I worked with on a house hunt many years ago joked with me about this after going into the 4th or 5th house with mauve carpet and pink counters. Whenever we saw a description that read "custom" or "tastefully decorated" we would both roll our eyes and chuckle a bit.

FOR THE GARDENING ENTHUSIAST.....

Need a machete to get to the front door!

LOVELY TRUE TO PERIOD HOUSE.....

Really really old!

So....what's in your MLS description?

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. www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com.

Christmas in July...Aug...Sept.....

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:04:10 -0400

CHRISTMAS IN JULY...AUGUST...SEPTEMBER...

Yes, it's time once more for my rant about year round holiday lighting....

Moving here six years ago from the Midwest, it was an adjustment around holiday time. Palm trees and 80-90 degree temperatures made it quite hard for me to get in the Christmas spirit. Even after all this time, it is strange.

It seems others here do not have this problem and they celebrate the season throughout the year... year after year. They love it so much that they continue the celebration even when their home is on the market.

The icicles may project a feeling of coolness in 100 degree heat but let's face it, they are not that attractive in the light of day, especially in the off season. They remind me more of dirty spaghetti than icicles. This particular home has been on and off the market several times, never having taken down the lights.

In addition to year round holiday lighting, this home features the added bonus of gym equipment on the porch and a basketball hoop. This home has also been listed numerous times.

Curb appeal is one of the single most important visions that will attract a buyer. It is the very first impression that will set the tone for the rest of a buyer's tour. The outside condition of a home will tell prospective buyers if the home is well taken care of and worth taking a second look at. So please remember these small tips when readying a home for sale. Clean it up, take them down and please...always remember no matter what time of the year, celebrate responsibly!

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.

Easy Vanity Makeover

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:20:13 -0400

EASY VANITY MAKEOVER

Getting tired of all that builder's grade oak? Don't have the budget to replace or reface? It's an easy project for just about anyone if you have the time and inclination. Below is an example of how a little bit of change goes a long way.

Before

An oil based stain was used for this project instead of paint. Stain gives cheap looking cabinets a richer look and is easy to work with. It does smell and takes a bit longer to dry than paint but the look is worth it. As it drys, it gets tacky, so you can keep brushing until you get the look and finish you are pleased with and any imperfections look natural. This color is Sherwin Williams Bistro Walnut.

So how much did this project cost and how long did it take? Here's the breakdown.

SW Bistro Walnut 1 quart $28 (over half left for touchups down the road)

Paint Brush $1.79

Sponge .99 cents

5 x Brushed Nickle Drawer pulls @ 2.44 each

Painters Tape $2.67

Fine Grit Sand Block $3.67

Labor 6 Hours includes sanding, coating and in between coat drying.

Total = $49.32, yes that's right, less than $50.

Always work in a well covered and ventelated area. You don't want dust bunnies and bugs in your stain and you don't want to pass out from the fumes! Make sure to poly coat your stain if using it in areas like kitchens and baths. Poly can be purchased in a variety of glosses.

This makeover will be complete once the old track light is replaced. There are many styles to choose from under $100 or even clearance if you look hard enough!

So You Want Me To Hire You...

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:57:45 -0400

BACK TO SCHOOL

Ok, so those of you who read my blogs know I have a real problem with Christmas lights left up year round. There is another pet peeve of mine you may not know about which brings me to the subject of this post.

I run a pretty tight ship. I am a lean and mean business. I handle all Consultations and Redesigns. The occasional full service Stages; I get help from my hubby and a few friends I trust. I have no full time employees. I recently brought on a marketing partner on a commission basis, that's it.

On a regular basis, I get emails from job hunters. Individuals who are looking to either intern with my company or get hired on as full time employees. Nearly all these job seekers seem to have one common trait....They can't write proper English or put together a well constructed, properly spelled and non redundant paragraph. Yes, that's right....HORRIBLE GRAMMAR!

As Real Estate Professionals know, first impressions are everything in this business. The scene that hits a prospective buyer when they walk in a front door...the image you present to prospective clients on first meeting, your business cards and your ability to communicate professionally all determine where you will end up in this business.

Now I'm no snob, I don't mean everyone who wants to work for me has to speak or write perfect Queen's English. I don't. However, I do expect that any employee or representative of my business be able to communicate in a professional and coherent manner. I may not be hiring now, but I will be in the future. Any person who cannot communicate professionally will not be on my prospect list. I know I am not alone in this method of weeding through the chaff in today's job market.

The lack of professionalism in today's world of business communications is to me a sad reflection of what our public schools and universities are no longer teaching. Effective communication skills and professional etiqutte are no longer the linchpins of a good liberal arts education. I do digress as this would be a blog topic in itself!

So you want me to hire you...Go back to school.

