HomeReady Ottawa

Bathrooms are very personal spaces

2011-10-17T10:37:00.000-04:00

Bathrooms are very personal spaces in our home. We do very personal things in the bathroom and here we use and store very personal products ranging from soaps to shampoos to creams, toothpaste and so on. It's usually the first place we visit in the morning and the last place we go to in the evening and then, if you are like me, you may visit the bathroom during the night too! We usually are the only one in the bathroom too for many of the activities that take place here.
So what is the point here you might be asking. Well, think of me as a potential buyer for your house. Knowing that the bathroom is a very personal place, I would not want to see this:

Bathroom is dingy and cluttered with reminders of others using this very personal space.

I don't want to be reminded of all the personal things that take place by others in a bathroom that I will use if I buy the house. I want to see a bathroom that is pristine, unspoiled by the reminders of other's use so that I will feel comfortable doing the very personal things that I do in the bathroom. This is often how potential buyers will see a bathroom so it really is up to you as the seller to ensure that your bathroom is presented in the most acceptable way as possible to help get your house sold most effectively.

This bathroom invites the buyer by its pristine presentation. Who wouldn't want to use this bathroom?

A Professional Home Stager can help you with all the tips to so that your bathroom will look like this too when you are selling your house.

You can contact HomeReady Home Staging at 613-894-4155, homeready@homereadyhomestaging.ca for more information about booking a consultation appointment.

Luxurious Living On Any Budget

2011-09-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

Luxurious Living On Any Budget - by Lori Gilder

Even in this tough economy, people have maintained their taste for luxury in spite of their budgetary limitations. But there's always a little wiggle room when it comes to indulging - and adding a touch of luxury to any space doesn't need to cost a fortune.

Photo via Elle Decor

For an instant infusion of luxury introduce a wall or two of exquisite wallcovering. From the most magnificent laser-cut patterns, flocked textures, subtle grasses, silks and metallics - the products available are endless - and a little goes a long way.

Photo via Elle Decor

Add mirrors into your design scheme. I'm not just referring to wall hung mirrors - although they're great - but introducing strategically placed mirrored surfaces into any room of your home.
Reflective surfaces brighten a space and create that extra layer of sparkle, texture and luxury. A mirrored chest in the foyer or master bedroom, glass or mirrored tiled backsplash in the kitchen, or inset mirrored sections framed by paneling and molding to add glamour and sophistication in your living room.

Frette Linens and Towels

Luxurious towels are the ultimate indulgence that makes your bathroom an oasis. Get the feeling and look of richness by cocooning in some Egyptian cotton towels. The longer the loop the softer and more absorbent the towel. Display them if possible stacked neatly in an open shelf or on top of the bathtub decking.

Photo via Freshome

Luxurious metallic fabrics in silver bronze and gold layered with sheers are very beautiful and indulgent in formal living room and bedroom spaces. Keep it classic by draping these fabrics from a classic metal rod.

Photo via Barclay Butera

Splurge just a little by investing in some of your favorite fabrics and trims to create those sumptuous accent pillows to sprinkle throughout your living spaces. Use contrasting fabrics on the reverse sides for greater flexibility and just flip them when the seasons change.
What have you done to add a touch of luxury to your home?

Lori Gilder, is an Award winning Interior Designer specializing in high-end residential renovations and additions. Lori is the CEO and Founder of Interior Makeovers Inc. and LoriGilder.com. She is dedicated to providing accessible design expertise and guidance, tailored to fit each individual homeowners lifestyle. Sign Up Now to receive your FREE copy of "15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation" LoriGilder.com

To help you get some of the looks posted here contact HomeReady Home Staging and Interior Redesign, 613-894-4155, homeready@homereadyhomestaging.ca . I'd love to meet with you! Cheers!
Kathryn

Buyer Beware

2011-08-31T11:52:00.005-04:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a tree-hugger, so when I found out that Hydro One had marked about 20 trees to come down behind my neighbours house, I was pretty upset. The trees in full foliage have provided a beautiful living screen to the open field and road beyond. It was like living in a park!

Taken in May as the leaves were coming out

View of the "park" through the trees!

So you can imagine how awful I felt earlier this week when Hydro One crews came by to do their dastardly deed! One by one the trees toppled and we were left with an exposed view. Gone was the pretty park like setting and home to many different bird spieces. I actually haven't heard the birds singing for a few days now at all.

Hydro One at work

View after of the "park"

Under the hydro wires where there used to be trees!

The exposed view!

Is there a lesson to be learned? Sure and buyer beware, if you are looking at a home to buy that has trees planted under hydro wires - look out - soon enough the hydro company will come knocking on your door with their chainsaws. And if you are thinking about planting trees on your property to create a lovely view, look up first - and then plant where they will have freedom to grow and for you to enjoy for years to come!

Roses For Love

2011-07-20T22:51:00.000-04:00

I have been working lately with a delightful elderly woman who is hoping to sell her home of 49 years. Well you can imagine all the collections of things this lady has accumulated during this time. It seemed that the biggest part of the job was to rid the house of all the stuff so that prospective buyers might be able to see what the house had to offer. However, I soon realized that it really wasn't all the things surrounding the owner but the memories that this house held for her. She had raised five children in this house, had been very active in the community and had now been a widow for 21 years. The plan originally was for her to move from the house shortly after her husband passed away but she couldn't leave and so the years came and went and now here she is, tying to put on a brave face as she sees her possessions being packed away and loaded up. She has many stories and I sit and listen as she tells me about this painting or how she used to sit at the counter in the kitchen and parpare a meal with her husband. There is no rushing her. At times the tears flow but she regains her composure and smiles. The roses over there she says were the last ones from her husband before he got sick. I've kept them all these years but I don't think I'll be taking them. I promise to put together a memory book for her.
I wonder what this lovely lady will do when she moves. I've helped her select what she will take with her to the senior's home she's moving into and maybe I will go and have tea with her then. But she won't have her constant companion, her beloved pet dog. She has to go elsewhere. This tears at my heartstrings too.
My work as a Home Stager, as you can see, is not just paying attention to the physical surround but it is often the people who have lived in the home that has now become simply a house to be sold that makes this work so satisfying.

What's in Your Garage?

2011-06-22T14:18:00.000-04:00

What's in your garage is a question that I always ask my clients when I am conducting a Home Staging consultation. Invariably, I get an embarrassed or sheepish look back and an explanation that it isn't really organized or worse, it looks like bomb has gone off in it. Then they reluctantly open the door and wozzers - they will never or ever have been able to get a car in there. Toys, bikes, lawn furniture, tools, lawn mowers, and junk can quickly fill up a garage leaving no space for a single vehicle. However, a garage (for cars) is often on a home buyers wish list, so it behoves the homeowner to get their garage in order to suggest space, organization and adequate storage.

This is often the most neglected space in a house and unfortunately most often falls short of buyers expectations. In our climate, a garage for cars is really a welcoming part of the house. Cars stay cooler in the summer, dryer in the rain and most importantly, in winter, remain warmer (ie they start) and isn't it nice to not have to clean off the snow too!

As a Home Stager, I do go through the garage with the homeowners and yes make recommendations for organization so just maybe a car can be housed there. It is not a storage unit for the rest of the house when selling although I have seen many home owners do just that. Maybe a prospective buyer won't look in the garage. Yeah, right, but I'm not betting on it if they are serious about your house!

Contact HomeReady Home Staging and Interior Redesign for a free quote on services offered. You'll be glad you did as You only have one chance to make a great first impression even in the garage!

www.homereadyhomestaging.ca , homeready@homereadyhomestaging.ca , 613-894-4155

Living in Your Staged House With Roommates

2011-05-02T16:29:00.000-04:00

Recently I staged a house of a young homeowner who had roommates living in the house while the house was up for sale. It can be kinda tough though on the homeowner who has a vested interest in selling while the roommate really doesn't sense the importance of having the presentation look just so.

As the homeowner was preparing for an Open House that I was assisting with, the roommate decided it was a nice day to go out for a jog. Fine and dandy, but her room was a mess and the bathroom had just been cleaned. Well with only one half hour to spare the roommate came in wanting to shower etc. Needless to say, there was a bit of tension. To her credit, the roommate beat all odds and showered, dressed, cleaned up her room and the bathroom (again) and was out of the house in less than the half hour.

