First Day of Fall

Well here it is already the first day of the Fall season.  Where did summer go?  Many people are asking this it seems and so it goes for homeowners too who are thinking of selling their home before the snow flies.  When the seasons are changing there always seems to be a flurry of activity brought about with the transition and this adds even more pressure for those wanting to sell their homes now. 

There are many tasks for homeowners to complete to get ready for the harsh season ahead.  Homeowners thinking of selling their home have even more tasks on their "to do" lists in order to prepare the home for sale.  Yard work, winterizing the home both inside and out all need to be completed now still maintaining that "Oh so appealing and desirable look to attract prospective buyers".  So much pressure - so much stress!   But wait a minute - I know how to alleviate much of this extra concern.  Ever thought of calling in a Home Stager?  Yes, you heard me right!   A Home Stager knows exactly what needs to be done right now for Fall home sales and can guide you through the process.  Home Stagers have all the right connections to resources that can help you prepare your home, from the curb to the back fence, for sale.  And when all the work is completed, the Home Stager will come into your home and create just the look that will appeal to the buyers looking for homes in your area.  How great is that?  Let go of the pressure - let go of the stress and let your Home Stager take care of your home sale preparation.  For more information about what Home Staging can do for you contact HomeReady Home Staging at homeready@homereadyhomestaging.ca or 613-894-4155.  You'll be glad you did! 

Divorce Home Staging - Eh, What?

Had the pleasure of lunching with Julie Audet, a caring and sensitive Family Law Lawyer who is putting together a unique concept to make important separation and divorce information readily available to unfortunate individuals going through this difficult time in their lives.  Her website, http://www.familylawinabox.com/ is very interesting and she will be adding more information over the next while that will be an affordable alternative for many seeking legal information.  All this brought me back to a time long ago when I was in this unfortunate situation.  This is actually how I first became aware of what was needed to sell a house.  I was a typical newly single parent living in the family home that needed to be sold to settle our affairs.  I didn't want to move, nor did the kids.  This was our home!  So I really didn't put much effort into preparing the home for sale.  I liked my blue flowered wallpaper even if it looked like PeeWee Herman's playhouse (my former sister-in-law affectionately labeled this) and I wasn't going to change it.  The new owners could.  I kept the house tidy, but let our dog greet prospective buyers.  I broke most of the Home Staging rules; in other words, I sabotaged any sale.  I didn't want to move.  My realtor was kind and patient, but likely quite frustrated with me.  Anyway, the house eventually sold at a loss and we moved. 
So fast forward many years and several houses later.  I've worked as a counsellor with many separating and divorcing individuals/couples over the years and have come to learn lots about what happens emotionally during this time.  I still facilitate "On Your Own Again" groups and "Parenting After Separation" workshops occasionally through Family Services a la famille Ottawa and have come to know that the family home can become a real emotional battleground that impedes any successful house sale and in effect keeps the couple from moving on in their separate ways.
I was looking for ways to successfully intervene with couples selling their homes, when the newly formed CSPI (Certified Staging Professionals International Business Training Academy) offered a course through DivorcethisHouse(TM).com with lawyer Kelly Lise Murray looking at the Best Interest of the House(TM) model.  This innovative approach fit in very well with my own experience and training and I have embraced the mediator approach keeping both parties of  the couple in the loop, educating them with how to get the best from their house sale, freeing them to go their separate ways.  It is often difficult for waring couples to communicate directly and effectively about the sale of the family home.  My role is to educate, validate and communicate so that the house gets sold as quick as possible and for the most money and the couple learn to detach from the house and each other.  A very rewarding role indeed!
Please contact HomeReady Home Staging for more information about this approach if you or someone you know is going through this difficult time.  homeready@homereadyhomestaging.ca, 613-894-4155.  I'd be happy to help!