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.

Best Wishes for 2010

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

Grandma's Attic needs your treasures

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

Family Services a  la famille Ottawa (FSFO) is a registered charity which has been serving the Ottawa community for over 95 years.  Since 1914 they have helped over 480,000 families, couples and individuals to deal with challenges and issues, assisting them to live healthier lives.

They have embarked on a unique fundraising project called "Grandmas's Attic".  Donations of collectibles and vintage items such as jewelry, electronics, cameras, toys, sports cards and old vinyl records and other memorbilia are just some examples of what would be greatly appreciated.  Tax receipts will be issued for items with an estimated value of over $100 or more at the time of the donation. 

Whether providing family counselling, facilitating a group on postpartum depression or assisting an individual to rebuild their self esteem after a violent relationship, FSFO is dedicated to the health and well-being of our community.  They hope to use your donated "treasures" to help raise money for their many programs and services.  Whether spring-cleaning, de-cluttering or downsizing, this is a perfect opportunity to make a little more room in your home and to contrubte to a healthier and stronger community.  For more information visit http://www.familyservicesottawa.org/  or http://www.grandmasattic.org/ or call 613-725-3601.

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

What do you mean - declutter?

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

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

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

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

Furnishing a Condo

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

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

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!