The point here is that when you are selling your house that is staged, you live differently. Yes, you must expect inconveniences temporarily, but all the effort pays off in the end when the presentation wows potential buyers and the house sells quickly. Then you can go back to living in the house as you were or at least until you move.
Oh, by the way, the house sold that day to buyers attending the Open House!

Dear Real Estate Agent

2011-02-18T19:22:00.000-05:00

Dear Real Estate Agent

Hope your Valentine’s Day was filled with love and promise! I always find that Valentine’s Day is the turning point from our long winter with the promise of spring in the air as the days are getting just a little bit longer and the sun shining brighter. Of course, this also means that the Real Estate market is also picking up as homeowners think about selling and buying.

Home Staging, to enhance the presentation of a house in the real estate market so that it sells quickly and for the most money, is quickly becoming the way to successfully market a property. I hope that it is part of your marketing plan for your clients.

Real Estate Agents who incorporate Home Staging into their service to sellers benefit greatly. How you might ask? Let me tell you.

Staged houses present better than competing, non-staged houses. This means that pictures look better on MSL, websites and in print. We all know that about 90% of perspective buyers search on the Internet first, so do yourself a favour – offer Home Staging as a way to attract both the sellers and the buyers to your business.

Staged houses motivate other Real Estate Agents to show your properties, because they show well and are move-in ready! Anything to make someone else’s job easier benefits you!

Statistically* Staged houses spend about 78% less time on the market than non-staged houses. This means that you save in your overall marketing costs.

Your reputation as a “go-to” Real Estate Agent increases when you incorporate Home Staging as part of your marketing because you are successful!

Buyer confidence increases when you present houses for sale that have been Staged. They know that they are looking at something special. This continues to help build your satisfied client base.

And best of all, leaving the Home Staging to a Home Stager, frees you up to do what you do best – SELL HOUSES!

I could go on and on with the benefits for you incorporating Home Staging into your marketing plan. If you would like to continue this conversation and find out more of what I am now up to – give me a call – I’d love to have coffee with you (my treat). I can also help you know how to talk to your clients about Home Staging.
homeready@homereadyhomestaging.ca, 613-894-4155.

Hoping to talk with you soon!

Best Regards,

Kathryn Wilson,

Certified Canadian Staging Professional, Professional Colour Consultant.

*RESA - The Real Estate Staging Association Statistics Report, 2010; http://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/

New Mirror or Redesign?

2011-02-02T10:52:00.002-05:00

I recently helped a client redo their bathroom and instead of taking down the old mirror which was steadfastly fixed to the wall, I used a edging product found at Lowe's to frame the mirror and WOW, a brand new mirror. Much cheaper than purchasing a new mirror and very easy and quick to install. Several different choices of frames too to suit any decor. This one matched the new vanity and the look is totally updated.

The bathroom and mirror before Redesigning

The product is simply called "Mirror Edge" and all you need is a tape measure and utility knife to score where to snap it to fit around the perimeter of the mirror. Double sided tape is included or you can buy a special glue as well for permanent adhesion.

The bathroom after the Redesign with the "MIrror Edge"

Be Aware of Lurking Odours

2011-01-11T14:29:00.000-05:00

Be aware of lurking odours in your house during the winter months especially when you are trying to sell it. What you can't smell, others might, as all houses have their own particular odour as a result of how people live in them.
With the heat on and windows and doors closed most of the time, cooking odours, pet odours, and (yes) people odours linger and get into the fabrics of the house. This can be a real turnoff to prospective buyers and leaves an unfortunate negative first impression.
Tips to eliminate or even prevent nasty odours:

Pets

Change letter boxes for cats daily
Change bedding for caged pets frequently
Groom and bath pets regularly
Better yet, send Fido or Spot to their local animal spa or relative for a short while
Wash pet bedding and toys

Carpets and Furnishings

Have all carpets, drapes and cloth furnishings professionally cleaned
Wash bedding linens and towels frequently (I am amazed how many people don't do this anyway)

Clean, clean, clean

Bathrooms need to be pristine
Kitchens spotless
Keep the laundry up (nothing worse than smelling someone elses dirty laundry)
Use Eco friendly cleaning products with little or no scent
Think about where you are storing stinky, wet boots and running shoes! A container away from the main living area might be the answer or wear them when leaving!
Watch out for mildew and mold formation as a result of too much moisture
Change filters on your furnace as recommended by the manufacturer

Now is not the time to experiment with new exotic dinner recipes or cook highly odoriferous foods. You don't want prospective buyers guessing what you had for dinner two nights ago! If you smoke, do so outside and hide the evidence. Also, if you like to have a before dinner cocktail, wine with dinner and beers watching the game, watch out (for many reasons) for the residual smells they leave behind. Again having your house smelling like a tavern may be a deal breaker!
When you are selling your house at this time make a habit of airing out the house daily by opening a few windows and doors for about five minutes. This allows all the stale odours to escape and fresh air to come in. A fresh smelling house is worth the few extra dollars it might take in increased heating costs. If you have a scheduled showing again air the house out for a few minutes before you leave. Perfumed candles (never leave on when you leave for a showing), air fresheners and pot pourri are not the answer and sometimes leave the buyer wondering what you are covering up. The baked bread and cookie smells are now a bit cliche and besides, they are a lot of work. As a last resort use an electronic air cleaner, but this should not be necessary if you follow the above suggestions.
Our sense of smell belongs to the oldest part of our brain and can conjure up many emotions at the unconscious level so be very conscious about how you deal with household odours.

If you want some more specific ideas about preventing or eliminating lurking (and not nice) odours in your house when selling contact HomeReady Home Staging for more ideas.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. . .

2010-12-29T15:51:00.000-05:00

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. . .

Mirrors have been used for centuries not only for practical reasons but for decorative ones in the home. Many people hang mirrors like art - above a sofa, above a mantle or a sideboard and so on. However, I wonder though how many people actually give thought as to what the mirror is actually reflecting besides their own reflection. To be properly placed the reflection of the mirror needs to be looked at from different angles. Is the reflection pleasing or is it reflecting a less than appealing view like the ceiling or an open storage unit or a cluttered corner? Does the mirror's reflection allow you to "peak" into a neighbouring space or room? Mirrors properly hung can open up a room giving the illusion of greater space. As well, light reflected from the outside can brighten up a space adding warmth. Take care though not to reflect the light (and energy) back outside.
When Staging a home for Selling it is important that these details not be overlooked as the impression that reflections make are reflected back onto the owners and the presentation of the home. To make sure that the mirrors in your home reflect the image you want others to see, contact HomeReady Home Staging. Reflecting the best your home has to offer to propsective buyers is what we do! 613-894-4155, homeready@homereadyhomestaging.ca

The Quick Fix

2010-12-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Quick Fix

It has become apparent that many homeowners don't want to spend too much money on Home Staging Show Casing. I don't blame them as many have already spent a bundle on repairs, upgrades and painting. So they may have their house well on its way to looking really good. It just needs that "icing on the cake", so to speak, "the jewellery for the outfit". . . you get the picture! What they really need then is to Show Case their house to attract immediate buyer attention so that their house sells quickly and they realize the most equity from this sale. The Quick Fix is the answer. Once all the work is completed and the house is cleaned, the HomeReady Team will come in to rearrange the house to show off the house's best assets using only the homeowners furnishings and accessories. We will creatively get their house ready for picture taking and listing. We can also take those great pictures too for marketing the house for sale. This is a very affordable service. Do contact HomeReady Home Staging for more details. 613-894-4155 or homeready@homereadyhomestaging.ca

Laundry/Powder Room Facelift Finally Finished

2010-11-03T12:19:00.000-04:00

Finally, almost one year later, I have finished the laundry/powder room facelift. It is now one of the most valued and most used (I must say) room in the house! It seems amazing how much larger the space feels and how much storage there is. Many thanks to John Manzo, Tego Bathrooms, for interpreting my desires into a formal design and to team for putting it together. I painted and pulled it together in its final form.
I love looking at the whole process!

Before view 1

Some major plumbing had to be done

Before we got to this

Now what the laundry side looks like

Before View 2

Views 1 & 2 - The finished laundry side of the room

Before View 3 - what a mess!

Before View 4 - More mess!

View 3 - Now there is a toilet and vanity with lots of storage

View 4 - Can't believe all the storage. Now everything is behind closed doors!

First Day of Fall

2010-09-22T13:22:00.000-04:00

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?

2010-09-08T09:20:00.000-04:00

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!

