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Show Us Your Best Staging Photos!

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Calling all stagers! Realtor Magazine is on the lookout for great examples of staging a space in some of today’s most popular home styles, from farmhouse chic to modern or contemporary. I’m looking for some real estate professionals and stagers who would be willing to show off some of their favorite staging styles.

If you have a great example of a home staged in one of the styles listed below, please contact Melissa Dittmann Tracey at mtracey@realtors.org. Share with us a room photo and some of the staging accessories you used to enhance the look. We’ll be sharing some of our favorite submissions in an upcoming guide at Realtor Magazine online.

Design Styles for Staging Photos

Modern
Farmhouse chic
Rustic
Beach house
Industrial
Traditional

Source: National Association of Realtors

2018 Home Trends to Guide Your Staging

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Article Submitted by Fixr.com

Before you’re able to successfully stage a home for sale, you need to understand your target audience, and the kinds of things they’re looking for in a home. Home buyers today are much more savvy than previous generations; they know what they want, and they’re willing to wait to get it.

In a recent survey, industry influencers shared what they felt were the top trends in single-family homes for 2018. These trends took a good look at what home buyers were looking for, and what potential sellers and real estate pros can do to help make properties more attractive to those looking at them.

Before you stage another home this year, be sure to consider these top single-family home trends in 2018 to truly understand your audience.

The Purchasers

Before you can stage anything, you need to know a little more about whom you’re staging the rooms for. And while in years past, Baby Boomers made up the bulk of the home buying market, in 2018, you’ll be seeing a predominantly younger demographic.

Fifty-three percent of industry influencers surveyed believe that members of Generation X, aged ages 38 to 53, will compromise the majority of the market, while an additional 34 percent feel that Millennials, ages 21 to 37, will make up the remainder. With this younger group of buyers purchasing more than ever before, you need to pay more attention to what they want during your home staging rather than relying on trends of years past.

Keep in mind that influencers also feel that things like faux finishes and jewel tones—popular design trends of years past–are all out as far as today’s buyers are concerned.

Floor Plans

While you can’t always change every floor plan of every home, you can remove a few walls from a home’s interiors if it means making it more appealing to buyers. More than 70 percent of real estate influencers believe that an open floor plan will be something that home buyers want to see.

Open floor plans are great for entertaining, they help maximize natural light, and are extremely versatile in terms of how the space can be set up and used. These attributes are helping drive more home buyers, especially younger buyers, toward open concept homes than ever before.

Smart Features

When you’re staging a home for sale, don’t overlook one of the most popular trends right now–the smart home. While you don’t have to automate everything in the home to entice buyers, switching out lights for smart bulbs, and adding in things like a smart thermostat and front door lock can go a long way toward encouraging interest amongst buyers.

Fifty percent of influencers surveyed feel that smart homes are going to be the biggest feature that home buyers are looking for in 2018. Smart homes are accessible, functional, and according to Energy Star , they can also save homeowners money–10 percent to 30 percent on energy bills just by switching to a smart thermostat alone. That can certainly be very attractive to prospective buyers.

Exteriors

Everyone knows how important curb appeal is to a home. And today’s trends for home exteriors can help you make the most of a property’s curb appeal during the staging process. This includes using cool colors on the exterior, and for a fast and easy update to the yard, add some potted or raised planters to create a cozy atmosphere that attracts those who enter the yard.

Voice Control

As long as you’re including a few smart features in the home design, be sure to introduce voice control features as well. Surveyed influencers believe that voice control as part of home automation will be a very attractive addition to many homes for today’s buyers.

Luckily, with so many voice-controlled devices on the market, it’s easy to find one that will fit seamlessly in with the rest of the home’s design, helping to capture the attention of any prospective buyer who stops in.

To learn about the cost of household remodeling projects, visit the Cost Guides.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Hot Home Trend: Go Big With Your Tile

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Supersized tiles are making over more floors, and this may be welcome news to many homeowners. Large format tiles means less grout to clean. The large tile trend may be partially motivated out of function, not just aesthetics.

More homeowners are experimenting with larger tile sizes, whether with porcelain, ceramic, or vinyl flooring.

Tile squares may be about 12 inches or so in most standard kitchen floors. But now sizes up to 24 inches or more are catching on.

Besides the easier-to-clean aspects of this, the larger tile squares often can make a space look bigger. That’s because there are less grout lines breaking up a floor into boxy squares, which leads to the perceptions of elongated spaces. (Another tip from designers in elongating a space with your tile: Be sure to select a grout color that most closely matches the color of your tile. That will also help make your floors look more expansive.)

The larger tile formats are popping up in kitchen flooring and as in bathrooms surrounding the tub or shower. Designers say the larger formats offer a more modern, “clean lines” vibe to a room’s flooring.

