Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Why You Should Consider Home Staging


If your goal is to sell your home this year, then you should consider Home Staging.  Why?  The answer to this question is what I repeat to every new client I meet.  The short answer is that Home Staging enhances the appeal to prospective buyers so that your house will sell quickly and for top dollar.  To me these are two very compelling reasons to consider Home Staging as most of you who have had a home for sale recognize the disruption and artiifcial way of living in a home that has to be always ready to show and also who wouldn't want to get the most equity from your home.  Yet, I am still amazed by some who aren't willing to invest a little more in likely their most expensive purchase.  A three hour consultation with written reccomendations and showing tips costing on average $200.00 to $250.00 will oft times bring homeowners a ROI of over 500% (According to the HomeGain 2009 Survey).  Not too shabby eh!  If the homeowner then chooses to have their home show-cased as well, again the ROI is well worth the effort and financial investment.  Home Staging is a profession that can objectively, using their "Buyers Eye", create an ambiance and appeal geared to a targeted market of prospective buyers.  Homeowners, often on their own cannot step back to de-personalize their home in the same way.  They are much to attached to the way things are and not how they should be. 
So if your goal is to sell your home in 2010, then give me a call so we can chat more about how you can benefit fom Home Staging.  I know you will be glad you did.  I can be reached at 613-894-4155.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Best Wishes for 2010







I hope that 2009 was a successful year for you.  I am hoping that for 2010 you will find your house in order no matter how humble. 
If you are planning to move - or not - call HomeReady Home Staging to help you find the  appealing presentation that will get you the selling results you are looking for! 
Living in your home? Let HomeReady help you find your WOW!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Grandma's Attic needs your treasures


"Grandma's Attic" is the perfect opportunity this season for you to make a little more room in your home (especially if you are thinking about moving in the new year) and to contribute to a healthier and stronger community.  Family Services a la famille Ottawa is requesting donated items that they can use to raise money for their programs. 

Family Services a  la famille Ottawa (FSFO) is a registered charity which has been serving the Ottawa community for over 95 years.  Since 1914 they have helped over 480,000 families, couples and individuals to deal with challenges and issues, assisting them to live healthier lives.
They have embarked on a unique fundraising project called "Grandmas's Attic".  Donations of collectibles and vintage items such as jewelry, electronics, cameras, toys, sports cards and old vinyl records and other memorbilia are just some examples of what would be greatly appreciated.  Tax receipts will be issued for items with an estimated value of over $100 or more at the time of the donation. 
Whether providing family counselling, facilitating a group on postpartum depression or assisting an individual to rebuild their self esteem after a violent relationship, FSFO is dedicated to the health and well-being of our community.  They hope to use your donated "treasures" to help raise money for their many programs and services.  Whether spring-cleaning, de-cluttering or downsizing, this is a perfect opportunity to make a little more room in your home and to contrubte to a healthier and stronger community.  For more information visit http://www.familyservicesottawa.org/  or http://www.grandmasattic.org/ or call 613-725-3601.

Let's show Ottawa that you care this Season of giving by letting go of some of your old "treasures".

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

What do you mean - declutter?



Declutter must be one of our most used words in home decor and home staging these days.  Its a term that we quite liberally throw around to indicate things out of order, too many things, and too many small things that distract ones view of what we are supposed to be looking at and paying attention to.  For prospective home buyers, the seller wants the features of the home to be seen so that buyer might envision themselves living in the space without all your "things" i.e. clutter.  Seeing only this. . .



really just confuses the prospective buyer - too many things out of order - what is the purpose and function of this room?  So any smart home stager would suggest - declutter.  OK eliminating or editing non essential items that will need to be packed away or given away anyway is the PC way of saying get rid of anything not being used in the next month or so and anything smaller than a softball and looking at what the prospective buyer might be seeing the purpose of this space so that voila. . .



  It"s a master bedroom!  No confusion here now.

By the way, the top picture above is a work in progress.  I have the promise of an 8 year old that his "clutter" will not be there when I return in a few months!