5 Quick and Easy Ways to Create a Welcoming Entry that attracts Buyers

2010-08-10T18:22:00.000-04:00

5 Quick and Easy Ways to Create a Welcoming Entry that Attracts Buyers
Alice T. Chan

Whether you're selling your home or not, creating a welcoming entry to your home just makes coming home a little nicer. When you are preparing to sell your house, it's especially important to set the tone for your buyers and help create those warm and fuzzy feelings you want them to have as they imagine themselves "coming home".

Here are 5 quick and easy ways to create a welcoming entry that attracts Buyers and the best part is...they're no cost or very low cost upgrades!

1) Clean up - remove any miscellaneous clutter, power wash the area, and remove all the cobwebs and dust.

2) Freshen up the front door - paint it, refinish it or at the very least clean it. This is the focal point of the entry so don't think they won't notice how tired it looks...they will!

3) Get a new doormat - a coir or seagrass mat are the best choices because they are durable and visitors can clean their shoes on them upon entry. Avoid anything that has a lot of holes which can be a hazard for women wearing heels and stay away from the foam type mats or anything too cutesy. Definitely forego the 'GO AWAY' and 'WIPE YOUR PAWS' messages...not exactly a welcoming greeting!

4) Add a topiary or a large, tall pot of colorful flowers - this adds color, frames the space and adds that natural plant life element that most everyone likes.

5) Update or add light fixtures - whether it's a wall sconce or a hanging pendant, light fixtures are like jewelry in a space. It's also very functional. While the house is on the market, leave the porch light on. You never know what time of day an interested buyer may drive by to see your house. Having the light on creates a warm and inviting feeling that rivals the cold, dark alternative.

Choose 2 or 3 from the list or combine all 5 tips for maximum results. You'll have them at Hello.

Home Staging entrepreneur Alice T. Chan publishes the "Set the Stage for Home Selling Success" e-zine. Get your F*REE Home Selling Success Formula e-course at http://AliceTChan.com.

What is this Space?

2010-07-27T12:51:00.000-04:00

What is the purpose and function of this space? Can you guess? Well prospective buyers can't either and really you don't want them guessing. When you are selling your house the spaces within need to plainly let the buyer looking know what they are looking at and what the space is used for. The picture here is a rather extreme example but is one that many homeowners make and don't rectify when selling. This is the master bedroom but when space is short homeowners often double up the function of the room so that it does double often triple duty. So then what are the messages given to the prospective buyer. Yes, there isn't enough space here for my needs either and I thought there were 4 bedrooms. . . hmm! This next picture clearly lets the prospective buyer know what they are looking at. Yes, no mistaking that this is the Master Bedroom. No clutter of office/den/whatever you guess it to be.

Master Bedroom - same view as above!

Now what do you think about this space? Again the purpose and function of this space is confused and so will be buyers looking at your property. Is it an office, a den, a family room?

Well it is actually a family room and has a wonderful view to the back garden. However, all that buyers will see here is the office clutter. After being staged, the function of the space became clear although the owners still insisted that they needed a small desk for their computer. Well, OK. The house sold in three days over asking!

View into the Family Room after. The small desk is more discreet.

The final example here is that of a wasted space that was being used for storage mainly. It is just inside the front door and off to the side. When staging it is often a good idea to give the prospective buyer an idea of what they might use the space for other than just storage.

Just the spot for a chair for reading in the sun and let's move the desk into the alcove behind the staircase so that you might also have a place to write or use your laptop.

Reading nook after

Now the prospective buyer will have no difficulty knowing what they can use this space for. The purpose and function have been clarified.

Small desk in the corner

What Makes Me different?

2010-07-27T09:11:00.000-04:00

I pride myself on what makes me different. I value being with my clients and associates so much that I usually turn off my phone when I am with them so that I can fully attend to them without interruptions. I find it very annoying when I am with someone and in the name of "good customer service" they are constantly attached to their phone. I find it highly insulting actually to be in the middle of a conversation to realize that the other person is actually reading their latest text message. Come on now! Or their phone is constantly ringing and they say "Oh, I just have to get this quickly". OK, what were we talking about?

I always return calls when I leave a clients' appointment to others. I think that waiting a bit doesn't really hurt. One can be too accessible and no, I don't take my phone into the bathroom and I don't talk when driving (usually). Clients give me feedback that I don't rush them, that I pay full attention to them and this is what I am striving for. Being "client-centered" means just that; being present fully when there with them. Thank you Carl Rogers - I knew that some of those psych courses would pay off! Actually it's just good common sense and respect for others! So be assured that when we are meeting you will have my full attention. How else will I get to know you and understand what your needs are?

I Like to Create Beauty in Homes. . . but

2010-07-06T09:15:00.000-04:00

I love nature and I love to create beauty in homes both inside and out. However, I am now faced with a dilema. Wasps have decide that one of my gardens was prime real estate for them and they moved in. Don't blame them you know, I like it too. So what to do. I first noticed this nest a week or so ago when trimming some overgrowth. I actually bumped right into it. Boy did I move quickly as wasps flew all around me. Guess they didn't like the intrusion. I received only two stings, but felt very insecure as previously I have been told that I am allergic and must use an epipen and go straight to the hospital. Well the nearest hospital is 20 minutes away and I was all alone. No epeipen either as the latest advice is that I really don't need one as I only swell up and don't experience breathing difficulties. So this was a test. (I guess I passed as I'm still here writing this). I swallowed a few allergy pills and went out to look at the nest again; this time from a safer distance. The wasps had attached their home to the side of one the the plant supports and it was the size of a small hardball.

A few weeks later and the nest has grown to the size of a small canteloupe. So I have made a decision. My garden is becoming too overgrown so the nest has to go.

I feel like such a home wrecker! If I could only transport the nest into the field or somewhere else where we could all live in harmony, but alas, this is not to be. I bought wasp spray and one of these nights my husband will be out there spraying away (what, you thought I would do it, not in your life!). Sorry wasps but location, location, location is sometimes not all it's cracked up to be (wasp, lol)!

"Living in Your Home" Re-Staging - The Master Bedroom

2010-07-02T16:25:00.000-04:00

The bed bumps into you as soon as you enter the room.

This Master Bedroom needed a makeover. My task was to make an appealing and calm retreat with very little budget. This is the goal of re-staging to re-use, re-purpose, re-arrange and re-organize. The owners liked the paint colour so this was one of the areas not needed to be looked at. The layout of the room was awkward. The bed bumped into you as soon as you entered the room. Not very inviting. And as you can see, the bedding colours dated back to the 90"s. Also, there appeared to be too much stuff everywhere; books and magazines mounted up on the bed-side tables spilling onto the floor and way too much clutter to have the room be the haven they desired. So the room was stripped down to the bare essentials - just the furniture.

Too much clutter spilling onto the floor.

The bed is now the focal point of this room

The first thing to do was to look at the layout. What did the homeowners want the focus of this room to be. To give them a hint, they were shown pictures of other Master Bedrooms and they soon realized that moving the bed around to the far end wall would place it as a welcoming focal point as soon as you entered the room. The dresser with the triple mirror was then moved around to where the bed used to be and everything was moved down the walls a few feet to effectively utilize more of the room space. The only purchases that needed to be made were new bedding in a soft sage and new lamps. Other items were re-purposed from other areas of the home.

The less cluttered look makes the room appear more peaceful

View of the other side of this Master Bedroom

Simple changes, big difference. This is what re- staging can do for your home at very little cost. For more information about "Living in Your Home" Re-Staging, contact HomeReady Home Staging.

What Home Buyers Want

2010-06-22T08:55:00.000-04:00

What Home Buyers Want

by: ashleywhittenberger Sunday, June 20th, 2010

Author: ashleywhittenberger

Ashley Whittenberger is a chronic entrepreneur, business consultant and speaker who has learned to successfully balance her left brain with her right. As President and CEO of several companies Ashley knows exactly how to harness her creativity, vision, business savvy and leadership skills to inspire others to “play a bigger game” in life and business. You can learn more about Ashley at www.ashleywhittenberger.com.

In a recent study of home buyer preferences conducted by Avid Ratings Co featured in on one of our favorite blogs, Styled, Staged & Sold, we learned a lot about what today’s new home buyer is looking for. How does this relate to properly packaging, marketing and staging an existing home when going on the market? First of all, we can probably assume that these preferences would be applicable to those purchasing pre-owned homes as well. Since the definition of staging includes “preparing a property to appeal to the most number of buyers as possible” and this study shows us what most buyers are looking for, BINGO! We’ve got the ingredients for our action plan right before our eyes. Thanks to this study, we know where focusing our attention will yield the best ROI when staging a home to sell. Ready to get started? First let’s take a look at the Top 10 Features Buyers Want in a New Home:

1. Large kitchens with an island.

2. Energy-efficient appliances and high-efficiency insulation and windows. (These were the most sought-after “green” features from buyers.)