Photo by B•D•G Design Group – More kitchen ideas

Photo by Ziger/Snead Architects – Browse kitchen ideas

Photo by AT STUDIO – Browse bathroom ideas

Photo by GM Urban Design & Architecture – Discover bathroom design ideas

Source: National Association of Realtors

Styling Tips to ‘Wow’ Spring-Time Home Buyers

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By Patti Stern, PJ & Co. Staging and Interior Decorating

The new year and the upcoming spring season brings with it a fresh outlook and new beginnings. What will prospective home buyers be thinking about while searching for their new “happy place”? For sellers preparing their homes to sell this spring, that means engaging buyers by showcasing a warm, welcoming and cheerful property that others can easily envision living in. The following are our spring décor styling tips to help sellers prepare their property to stand out among the sea of new listings.

Natural Elements Paired with Metallics

One of our favorite trends is plants of all shapes and sizes–succulents, trees or plants in baskets and colorful planters, and fresh or synthetic garden flowers in vases and wreaths. Since metallic accents continue to be on-trend, we love pairing the two together for an elegant touch to appeal to today’s buyers who like to feel close to nature.

Pops of Bright Accents

Pair bold pops of colorful accessories such as accent pillows, throws, artwork, glass bowls filled with fruit, and fluffy bathroom towels against a neutral backdrop to give any room a boost of energy and warmth. Mix and match different textures and patterns for added depth and a modern style.

Update Paint Colors

Whether you repaint an entire room or an accent wall, a fresh coat of paint works wonders to instantly brighten and open a space to make it appear larger. To spruce up your curb appeal, try a fresh coat of a trending spring color such as Benjamin Moore’s Caliente for your front door to create a welcoming first impression.

Fresh Bedding

To create a spring-like oasis in the bedroom, switch out winter bedding and replace it with fluffy duvets in white, or on-trend floral patterns paired with a soft, cozy throw and accent pillows in different sizes, colors, and textures. To complete the look, add soothing nature-inspired wall art in complementary colors.

For more examples of interior decorating and home staging, visit www.pjstagingdecorating.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patti Stern is principal, interior decorator, and professional stager of PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating. She has been decorating and staging homes since 2005. She and her team provide turnkey, full-service home staging and interior decorating to clients across Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. She also developed an award-winning staging program for the luxury homebuilder, Toll Brothers. Her company received the Houzz 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Awards for Customer Service.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Attention Sellers: Remodeling Projects to Increase Your Sales Price – Part 2

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The results are in! NAR surveyed thousands of consumers, real estate agents, and industry professionals on interior and exterior home remodeling projects. The projects listed below are the best exterior remodeling projects that can get you the biggest bang for your buck when it comes time to list on the market.

Exterior Remodeling Projects

If you are looking to remodel your home with the intent of selling at a higher price, you should consider these projects for their overall cost to the owner and their potential boost in selling price. We’ve ranked these exterior projects based on the most value and cost recovery a homeowner can receive based on NAR’s 2015 Remodeling Impact Report.

The following four projects received the best overall value for sellers:

(1) Installing new roofing received the highest money-back value. A new roof provides durable and long-lasting protection to the home with energy efficient benefits. Remodelers from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) estimate that new roofing costs $7,600. NAR REALTORS® estimate that the increased value for sellers is $8,000 and a homeowner can recovery 105 percent of the costs.

(2) Fitting a new garage door adds to the curb appeal as well as upgrades worn-out features on the exterior of the home. NARI Remodelers estimate that a new garage door will cost $2,300. NAR REALTORS® estimate that sellers can increase the value of their home by $2,000 and recover 87 percent of the remodeling investment.

(3) Putting up new vinyl siding upgrades the home and improves its energy efficiency. NARI Remodelers estimate that new vinyl siding will cost $12,000. NAR REALTORS® estimate that sellers will gain $10,000 and recover 83 percent of the costs.

(4) Adding new vinyl windows will also increase the home’s energy efficiency for potential buyers. NARI Remodelers estimate that new vinyl windows will cost $15,000. NAR REALTORS® estimate that sellers will gain $12,000 and recover 80 percent of the costs.

The most expensive remodeling projects include:

Installing new wood windows at a cost estimate of $26,000 (estimated cost recovery at 58 percent),
Adding fiber-cement siding at $19,100 (estimated cost recovery at 79 percent),
Fixing new vinyl windows at $15,000 (estimated cost recovery at 80 percent), and
Mounting vinyl siding at $12,000 (estimated cost recovery at 83 percent).

The least expensive remodeling projects include:

Installing a new steel door at a cost of $2,000 (estimated cost recovery at 75 percent),
Fitting a new garage door at $2,300 (estimated cost recovery at 87 percent), and
Installing a fiberglass front door at $2,500 (estimated cost recovery at 60 percent).

For a complete list of home remodeling projects, the level of homeowner satisfaction, cost estimates and seller value, read more in the 2015 Remodeling Impact Report.

*Disclaimer: The report provides a cost recovery estimate for representative remodeling projects. The actual cost of each remodeling projects and cost recovery are influenced by many factors including project design, quality of materials, location, age and condition of the home and homeowner preferences.

Source: NAR Economic Outlook

Stage the Bathroom: 7 Simple Ideas

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Since 2000, the standard home for-sale was about 1,800 square feet – which mostly stayed steady for several years. But lately, the standard new home has swelled to 2,200 square feet, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Where is all of that extra space going? Bathrooms.