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

Kitchen Spice

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:53:28 -0400

KITCHEN SPICE

You can get rid of the kitchen blahs for very little cost by creating small areas of contrast that make sense. Spicing up this boring bar and desk center was a relatively easy project. A glass mosaic tile back splash was added to the bar area. The bottom cabinets and desk were stained to break up the wall of oak. Everything was finished off with the addition of cabinet pulls and some nice flowers!

The area behind the desk will be finished off with cork board to house kids and household notes.

Let's look at what this easy update cost:

1/2 Quart Sherwin Williams Bistro Walnut (left over from bathroom makeover, fresh can would be $28)

4 X 1x1 Squares Glass Mosaic Tiles @ 4.99 Ea. 19.96

1 Quart Cermaic Tile Adhesive 5.29

1 Quart Tile Grout 7.94

Adhesive Trowel 2.79

Grout Float 4.87

Grout Sponge 2.29

5 x Nickle Cabinet Pulls @ 2.97 Ea. 14.85

4 X Bronzed Cabinet Pulls @ 3.99 Ea. 15.96

Total = $101.95

Labor 17 1/2 Hours. Time includes prepping, sanding and clean up. It ran longer as I did not wipe all the grout off well enough before it dried so I spent several hours scraping and cleaning the tiles. Here's my tip, Wipe excess grout off immediately after applying:)

The beautifull fresh flowers were 7.99 at Sam's Club.

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

The Color Purple

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:46:57 -0400

THE COLOR PURPLE

The color purple is really hot now days. Yes it is. It's splashed all over the design magazines and TV shows, it's the "it" color at this very moment. Purple has always been by oldest daughter's favorite color.

Now I am not afraid of color and never have been. Bright reds, greens of all shades I can work with and it will not look like a Christmas scheme. I love the challenge of making bold colors work in spaces. I never feel the urge to plaster or cover everything in whites, tans and beiges, never have. When I enter a home on a Consult I make every possible effort to work with the existing color scheme unless it is very dirty or dingy and not salvagable.

I must confess that Purple and Pink scare the living daylights out of me. They take me back to many former house hunts where I ran across the purple and mauve color scheme. This color would cower me in fright and indecision. I absolutely hated it and was very vocal about it to anyone who would listen. When I think purple, I think Barney The Dinosaur.....yea let's not go there!

Recently though, I have seen some really exceptional use of the color purple in Staging. It gives me pause and makes me think there is hope for me yet. I just need to get over it and take the plunge. So I thought it would be really great to see some examples from any fellow Stagers out there who are using this color and how. I recently saw a blog where the color purple was worked in through dining room chairs. Absolutely beautiful.

So it is my hope that any of you fine Stagers out there that are using this very trendy color will post some of your examples to inspire those like me who are chicken. Either Redesign or Staging examples would be great. Also, I would like to know if this color is getting good reviews from clients both Redesign and Staging.

Happy fun and safe Halloween!

AccentPositives provides economical and effective Home Staging Consultations. We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire Area of Southern California. Call 951 833 8529.

Does the house come with the TV?

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:35:31 -0400

DOES THE HOUSE COME WITH THE TV?

Today the average American home has more TVs than people. Over half of all homes have at least 3 or more sets. Even in homes of families considered below the poverty line, televisions are plentiful.

Big screen, flat screen, everywhere a screen screen. Those dang outlets are everywhere and such an eyesore when trying to present a property for sale. Not to mention the sets themselves.

Not everyone who buys a set takes into consideration how it looks and where it will look and fit best. They wing it and many times end up with something too large for the space or too awkwardly shaped to fit against the wall leaving an eyesore of exposed cables and wires.

TVs are even being substituted for or presented as art. I guess that's ok, I am not really of that mind but they certainly are more stylish than they used to be.

You will see them over fireplaces like this. Many times they are placed too high, a common mistake made with art pieces also. You need to crane your neck to view the screen. I am not a fan of this placement, as in this photo, I think it takes away from the lovely fireplace.

I think the TV would look nicer in the big empty hole to the left. If a TV is to be wall mounted, mount it as art at eye level. As a seller, I would want to have the prospective buyer notice the beautiful stonework that stays with the house, not the cool TV.

How many homes have you been in where the very first thing you see is the TV? Funny how house hunters are put off by this but have the same going on in their own homes most likely. I always tell sellers to pack em up, all but one. The horrified expressions are mind boggling. It's like you may have told someone to pack grandma off to the old folks home. TVs in bedrooms and bathrooms detract and are huge dust collectors.

Buyers do like to be able to visualize where their set or sets will go though. If the spot where the set sits is awkward and cumbersome, consider moving the outlet to an area that makes more sense. Builders choices and prior owners choices don't always make sense. Moving an outlet is not a huge cost.

The local cable company charges $19.95 to move an outlet to another wall or room and will put it on the regular cable bill. A small price to pay for better flow and function. The whole look and balance of a room could change on simply moving one outlet. this applys to lighting as well.

Many times it is hard to talk a client into these small but effective changes but it is worth the effort and result. As a seller, you don't want the buyer wondering if the house or your TVs are for sale!

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