3. Home office or study

4. Main-floor master suite

5. Outdoor living room

6. Ceiling fans

7. Master suite soaker tubs and oversize showers with seating areas

8. Stone and brick exteriors

9. Community landscaping with walking paths and playgrounds.

In this blog series, we’re going to dig a little deeper and see how we can take this helpful information, and use it to help us in staging a pre-owned home. After all, you’ve got to be able to compete with new homes and well as other pre-owned homes if you’re putting your home on the market. This is a beauty contest you won’t want to lose!

Stay tuned for our next blog entry where we’ll discuss Item #1: Buyers want to see large kitchens with an island…

Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ashley Whittenberger is the Principal and Chief Decorating Officer of Interiority Complex. You can visit Interiority Complex, access the free article archive of design prescriptions or learn more about home staging and creative design therapy at www.myinterioritycomplex.com. Ashley lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, son, two dogs, and two cats, and she is proud that she has learned to successfully live and thrive with her compulsive and chronic rearranging and re-designing disorders.

[[T_F]]Data Leak Prevention – Data Security Solutions – Information Theft Protection, Detection and Prevention Software Productstracefusion_signature=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[[T_F]]© 2010, ashleywhittenberger. All rights reserved.

Facebook - Ugh

2010-06-08T07:51:00.000-04:00

Well I have decided to take the plunge to Facebook. Ugh! I set it up under my name but seemed to have attracted all the prattle of various "friends". It's more complicated than I envisioned. It was intended to be just for HomeReady Home Staging stuff so I guess I need to fine tune the links and discourage the personal. Maybe I should just deactivate and start again. This is one reason why I have held off until now. If anyone has constructive suggestions I am open to hearing them.

Addressing the "clean up the house before the Cleaning Lady comes" syndrome

2010-05-25T16:19:00.000-04:00

I'm sure that you've all heard the saying "Oh, I have to clean up the house before the Cleaning Lady comes". As a Home Stager, I meet with a variation on this theme all the time. Referrals and potential referrals often are thinking, "Oh the stager can't come to see me for a consultation cuz we haven't painted, cleaned, decluttered, packed away. . . etc. yet. Well this is where I need to educate. I like to get working with a referral before they embark on their house preparation trek. This way I can help homeowners looking to sell with a priority list of what needs to be done and this may save them a lot of guess work and stress in the long run. As a home stager, I know what would best suit their situation to highlight the unique selling features of their house and what might be the most cost effective changes. For instance, I keep up to date on the latest trends that appeal to home buyers. I have my Staging Safe Colors(TM). that help sellers use colour to the the best advantage to show off their house. I can suggest simple tricks and tips that make the house look newer and more modern. As well, too often prospective home sellers in their zealousness, wholeheartedly embrace the notion of decluttering and pack away everything not nailed down resulting in a bare and bland decor. Then we have to go searching through all their boxes looking for those pieces of this or that to add to the lifestyle and ambiance they are hoping to create to get buyers interested.
Spending more money than needed is thus sometimes the problem. An interlock walkway is expensive, where a more simple flagstone and pebble one would do. Ceramic counters are nice, but look at what is selling in your neighbourhood. Hardwood versus laminate, ceramic versus vinyl. These are the things that a home stager can help the homeowner with long before their house is ready to be Show Cased. So this is why I like to see prospective sellers right at the beginning of the house preparation process. Home Staging is more than just arranging the furniture and accessories nicely. A home stager can help with the whole house selling preparation process. So take a risk; contact HomeReady Home Staging now before you pick up a screwdriver or paint brush; before you spend more money than you may need to. I can advise you right at the beginning what is the best way to prepare.
homeready@homereadyhomestaging.ca, http://www.homereadyhomestaging.ca/
613-894-4155

What's in Your closet? A place to hide or a place to organize and store?

2010-05-09T15:01:00.000-04:00

Most houses have a coat closet fairly close to the front door. What it looks like inside can give the prospective buyer a clue about the storage capacity of your house whether this perception is realistic or not. As with most things, perception is everything! So what's in your closet? When selling your house it just won't do to lop all sorts of odds and ends into the closet. The old adage "out of sight - out of mind" just doesn't hold up when when your house is listed for sale. Why? Because prospective buyers will look into your closet to see if their "stuff" will fit in. If there are coats hung from all seasons willy-nilly on hangers and shoes and sporting equipment thrown into the bottom of the closet and hats, scarves, gloves and mittens thrown up on the shelves, and that box of things meant to go to the Sally Ann, toys that were lying about on the floor, a bag of clothes meant for the dry cleaners. . . I think you get the picture. Yikes, there is no room for anything! What a great first impression buyers have of the storage in your house. Wonder what other closets and cupboards have to offer? Are they big enough to hold everything? So you can see that this negative first impression can carry over into buyers thinking about all the storage within the house. This negative psychological snowball effect can have a detrimental effect on the saleability of your house. Of course all of this can be eliminated by applying the principles of organization offered by your Home Stager who has specific training in effective organizing and storage techniques. Your Home Stager can help you decide what needs to stay and what needs to be stored elsewhere or given away. She (he) can suggest containers and systems to organize sports equipment and hats and gloves and shoes so that the coat closet is neat and organized and has the look of lots of space for a prospective buyer's things. Now I wonder what the other closets look like? If you would like to find out more about organizing your closets for your house sale, contact HomeReady Home Staging. We would be pleased to give you a free quote for our consultation services! Call 613-894-4155.

How's your Curb Appeal?

2010-03-31T18:38:00.000-04:00

Now that spring really seems to be here, it's time to ask "How's your curb appeal?" Yes, go stand out by the road looking straight at your house. How does it look? Yes, a little worse for wear after the winter, eh? And you're thinking of putting your house on the market, when? Next week! Well, you might want to reconsider when you take a critical look and actually see what a prospective buyer might be looking at.

Is your driveway weathered and cracked? And does it lead up to a garage door that needs a good paint job or even worse, replacing? What about the trim around windows, is it chipped and peeling? That is if you can see them through the tangle of overgrown shrubs and trees. Now the roof, are the shingle past their expiry date? And for goodness sake, please take down those Christmas lights! Is the walkway a minefield leading up to a gloomy entry way saying "go away"? I think you are getting the picture! Yes there often is a lot of work that needs to be done on the exterior of the property too to enhance that Curb Appeal. Remember that you only have one chance to make a good first impression. I can help, just call. . . HomeReady Home Staging, 613-894-4155.
Now is the time to create the Wow, Let HomeReady show you How!

Contrary to popular opinion Home Stagers do not work for free! Rant # 3

2010-03-22T16:51:00.000-04:00

I repeat, contrary to popular opinion, Home Stagers do not work for free! However, if the principles of Home Staging are correctly applied, the cost of the service to the homeowner is often free when you consider the ROI of over 500% in many cases. This is different! The Home Stager though, is paid for their services; be it consultation with suggestions/recommendations for upgrades or the actual show casing to present that lifestyle image that will attract the buyers. In efforts to be sensitive and to keep costs low for the homeowner, I have recently submitted several proposals for show casing that I typically don't charge for. In presenting the proposals to the homeowners, I took my time (time=money) to explain the plan for show casing. The homeowners were very impressed and excited with what I had proposed and suggested. Considerable time and effort go into the research and creative design of these proposals so that my clients get the best possible result. So I do get a bit worked up later when the homeowners come back with "Thanks for your input and help. Your ideas are great. We think we'll take it from here after all" or "We can't possibly pay you that, but we will use your ideas anyways to prepare our half million dollar home for sale". Maybe it's just sour grapes on my part, but I can't help feeling cheated. I've learned my lesson though - There aren't any free lunches and I will be charging clients now for what I think I am worth and valued for!