Builders are adding more bathrooms to homes, reports CNNMoney.

If buyers are putting so much more emphasis on bathrooms, you’d be wise to focus more on it in your staging too. Take a look at some of these photos below from Houzz to get inspiration for some simple, affordable ideas to stage bathrooms.

1. Try a luxurious, fluffy bath rug.

Transitional Bathroom by South East Photographers Luke Cartledge Photography

2. Add some fresh flowers, like a vase of hydrangeas, for some added color pop.

Traditional Powder Room by London Interior Designers & Decorators Lisette Voute Designs

3. Show off some smart organization. You know, buyers will be peeking in the closets.

Traditional Bathroom by Mooresville Building Supplies Lowe’s Home Improvement

4. Set up like a spa: Fluffy folded towels with lotions on a cart.

Traditional Bathroom by Greenville Interior Designers & Decorators Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

5. Swap out for a framed mirror.

Traditional Powder Room by West Hollywood Interior Designers & Decorators Elizabeth Dinkel

6. Try a slightly bolder shower curtain and tie it back to add more drama.

Beach Style Bathroom by Savannah Interior Designers & Decorators Rethink Design Studio

7. Bring in some bling: Silver accessories can add some shine, as long as your home owner is committed to keeping them sparkling.

Transitional Powder Room by Greenville Interior Designers & Decorators Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

Source: National Association of Realtors

Attention Sellers: Remodeling Projects to Increase Your Sales Price – Part 1

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The results are in! NAR surveyed thousands of consumers, real estate agents, and industry professionals on interior and exterior home remodeling projects. The projects listed below are the best interior remodeling projects that can get you the biggest bang for your buck when it comes time to list on the market.

Interior Remodeling Projects

If you are looking to remodel your home with the intent of selling at a higher price, you should consider these projects for their overall cost to the owner and their potential boost in selling price. We’ve ranked these interior projects based on the most value and cost recovery a homeowner can receive based on NAR’s 2015 Remodeling Impact Report.

The following five projects received the best overall value for sellers:

(1) Refinishing a home’s hardwood floors received the highest money-back value. Refinishing the floor can boost the home’s beauty and aesthetics and upgrade worn-out features. Remodelers from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) estimate that refinishing hardwood floors cost $2,500. NAR REALTORS® estimate that the increased value for sellers is also $2,500 and thus a homeowner can recovery 100 percent of the costs.

(2) Completing an insulation upgrade is the second most cost effective project. NARI Remodelers estimate that upgrading a home’s insulation will cost $2,100. NAR REALTORS® estimate that sellers can increase the value of their home by $2,000 for an insulation upgrade, and thus recover 95 percent of their costs.

(3) If your home does not currently have wood floors to refinish, adding new wood flooring can recover 91 percent of costs at the time of sale. NARI Remodelers estimate the cost of new wood flooring to be $5,500. NAR REALTORS® estimate that the increased value for sellers is $5,000.

(4) Replacing the HVAC system can improve energy efficiency and update worn-out features in the home. NARI Remodelers estimate that the cost of replacing an HVAC system is $7,000. NAR REALTORS® estimate that the increased value for sellers is $5,000. The cost recovery is 71 percent.

(5) Finally, converting a basement into a living area improves livability for potential new buyers. NARI Remodelers estimate that a basement overhaul will cost $36,000. NAR REALTORS® estimate that the increased value for sellers is $25,000. The cost recovery for a new living room in the basement area is 69 percent.

The most expensive remodeling projects include:

Completing a new master suite at a cost estimate of $112,500 (estimated cost recovery at 53 percent),
Converting an attic into a living area at $65,000 (estimated cost recovery at 61 percent),
Complete kitchen renovation at $60,000 (estimated cost recovery at 67 percent), and
Adding a new bathroom at $50,000 (estimated cost recovery at 52 percent).

The least expensive remodeling projects include:

Upgrading insulation at a cost estimate of $2,100 (estimated cost recovery at 95 percent),
Refinishing hardwood floors at $2,500 (estimated cost recovery at 100 percent), and
Renovating a closet at $3,500 (estimated cost recovery at 57 percent).

For a complete list of home remodeling projects, the level of homeowner satisfaction, cost estimates and seller value, read more in the 2015 Remodeling Impact Report.

Source: NAR Economic Outlook

7 Ways to Add More Romance to a Home’s Decor

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day this week. But a romantic flair to warm up your home design may very well be in style year-round.

In fact, one-third of homeowners say they intended to renovate their master bedrooms to create a more romantic or intimate space, according to a 2015 survey of more than 1,500 homeowners conducted by Houzz, a remodeling website.

How do you achieve a more romantic style with your décor? Here are a few ideas.

