Home Staging by Teri B. Clark

Home Staging During The Real Estate Slump

2008-08-02T14:53:00.002-05:00

Within the first 90 seconds, people decide if they could live in your home. The problem is that there are so many homes on the market right now, that if yours doesn't catch their eye immediately, then they have other choices - lots of other choices!

In order to sell your house, you have to take your home out of it! You can do this by taking down family pictures and collections and vacation memorabilia. All of this will make your house feel like something a buyer could turn into their home.

Other easy to make changes include removing all area rugs because the eye stops when it comes to a rug. You want the buyer's eyes to take in the full floor plant. You can also remove practically everything from the kitchen counter tops and absolutely everything from above the kitchen cabinets. You don't want your buyers to be looking up. Instead you want them to notice the features of the kitchen. And having clear counter tops lets them see all your kitchen has to offer.

According to StagedHomes.com, staging your home will save you money. A professionally staged home is on the market 33 days or less, according to the site, versus an unstaged home, which is usually on the market for up to 165 days. Not only that, but staged homes sell for more. Selling your home faster and for more - home staging is the perfect solution.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now and For More Money Than You Thought.

Teri B Clark is Interviewed by First 30 Days!

2008-07-04T10:25:00.001-05:00

Hi all! Iwas interviewed by First Thirty Days at first30days.com after the editor read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought. In my interview, I discussed using a home stager so that the first 30 days as a home seller would go more smoothly. The First Thirty Days mission is to inspire others to find the positive in any change . They want to be the first place you think of in times of change, a place full of optimism and a place where you feel informed and inspired.

Luke Kozikowski, the interviewer, had this to say:

When it comes to getting your home ready to sell, you want the advice of Teri B. Clark. The writer has become quite a specialist on the home selling front—her book, 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought has helped many sellers through a tough market, and the book was recently awarded the Eric Hoffer Award, given to excellent titles from independent publishers. Here, Clark tells us the common pitfalls home sellers encounter, and how you can come out on top.

You can view my interview here.

Teri B. Clark's Book on Home Staging Awarded "First Runner Up" in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards 2008.

2008-04-30T09:06:00.003-05:00

Teri B. Clark's Book on Home Staging Awarded "First Runner Up" in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards 2008.

301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought by Teri B Clark is a First Runner Up in the 2008 Eric Hoffer Award.

“We are very excited about using our international award program to honor the memory one of America’s greatest freethinkers,” said Christopher Klim, the managing editor of Best New Writing, which publishes the results of the Eric Hoffer Award for books and
prose. “This year’s Hoffer winners bring us to a new height.”

The Eric Hoffer Award for short prose and books was established at the start of the 21st century as a means of opening a door to writing of significant merit. It honors the memory of the great American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting salient writing.

The Hoffer Award exists as a platform to honor independent books of exceptional merit. Since its inception as the Writers' Notes Award, the Hoffer Award has grown in prominence each year. Multiple books in many categories and various press types are given prizes, "Hoffer" honors, and worldwide media exposure.

Category distinctions were awarded on three levels in descending order: Winner, First Runner-Up, and Notables. The Eric Hoffer Book Award grants a $1,500 annual grand prize and separate distinctions for the best academic, small, and micro press, the best self-published book, and various winners in 14 categories that cover the entire publishing spectrum. Also, the Montaigne Medal is awarded to the most though-provoking books.

Poor Housing Market and Home Staging

2008-02-24T13:35:00.003-05:00

The struggling housing market is forcing people to take more drastic measures to sell their homes. A local credit union held a class aimed at helping homeowners attract buyers. Many homeowners say they need all the help they can get. With the struggling housing industry, many homeowners have to do a lot more than a sign to market their homes. When the market is not good, you have to do things to make your house stand out.

Home Staging is the way to make your house stand out from the crowd. To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Should You Home Stage Without Professional Help?

2008-01-11T11:37:00.000-05:00

The purpose of home staging is to emphasize your home's best attributes and sway potential buyers. This can be done with just a few accessories or with a whole house of new furnishings, paint, and accessories.

But can you do it alone? That depends. You must be able to be objective. Staging your home isn't about your own tastes. It is about making the home appealing to the general population. And it isn't really about function. You may use all those products in your tub, but when it comes to selling your home, none of them should be seen.

Whether you go it alone or use a stager, you have to have the attitude that your home is no longer your home. Instead, you must be able to see it as your investment.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging in a Buyer's Market

2008-01-09T11:04:00.000-05:00

This is definitely a buyer's market which means that if you are selling your home, you simply have to make your home stand out from the crowd. The best way to do this is to home stage.

Homes that have been staged are clean, clutter-free, showcase a home's features, and are ready to show to potential buyers. The goal is to create an appealing atmosphere that will make buyers want your home over any other.

You don't want to spend money on a house you are trying to sell? Don't be short-sighted! The first price reduction is far more than the investment of staging! Not to mention the cost of paying your mortgage longer or even having to pay 2 mortgages while you wait for the sale.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Book Is a Finalist!

2008-01-08T22:52:00.000-05:00

USA BOOK NEWS ANNOUNCES
WINNERS AND FINALISTS OF
THE NATIONAL "BEST BOOKS 2007" AWARDS

301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now and For More Money Than You Thought was a finalist in the Home: Decorating/Interior Design category.

USABookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, announced the winners and finalists of THE NATIONAL BEST BOOKS 2007 AWARDS (BBA) on November 1, 2007. Over 500 winners and finalists were announced in over 140 categories covering print, audio books & courses, e-books and interactive CD-ROMs. Awards were presented for titles published in 2007 and late 2006.

Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of USABookNews.com, said this year's contest yielded an unprecedented number of entries, which were then narrowed down to over 500 winners and finalists.

Keen says of the awards, now in their fourth year, "The 2007 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the United States. As an executive in the publishing PR and marketing industry and president and CEO of JPX Media, I wanted to create an awards competition that recognized books in their publication year rather than months after the original launch window. "

USABookNews.com is an online publication providing coverage for books from mainstream and independent publishers to the world online community. USABN Magazine Online is the monthly electronic magazine e-mailed free to a large cross-section of the book buying public. JPX Media, in Los Angeles, California, is the parent company of USABookNews.com.

A complete list of the winners and finalists of the USABookNews.com National �Best Books� 2007 Awards are available online at http://www.USABookNews.com.

Buy 301 Simple Things now!

Become a Home Stager - New Book Coming Out!