A Little Garden Magic

2010-03-16T22:29:00.000-04:00

With a seemingly early spring upon us, my thoughts are to uncover the tender little shoots coming up into the warm air. However, this is not a wise idea as it is really too early for little green shoots to survive the still cool nights. One can't help thinking about the garden though it you have the "bug". The smell of the earth beckons. I realize though that not everyone thinks like I do and gardening is not their thing. I have viewed many houses that may have that "WOW" on the inside but lack that curb appeal on the outside. They may like the look but lack the inclination to get it so I have decided to expand the business to include more "garden staging" projects for homeowners looking to improve the curb appeal when selling their house. Also, some homeowners who do want to stay where they are, are also looking for someone to "stage" what they already have. That is, to make small changes to the garden they have or would like to have. This could be simply planting flowers or shrubs to small garden reconstruction. The idea is to beautify the outdoor areas to compliment the appeal of the indoor areas. The ambience of a lifestyle is created to attract prospective buyers or to engage the current owners in their own plot of paradise.

If this is something that appeals to you or someone you know give HomeReady Home Staging a call as we would love to help out with a little garden magic! Let HomeReady Home Staging create that Wow - We know how!Homeready@homereadyhomestaging.ca , 613-894-4155.

Home Staging Sells home for over asking price

2010-03-09T22:02:00.000-05:00

Create The WOW With Home Staging!

Brisk February Sales

"These Real Estate Agents understand the benefit of Home Staging for their clients!"

Create The WOW With Home Staging!

Home staging could easily put several thousand dollars in your pocket. One of my clients just listed their home for over $20,000 dollars higher than for what a similar model (or any model), had just sold for on their street. They received multiple offers which resulted in their property selling in just three days for several thousand above the listing price. Yes, they had their home staged, and yes, it looked great!

If you have any questions about selling or buying a home or would like to find out more about home staging, please give me a call. Kathryn Wilson, with Home Ready Home Staging, along with a few extra hours of work helped give this home that WOW effect! This helped lead to a fast sale at a great price!

For many of us, besides being a home, our property is our largest investment, and any capital gains on our principal residents is tax free. It all goes into our pocket and not Revenue Canada’s. Home staging is a great vehicle to help do just that.

RePrinted from Heads Up Real Estate, John Head and Susan Chaulk
                                                           Coldwell Banker First Ottawa Realty Brokerage
                                                           2034 St. Joseph Blvd.
                                                           Ottawa, On K1E 1E6
                                                           613-830-9999
                                                           john@TheHeadTeam.com
                                                           http://www.theheadteam.com/

How Do Real Estate Agents Benefit from Home Staging?

2010-02-22T07:12:00.000-05:00

There are many ways that Home Staging benefits the Real Estate Agent. First of all, research shows that Staged homes sell for more money and are on the market for a shorter amount of time compared to non-staged homes, thus lowering the Agent's marketing costs. And lets face it, Staged homes quite simply show better! Other Agents will be pleased to show the listing, bringing along more prospective buyers. This may increase their profitability too. Staged homes help grow the Agent's business as satisfied buyers and sellers more frequently refer the Agent who has Staged their listings. And Staged homes look better in print ads, Internet listings and virtual tours. All this lend credibility to the Real Estate Agent's marketing and selling skills.
And the bottom line here is that clients are satisfied and the Real Estate Agent proves their worth and understanding of the importance of Home Staging. Oh, and yes the Home Stager greatly benefits too. It's a win-win-win situation. What could be better!

If you are planning to sell your home soon, ask you Real Estate Agent to refer to HomeReady Homestaging. If you do not have an Agent at this time, your Home Stager at HomeReady Home Staging can refer you to a Real Estate Agent who values the role of Home Staging in their business.
homeready@homereadyhomestaging.ca
613-894-4155

Tackling the Toilet

2010-02-15T14:15:00.000-05:00

I know I've been on a bit of a bathroom kick lately. Guess it comes with renovating that room in my own house. Today though, I want to focus on the TOILET. Yes that lowly bowl we all so well know. . . OK I will stop here!

From a Professional Home Staging point of view, I've seen a lot of toilets and they are not all pretty. No Sir, some are downright ugly and gross. The point I want make though is that the toilet often sets the tone for the whole bathroom. When prospective buyers are viewing a home, a clean, well presented toilet speaks volumes about the rest of the home too. Cleanliness is next to godliness and there is nothing better to turn off prospective buyers like a toilet that is not pristine enough to brush your teeth in. OK I may have gone a bit too far again but you get the point! It's not only the inside of the toilet that needs to be stain free but also the outside front and sides and also behind it on the floor etc. Fluffy rugs on the lid, tank top or the floor do not enhance the look or disguise stains or odors that might emanate from the throne. On the contrary, those little shag covers are harbours for germs and other nastys. Kleenex boxes too are not considered decorative accessories in my mind either. The library can be re-located too!

And please keep that lid down. No one wants to enter the bathroom to be immediately confronted by the open abyss beckoning to them. Prospective buyers often are attracted to bathrooms that appear never to have been used. This is what you want the toilet to say (if it could talk)!

RESA

2010-01-24T23:41:00.000-05:00

What an exciting evening meeting all the big names in the Home Staging business. Met lots of Canadian CSPs including the founder of Canadian Staging Professionals, Christine Rae. Also here is a picture of me with Matthew Finlason, from The Stagers. Wow! Matthew kicks things off early tomorrow am and on it goes until late tomorrow evening with the RESA awards. Although I was nominated for the Rookie of the Year, my colleaque Kristy made it to the finals so cheering for her!

Tips to Update Your Bathroom under $50

2010-01-20T13:35:00.000-05:00

When thinking of selling your home there are many relatively inexpensive up-dates you can do in your home yourself to give it that WOW without breaking the bank. For instance, in the bathroom here are five up-dates that cost under $50 and can give new life to a tired or outdated decor. They all speak "well-cared for" to a prospective buyer and can distract from more major renovations that could be done.

A new coat of paint in a pleasing neutral colour is the most obvious up-date and can transform the bathroom from a dingy, outdated room to a warm, inviting and clean space. The bathroom pictured here is painted with ICI Oyster White, #30YY 64/149. Previously it was a gaudy aqua blue which was cold and oppressive.
New fluffy white towels for showing are an inviting addition to any bathroom and aren't expensive if you don't buy designer towels or you manage to get them on sale (they seem to be at every major store at any one time).
A new coordinating shower curtain speaks volumes about freshness.
Un-dated hardware for the cabinets may be just the thing to up-date the older vanity in your bathroom.
Matching small plastic bins to store personal items neatly under the counter in the vanity when not in use are a smart and inexpensive choice. Prospective buyers do not want to see your deoderant or toothbrush lying on the vanity counter when viewing your home. This can be a huge turnoff.

These are just five inexpensive tips for up-dating your bathroom. Now that I've got you started, I'm sure you can think of some more yourself. However, if you would like some more inexpensive and helpful ideas for up-dating your bathroom or other rooms in your home before selling your home, I'd be happy to come to consult with you! For a free quote on my services do email me at kathryn.a.wilson@gmail.com.

The Emotions of Selling

2010-01-11T13:57:00.000-05:00

Homeowners sell their homes for many reasons. Some are happy, hopeful thoughts of moving onto something better. Some reasons are out of necessity; usually financial. Other reasons are not so hopeful; life transitions, broken relationships, again necessitating a move. Most homeowners have some ambivalent thoughts and feelings though, all normal. Our shelter and physical environment is one of our basic needs that helps us to feel secure in life and when there are changes anticipated here we often experience a wide range of emotions. This is why using the services of an understanding Home Stager can lessen the confusion of emotions when preparing your home for sale. With a more objective eye, a Home Stager will view your home and make reccomendations that will help you understand what will make your home look best to secure a quick and profitable sale. If you need a more "hands-on" approach, a Home Stager will be there too. Rearranging furnishings and accessories is the work that a Home Stager is trained to do. Knowing just what to pack away now and what to perhaps let go of can bring a sense of relief and clarity that Home Stagers can help with too!

If you are selling your home this year and are having some emotional reactions thinking about this prospect do not hestitate to call a reputable Home Staging company such as HomeReady Home Staging. We can help you through the hurdles of emotions that can come with preparing your home for sale. Once you feel more "centered" and less emotionally attached to your present home, it will be easier to make those all important sale decisions. One thing to remember too is that buyers also are experiencing many different emotions in selecting a new home to buy. But this will be a different chapter!

Getting Rid of Rug Indentations - Home Staging tip 2010 - 1

2010-01-03T21:35:00.000-05:00

Moving furniture around at Christmas this year to accomodate the Christmas tree, reminded me of what sometimes happens when homeowners are moving around their furniture when Staging to sell. Where the furniture used to sit is marked by a depression or indentation in the rug that does not seem to go away with any amount of rubbing or vaccuming! These unsightly marks unfortunately draw ones eye immediately to that spot(s) and can detract from the overall impression (no pun intended) that the homeowner is trying to create.