1. Fluffy pillows

The more pillows on the bed, the better. Decorative pillows can add a softness to a room. Read tips from stager Audra Slinkey from the Home Staging Resource: How to Use Pillows in Staging

Photo by Marker Girl Home – Discover bedroom design inspiration

2. A lush Rug
A faux sheepskin rug under the bed may add a touch of luster to the flooring.

Photo by About:Space, LLC – Search bedroom pictures

3. Whites and pastels
Softer colors can add a more romantic vibe. Pristine white mixed with soft pastels may add warmth to a bedroom. Try whites or pastel bedding and accessories up against a slightly darker wall color for just the right contrast.

Photo by Plural Design Inc. – Search bedroom design ideas

4. Fireplace
Illuminate a space with the glows from a fireplace or candles.

Photo by A.L. Interiors – Browse bedroom ideas

5. Flowers
Fresh flowers can spruce up any room in the house–and as an added bonus they often bring a pleasant scent too. Even small bouquets can still make a statement.

Photo by Jeanette Lunde – Look for bedroom design inspiration

6. Chandelier
Add in more glam in the bathroom with a crystal chandelier that can reflect the light and bring a little sparkle.

Photo by STUDIOMINT Architecture & Interiors – Discover bathroom design ideas

7. Intimate outdoor spaces
You can get romantic with your landscaping outside too. Set a scene with a small table and chair set, greenery surrounding, and strung lights to create a cozy spot to unwind or dine.

Photo by Accents Lighting – Discover patio design inspiration

Source: National Association of Realtors

Hot Home Trend: Black Is Back

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Black is getting popular in home design. Black fixtures, appliances, and even black furniture are emerging as one of the hottest trends in the new year.

Black fixtures are replacing brass or rubbed bronze as a trendy home hardware in 2018.

Black makes a great finish because it goes with anything. In matted finishes, it can also be easier to clean than your lighter, polished metals–so that’s definitely an added perk for homeowners too.

Photo by Office of Architecture – Browse bathroom ideas

Photo by – Look for bathroom design inspiration

Black cabinets in the kitchen are getting trendy too. To offset the darkness, some homeowners are mixing the black cabinets with lighter cabinets. Check out this one from Weston Lodge…

Photo by Woodale – Look for kitchen design inspiration

Black stainless appliances are also gradually gaining more momentum in the kitchen. Black stainless was once again being showed in the newest appliance models at CES 2018, the consumer electronics show this year. As more smudge proof, black stainless is proving itself as a trendy alternative to traditional stainless.

Photo credit: Samsung

Source: National Association of Realtors

White Kitchen Fatigue?

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Are homeowners growing tired of the all-white kitchen? Some design experts believe so. White kitchens have been popular over the past few years, but Houzz editor and writer Mitchell Parker predicts that the number of homeowners who will get “white-kitchen fatigue” will grow in the new year.

Some homeowners may experiment with adding more colors back in to the kitchen.

“While white kitchens aren’t going anywhere, expect to see a rise in color, especially other neutrals like gray and blue,” Parker notes in reporting on 2018 home trends. “Plus, warm wood tones are becoming a popular replacement for painted cabinets, leading to sophisticated, rich palettes.”

The two-tone look started catching on in 2017, in which cabinet colors were mixed and matched in the kitchen. For example, the bottom cabinets might be a darker color, such as gray, and the upper cabinets then all in white. Or, homeowners were making a bigger statement with their kitchen islands by painting it a bolder color that contrasted with the rest of its kitchen cabinets.

Photo by Rikki Snyder – More kitchen photos

Photo by Art of Construction Inc – Browse kitchen ideas

Photo by USI Design & Remodeling – Discover kitchen design inspiration

Source: National Association of Realtors

Tips on Christmas Decor Home Staging

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By Merri Cvetan, guest contributor

If you’re staging your home during this time of the year, adding a bit of holiday cheer to your decor can make a big impression on potential buyers. Use these tips to create a simple, polished look that puts your home in its best light this holiday season.

Choose the Right Christmas Tree

When showing your home, include holiday decor that allows potential buyers to picture themselves in the space. For example, choose a tree that allows other aspects of your home to shine. Your living room or entryway will look bigger if you opt for a small artificial tree over a 6-foot live pine. An artificial tree is also less messy than a real one, meaning your home will always be neat and tidy and ready for the next showing.

Light It Up

The Christmas light possibilities are endless, but when you’re staging a home for sale, think simple and low-key and stick to one style. An over-the-top display might not reflect the tastes of your potential buyers, and too many decorations can take away from the room itself.

Take advantage of the many styles of Christmas tree lights available to give your home an understated yet inviting holiday look. Opt for something different, like an artificial white tree decorated with white LED lights. Finally, choose ornaments and trim that coordinate with the lights. Add a few silver and red ornaments for extra sparkle and color. It’s just enough Christmas for your family to enjoy without overpowering the room.

Decorate Your Mantel

The fireplace is an important focal point. Keep it simple and elegant to help potential buyers imagine opening their own Christmas gifts around a roaring fire.

Don’t completely cover the mantel. Pack away any personal family photos or the kids’ school crafts. Drape a garland across the mantel, allowing the branches to hang over the edge. A string of simple white LED lights adds just enough illumination to highlight the fireplace.