2008-01-04T13:58:00.000-05:00

How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Redesign, Redecorating, & Home Staging Business—With Companion CD-ROM

Are you planning to become part of this redesign or real estate staging network? During this time of phenomenal growth, these businesses may be worth your investigation. If you can answer yes to the following questions, then the redesign or home staging business may be just right for you. • Do you love decorating your home? • Are you addicted to home decorating shows and magazines? • Do you know exactly what someone should do to sell their home fast? • Are you constantly moving your furniture around? • Do you find yourself decorating for your friends and family for free? • Do you have a flair for decorating? Keep in mind, however, that Redesign and Real Estate Staging are more than just having the talent and skills to do the job. The business of the business is the part that can be tricky. Readers of this book will fall into one of the following categories: • Those With a Second Career: You already have a successful career and are looking for something new. In fact, the design field may be totally unrelated to anything you have ever done before • Those Wishing To Be Their Own Boss: You want to have more control over your day and how it goes. Being your own boss allows you to be flexible. • Those That Are Business Beginners: You have started your own business, and are finding that the small business tools that are available just do not apply to the design industry. • Those That Want To Grow Their Design Business: You already are fully engaged in your own design business and need sound marketing principles to grow your business further. • Those That Are Curious: You just want to know what the design industry is all about and find out if you can develop your passion into a thriving business. No matter which description fits you, this book will be instrumental in your success of the business side of redesigning and home staging. In these chapters, you will learn whether you are cut out to be an entrepreneur, what to offer as a redesigner, redecorator, and real estate stager, what to charge for your services, how to create both a simple and formal business plan, how to set up your home office, the legalities of owning a business, how to market, how to give a presentation, the day to day workings of your job, and professional design techniques. You will read expert examples and business blunders. You will receive tips, scripts, and templates. After you are finished with this book, you will be ready to start your own redesign, redecorate, and real estate staging business. More importantly, you will be ready to succeed.

Buy the book by clicking here !

Home Staging: Refresh Your Home

2008-01-03T18:39:00.000-05:00

Make sure all your furniture, light fixtures and accessories look contemporary. Most of the time, you can achieve the "fresh" look without spending a lot. For example, changing the counter top and/or cabinet handles in the kitchen can make a huge difference without having to remodel it. Changing light fixtures or faucets can also make quite an impact on the look and feel of a room. Simple things such as a new bed ensemble, a few decorative pillows and two nice table lamps will transform a bedroom.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging: Make Your Space Count

2008-01-02T10:41:00.000-05:00

Selling your home, especially in a down market, can be tricky. The solution is knowing the market so that you spend your money where it will make the biggest impression. The biggest thing to remember is to play up your space.

Keep the following tips in mind as you do so:

- Make sure each room has a specific focus.

-Play up any focal points like a fireplace or a bay window

- Create curb appeal and an appealing front entry.

-Your home should be clean, de-cluttered, and have a good traffic-flow

To learn more, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging: Spend a Little to Make a Lot

2007-12-29T09:57:00.000-05:00

Staged homes traditionally sell faster, and often for more money, in today's real estate market. However, property owners often do not want to spend money on a house they are trying to sell. That's short sighted since the first home reduction will cost you far more than the investment of staging!

To learn more about home staging, read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Why Is It Called Home "Staging"

2007-12-28T14:01:00.000-05:00

Home staging is the act of setting up the home in just the right way to set off the good things and downplay the bad things. But why is it called staging? Believe it or not, it really does have to do with a stage - a theater stage.

When you go to a theater, you see a set that helps to create an atmosphere needed for the audience. To create the right atmosphere, the set must appeal to the audience.

The same holds true for your home. Each room is a different set with the intent to appeal to your audience - the home buyer. The play? It is called "Buy This Home Because It Is Better Than All Others Out There." And your audience will become involved in this play if your sets give them what they seek.

In order to stage your home, be sure to clean it, declutter it, lighten it up with paint and window coverings, and focus on the improvements that will make the most bang for the buck.

To learn more about home staging, read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Stage Your Home

2007-12-28T00:12:00.000-05:00

Hotels can give you an idea of what you want to do in your home when it is time to sell. Think about it. They are clutter free and depersonalized - two of the biggest tips in home staging!

Why home stage? Your home will sell fifty percent faster!

Consider the following when home staging:

1. Create curb appeal
2. Depersonalize
3. Declutter
4. Find generic art
5. Make the bathroom feel like a spa
6. Clean it up

For more great ideas, buy my book: 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought!

Home Staging: Make Those Photos Count

2007-06-23T18:40:00.000-05:00

More than 80 percent of U.S. buyers went online while house hunting, and they rated pictures as the most helpful tool in their search, according to a National Association of Realtors survey of buyers and sellers. The survey also found that 24 percent of homebuyers got their first look at their home online last year, up from only 2 percent in 1997.

Good photos, made better with home staging, are becoming more and more crucial. Surveys have shown that listings with inside and outside photos or video go to the top of the list. Minimal photos next. Poor photos next. Exterior only photo next. No photos last.

What does this mean for you? Learn to stage your home BEFORE taking those pictures! Learn more about home staging by buying 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Exterior Home Staging Tip of the Day

2007-05-28T13:03:00.000-05:00

Plant flowers near the front entrance. Experts say yellow promotes buying. Think marigolds!

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Julie Dana of The Home Stylist

2007-05-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Julie Dana of The Home Stylist has the following tip: Do not have any cleaning products visible. You want the buyer to think that the house cleans itself. You do not want to remind buyers that there will be work to do in this house, so put away laundry baskets and dish drainers as well!

To learn more tips from professional Julie Dana as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Different For Moderate and Luxury Homes

2007-05-26T10:30:00.000-05:00

I have a list of "don'ts" when discussing home upgrades for moderately priced homes:

1. Adding high-end appliances to a modest home.
2. Adding hand painted tiles in the bath or kitchen.
3. Adding a central vacuum.
4. Replacing windows with newer models.
5. Adding a swimming pool.

However, when you are dealing with luxury homes, people expect and are willing to pay for luxury. A swimming pool or a hot tub may be in order!

The moral of the story? Keep the buyer in mind when you get a house ready for sale.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Gail Jackson of Weichert Realtors

2007-05-26T07:01:00.000-05:00

Gail Jackson of Weichert Realtors explains that home staging does not need to be expensive: Paint is very inexpensive and gives you a big bang for your buck. Although a bit labor-intensive, painting is not expensive and gives your home a new, fresh, clean look.