However, I have found a way to get rid of these indentations. Simply put an ice-cube on the indentation and just let it melt.

As the ice-cube melts, the rug fibres "puff" up and expand and in a little while the indentation is no longer visible.

Just blot up any excess moisture with a towel and give a gentle little rub and voila. . . the indentation is completely gone and noone would ever know that a heavy piece of furniture used to be on that spot.

Rug, after this procedure looks like nothing ever sat on the spot and now is no longer an unsightly distraction!

Why You Should Consider Home Staging

2009-12-30T09:19:00.000-05:00

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.

Best Wishes for 2010

2009-12-24T07:57:00.000-05:00

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!

Grandma's Attic needs your treasures

2009-12-06T08:01:00.000-05:00

"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".

What do you mean - declutter?

2009-12-01T21:29:00.000-05:00

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!

Furnishing a Condo

2009-11-25T21:33:00.000-05:00

Furnishing this condo has been an exciting project over the past few months. The client had decided that everything would be new when he moved in, but that he didn't really like to shop or know where to go and so on. He had a list of requirements and some preferences, but the bulk of decisions were left up to me based on his budget. Really this was a dream job for a Stager taking a blank canvas and turning it into a warm, inviting living space. The following pictures show you the transformation. Over time, as the budget allows, the client intends to purchase art work to "jazz" up the walls a bit more.

This is the main living space before and after being furnished.

The kitchen now has this wonderful glass-top pedestal table and these sexy white leather chairs that are really very comfortable and can be used as occassional seating in the living room or as a desk chair in the the den.

Another view of the kitchen before and after looking out from the den.

The Den was just a little cave-like before, but now is a relaxing place to read or work on the computer.

Bedrooms in new condos seem to be very small. I was able to fit in a double bed only as otherwise there would not be any room to get to the closet. The result is a cozy and comfortable sleeping area.

The final view is looking into the condo unit from its the front foyer.

Furnishings were mostly custom order and were purchased at Distinctively Fine Furnishings, Palanco, Blueprint, Ashley Furniture and Sears Home Store.

The client is quite happy with his new space!

Orleans Chamber of Commerce Nominee - 2009 Awards

2009-11-22T08:19:00.000-05:00

Although I was not the winner or one of the three finalists in the "New Business of the Year" category of the Orleans Chamber of Commerce People's Choice Business Awards 2009 held this past week in the beautiful, new Shenkman Arts Centre, I still feel it an honour to be nominated and want to thank all of you who voted for me. I have met so many wonderful people in this my first year in the business world. My learning curve is still steep, but I love every minute of it!
I have lots of exciting new activities planned for 2010 and will continue to give my clients the best in Home Staging services. Moving - or not - give me a call. My new tag line is:
NOW is the time to create the WOW
Let HomeReady show you HOW

RESA Rookie Stager Nominee - 2010

2009-11-21T20:05:00.000-05:00

I'm very proud of my Home Staging achievements this first year in the business. Someone else thought so too! Thank you to all of you who have shown their support to me and have encouraged me to keep going and keep developing my craft. I'm looking forward to this upcoming year with some exciting new developments. Stay tuned!

In January I'm off to Las Vegas to the RESA Convention. It looks like a very jammed packed three days of speakers, workshops and many top-notch Stagers to meet. I am very thrilled to be going and will be bringing home lots of new insights and perspectives that will add real value to Home Staging in the Ottawa area.

Watch out next year. I'm looking for a nomination again!

Laundry/Powder Room Facelift

2009-11-10T09:20:00.000-05:00

So here are the BEFORE pics of my re-design project. Rather scary isn't it? Needs some re-organization (you think?).

A space like this would get a real thumbs down with my home staging clients so I though I should put my "money where my mouth is".

Tomorrow the new high efficency machines arrive and then re-construction begins at the end of the month. To be included are a new laundry tub, toilet and vanity and sink with custom cabinets.

Tego Bathrooms are at the helm of this project. So stay tuned!

Makeshift storage gone really bad!

HomeGain 2009 Top 12 Home Improvements Survey Results

2009-11-09T10:59:00.000-05:00

Once again HomeGain 2009 has reported in their Real Estate blog, the top 12 relatively low cost DIY home improvements for homeowners getting ready to sell their home. Nearly 1000 Realtors(R) participated in the survey. Home Staging is listed as second on the list with an average cost between $300 to $400 with an overwhelming ROI of 586%. Cleaning and de-cluttering ranked first with a ROI of around 872% on an $100 to $200 investment. The rest of the list actually could well be included under the umbrella of Home Staging too. This would make the actual cost of Home Staging more inline with real costs today. Still a bargain looking at all the ROI. figures. What homeowners gain when it comes to selling their home is increased value in equity and most often a shorter time on the Real Estate market. With house presentation appealing to many prospective buyers, it sure beats a home langishing for months on the market and perhaps having to undergo a price drop.
The other home improvements that HomeGain lists in order down from Home Staging are:

Lightening and Brightening
Landscaping
Repair Plumbing
Update Electrical
Replacing or Shampooing Carpets
Painting Interior Walls
Repair Damaged Floors
Update Kitchen
Paint Outside of House
Update Bathroom

Not a DIYer; not to worry as HomeReady Home Staging will refer you to those trades who will be able to carry out any of these home improvements. For further reading and definitions of the Home Improvement categories, check out the HomeGain blog at http://blog.homegain.com/home-improvement/homegain-2009-top-12-home-improvement-survey-results/ . Then contact HomeReady Home Staging to set up a consultation appointment to look at what your home specifically needs before you sell. You'll be glad you did!

Selling in the new year?

2009-11-04T10:04:00.000-05:00

If you are thinking about selling your home in the new year, then NOW is the time to start planning. Contacting a Professional Home Stager should be first on your list. Consultation with a Professional Home Stager will provide you with reccomendations and suggestions for repairs or upgrades that will increase the equity in your home. Your home will be directly competing with every other home on the market and it is a known fact that "Staged" homes present better than unstaged homes. Having your home presented in the best possible light will create a positive and outstanding first impression that will help you sell your home faster and for the most money. As a homeowner, you have control over this.
As a Professional Home Stager, I can help you with as much or as little of the work you may need to get your home ready for sale including:

consultation
referral to trade services
project management
organizing and packing
shopping for accessories
rental of furnishings
showcasing of rooms in your home
Open House preparation

Then when your home is ready, I can refer you to a Realtor who knows the market, will appropriately appraise your home and market it to get your home sold so you can move on to wherever you are going.

Decorating for the Holidays

2009-11-02T12:08:00.000-05:00

Now that Halloween's witches and gobblins have come and gone, our attention seems to turn to the next celebration time of the year - Christmas. Decorating one's home for the season can be tricky especially if trying to sell. Too many Holiday lights, nickknacks and overloaded Christmas trees only serve to distract prospective buyers from really seeing your home and what it has to offer. Overly cluttered with Christmas decor does not sell houses any more that other types of clutter. Here are some suggestions:

Keep outside lights simple and white. Remember that we live in a diverse culture and Snowmen, Santa Clauses and Nativity Scenes, although fun and/or symbolic of the season, may be too distracting.
Inside, less is more. For this one year only that your home is for sale, display only a few choice decorations that do not conflict with the the salient selling features of the home.
If you have a Christmas tree, keep it smaller than usual and simply decorated. Again, minature white lights work best with tasteful decorations.
Remember that this is the Holiday Season and a time the family is usually quite excited. However, never lose sight of the fact that prospective buyers may want to come and view your home today or tomorrow. Engage all family members in keeping up with a "staged" presentation of your home that highlights an appealing lifestyle image. This cannot be a time to slack off or you may still find yourself with your home still on the market in the new year.

If you follow these few suggestions, your home may sell quickly leaving you and your family lots of time to fully enjoy the Holiday Season according to your family's special traditions.

Living in Your Staged Home

2009-10-21T12:22:00.000-04:00

Living in your staged home and keeping it this way is one on the biggest concerns I get from clients who just see “inconvenience”. Yes, the way you live in your home normally and the way you live in your “staged” home when it is on the Real Estate market is different. But as I remind clients, “short term pain for long term gain”. It is important to acknowledge and remind all who live in your home that this is just a temporary situation. You’ve come this far with Refreshing, Reducing and Rearranging – why negate it all now?