Add a few candles and a simple vase to reflect the light. A rustic wreath on the wall above the mantel completes the scene without distracting from the main event. This style is classic enough to appeal to a variety of buyers while still capturing the holiday spirit.

Don’t Forget the Exterior

Increase your curb appeal and make a good impression from the get-go by decorating the outside of your home. Consider your neighborhood, too–if all of your neighbors have lights and outdoor decorations, you don’t want to be the only home without them.

Keep things simple and easy with a festive wreath on the door to greet potential buyers. Wrap a garland or string of lights around your front porch (or hang them around your entryway), then finish the look with lanterns or a potted evergreen. Finally, make sure your walkway is clear of snow or ice.

Welcome Buyers With the Spirit of the Holidays

During an open house, create the feel of a festive holiday party by offering seasonal snacks like gingerbread cookies, candy canes, hot chocolate, and apple cider. Keeping mulled hot apple cider simmering on the stove will also make the whole house smell good. Light a fire in your fireplace to make the home feel cozy and warm, helping visitors envision living there. When it comes to impressing potential buyers, these small touches can make all the difference.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Merri Cvetan is an interior designer who writes about home decor topics for The Home Depot. See more Christmas lights and decorating ideas for the holidays.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Add Some Pumpkin Spice to Your Autumn Staging

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

It’s pumpkin season and that means pumpkin everything — lattes, muffins, cookies, cakes, and, yes, even home décor. Home stagers are adding a little “pumpkin spice” to their decor, from the welcoming fall scent to pumpkin accents that inspire a cozy, autumn feel. Plus, orange can serve as a great staging color. The bold hue pops against a neutral backdrop.

Now, before you go all Trader Joe’s-pumpkin-explosion style, restrain yourself. Do not over-pumpkin your listing!

Try adding a few pumpkins to your listing’s front stoop and maybe a few orange accessories here and there. Consider even some pumpkin lattes and muffins to complete your autumn open house.

Houzz recently featured several ideas of how you can add pumpkin-orange inspiration to your décor, from orange velvet furnishings, towels, throws, and pillows to even an orange accent wall for those who want to commit on a bigger scale.

Here are some of our favorites autumn staging ideas to get you inspired to add some pumpkin flair to your listing.

1. Add some pumpkins to your front stoop.

Photo by The Yellow Cape Cod – Search porch pictures

Photo by Southern Botanical, Inc. – Look for entryway design inspiration

2. Try some pumpkin accents along the dining room table.

Photo by Adrienne DeRosa – Search dining room design ideas

3. Use some pumpkin flair to showcase the fireplace mantel.

Photo by Savvy Seasons – Browse living room photos

4. Add some pumpkins to your flower pots.

Photo by Greenlife Gardens – Discover landscaping design inspiration

5. Tuck mini pumpkins into your candle holders, and complement with orange accessories throughout the front porch.

Photo by Seaside Interiors – Look for exterior home pictures

7. Weave orange throughout a room in small doses to offset darker color schemes.

Photo by Seaside Interiors – More living room photos

8. Use shades of pumpkin for accents.

Photo by The Yellow Cape Cod – Browse home design ideas

This is a Pumpkin Cream accent wall (Pumpkin Cream 2168-20 by Benjamin Moore)

Photo by House + House Architects – Discover family room design inspiration

Source: National Association of Realtors

Why You Should Stage a Cozy Fire Pit Area

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Fire features, like outdoor fire pits and fire tables, are in demand. The National Association of Landscape Professionals calls it one of the hottest landscape trends for the fall, based on a recent survey of 5,000 of its member landscapers.

These hot-spots can be a great way to show off the entertaining potential of your outdoor space. Set up a fire pit with a few outdoor chairs around it. You can even drape a blanket over one chair and add ingredients to s’mores on a table to finish off this perfect cozy fall scene.

Consider, taking a picture of your fire pit with the flames at dusk to even add to your listing photos to highlight as a selling point too. (A professional photographer may be best to get this picture so that the lighting is perfect.)

Check out these chic fire pit areas featured by designers at Houzz.

Photo by Envision Landscape Studio – Browse patio photos

Photo by Alderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction – Browse patio photos

Photo by Elevation Architectural Studios – More patio photos

Photo by Arterra Landscape Architects – Browse patio photos

Photo by Draper white – Discover patio design ideas

Photo by Sycamore Design – Discover patio design ideas

Source: National Association of Realtors

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Effect: Home Staging Tips to Spark Love at First Sight

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By Phil Karp, guest contributor

Photo provided by Phil Karp

It’s no secret that a properly staged home can sell faster than an empty one. But how far do you need to go to inspire the “chocolate chip cookie effect,” where a buyer walks in the front door and immediately feels right at home? Sellers often look to their agent for home staging advice, which can be based on initial impressions and feedback from early showings.

Here are five tips for effectively staging a home before the next potential buyer walks in the door.

1. Create a Welcoming Entry Way

When it comes to selling a home, the importance of curb appeal can’t be stressed enough. Buyers need to fall in love at first sight — which happens around the time they pull up to the front of a property. For sellers who need to spruce up their yard, recommend inexpensive outdoor projects like a garage door replacement or an exterior power wash.