To learn more tips from professional Gail Jackson as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Add Storage

2007-05-19T07:40:00.001-05:00

Add extra storage. It doesn't have to be expensive built-ins. Furniture that doubles as storage can really give you handy places to place items that you need but that are unsightly.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Marcia Smart of Smart Interior Styling

2007-05-19T07:21:00.000-05:00

Marcia Smart’s (Smart Interior Styling) tip is to: Recognize that your major competition comes from newer homes. People will take a newer home over an older home if all else is equal. That is why it is essential to give an older home something that puts it above the rest.

To learn more tips from professional Marcia Smart as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Stage Your Exterior

2007-05-16T08:24:00.000-05:00

Potential buyers see the outside first and will decide in 10 seconds or less if they are even going in. If the exterior doesn't bring them in, all the interior work you have done will go unnoticed.

What to look for?

* Overgrown shrubs and/or lawn
* Weeds
* Lack of color in the yard
* "Sad" looking door mat
* Is the welcome mat look like it has seen to much welcome?
* Exterior that needs to be washed
* Dirty windows
* Cluttered yard (too much yard art)

Learn more by reading 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought .

Home Staging Advice from Charlie Ann Taylor of C.A.T.'S ROOMER

2007-05-16T08:19:00.000-05:00

Charlie Ann Taylor of C.A.T.'S ROOMER has a lot to say about these focal points in your home: The kitchen and baths need to be model perfect because the kitchen and baths sell the home.

To learn more tips from professional Charlie Ann Taylor, as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

New HGTV Home Staging Shows

2007-05-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

Starting May 6, HGTV will air Secrets That Sell and Get It Sold as part of a new Sunday morning real estate block beginning at 11 a.m. ET/PT in which pros come to the rescue of frustrated homeowners who need help selling their homes.

20 Ways to Add Value to Your Home
Sunday, May 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
It's a countdown show with a mission: entertain viewers while giving the hottest advice on how to maximize the biggest investment a homeowner can make. This compelling special highlights common remodeling projects; a few surprising trends and debunks myths about home improvement.

Designed to Sell's Top 35 Selling Secrets (wt)
Sunday, May 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
This one-hour countdown special gives viewers 35 great ideas to help boost their bottom line and help them get the most out of selling their home. The Designed to Sell experts provide their picks for the top secrets and tell viewers how to get top dollar from the sale of a home. Viewers also will benefit from tips that cover topics such as real estate savvy, design know-how and handyman secrets.

Once you've seen these shows, you'll want to know more about home staging! You can be ahead of the curve when you buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Gail Greer of All Rooms Great and Small

2007-05-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Gail Greer of All Rooms Great and Small gives this tip about painting your home: You need to be willing to change paint colors. There are certain universally accepted colors and these should be used when repainting your home. Yellow or shades of gold are warm and inviting. You should also accent with yellow. Your eye absorbs more yellow and therefore sees it first. Green or blue in the bedrooms are great colors because they are restful.

To learn more tips from professional Gail Greer as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Can Increase Your Home's Perceived Value

2007-04-30T04:46:00.000-05:00

While doing a bit of research, I came across something that described the difference between actual value and perceived value.

The actual value of a property is based on the square footage, number of bedrooms, number of baths, size of kitchen, the location, etc. Perceived value is based on what the would-be buyers believe about the home. They want to see that it meets their needs AND makes their lifestyle better than it is now.

The best way to increase the perceived value of your home is to have it staged. The better your home looks, the better a potential buyer feels about it. Home staging adds the perceived value buyers are looking for.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Kate Hart of Kate Hart and Associates Staging and Design LLC

2007-04-30T04:15:00.000-05:00

Kate Hart of Hart & Associates Staging and Design LLC knows that home staging works for all properties regardless of the price point because home staging is about preparing your home for a faster and more profitable sale and marketing your property to the most potential buyers for its target audience. “I have staged homes ranging from $100,000 to $10 million and have had the same result- the homes sell faster and for top dollar compared with the competitors within their price range.”

To learn more tips from professional Kate Hart as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

No Budget Does Not Mean No Staging

2007-04-28T13:32:00.000-05:00

The very best situation is to have a professional stager come into your home paid for by your realtor. The next best solution is to have a professional stager come in paid for by you. If neither of these things can happen, you can still do some budget staging on your own.

Think about rearranging your space, cleaning your space, decluttering your space, and repairing your space. The number one most economical way to increase the appearance of your home is with paint. Fresh paint can make all the difference in the world.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Debra Blackmon of Blackmon Design

2007-04-28T07:48:00.000-05:00

Debra Blackmon of Blackmon Design offers the following suggestion for your windows: Many homes have the louvers of the blinds turned down to face the floor. A more enhancing way to use blinds is to turn the louvers up to reflect much-needed ambient light onto the ceiling.

To learn more tips from professional Debra Blackmon as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Stagers Help With Time Management

2007-04-25T08:18:00.000-05:00

Husband and wife both work. Both kids are in 3 activities. Commuting. Eating out. And selling a home??? Where does it fit in and how can it fit in?

How can these home sellers get their homes ready? Even if they aren't as busy as the family above, getting ready to sell a home can be a daunting task.

One way to help ease the burden is time management. Figure out what activities can go. Perhaps eat in instead of out. Spend the weekends working on home projects. Have a plan with the highest priority items first.

Having a plan is something that an agent and/or a home stager has the knowledge to create. What absolutely needs to be done? What is in the "would be nice" category? What is more of a wish list?

How to get the tasks done? Delegate, ask friends, hire out. Stagers are a great resource.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Kimberly Cash of ASPM Tidewater Home Staging Consultants, Inc.

2007-04-25T06:46:00.000-05:00

Kimberly Cash of ASPM Tidewater Home Staging Consultants, Inc. offers the following advice: People do not see their house as a product that you have to market and sell. However, selling your home is like packaging. People look at the outside before deciding to come in. Then they look at the inside before deciding to buy, and it is mostly based on looks. It is packaging. You need to wrap up your product, your home, like a beautiful package.

To learn more tips from professional Kimberly Cash as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Stagers Offer Many Levels of Service

2007-04-21T07:05:00.000-05:00

Whether you have a small amount to spend on staging your home or are willing to spend up to 1% of your home’s value, you will be able to find a stager that meets your price limit.

The cost of fully staging your home will depend upon the size of your home and the condition of your home. It will also depend upon whether the stager charges a specific fee per room or home or whether they charge by the hour. The more you ask of a stager, the higher the price will be.

No matter what price range you choose, home staging will make your home sell faster and for more money.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Donna Reynolds of Home Rearrangements

2007-04-21T06:44:00.000-05:00

Donna Reynolds of Home Rearrangements explains that there are two times that you can angle furniture: In a square room and if a room already has an angle in it, like a corner fireplace or a bay window.