Your family needs a plan. What is it that everyone needs on a daily basis? Devise a strategy for quickly storing these things is a handy place. Plastic bins or buckets work well and so do duffle bags or suitcases that can be packed with toys, sports equipment, books, newspapers etc and stored in a closet, cupboard or even under a bed! Engage even the younger members of a family to get into the action when the Realtor® calls. If you make a game out of this last minute hustle, children often think it fun and cooperate well.

Staying organized is the key. Before leaving the house in the morning, everything needs to be in its place. Ensure that all beds are made (yes including all those fluffy pillows) and that clothes are put away in their places. If you have packed away lots of stuff there really shouldn’t be much that needs straightening up all the time. Onto the bathrooms; another area that needs daily attention. Little containers to put personal items into from the counter and tub/shower and stored under the sink will keep the room clutter-free. A daily wipe of the sink, and tub/shower with a micro cloth will keep things sparkling. “Swifter” all non-carpeted surfaces (great job for kids to do. Have several; one for each child to do a room. Small investment for quick work).

The kitchen is another major area that needs to be well maintained. Dishes done and put away or into the dishwasher if you have one before leaving in the morning. Counters, sink and tables cleared and wiped clean. Chairs arranged neatly around the table. Not an insurmountable task if you keep at it.

As for you feline or canine family member, they might want to take a vacation with a friend or relative for a short while as having “strangers” come through their territory may be quite upsetting for them. If this is not a possibility then try to make sure they are restrained or confined to an area of your home during the day when buyer visits are possible and you are not available to take them with you when having a showing. Litter boxes, food dishes and animal toys again should be stored in a less than obvious location. Make sure that someone in your household is also on “doo-doo” detail as well (for the obvious reasons I think!).

Once a week, focus more intently on cleaning your home. This might be the time to hire cleaning help. Just make sure they know how to keep that “staged” look original as planned.

And before you know it, you will have an offer to buy your home and then it will be sold! All that effort that went into keeping your home looking fresh and “staged” will have been well worth it and, hey, it wasn’t so bad after all was it?

Juke Box Mania

2009-10-21T07:53:00.000-04:00

This is a charity event that is near and dear to my heart. I volunteer every year so if you are going, I'll see you there!!

Juke Box Mania 2009

Friday October 23rd

St. Anthony’s Soccer Club

About the Event

Juke Box Mania is a really great opportunity to become a part of a special community event. This event is fresh, creative and a lot of fun—it’s not black tie, you don't have to run, walk or cycle.

Juke Box Mania is best described as a kind of “Name that Tune” game that challenges players to name musical artists, movies jingles, television shows and various songs from every musical genre in a fun, relaxed and party-like atmosphere.

Players enter this event as a team and pay a registration fee. Players listen to sound clips in a specified musical category and then scramble to fill out an answer sheet to be submitted to the judges, At the end of the game, one “band” goes home with bragging rights, some nifty gifts and the Garcia Award!

JBM has sold out six years straight. This year we strongly anticipate over 550 people to attend. We have already had many requests for tables and the event is months away.

JBM is a great event for workplaces and businesses for staff team building and customer appreciation.

About the Charity

Family Services à la Famille Ottawa is a community agency, grounded in a history of responding to the needs of people in our community. We work with individuals, communities and families in all their forms who are currently in distress or at risk. Whether providing family counseling; 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.

Contact

For further information on sponsorship opportunities, to donate to the silent auction and/or information about the event please contact Stephanie Piovesan at (613)725-3601, ext. 113 or visit www.jukeboxmania.org.

Sometimes too much of a good thing is no good at all!!

2009-10-06T08:09:00.000-04:00

The one thing about Home Staging that some seem to hone in on is the de-personalization of a space. This is good - usually. However, in my experience, some do go too far. The space becomes bland, boring and has no personality.

A professional Home Stager knows how to take a space like this and inject some pizazz that will create an image that says "WOW"!

Here, Trixie gives the thumbs (paws) up for the re-design!

Smart and Timely Home Repairs

2009-09-21T09:23:00.000-04:00

From www.SearsAdvantage.ca
Smart and timely home repairs.

Lifestyle editor Ingrie Williams shares a few ideas for around-the-house upgrades this fall.

A full-fledged reno may not be within your budget, but now’s a good time to consider a few smaller projects. Here are four affordable fixes that will add value to your home and put money in your pocket.

1. Reface kitchen cabinets.

Look for: clean lines and eye-catching finishes, like brushed nickel hardware. If you want to cook up a new kitchen, tearing out the old one and starting from scratch isn’t your only option. You can also keep your existing cabinets and simply replace cabinet doors and drawer fronts, to effectively transform the look of your space.

2. Interior and exterior painting.

Look for: modern neutral colours that will refresh any surface, whether it’s dingy hallway walls or the sun-baked roof of a shed. A stellar paint job is as much about colour as it is about care. A precise application is a must, so consider hiring professionals if you’re not up to doing it yourself. If wallpaper removal is required, their expertise can be a huge help.

3. A tankless water heater.

Look for: an incredibly compact (think carry-on-luggage size) Energy Star -qualified model that will provide hot water only as needed. By shutting down when the taps are turned off, energy use is reduced—along with your hydro bill.

4. Replace entry doors.

Look for: steel doors, in classic, unembellished styles that complement the look of your home, adding to its value. They’ll also keep wind and rain out, protect against heat loss—and some newer models are warp-resistant.

Tip: Need another incentive? If you buy the goods and complete the work before Feb. 1, 2010, you could get a personal tax break. It’s called the Home Renovation Tax Credit. Spend anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 on home improvements, and you could qualify for a 15-percent non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,350.

For a complete list of installed interior and exterior renovation products and services, visit Sears HomeCentral online or call 1-800-4MY-HOME.

The Three "R"s of Home Staging: Refreshing, Reducing and Rearranging

2009-09-14T14:31:00.004-04:00

When selling your house you need to think about more than just tidying up and straightening out a few things if you want to sell your home quickly and get the most money from the sale. Hiring a Professional Home Stager to guide you through the process of “house sale preparation” is your best bet. Why? Because Home Stagers know what it is that will sell your home best, looking through the “buyer’s eye”. A Professional Home Stager, employing the Three “R”s of Home Staging: Refreshing, Reducing and Rearranging, will ensure that your house is “sale ready”.

Refreshing your house takes into consideration the total condition of your house. All the little repairs that you’ve been meaning to do for awhile, like repairing the dripping bathroom faucet or replacing the trim around the windows in the guest bedroom now need to be done. A Professional Home Stager will be able to tell you what repairs, or upgrades should be completed in order for your home to look renewed, refreshed and up-to-date and thus competitive in today’s real estate market. The most common upgrades include painting, replacing or shampooing carpeting and replacing/updating lighting. According to the 2007 HomeGain Survey, the ROI of these relatively easy upgrades yield between 150% to 355%.

Now that your home is refreshed from top to bottom and front to back, you need to look at all the things in your house that you have collected or acquired. Thinking about moving is a great time to seriously consider “reducing” stuff around. Do you need or want all the back issues of National Geographic from the past 15 years or the straggly plants on the living room window ledge? Cleaning out the closets and clearing off the bookshelves are soul-cleansing activities that may have far reaching consequences for your well-being as well as giving your house room to breathe. A Professional Home Stager will also tell you that “clearing the clutter” means that prospective buyers can actually see the “bones” of your house and not be distracted by all the “stuff”. Clear and simple!

The grand finale is part of the magic that comes with Professional Home Staging. This is the positioning or re-arranging of your furnishings and accessories in your house to create a lifestyle image that speaks to the prospective buyer, “Buy me!”. A Professional Home Stager knows how to highlight focal points in your house, be they a fireplace, a dramatic window or decorative mouldings. The positioning of furniture creates a flow throughout your house that leads the prospective buyer around noticing all that your house has to offer and encourages them to imagine themselves living in your house. Well placed accessories including artwork, lend to the ambiance that you want to create.

So if you follow the three “R”s of Home Staging, your house will be guaranteed to look it’s best for that special time when you decide to move on and let your house belong to someone else.

Selling your house in the fall - Curb Appeal

2009-09-08T07:47:00.005-04:00

The days are getting shorter and the nights cooler. Your house is for sale or you are planning to put it on the market now. With the trend in this area, you likely will not have difficulty selling if your house if it is well presented and well priced. Still, there are necessary tasks to complete to keep up appearances as the seasons change when it comes to the outside look.

