Archive for the 'Staging/Decorating Corner' Category
Here is an activity that will bring out the decorator, weekend warrior and voyeur in just about everyone. If you are looking to do major home improvements or merely paint or if you are one of those people who always wants to haunt open houses for ideas – this is for you! Hudson Harbor in conjunction with Westchester Magazine is hosting American Dream Home 2012.
From now until Nov. 11 there will be tours of American Dream Home that will take place Thursday-Sunday. Tickets are available through this link and are FREE. Designer Susan Anthony has created a treat for the eyes. While you are there, you view the outstanding interior design/ and finishes and shop at the same time! The American Dream Home is also an exclusive “pop up shop” where items can be purchased, many of which are not necessarily available at retail locations.
While you are there, please take advantage of the River Walk and all that the area has to offer. The views are nothing short of spectacular.
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Curb appeal is not a trivial issue. Buyers often decide within seconds whether they have any interest in your home at all, and be it rational or not, that’s the reality.
Let’s face it, between photographing homes and selling them, I spend a great deal of time looking at homes. I spend a great deal of time with buyers who are looking at homes. After a while you get a feel for what rocks and what flops. Sometimes less is more and often it just takes a few extra touches here and there to make a home really “pop” in the eyes of a buyer.
Here are a couple of homes that I photographed recently in Gedney Farms. I didn’t take photos of the entire facade. I took them to show how some plantings or even simple hanging baskets can add a welcoming feel to a home and really change that first impression from ho-hum to “wow”.
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This is a great discussion of the history of staging your home. Written by my Ninja Stager – Marie Graham. It discusses with humor the stages that staging a home for sale has gone through. Right now, I do not believe that staging is an option. To move homes in times with high inventories and buyers nickeling and diming like crazy, staging is necessary – though it does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Enjoy the post, it is cleverly written and has a lot of wit and wisdom in it.
Ruthmarie Hicks.
The Genesis of Staging (OR – in the beginning, there were breakfast trays, and it was good)
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Debbie Gartner is “The Flooring Girl” and she has some excellent tips for home owners who are thinking of selling in the next 1-3 years. Flooring is huge these days as Westchester NY buyers increasingly turn their noses up at wall-to-wall carpeting. Adding hardwood to carpeted areas or refinishing floors that you have covered with carpet can add real dollar value to your home.
Enjoy the reblogged article and check out Debbie’s blog The Flooring Girl
Ruthmarie Hicks
What types of flooring provide the best ROI?
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These days no listing appointment is complete without a discussion about “staging”. Real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran concurs that staging is no longer an option, but a necessity. For selling your home in Westchester, I couldn’t agree more. You are no longer dealing with an option – buyers expect to see a furnished, peaceful space. In this market buyers have nothing BUT choices. Selling your home is going to be a challenge no matter HOW LONG it takes. Your home does need to stand out. but that doesn’t mean that you need to break the bank.
Ninja Stager -Marie Graham shoes what can be done with a little paint and strategic furniture placement – she transformed a condo from ho-hum to wow! The unit had languished on the market for a year – but after staging sold in a month.
Hope you enjoy this post – and that it helps you understand that staging doesn’t have to be a money pit – and the money you do send could be money in the bank.
All the best!
Ruthmarie
The Furniture Sharehouse is having the last in its fall furniture drive series in White Plains NY on Sunday. For those wanting to know how to help flood victims from the hurricane in New York (Irene) – this event should be on top of your list. This is ideal for anyone who is thinking about moving and decluttering. Its ideal for those who feel t that their gently used furnishings are getting out of control…. and taking over the home. In cases like this you might want to load up the SUV and bring them to a place where they will be used by needy and grateful families.
For those who do not know what the Furniture Sharehouse is all about – it is a not-for-profit furniture bank that coordinates with many social service agencies in Westchester – helping needy families to furnish homes that would be nothing but 4 bare walls without help from the commmunity. According to Marie Graham – they have furnished nearly 1500 families so far.
Now- before you load up the car – there are some guidelines so please click here so you know what is appropriate.
The Time: Sun Nov. 13, from 9AM – 1 PM
The Place: The Woman’s Club in White Plains NY – 305 Ridgeway – White Plains, NY 10605
© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.
First, I want to apologize to my readers – I have been taking a short break from the break-neck writing that I have been doing in order to catch up on my business model and organize some long-needed expansion. Right now we are in the middle of the fall selling season and I noted that Marie has done it again with a few more tips on staging your home for sale in the fall. I thought this might be a great way to jump-start the holiday season as well since you don’t have to be selling your home to want to make it look its best. So without further introduction – here is Marie with some more tips:
Enjoy,
Ruthmarie
Beat The Odds: Five MORE Easy Tips For A Better-Showing House This Fall
by Marie Graham
When I worked in retail furniture, I absolutely LOVED working on snowy days, or the day after a snow storm.
When everyone else was out buying bread, picking up videos or whatever, people who came into a furniture store were people who were ready to buy furniture, and who wanted to buy furniture.
Inevitably my close ratio was almost 100%, so I have always been a fan of being ready for buyers out of the normal/expected buying cycle.
We will get to inside stuff in another post, but here’s the follow-up to yesterday’s post …. five more things you can do to show- perhaps beat the odds-even SELL your house this fall.
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Many home sellers think that selling their home in the fall and winter puts them at a disadvantage. In years past, this may have been true, but I have been noticing fairly strong buyer activity this fall. The seasonality of the real estate market has been less marked in recent years. Further, the confusion with the debt ceiling and the issues plaguing Europe derailed many buyers plans over the summer. Many responded to the uncertainty in the general economy by making the decision NOT to make a decision….which in reality is a decision. But some of these buyers are back in the market again – making for a more active fall market than usual.
Just because it isn’t spring, it doesn’t mean that staging should be neglected and curb appeal is still key. So the following post by Marie Graham – my Ninja Stager -offers up some great tips sellers staging their homes for the fall market.
Enjoy!
Ruthmarie
Beat The Odds: Five Easy Tips For A Better-Showing House This Fall
By Marie Graham – Home Stager.
Many people think the housing market shuts down Thanksgiving til December 31st.
The reality of school schedules, and the pressures of these falls holidays are the most common reasons behind the mindset. While activity levels might have a steep drop off, I do not belive people stop thinking about it, or that buyers stop looking, either. In our market, different cultures abound: not everyone has kids, or observes the Hallmark holidays.
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Spring was late this year and with all the rain that we have had – everyone is eager to get some sunshine on their faces and get outside. It was a long and difficult winter and seeing the sun again is such a treat. I don’t know about anyone else, but my outdoor space could use some remedial help. Whether you are selling your home or just looking to ENJOY your home more – these post from Marie Graham – my Ninja Stager friend – will give you inspiration and direction…
By Marie Graham – of The Refreshed Home
FINALLY! Spring has enthusiastically, colorfully, and jubilantly arrived! After an interminable winter, we are OH-SO ready to get back outside, and enjoy our friends, family and property.
But is your space ready for all your big plans?
If some updates are in your future, here is the first of 3 parts on what to consider before you even THINK of setting foot in an outdoor living store.
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Here is another great post by Marie Graham – the Ninja stager and decorator of Westchester. It’s spring and many homeowners are thinking about applying a fresh coat of paint to increase the curb appeal of their home. Whether they are planning a move or not – it is really important to have the job done right. The right prep will ensure that the paint job will last and be enjoyed for years to come.
We are ohsoclose to this season bursting into bloom, been hearing from lots of new people with an interest in getting their home to and outdoor space look it’s best, so created a 3 Part Series: Your Greater Outdoors-your best ideas for spring fix-ups.
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