2. Enlist All Five Senses

Rather than focusing solely on how a home looks, give buyers a multisensory experience. Smells like fresh-baked cookies or scented candles can help create a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere. Calming music can also help to set the proper mood for open-house tours.

3. Encourage Decluttering

When a buyer walks into a home, they need to believe in the possibility that this house could belong to them. Seeing personal articles like photographs, kids’ artwork, or pet toys can detract from the appearance of a home that’s ready for move-in. Any loose papers and other stray items should be removed from countertops and tables to avoid distraction.

4. Turn on the Lights

To avoid a dark and dingy look, be sure to maximize the use of available lighting. Open curtains for natural light and turn on overhead lights in every room. If further accent light is needed, consider bringing LED candles or portable lights to showings.

5. Keep It Natural (and Neutral)

Neutral colors are still a favorite of house hunters looking to add their own style to a home’s decor. If you decide to add accessories for staging purposes, go for neutral accents such as throw rugs, shower curtains and towels or linens. If sellers are willing, replace window treatments or repaint rooms with dated color schemes. Natural touches like flowers and plants can also add a breath of fresh air to a home.

Home staging can range from simple decorative touches to repainting rooms or removing furniture. As buyers move through the house, they should have a clean, consistent experience designed to show off the home’s best features and make them want to move in immediately.

About the Author: Phil Karp is a 25-year real estate industry veteran and head of Brokerage Services at Owners.com, where you can list or buy a home while saving money in the process. Phil loves offering staging advice on how to make your house feel like a home to potential buyers.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Home Staging Could Pay for Itself and Increase Seller Equity

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According to 31 percent of REALTORS® who work with buyers, staging a home before listing it for sale on the market could have a price increase of up to five or 10 percent. On a $300,000 home, that could add between $15,000 and $30,000, paying for the cost of home staging and increasing a seller’s equity.

In a new NAR report 2017 Profile of Home Staging, 59 percent of REALTORS® who work with sellers said that staging a home could increase the dollar value buyers offer. Twenty-nine percent said it can increase the dollar value offered by one to five percent and 21 percent said it could increase the dollar value offered by six to 10 percent. If there is no impact on dollar value, home staging can help speed up the time it takes to sell a home, 62 percent said it slightly or greatly decreased a home’s time on market.

How to Stage a Home

Forty-nine percent of agents representing home buyers said that home staging positively impacts their view of the home. Seventy-seven percent of agents said that home staging made it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home. The living room was listed at the top as rooms that are very important to stage (55 percent), followed by the master bedroom (51 percent), and the kitchen (41 percent). Thirty-eight percent of seller’s agents suggest that sellers stage all homes for sale and 37 percent recommend that if a seller does not stage that they should declutter and fix property faults.

Paying for Home Staging

Most often, the seller pays before they list their home on the market, said 25 percent of agents. In some cases, the REALTOR® personally offers to stage a home (21 percent). A REALTOR® can also offer to recommend a reliable and affordable home staging service (14 percent).

Source: NAR Economic Outlook

10 Staging Tips for Holiday Decor

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR(R) Magazine

You don’t have to go all Clark Griswold to show your holiday spirit. Decorations can be subtle, tasteful and inviting when a house is up for sale during the holiday months.

Sure, there are two sides to this: Some staging and real estate professionals assert that you shouldn’t decorate at all during the holidays, careful not to offend those who don’t celebrate the holiday. Others argue you should definitely decorate and that a festive house can welcome buyers. How much or how little you decorate may be open to debate with your home sellers. But if you are looking to add in some tasteful holiday decor this season to a home, here are some ideas:

1. Dress up the doorstep with a wreath and planter. Silver is shiny and can reflect the sun, making it a great choice to get others to stop and take notice of a home.

Photo by Mary Prince Photography – Discover traditional entryway design inspiration

2. Highlight the fireplace mantel with holiday décor to get this amenity to take center stage in the room. But don’t overcrowd it with decorations. Less is sometimes more, in this case.

Photo by AM Dolce Vita – More transitional home design ideas

3. Make a flower box more festive. Try adding berries or ornaments.

Photo by GreenCraft Associates – Discover traditional landscape design ideas

4. Offer up some holiday treats to visitors. Filled candy bowls and cookies will be a welcome surprise and may make buyers want to linger.

Photo by Lord Design – Look for traditional home design pictures

5. Put up a tree but have it blend into the style of the home. The tree in this dining room below compliments the subtle hues used in this French Country styled room. Have the tree coordinate with colors already used in the home’s decor.

Photo by Michelle – Browse traditional dining room ideas

6. Consider day and night appeal. Keep the holiday decorations looking as good in the daylight as they are in the dark.

Photo by Kerrie L. Kelly – Browse traditional exterior photos

7. Stage the table for a holiday feast. Show off the entertaining aspects the home has to offer.

Photo by The Expert Touch Interiors – Look for traditional dining room design inspiration

8. Use garland to highlight a feature. For example, get them to notice that curvy stairway with some festive garland wrapped around it.

Photo by Regina Gust Designs – Look for traditional staircase pictures

9. Add in some poinsettias. The holiday plant aren’t only festive but the red-popping color can add to a room’s tables or doorstep.

Photo by Robeson Design – More transitional dining room ideas

10. Draw from greenery. Use nature-inspired green to enhance a room with subtle décor.

Photo by Vale Garden Houses – Look for traditional sunroom design inspiration

Source: National Association of Realtors

How to Create a Warm, Inviting Winter Listing

Home » Property Staging by The Melton Team

By Patti Stern, PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating

A Welcoming Curb Appeal

Maintain a polished look by keeping gutters clean and shrubs trimmed. Be sure to also remove any hazards by shoveling, sanding, and removing any ice or snow from the driveway, walkways, and sidewalks. To engage buyers on a gloomy day, keep the front porch well lit, use potted evergreens or berry branches, a wreath on the door, lanterns, and a seasonal welcome mat.

Simple and Elegant Holiday Decor

Do not overdo! Buyers want to see the home’s permanent features and a fireplace or window covered with too many ribbons and stockings will distract from key focal points. Instead, incorporate elegant finishing touches such as mercury glass votives and ornaments for some sparkle paired with candles, pine cones, berries and twigs.

Create Warmth With Lighting

Use modest lighting as an accent to create an inviting ambience. Scatter a few lightly scented tea lights in votives, candles in varying heights on beautiful pillars or lanterns and soft white string lights on the front porch, entry stairway or fireplace.

Splashes of Minimal Color

Too much traditional green and red can compete with existing decor and command a room’s attention. A couple of red plaid throw pillows or a red wool blanket draped on the sofa will add just enough festive pop. We also love using silver and gold paired with fresh, white seasonal flowers to complement freshly painted neutral walls that appeal to nearly all buyers.

Keep It Bright

With shorter days, let in as much natural light as possible by opening blinds and curtains. Make sure that all lights are working, light bulbs have been changed, and be sure that the property is well lit both inside and out for late afternoon showings.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patti Stern, principal, interior decorator and professional stager of PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating, has been decorating and staging homes since 2005. She and her team provide turnkey, full service home staging and interior decorating to clients across Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. She also developed an award winning staging program for luxury homebuilder, Toll Brothers. Her company has received Houzz 2015 and 2016 Awards for Customer Service. Stern has been featured in Connecticut Magazine, the Hartford Courant, Danbury News-Times and on NBC Connecticut and FOX TV. She is a regular contributor to REALTOR® Magazine’s Styled, Staged and Sold. For more information, contact Patti Stern at 203-640-3762 or patti@pjstagingdecorating.com
Source: National Association of Realtors

Don’t Spook Buyers! Here Is Some Tasteful Halloween-Inspired Curb Appeal

Home » Property Staging by The Melton Team

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR(R) Magazine

You don’t want to scare buyers away. But who says you can’t have a little fun with your listing for Halloween?

Sure, you should probably skip the full cemetery tombstone display for the sake of curb appeal. And, probably the ghost popping out of the tree or the witch laughing a haunting laugh in the corner is not the best idea when selling a home. But a few non-scary, Halloween-themed accents here and there can help outfit your listing’s exterior for the season. After all, orange is an eye-popping color that you can certainly use to your advantage in the fall to up your curb appeal.

Try some pumpkins and fall-inspired décor around the for-sale sign for some added attention. Or how about a playful spider on a fake web hanging down from your sign for a little fun?

Need some inspiration? Take a look at few examples of stylish Halloween exteriors, all taken from designers featured at Houzz, a website for remodelers and designers.

Photo by Mary Prince Photography – Search traditional entryway design ideas

Photo by Southern Botanical, Inc. – Discover traditional entryway design ideas

Photo by Southern Botanical, Inc. – Search traditional entryway design ideas

Photo by Seaside Interiors – Look for traditional exterior pictures

Photo by Julie Ranee Photography – Search eclectic porch pictures

Photo by Mary Prince Photography – More traditional landscape photos

Source: National Association of Realtors

View the Same Property Staged 3 Different Ways

Home » Property Staging by The Melton Team

By Saghar Setareh, CoContest guest contributor

How can you know the best style for staging a property? After all, you’ll need to satisfy home buyers’ various style tastes as well as make sure you’re showing the property in its best light.

Thanks to the power of the Internet, we wanted to see just how much the point of view in staging of properties can vary. We asked for designers to upload their take on one floorplan at the CoContest website. All designers staged the same room, but recreated it differently based on their own style and taste and interpretation of the client’s request in the contest.

The challenge: This modern apartment in Connecticut needed to be renovated, in a way to enjoy the artwork during the gatherings of family and friends.

Photo courtesy: CoContest

Design 1: Classic Vibe

This room offered up a more classic appeal. The designer Decolite Design used a crystal chandelier for the main lighting, colonial furniture for the main living room, black chesterfield sofas with white armchairs, and a large, white rug. The artwork is also from the classic period. The pallet of colors is black and white, and a piano along the wall also helps to complete the look.