To learn more tips from professional Donna Reynolds as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

What Can You Expect When You Hire a Home Stager?

2007-04-18T08:56:00.000-05:00

Most home stagers offer many different levels of service.

1. You can have the stager walk through your home and give you a consultation. The consultation ends with a list of recommendations that will help you show your house at its best. Such recommendations may be removing clutter, painting the walls, or hanging some art in specific places on the wall. This is typically the cheapest service and can range anywhere from $75 to $350 depending upon your location.
2. For a bigger fee, the home stager can come in and redecorate your home by changing around your furniture, removing pieces that do not fit, and even bringing in some of their own props.
3. Some home stagers will charge an hourly fee to do the cleaning, decluttering, and packing for you, as well as doing the redecorating.
4. And finally, some stagers will not only redecorate and bring in a few props, they will also bring in complete furniture suites with furniture from their own warehouse or from a rental store.

No matter what price range you choose, home staging will make your home sell faster and for more money.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Holly Weatherwax of Momentum Realty

2007-04-18T06:42:00.000-05:00

Holly Weatherwax of Momentum Realty explains that whenever possible, she recommends leaving the garage free from storage. If people see that the seller does not have enough storage and has to use the garage, they will begin to wonder if the same thing will happen if they buy the house. People like to think that they might actually be able to use a garage!

To learn more tips from professional Holly Weatherwax as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging: Change the Hardware

2007-04-13T22:52:00.000-05:00

Change the hardware. Creating a whole new look can be as easy as changing the knobs and pulls on your cabinets. Nowadays, knobs and handles come in every size, shape, and color imaginable.

To learn more about how to stage, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Katie Joanow of Star Staging

2007-04-13T04:37:00.000-05:00

Katie Joanow of Star Staging explains that: You should remove extra chairs from the tables. Unless you have a massive space, you will not need more than 4 chairs around a table. Also remove extra leaves from the table. This will make the room feel larger.

To learn more tips from professional Katie Joanow as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Hire a Home Stager First and You Won't Be Sorry

2007-04-11T08:48:00.000-05:00

Numbers do not lie. Homes that are staged first and then sold sell 2 to 3 times as fast and at a higher price. If you show the home to someone before staging, you will lose that edge.

Let’s consider a broker walkthrough. They go through each room and notice the dirty carpet in the family room. Then they notice how the walls are dingy as well. Their frame of mind is now fault finding. As they walk into the dining room, it feels cramped and dark. And the kitchen! How small. Their inner voice is saying something like this when the walkthrough is over:

“No, this house is too small and too dark and too dirty. The sellers want far too much. I’m not sure that I have anyone that would be interested in this house.”

Even if you go on to stage the home before allowing potential buyers in, the stage has been set – incorrectly set.

If the same group of brokers had seen the home for the first time after it had been staged, they would have noticed how fresh and clean everything was. They would have noticed the lovely light and how airy it felt. They would have noticed the spacious rooms and the quaint kitchen. And their inner voice would be saying:

“This is a great home for the price. Mr. Brown and his wife would just love this!”

The difference is in the staging.

To learn more about how to stage, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Marlene Feldman of Marlene Feldman Associates Home Staging & Design

2007-04-11T04:35:00.000-05:00

Marlene Feldman of Marlene Feldman Associates Home Staging &Design has the following suggestion for small dining rooms: If the dining room has an oversized china cabinet, consider removing it. Or, if has a top and bottom, remove the top. This will open up the space considerably.

To learn more tips from professional Marlene Feldman as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Why use a Home Stager?

2007-04-10T08:12:00.000-05:00

If you were selling your car, would you get it detailed, clean out the trash or at the very least take it to the car wash? Home staging is doing the very same thing to your home. Your home is the biggest investment you have. If you are willing to detail a car - a much smaller investment - then why not a house? Doing so will ensure the biggest return on your investment possible.

To learn more about Home Staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Sylvia Beez of m.a.p. interiors inc.

2007-04-10T05:33:00.000-05:00

Sylvia Beez of m.a.p. interiors inc. reminds us that: A home for sale should always be presented in its best light and immaculate condition, which is not the reality of everyday life. Potential buyers do not want to see how you live, with your children, cats and dogs, and mess. They want to see themselves in a perfect house under perfect conditions and that is how a home on the market should always be presented.

To learn more tips from professional Sylvia Beez as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Statistics You Should Know

2007-04-09T09:47:00.000-05:00

Statistics at StagedHomes.com show that you can make at least 3 percent more with home staging. In some areas, that number can go as high as 50 percent! These statistics also show that homes that had not sold in an average of four and a half months after listing sold within a week of being staged by a professional. Homes staged before listing were under contract more than twice as fast as comparable homes that had not been professionally staged.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice From Ruthanne Hatfield of Art of Interior Placement

2007-04-09T09:29:00.000-05:00

Ruthanne Hatfield of Art of Interior Placement emphasizes that taking away items is needed, but adding back is essential, too: Each room should be embellished with accessories artwork, mirrors, accent tables, silk trees and florals, as well as dishes, bedding, and towels so all areas look inviting.

To learn more tips from professional Ruthanne Hatfield as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging: Watch Your Colors

2007-04-08T22:24:00.000-05:00

People like or dislike something in less than 90 seconds Somewhere between 62% and 90% of this assessment is based on color.

Oranges and purples tend to put people off. Red, as an accent can make a house "pop." Burgandy on one accent wall can be incredibly beautiful. Yellow needs to be creamy. Color matters!

To find out more about color and home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice from Lisa Wonsey of Space/Lift

2007-04-08T07:27:00.000-05:00

Lisa Wonsey of Space/Lift explains that selling an empty home can be a huge mistake. Buying or renting furniture is especially vital in an empty home. Empty homes do not show well and can sit on the market for months until a buyer with a good visual imagination comes along, or until the seller drops the price so low that the home is a steal.

To learn more tips from professional Lisa Wonsey as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

How To Hire a Home Stager

2007-04-06T11:34:00.000-05:00

Home stagers have the ability to show off your home’s best features. With some paint, some cleaning and decluttering, and some knowledgeable furniture placement, your home will shine above others in the same market.

The goal of home staging is to sell your home faster and for more money. Home stagers can do this because they know what the buyers want and know how to produce those “wants” in your home whether your home is a million dollar mansion or a modest starter home.

How do you know if a stager is a good one? To read the rest of the article, click here.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do Now To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought

Home Staging Cleaning Vs. Spring Cleaning

2007-04-05T11:56:00.000-05:00

According to the 2006 Soap and Detergent Association Spring Cleaning Survey, 60% of Americans participate in a spring cleaning ritual. This might include washing windows (I don't do windows), cleaning carpets, washing down siding, taking down window treatments, and more.

But, what do they forget to do in the rush to get the BIG jobs done? They forget the hidden clutter found in closets, medicine cabinets, kitchen cabinets, and of course, the infamous junk drawer. These areas are often the most neglected in a home - and when selling a home should be high on the to-do list!

To learn more about decluttering your home, read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging: Replace Your Old Flooring The Easy Way

2007-04-04T10:49:00.000-05:00

Floors are often overlooked when it comes time to remodel, but new flooring is a great way to add just the right touch to your bathroom, kitchen, living room, or dining room. And now, with glueless laminate flooring, the job can be done in one weekend!

The most popular laminate designs are made to resemble hard wood flooring, however, you can also find those that look like stone or marble. Whatever your choice, you will be able to put the new floor down over your old floor – no need for scraping off old vinyl flooring, removing hardwood flooring, or covering concrete. Just about any flat hard surface can be the base for laminate!

No matter what your décor or your lifestyle, you can find a laminate floor to fit your needs.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought

Home Staging: Give Your Kitchen a Facelift

2007-04-03T09:05:00.000-05:00

The kitchen is not only the heart of the home but one of the most important rooms when it comes to resale value. If your kitchen is humdrum but you simply don’t have enough money for a total remodel, consider giving it a facelift – a cabinet re-facing, that is!

Just what is cabinet re-facing? It is simply changing the appearance of the cabinet doors while leaving the cabinets and the layout the same.

Cabinet re-facing can be accomplished in a number of ways:

1. You can sand and repaint your cabinet doors using any color or texture you choose

2. You can strip your cabinet doors and re-stain in a variety of finishes.

3. Simply changing the hinges and knobs can make a world of difference.

Just a little bit of time, a quick trip to the home supply store, and some elbow grease, and you will have the look and feel of a brand new kitchen.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Paint the Walls for Home Staging Success

2007-04-02T13:41:00.000-05:00

There is no easier or cheaper way to redecorate than to paint! Not only can painting a room dramatically change its appearance, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to do a good job. All you have to do is follow three simple rules:

1. Clean Those Walls: All artists understand the need for a good surface, and painting a room, though not necessarily an artistic endeavor, is no different. It is best to clean the walls with soap and water and then rinse with clear water. Once the wall is dried completely, you are ready to start!

2. Good Paint is the Best Paint: Although you don’t have to buy the most expensive brand out there, good paint is worth the price. It won’t show brush strokes and you can often get by with a single coat.

3. Start From the Top Down: Start with your ceilings, move to your walls, then to your windows and doors, and last but not least, paint those baseboards. It’s the way the professionals do it!

Once you are done, you will hardly recognize the place!

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

First Part of Home Staging: Decluttering

2007-04-01T00:26:00.000-05:00

One of the very first things a homeowner can and should do to begin the staging process is to get rid of clutter:

1. Piles of stuff with no home

2. Unorganized closets, cabinets, and drawers

3. Too much on shelves, tabletops, and mantels

4. Furniture that makes a room feel cramped or doesn’t allow flow

For items one and two, you can easily do this at home. You may even be able to handle what is “too much” when it comes to home accessories. By the time you get to furniture, having a professional home stager is essential.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now and For More Money Than You Thought.

Book Review by Sveta Melchuk

2007-03-31T15:43:00.000-05:00

Sveta Melchuk, the founder of Decora Solutions, a Montreal area firm
which specializes in Home Staging and Interior Redesign, was given the chance to review 2 chapters of 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now and For More Money Than You Thought. Here is what she had to say:

I scanned through the material you sent me last night and I could not stop until I finished....I thought it was very positive, clear, easy to read, interesting, full of tips and good ideas and very professional....I will be pleased to recommend your book and I will be purchasing a copy for myself.

Be sure to buy and read it for yourself!

Home Staging Stats Tell It All!

2007-03-31T08:35:00.000-05:00

Instead of waiting the typical 4+ months and then taking a reduced price on your home, why not invest in home staging! Doing so will drastically decrease the amount of time your home spends on the market - up to 20 times faster - as well as increase the amount you get for your home - six percent over listing is typical!

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Advice from Mary Larsen of Larsen-Trochlil Designs

2007-03-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

Mary Larsen of Larsen-Trochlil Designs offers the following professional tip: Do not offer money towards painting or installing new carpeting. Remember, if you are not willing to do it, your buyer is not likely to either.

To learn more tips from professional Mary Larsen as well as many other professionals, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Is Cost Effective

2007-03-30T23:03:00.000-05:00

One of the most important things you can do to sell your home quickly and for the highest possible price is to "stage" it. The proof is in the pudding:

- According to the National Association of Realtors, for every dollar sellers put into staging, they get $4 back
- The average increase over the listing price is 6.32%. On a $500,000 house, that is nearly $32,000 and will more than pay for your professional real estate agent! Think of home staging as a way to get your real estate agent for free!

A real estate professional has the knowledge, experience, and qualifications to sell your home. A home stager has the knowledge, experience, and qualifications to prepare your home for the sale. Although professional services are not free, the cost of the services more than exceeds the benefits received!

Selling your home can be a trying time. Why wouldn't you want to decrease the time your home spends on the market while increasing your sales price? Relying on a home stager can make all the difference.

To learn more about staging your home, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging and FSBO

2007-03-29T14:45:00.000-05:00

FSBO homes, based on the average home price, sold for $60,000 less ($87,200 FSBO vs $247,000 agent assisted). There are several reasons for this number:

1. Difficult to figure out the price
2. Lack of Internet use
3. Don't know how to get the home ready for the sale.

Contacting a home stager help you get your home ready. Home staging will also help you increase the selling price of your home.

Additionally, since the Internet is used by over 70% of potential buyers, FSBOs should use the Internet. Having beautiful photos of your staged home will be a huge plus.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging and Photos

2007-03-28T09:11:00.000-05:00

When you stage a home, it looks beautiful for photos. Since pictures are worth 1000 words, you want to be sure that your home is saying the right thing. Now, more than ever, photos are important because they are not only used in print, but also on the Internet.

Actions taken as result of using Internet site:

Drove by/viewed a home - 74%
Walked through a home viewed online- 61%

To find out tips on how to make your home a photo showcase, buy 30 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging: Add Lighting for Beauty

2007-03-27T08:57:00.000-05:00

Nothing transforms a house like light. Choosing the right lighting for you home is a great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Although adding lighting to a room is not difficult to do, you will need a plan that considers the variety of activities that will occur there.

1. “Task lighting” allows you to complete a task, such as reading, without getting blinded, but also without needing to strain your eyes to get the job done! Reading requires task lighting that comes from behind the reader's shoulder or reflects off the ceiling or wall.

2. “Accent lighting” highlights or features certain areas. When you look around your home, what do you see? More importantly, what do you WANT to see? It may be a particular piece of artwork, an unusual plant, or an interesting architectural feature. No matter what you choose to emphasize, accent lighting will help it stand out and add a dramatic touch.

3. “Ambient lighting” is the general lighting that provides overall illumination to the areas in use.

Knowing the way you use the room will guide you to choices that change your home from drab to dynamic.

To learn more home staging tips, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Redecorate With Paint

2007-03-26T11:15:00.000-05:00

Home Staging and Clutter

2007-03-24T07:31:00.000-05:00

The focus of staging is to make a home more marketable by creating the most appealing home to the greatest number of prospective buyers. It should be impersonal enough not to infringe on a buyer's own sense of style.

One of the very first things a homeowner can and should do to begin the staging process is to get rid of clutter:

1. Piles of stuff with no home

2. Unorganized closets, cabinets, and drawers

3. Too much on shelves, tabletops, and mantels

4. Furniture that makes a room feel cramped or doesn’t allow flow

For items one and two, you can easily do this at home. You may even be able to handle what is “too much” when it comes to home accessories. By the time you get to furniture, having a professional home stager is essential.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Area Rugs

2007-03-22T06:19:00.000-05:00

Buyers want to see your carpet or your hardwood floor or your linoleum. Most home stagers suggest removing all area rugs, unless you have a large area of hardwood, where one rug is acceptable. Area rugs make spaces seem more crowded. Without them, your floor plan opens up.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Adding the Unexpected

2007-03-21T11:56:00.000-05:00

Give each room a touch of the unexpected. This can be done with artwork placed in an unusual way, using a piece of furniture in a way that you normally would not use it, or adding a dash of color where the eye least expects to find it. Be creative.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Let There Be Light

2007-03-20T06:07:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, refreshing a room can be as easy as changing a light bulb. Bulbs like GE Reveal filter out yellow rays common in ordinary light bulbs, making colors, fabric, walls, and artwork appear richer, crisper, and more vivid.

To learn more home staging tips, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Staging Tip of the Day:Furniture Placement Counts

2007-03-19T09:53:00.000-05:00

One of the most important factors to consider when placing items into a room is the idea of transition. As your eye moves around the room, you do not want it jumping from place to place or piece to piece. The movement of the eye should flow – not bounce. To accomplish this, you want to avoid abrupt changes in height.

To find out more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Curb Appeal

2007-03-18T07:51:00.000-05:00

One way to see if your home has curb appeal is to walk across the street and have a good look at your house. where did your eyes go? They should be drawn to the front door and entryway. If they are not, then you need to do something about it.

To learn more about curb appeal, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Don't Forget the Backyard

2007-03-17T10:19:00.000-05:00

Once you have gotten the front yard in shape, it is time to work on the backyard. The most important areas of the backyard are the patios, decks, and porches. Getting these areas up to date will give the buyers a feeling that they are getting bonus space.

To learn more about landscaping and hardscaping techniques, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: De-personalize - Don't De-Sparkle

2007-03-16T07:33:00.000-05:00

Have you taken away so much that your home no longer has any sparkle? Although YOUR personality needs to be removed, the personality of the house still needs to come through.

To learn more home staging tips, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Bedroom Furniture Placement

2007-03-15T11:45:00.000-05:00

In a bedroom, unless you have no other choice, you want to see the foot of the bed when you walk in. You do not want a bed to cross the doorway because it blocks the flow and makes the room look smaller. It is better to see the foot so that you can see the pretty pillows.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Select a Focal Point

2007-03-14T10:50:00.000-05:00

Select a focal point for your room and subtly orient other furnishings and some lighting toward it. If there is a fireplace, it will nearly always be the focal point; other focal points might be bookcases or built-in shelving to house lovely collectibles, or a sofa with a striking painting on the wall above it.

For more tips on home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging: Like With Like

2007-03-13T09:47:00.000-05:00

Follow the “like-with-like” rule of the thumb. Tall with tall, small with small, wide with wide, and narrow with narrow will guide you throughout the decorating process. Mimic the shape of each space you are decorating. For example, a sofa should be accessorized with horizontal art so you are complementing wide with wide.

For more home staging tips, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Works With The Unusual to Make A Home Shine

2007-03-12T10:05:00.000-05:00

My favorite decorating tip is to look outside the box. You do not always need to use an item for its intended purpose. For example, do not just use a tablecloth for a table; make it a slipcover for your ottoman. It can save you lots of money and time when you purchase a tablecloth at a local chain verses buying yards of fabric and by purchasing the correct size it can become a no-sew project. Always keep your eyes open for new uses for everyday items.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging the Kitchen: Counters!

2007-03-11T11:41:00.000-05:00

Get everything off the counters. Everything. Remove all appliances from the countertops. Even the toaster. Doing so will make you kitchen look larger and more spacious. It will also keep the buyer’s eye from stopping on a particular item rather than getting a full view of the room. Put the toaster in a cabinet and take it out when you use it. Find a place where you can store everything in cabinets and drawers.

Learn even more about home staging your kitchen when you buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought!

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Removing Clutter from Your Home - Completely!

2007-03-10T09:51:00.000-05:00

Find out what organizations in your area pick up items. Such organizations often include Goodwill, The Salvation Army, veteran’s associations, and other local organizations.

Another good way to get rid of items you no longer need is to use Freecycle. Here, you can list items you no longer need and then choose someone from a list of takers to have them. The best part is the person wanting the items comes to your home on your timetable to get them. You can find a freecycle group in your area by going to www.freecycle.org.

To learn more tips about cleaning and decluttering, as well as hundreds of tips on all aspects of home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: What Do You See?

2007-03-09T17:08:00.000-05:00

Stand a few feet away from the entrance to the bedroom. What do you see? Whatever you see is the first thing that a buyer will see. Is it pretty? Is it bulky? Does it make the room feel small? Move anything from the doorway that is not inviting.

For more tips like these, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Closets are Crucial

2007-03-08T09:45:00.000-05:00

Closets are great for accumulating clutter, though you may not think of it as clutter. Perhaps the clutter is wrapping paper, or Christmas items, or an old sewing machine. Maybe you have some keepsakes, or photo albums. Then of course there are the extra clothes and shoes. None of these things are likely to be in the throw away pile, but they should not be in your closet if you want to reduce the look of clutter.

To learn more decluttering tips and many other home staging books, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Unjumble Your Bathroom

2007-03-07T09:51:00.000-05:00

Take a look at your bathroom. If you are like most people, you will find half-used shampoo bottles, a jumble of hair accessories, a curling iron, foam curlers, several cans of shaving cream, tub toys, lotions, medication, books and magazines, oils, candles, toilet paper, and on and on and on. The amount of stuff we store in our bathrooms is far greater than the storage capacity for these small rooms, especially, if like many bathrooms, you have just a medicine cabinet and a very small vanity. The “stuff” that is not in use needs to be boxed up and moved out.

You'll learn more tips when you buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Clear Out That Kitchen Junk!

2007-03-06T12:33:00.001-05:00

If your kitchen cabinets, pantries, and drawers – even your refrigerator - look jammed packed, it sends a negative message to the buyer. This message is that there is not enough room in your kitchen. If they were looking for plentiful storage space, after opening your crowded cupboards, they will believe that they will not find it in your kitchen. The best way to change this negative first impression is to have as much "empty space" as possible.

For more wonderful tips on home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Benefits the Real Estate Agent

2007-03-04T15:25:00.000-05:00

Staging costs less than a price reduction and keeps your commission from going down!

Your listing will stand out because the home will be "move-in" beautiful.

Homes that have been staged sell for more, thus increasing the property values in the entire area.

Vacant homes sell faster when they are staged - even if only a few rooms!

As the market shifts and homes begin to "sit on the market", you need a solution or competitive advantage to offer discouraged home sellers solutions and get their homes sold.When sales are slow in your area, staged homes sell 50% faster.

Home staging is a win-win proposition. You may be getting a higher commission, but that means your client will be getting a higher price for their home and get more of their equity!

Learn all about staging by buying 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Statistics All Real Estate Agents Should Know

2007-03-04T14:58:00.000-05:00

New England Home Staging has released results for 2006 showing their New Hampshire single family home clients, whom received staging service, averaged 106 days on the market before home staging and 39 days on the market afterward. New construction homes averaged 387 days before staging and 58 days afterward. The company has sent out the results to its clients. Results will be posted on the Web site.

According to a report by the Christian Science Monitor, March 2006, staged homes sell for 7.4 percent more and in half the time.

A HomeGain survey of realtors found that moderately-priced home improvements ranging from $80 - $2,800 made in preparation of the sale yielded the highest returns when a house is sold.

The length of time on the market for a home dropped from an average of 163.7 days to 8.9 days for homes that are staged according to a survey that looked at sales data from 300 homes that were staged between 2004 and 2006.

Homes that were staged from the outset brought the seller an average equity gain of $16,784.18, according to a study of 300 houses from 2004 to 2006. Those that were first listed and then later staged and sold garnered on average equity gain of $14,074.24.

In a cold market, Staged homes sell 50% faster than un-Staged homes.

Home inspectors view Staged homes as well cared for properties.

Appraisers are more likely to appraise Staged homes at full price.

The advertising photos of a staged home show a stellar property making it more likely to draw potential buyers.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now and For More Money Than You Thought

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Have a Plan of Action

2007-03-04T13:39:00.000-05:00

If you do not have a plan for what to do with the stuff you no longer need, it will get put in the basement or the attic or the garage or simply stay in a pile in the room where it began. If this happens, then you really did not get rid of clutter – you just moved it to another location. When you are clearing the clutter for home staging purposes, you will have many different piles. Some things may go to a thrift store such as the Salvation Army, some things may go to the dump, some things may go into storage, and some things may be set aside for a garage or yard sale. Knowing what you are going to do with the extra clutter is essential to really decluttering your home.

To learn more about decluttering, as well as many other aspects of home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Essentials

2007-03-03T09:55:00.000-05:00

"Home staging" was coined by Barb Schwarz back in the early '70s, and the concept has become well known as "house fluffing," "dressing to sell," and "home presentation" to name a few, but the concept has not taken hold among home owners when selling a home because many people do not understand the idea or cannot create a workable plan for staging their home correctly.

The focus of staging is to make a home more marketable by creating the most appealing home to the greatest number of prospective buyers. It should be impersonal enough not to infringe on a buyer's own sense of style.

Decorating is optional. Staging, on the other hand, is essential – that is if you want to sell your house for the most possible money in the shortest amount of time. Staging – it is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary.

301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought will teach you everything you need to know about staging!

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Make Cleaning Fun

2007-03-01T11:26:00.000-05:00

Cleaning is rarely fun for anyone, but it does not have to be a terrible chore. Play some fun, lively music. Before you know it, your adrenaline will start pumping and you will be dancing your way through the house.

For tips and tricks on cleaning everything from your oven to your tub, read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Check Out My Home Staging Article on EzineArticles.com

2007-02-28T18:42:00.000-05:00

Selling your home can be a trying time. Why wouldn't you want to decrease the time your home spends on the market while increasing your sales price? Relying on a home stager can make all the difference.

Read the whole article by clicking here

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Cleaning Your Tub

2007-02-28T09:52:00.000-05:00

To clean those irritating stains in the bathtub, make a paste by using hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar. Use an old toothbrush to rub the mixture into the stain and rinse thoroughly.

For other quick cleaning tips needed to stage your home, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Storage Counts

2007-02-27T06:44:00.000-05:00

Everything in its place is a good motto to remember. Always find appropriate places to store your items. Litter boxes in the kitchen and trashcans in the pantry are just two examples of inappropriate placement.

To learn more storage tips when staging your home, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Make It Legal!

2007-02-25T08:58:00.000-05:00

Be sure to check with your city or county building inspector before beginning a new project. Many departments require permits, even for things as simple as changing a dishwasher.

To find out more about fix-it-up projects needed for home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: No Open House Before Staging

2007-02-24T10:49:00.000-05:00

You should not have one person look at your house until it has been staged completely. It should not go through the broker walkthrough, MLS, open houses, or anything. Stage first!

To find out HOW to stage your home before you sell, read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Easy Way To Clean Your Microwave

2007-02-23T09:21:00.000-05:00

To clean the microwave, fill a paper cup with water and a few tablespoons of baking soda. Nuke it for about 30 seconds, or until you see the contents explode. Then just take a paper towel and wipe it all off. The explosion spreads the cleanser over the entire area, and you can even use the moistened rag or paper towel to wipe outside the microwave and its surrounding area.