Take a good look at your garden. At this time of year, annuals start to look "tired" and often past their prime. Think of replacing them with icicle pansies that are somewhat frost resistant. These flowers are bright and fresh looking. Seasonal Mums as well will brighten up a drab looking garden. Perennials may need "dead-heading" and cutting back if you haven't been keeping up with them. Also, now is the time to do some light pruning of shrubs and bushes to tidy up overgrowth. Freshen up any outdoor planters too. These few suggestions will go a long way to inviting prospective buyers to view your house.

But don't forget about the lawn areas either. Keep your lawn well cut and manicured until it stops growing. A lush, weed-free lawn suggests a caring attitude that is very important when selling your house. This is definitely a message that you want to convey to prospective buyers. As the leaves start to fall, keep up with the raking (even if this is a seemingly thankless and endless task). Again, this will suggest a well cared for house.

Pay attention to the house itself as well. After a summer in the sun, is there any peeling paint on the trim, does the front door need repainting? Now may be the time to give your front door a new coat of paint - try a bold colour that is eye-catching to lead the eye up to the entrance! Also, don't forget about windows - after the summer season they need cleaning to sparkle and let in the Autumn light. If you follow all these few suggestions, then your home will have that curb appeal that says "Come on in to see what else this home has to offer". If not, you may miss your chance for a quick sale at your price.

And the Bride wore. . .

2009-09-02T17:12:00.005-04:00

WE worked like "crazy" setting up the venue in the cloudy drizzle, with multi-coloured table cloths and vases of seasonal annuals. Place cards were carefully selected rocks painted with everyone's name. Friends of the bride and groom manned the kitchen area with all the amazing variety of "pot-luck" offerings.

The sun shone at the appointed hour and the wedding was so wonderful with the couple conducting the whole ceremony themselves (an officiate was present for the signing of the registrar). As you can see, the bride wore a stunning dress with a beaded red bustier and a full beaded tulle skirt. It came from a designer in Greece where the bride's family is from. So very elegant, but take alook at the footwear. Yes, sometimes comfort takes precedent!!

Staging the wedding

2009-08-24T08:35:00.003-04:00

WE are about to have our first family wedding and couldn't be more excited. Our son is being married in the park in Waterloo this Saturday. The young couple are quite "laid back" and are having a very non-traditional wedding. It is an outdoor wedding and they have planned everything themselves. It is now though that bride is thinking about bringing all the details together so that the day goes off without a hitch for them and the 130 some guests coming. Yikes!! The tent will be set up and tables and chairs brought in, but what about the lighting, where will the bar be set up and the self-catered food table (it is pot-luck), the flowers. . . all the details. So enter the Stager, aka Step-mom/motherinlaw to be. I will be at the venue early Saturday morning to help bring sense and sensibility to the last minute details. After all, this is what staging is all about; presenting an image. Do you know that Home Stagers can help you with "staging" for your event? It could very well take away much of the anxiety and worry about the venue you will be using so that you can concentrate on the more important details like your presentation, the ceremony or what ever the reason for your get together. Think about it and call me next time! Kathryn Wilson, HomeReady Home Staging, www.homereadyhomestaging.ca . In the meantime, I will be busy this Saturday morning doing what I love to do; making the wedding venue magical for the happy couple.

Home Staging the Backyard

2009-08-19T12:00:00.005-04:00

Home Staging the Backyard
As we enter the lazy, hazy days of summer, prospective buyers are more acutely focused on the backyard and outdoor living. As a seller, you need to pay particular attention to what lies beyond the backdoor. The following tips will help you set priorities to ensure that your backyard is inviting for buyers to come and sit awhile and enjoy the ambience.
· First of all, take a good look at your lawn. It should be well manicured and as weed free as possible. Take care of insect infestations such as ant hills or grub patches. Garden Centres have safe and eco-friendly products available. Re-sod if parts of the lawn are beyond resurrection. Remember to water well!
· Secondly, inspect your deck and/or patio. Power washing and re-staining a deck can do wonders at refreshing and revitalizing the main gathering area. On the patio, look for pavers that are cracked or heaved from winter frost. Replace or level. Weeds or grass growing up between patio stones gives the impression of not caring so get busy and start pulling (you might get the whole family involved here!).
· Thirdly, let’s look at the main landscape elements. Are the trees and shrubs/hedges in good shape? Some pruning might be in order to tame an overgrown jungle. If you are not into DIY activities call someone in who knows what to do. Badly pruned shrubs/hedges look worse than non pruned shrubs/hedges.
· Fourthly, pay attention to your gardens. If gardening is your thing then likely minor weeding and tidying up is all that is needed. Perennials and annuals help to brighten up the backyard. Applying mulch will cut down on the need to water and weed and will provide a neat and orderly look to the garden. This gives the illusion that the garden will take care of itself and is just there to enjoy!
· Fifthly, pools. This may not always be an asset when selling your home in this area. You need to have your pool in perfect working order with clear sparkling water and attractive surroundings that suggest maintenance free.
· Number six on your list might be playground equipment. Are you planning on taking the swing set and climber or trampoline with you? If so, dismantle and store off the property. If not, then it could be an asset if the equipment is in very good condition and you are selling in a very family oriented neighbourhood. Otherwise, again dismantle and sell or give away. Make sure you repair the ground and/or the lawn beneath any equipment that is removed.
· And last, but not least, you need to “dress” the deck and/or patio. Inspect your outdoor furnishings. If you are thinking about replacing your tired looking patio set or barbeque, now is the time. Accessories such as lighting (lanterns, candles, and solar lights), container plantings and garden “art” all add to the mood you want to portray. The idea here is to invite buyers outside to sit and relax and enjoy the view and ambience. Outdoor entertaining, barbecuing, dining and just lounging seem to be one of our favourite summer pastimes given our short season in Eastern Ontario. This is what many buyers are looking for this time of year. Play up this asset of your home’s backyard. You won’t be sorry!
For more Home Staging ideas, contact HomeReady Home Staging, Ottawa area, http://www.homereadyhomestaging.ca/, 613-894-4155

Hot and Hazy

2009-08-17T09:29:00.003-04:00

We never seem to be satisfied with the weather in Eastern Ontario. It's too cool, rainy; now hot and humid. Question is "Do you leave the blinds shut or open when showing your house?" Generally it is recommended to leave blinds open, curtains pulled back to let lots of light in so that prospective buyers can see what they are looking at and have that light and airy feeling in your home. Also, you may have a great view that would be obstructed if blinds are closed. Another missed opportunity to show off! Well, the house might be filled with light and the view of the backyard is great, but it might be stinking hot in the house if no A/C and this may be a turnoff to potential buyers or the A/C will be running non-stop (mega bucks for you).

Well I still opt for openness. We bought our home mid-July one year and the view was great even though it was 86 degrees in the house. Yes, the following spring we invested in an air conditioner and haven't looked back!

Reflections

2009-08-12T17:57:00.000-04:00

I have actively been in the Home Staging business for six months now. This may sound corny but I know soo much more now than I did back in January when I though all I had to do was send out a few notices and referrals would fly to me. Sorry kido it doesn't work like that unless your spouse is a Realtor or your Daddy owns a construction company. What I have learned is that most of the time I work at marketing what I work at. What a surprise! I sell my Home Staging services by meeting people, getting to know them, educating them and then hopefully gaining their trust that I will do a good job for them or their clients. Then maybe I get to do what I love - making people's homes look wonderful so that buyers will say "Yes, this is the one we want to buy".

Back in January, I didn't know what Social marketing was (I'm still on a steep learning curve here), I didn't know that there were so many networking groups, I didn't know that there were so many fantastic people out there slogging away just like me. Wow! It takes a lot changing careers at my age (I won't tell you), leaving a regular salary, benefits and pension - I must be crazy! I have eyed this growing profession of Home Staging for several years before finally deciding last year to make my move. I am a seasoned voyeur of real estate listings and open houses and model homes. I'm sure I've driven several agents around the bend with incessant house viewings only to back out at the 11th hour. Our last agent won't speak to us now. My interest in helping people, fascination with decor and design and real estate all marry nicely together with Home Staging. It's perfect!

Now what about the next six months? Some things have taken an interesting turn. What I thought would happen hasn't - but other opportunities have opened new doors. I'm excited about new prospects and have left any disappointments far behind. Yes, it's a good life and I'm looking forward to providing a wide range of Home Staging services to all who need them. I am confident, have many years of life experience behind me and yes, I am really good at what I do!