Design 2: Bold Artwork

This designer Marta Valente above used bright and saturated colors in the artwork to compliment the two dark sofas and white and mustard color chairs. In order to add a more modern and industrial look to the space, a wooden table with metal legs was brought in. To complete this look, the wall has gray bricks and there’s a colorful buffet in stripes along one wall.

Design 3: A Modern Touch

Another designer BIVIO Architettura. Paula Godoy & Celia Cardona used very modern furniture from the late 20th Century, puffs, and large paintings to work as a separator. Texture is also used in the modern furniture and couches to match the abstract paintings on the wall. Low, coffee table and cushions are also part of this look. But the most distinctive feature of this project: The vertical bars that divide the living room in two separated parts.

These are only three design ideas from many, that present the property in three, completely different styles, made possible to imagine how the property would look like, with a convenient price.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Saghar Setareh is the Content Manager of CoContest, the first crowdsourcing platform for interior design and architecture online. She is an enthusiast about home decor and all forms of design.
Source: National Association of Realtors

For Sale to SOLD; Home Staging Tips

Home » Property Staging by The Melton Team

How to Make Your Home #1 on A Buyer’s List

Sellers! Pricing a home to sell is important but so is preparing your home for the market! Don’t know where to start? Stick to the list below and you’ll reap the rewards of getting your home SOLD!

Make every attempt to not be at home while your home is being shown. Go for a walk with the dog and kids or take a drive. You want buyers to feel welcome and un-rushed. If you must be there, step outside or into a quiet spot so you don't disturb them. Keep your kids with you; don't allow them to follow the buyers or their agent around during the showing.
Curb appeal and 1st impressions are super important! Make sure the lawn is mowed and clippings are picked up. Flower beds should be weeded and freshly mulched. Adding potted flowers, hanging baskets are a great touch! During the cooler months, a colorful flag or berry wreath can add that pop of color! Make sure front storm doors are smudge-free and hinges are working properly. Door knobs need to work as well. Siding and gutters need to be clean. Remove window screens and store in the garage, especially if they are torn. Doors, trim, soffits, and railings need to be freshly painted & free of rot.
Keep the home tidy and de-cluttered, especially the kitchen, bathrooms, family room. This includes baby bottles and baby equipment. If you need to have something out, find a corner to store it when not in use. Keep the outside of the fridge free of papers and tons of magnets. Store items under cabinets or in pantries when not in use. Feel free to use baskets for storage of toiletries, toys, blankets, magazines, mail, etc. that needs to be accessed easily. Having extra baskets handy is a lifesaver when a speedy clean-up in necessary.
If you have started packing and need a “catch all” room for storage or sorting your donate/toss/keep piles, pick a spot that isn't a high traffic area. (Garage/spare bedroom/living room). The Melton Team affectionately refers to this as “organized” chaos (items in boxes, bins, baskets, bags). Make sure that your designated organized chaos space isn’t the first thing buyers see as soon as they walk through the door. Refer back to first impressions…so important!
Avoid cooking prior to showings, (baking is ok). You don't want your home to smell like your dinner. Empty inside trash cans frequently. Religiously scoop and clean any cat boxes. Launder/ vacuum/ deodorize pet bedding & furniture they sit on. Clean up after pets inside and out! This includes toys, food, waste and pet hair. Avoid overpowering deodorizers as well. Plug in’s with “fresh scents” such as clean linens or subtle citrus are ideal.
Take pets out during showings or make sure they are contained in an area where they are comfortable, (not too hot or too cold) and have plenty of drinking water. Even pet lovers would rather not have your pets jumping on them, darting for the door or making a bunch of noise during their showing.
Keep blinds open, drapes pulled back, lights on!!! Make sure the home isn’t too hot or too cold. Make sure floors, bathrooms and kitchen are clean.
Create various “staged” points around the property, much like you see in a model home. After all, it’s not just the floor plan that makes buyers fall in love with a property. Carry on this idea outside as well. Not only will this help your home to photograph better but will help buyers envision ways their furniture will fit.

Need to purchase a turn-key home in Newport News, Virginia? Look no further than 565 Leonard Lane in Turtle Creek! This nearly new home boasts 3 bedrooms, 2.5baths, and 1,820 square feet! Upon entering, buyers will immediately notice the upgraded hardwood floors throughout the open 1st floor! From the beautiful granite counters, tasteful decor/wall colors, spacious laundry room, and level backyard that’s already been fenced, this home has it all! Escape to the master suite, complete with a HUGE master closet and plenty of room for your oversized bedroom furniture! Buyers will appreciate the versatility of the 11x10 morning room; it’s the ideal spot for an office, playroom ,an extra sitting area or a dining set! Simply put, 565 Leonard is the perfect example of a show-ready home!

If you’d like to view 565 Leonard Lane. or need assistance with selling your property, please contact: Erin Melton of RE/MAX Peninsula at: 757-784-1358 or erin@tidehomes.com. Erin Melton is the team leader of The Melton Team and is a licensed broker in the State of VA. Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated.