Divorce Home Staging - Eh, What?

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

The Emotions of Selling

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!

Why You Should Consider Home Staging

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