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Home Staging Tip of the Day: Clean Your Refrigerator

2007-02-21T23:13:00.000-05:00

Your refrigerator will need to be cleaned, even if you are not leaving it. People will still look inside and a dirty refrigerator will turn them off. If you are taking it with you, you may as well clean it now. If you are leaving it, then it is imperative to have it sparkling.

You can learn more cleaning tips for your home staging journey by reading 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Stage First

2007-02-21T08:46:00.000-05:00

Be sure that your home is staged before you or your realtor takes the photos for the web. Over 70% of all new apartment/home searches are started on the Internet. It is imperative that the property looks good in the photos so that it can attract as many people as possible to see the real thing.

To learn more about how to stage your home before a realtor takes photos, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging: Read 50 Tips at Once!

2007-02-20T07:21:00.000-05:00

If you've been reading the series of Home Staging Tips of the Day and Home Staging Advice from professionals, you'll want to read the entire article on ArticleGeek.com. Once you do, you'll surely be inspired to buy the book 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now and For More Money Than You Thought. It is easy to read, has step by step instructions, well over 400 tips once you add in the tips from the professionals, case studies, and much more. Get your copy today!

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Window Treatments Matter

2007-02-18T17:20:00.000-05:00

New window treatments can make a world of difference. They can add value and style to your home and be something the buyers view as a bonus – something they will not have to buy or replace when they move in. The caution, however, is that you keep the treatments neutral (keep your personality out of the room) and that you make sure they do not block the amount of light that comes into a room.

To learn more about window treatments and many other home staging tips, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Make The Bonus Room a Bonus!

2007-02-17T10:44:00.000-05:00

A spare room should be viewed as a bonus. It is a “plus” feature of your home, but only if the buyers can view it as such.

For example, if your spare room is used mostly as an office, then, during the selling process, you need to make it just that – an office! Get rid of the spare bed and the extra dressers full of last season’s clothes. Get rid of the boxes of storage items in the closet. Keep the essentials of your office such as a desk, filing cabinet, bookshelf, and a nice chair in the corner with a small table and lamp.

To learn more about creating bonus space and many, many more tips, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought by Teri B. Clark.

Home Staging Is More Valuable Than Ever

2007-02-16T18:30:00.000-05:00

According to the National Association of Realtors (Feb 15, 2007):

The sales of existing homes fell in 40 states in the fourth quarter of last year and home prices dropped in 49 percent of the metropolitan areas surveyed, the widest price decline in the history of the Realtors' survey.

Many economists are worried that the housing bust, which followed a five-year boom, could be a prolonged one as sellers struggle to reduce record levels of unsold homes.

So, what can you do to make your home stand out among the record levels of unsold homes? Stage your home, of course!

Statistics at StagedHomes.com show that you can make at least 3 percent more with home staging. In some areas, that number can go as high as 50 percent! These statistics also show that homes that had not sold in an average of four and a half months after listing sold within a week of being staged by a professional. Homes staged before listing were under contract more than twice as fast as comparable homes that had not been professionally staged.

To learn more about home staging, buy and read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Add Pampering Accessories

2007-02-16T09:36:00.000-05:00

Add pampering accessories! Things like bath bubbles, fluffy towels, and candles not only add the pampering feeling you are trying to achieve, they offer visual comfort with color and texture as well. Psychologically, we all crave that long soak with a good book, and even if we are only in the bathroom for 10 minutes to whip on some make up, just seeing those items displayed promises wonderful baths to come!

To learn more about accessorizing and many other tips, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Add a "POP" of Color

2007-02-15T10:21:00.000-05:00

One of the easiest ways to create color is to add beautiful accent pillows to any room. Introducing a complementary accent color in a room can make a room "pop" and come alive. Accent pillows not only add color but texture and warmth as well. By adding throw pillows in a coordinating or contrast fabric to a couch chair, bench, or bed, you can transform your room and add instant warmth inexpensively!

To learn more about adding color, as well as hundreds of other tips, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: Get Rid of Clutter

2007-02-14T11:12:00.000-05:00

Take a look around you. Do you have items in your home that are unused and have no real sentimental value? If so, get rid of them! These types of items can often be found in closets, cupboards, basements, and garages. Sometimes they are on bookshelves or even in your everyday living space. The more you are able to move out the more the next buyer will want to "move in."

To find out more about getting rid of clutter, as well as hundreds of more home staging tips, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do NOW to Sell Your Home For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: As Simple as Changing a Handle

2007-02-13T14:43:00.000-05:00

If you have dark cabinets, a light colored handle or something in shiny gold will enhance them. If you have light cabinets, you can give them the sleek look by using handles of the same color so that they are hardly noticeable or by using brushed silver handles. With light wood, you can also use darker handles, gold, bronze, or even colors.

To learn more about home staging, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging Tip of the Day: 5 Renovations to Avoid

2007-02-12T13:25:00.000-05:00

Home staging often requires repairs and, sometimes, even rennovations. Here 5 rennovation projects to avoid:

· Adding high end appliances to a modest home
· Adding hand painted tiles to the bath or kitchen
· Adding a central vacuum
· Adding air conditioning (unless you are in an area that all homes have it)
· Replacing windows with newer models

To learn more about home staging techniques, buy 301 Simple Things You Can Do to Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Is Home Staging Cost Effective?

2007-02-10T13:29:00.000-05:00

One of the most important things you can do to sell your home quickly and for the highest possible price is to “stage” it. The proof is in the pudding:

According to the National Association of Realtors, for every dollar sellers put into staging, they get $4 back
The average increase over the listing price is 6.32%. On a $500,000 house, that is nearly $32,000 and will more than pay for your professional real estate agent! Think of home staging as a way to get your real estate agent for free!

A real estate professional has the knowledge, experience, and qualifications to sell your home. A home stager has the knowledge, experience, and qualifications to prepare your home for the sale. Although professional services are not free, the cost of the services more than exceeds the benefits received!

Learn more about home staging by purchasing 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW.

Why Does Home Staging Matter?

2007-02-10T13:27:00.000-05:00

When it comes to sales, first impressions are everything. A potential homebuyer will often decide to enter a home based on the outside appearance. And once inside, they make up their mind about a home within about 10 seconds. This means that you have 10 seconds to create an atmosphere that entices the imagination and creates a longing in the buyer.

Home staging is the way to create that desire and longing. Through home staging, you can put your home’s best foot forward.

Learn more about home staging by reading 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW.