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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

Light it Up: Add a Party Vibe to Your Outdoor Staging

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Outdoor lighting isn’t just for the holidays. You can illuminate your outdoor living areas anytime of year. Stringed bulbs are becoming a “hot” outdoor trend this year. These outdoor clear, vintage lights have big rounded bulbs that can really create a festive flair in a backyard. They’re reminiscent of the lights used at an outdoor street fair.

Homeowners are draping them across the top of their pergola, or along their back deck. Some owners may stretch them above and across their yard to create a canopy of lights.

Watch out that they don’t become an eyesore during the daytime. The glow at night are when these lights shine. Tuck them into the top of a pergola. Or, for a photo op, drape them temporarily across a courtyard. Take a picture of it at dusk for a listing photo that shows off the entertainment space of a backyard.

Or, string the lights to illuminate the backyard during a twilight open house. Check out how these designers used them.

Photo by – Discover patio design inspiration

Photo by The Cousins – Look for deck design inspiration

Photo by kbcdevelopments – Search patio pictures

Photo by PaveStone Brick Paving Inc. – Discover patio design ideas

Source: National Association of Realtors

Does the Color Purple Have a Place in Staging?

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Pantone selected Ultra Violet as its 2018 Color of the Year. The vibrant color is popping up in more fashion, but when it comes to home design, is it just too bold for staging? After all, no one wants to deal with a purple elephant in the room when trying to stage a home for sale.

But designers are showing tasteful ways to weave in shades of purple to brighten otherwise neutral decorated rooms. Purple up against a mostly all-beige or all-white room can be just the colorful statement to welcome in the spring buying season.

Purple painted rooms still may be a harder sell in a home for sale, but purple hues in pillows, throw blankets, accessories, florals, or even accent chairs or a tufted couch may just be the touch of purple that takes a room from blah to memorable.

Below we feature a few examples from the popular remodeling site Houzz that show how purple accents can be used in a chic way to brighten up a space. What do you think? Will purple be a hot accent for your spring-time staging?

Purple Velvet

Purple velvety accent chairs against an otherwise neutral backdrop helps make this room more eye-catching.

Photo by Smith Firestone Associates – Look for living room pictures

Photo by Gemma Zimmerhansl Interior Design Ltd – Look for living room pictures

Purple Pattern

The lime green patterned bedding helps to offset the purple statements in this bedroom design.

Photo by Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design – Look for bedroom design inspiration

Purple Accents

All shades of purple help spice up the décor in this living room, from the flowers to the ottomans, pillows, and blanket.

Photo by Wesley-Wayne Interiors, LLC – Browse living room photos

Purple Accent Walls

If you do purple on the walls, you may want to make it in just a small spot–careful not to overpower the room. Check out this example below, in which the designers use purple wallpaper to accent a fireplace nook in the dining room. The purple hue is then repeated in the lighting fixture and curtains.

Photo by FiSHER iD – Browse dining room ideas

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: 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

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

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

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

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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

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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

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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.

My Favorite Staging Accessory: Greenery

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Styled Staged & Sold will be featuring staging professionals’ favorite staging accessories and props over the next few weeks. (Do you have a favorite? Submit your favorite for consideration to mtracey@realtors.org.)

Photo credit: Michelle Boyle, California Chic Staging

Go-to prop: Fake tree or plant

Stager: Michelle Boyle, owner of California Chic Staging Co., Roseville, Calif.

Why I love it: “So many people use awful and outdated greenery in homes. Spending the money on really great greenery makes all the difference when creating a look and feel for a home. You want a fresh, modern piece to help accessorize the space.”

Photo credit: Michelle Boyle, California Chic Staging

Make it work tips:

Learn the difference between a “good” fake tree and a “not so good” one. Typically, the better ones cost a lot more, but not always. Scout out places like Home Goods or Target. Some types of trees and plants can pull off being fake versus real much better, such as succulents, grasses, and Boyle’s personal favorite — the fiddle leaf fig tree.
A great place for adding greenery in a home is large empty corners of a room, coffee and side tables, and in bathrooms.
Don’t overdo it. Use fake greenery sparingly, such as one or two pieces in the main living room and one in each room thereafter.

Photo credit: Michelle Boyle, California Chic Staging

Photo credit: Michelle Boyle, California Chic Staging

Source: National Association of Realtors

My Favorite Staging Accessory: Rugs

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Photo credit: PJ & Company team in Irvington, NY

Go-to prop: Rugs

Stager: Patti Stern, PJ & Company, Irvington, NY

Why I love it: “One of my favorite accessories is rugs — in all shapes and sizes. Rugs are great for staging because they can dress up any space. We sometimes even layer rugs over existing carpeting to play down flaws and update an all sea of beige carpeting. Rugs can anchor furniture and often better showcase hardwood floors.”

Make it work tips:

1. When staging a room, look for a modern neutral rug that goes with the décor, such as organic rugs like sisal for under a kitchen table or even with a colored border.

‪2. If there is hardwood don’t go too big with the rug. Try a 5×7 under a kitchen or small dining table when there is hardwood to add color.

3. Don’t use too many patterns. Think about the rug when the room will be photographed. You don’t want it to overwhelm the photo. When in doubt, use a neutral beige rug that will make the photo and the room pop.
Source: National Association of Realtors

How to Use a Home Decor Theme In a Room

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By Tori Toth

Not sure how to use a home decor theme in a room? No worries, it’s easy to use a theme to add personality into a space…the hardest part is deciding what theme to show off.

Home owners have so many themes to choose from. Whether you take a cue from a location, design style, season, or even a beloved kid’s character there are five tips you should follow when working a theme into your home decor.

Home Decor Theme Rule #1: Work with color.

One of the easiest ways to bring a theme’s feeling into your home is through color. Take a beach theme for example, the palette echoes the colors of nature: big sky blues, earthy browns, sea kelp greens and turquoise waters. Through the simple use of paint, you can set the stage for other beach touches throughout the home.

Home Decor Theme Rule #2: Use artwork.

Displaying artwork is an excellent way to set a mood in a home based on a theme. The artwork can be literal or even abstract to add personality into the room. You can find originals, as well as more affordable prints and posters to grab a buyer or guests eye. Just check out the two images being used in this lemonade inspired dining room used below. You can use artwork that describes a lemon tree or a painting that uses the colors to inspire the mind.

Lemonade Inspired Dining Room by tori-toth-arena

Home Decor Theme Rule #3: Have a focal point.

A theme should be developed around one specific piece you love or that represents the home’s lifestyle. Think about the pieces in the room and how they will adapt to your theme. Start with one thing then grow the theme from that if you want to add a travel theme start with a map and find weathered, authentic pieces that support the theme. Take your time and check out various outlets including furniture stores, yard sales and antique stores to spot that special piece that will bring your theme to life.

Home Decor Theme Rule #4: Use small pieces for a big impact.

You don’t need a lot of space or a huge budget to pull off a theme. You can change out throw pillows, table accessories, rugs or even knobs to add to your theme’s personality. Sometimes little touches can have a bigger impact than an overall transformation.

Home Decor Theme Rule #5: Add decor that’s natural and authentic to the theme.

Keep your eye out for materials that are natural to your theme and use pieces that are authentic. By using natural elements in a home it will create a warm and welcoming feel into the space. For generations humans love the natural and organic appeal of elements that make them feel calm, at peace, and above all, welcomed home.

What home decor themes have you used in a home?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tori Toth is an Amazon best-selling author who wrote “Feel At Home: Home Staging Secrets for a Quick and Easy Sell.” She is also the founder of The Stage 2 Sell Strategy, the world’s first online home staging video course for home sellers. Toth opened her staging company, Stylish Stagers, Inc. in New York City back in 2009. Her book, how-to videos, newsletters, products and appearances now inspire hundreds of thousands of home owners and real estate experts worldwide. Meet Tori by visiting her website or Facebook Fan page.

Source: National Association of Realtors

My Favorite Staging Accessory: Mirrors

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Photo credit: Karen Hakola, listing agent

Go-to prop: Mirrors

Stager: Natalie Gray, Gray Group Design, San Clemente, Calif.

Why I love them: “Mirrors are my favorite staging accessory because they play many roles. They can make a space feel larger, increase light in a room, act as artwork to create a mood, and they can reflect a great view. Using a mirror also gives a stager the opportunity to show off an architectural feature or other selling point of the property that a buyer might otherwise overlook.”

Photography by VirtualWalkthrough; Adam Alcaraz & Max Black, listing agents

Make it work tips:

1. Use a mirror to lighten up an otherwise dark space. Adding mirrors along with reflective surfaces – like tables and glassware — can bring more light to a room.

2. Choosing a great mirror is like choosing artwork for a property. The size, shape and style should compliment the architecture, and space of the property.

3. Be careful when taking photos. When using mirrors, you need to check the reflection from all angles and make sure the photographer is able to capture the best angle of the room without being in the shot.

Photo Credit: Gray Group Design

Source: National Association of Realtors

Stage Your Home with Bing Crosby

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By Liz Bohm, guest contributor

“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” an American Songbook classic, was written by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, in 1944. First made popular by Bing Crosby in the movie “Here Come the Waves,” this flawlessly upbeat song was nominated for an Academy Award, in the Best Song category, in 1945.

Seventy-two years later, it remains as catchy as ever, and also serves as a toe-tapping reminder of the basics of home staging. Sing along, and enjoy!

You’ve got to accentuate the positive…

Arrange furniture, decorations and lighting so that the room clearly says, “Welcome!” After all, that’s what Home is all about — a place where we always feel welcome.

Eliminate the negative…

Clear clutter and personal items from surfaces. Remove up to half of the normal contents of a room, so it feels more spacious and inviting.

And latch on to the affirmative…

The goal of staging is to make it easy for the buyer to picture themselves as the one who lives, works, plays and dreams in the space.

Don’t mess with Mister in-between …

Remind your clients that staging is a widely recognized best practice, used by motivated sellers.

You’ve got to spread joy up to the maximum…

First impressions are made within the first few seconds — make it a positive one. For the right buyer, that “this is the one” feeling can be pure joy.

Bring gloom down to the minimum …

Ensure the lights are on, even in the daytime, and use higher wattage bulbs in hallways and bathrooms. Keep curtains and blinds open, and use mirrors strategically to leverage the light.

Have faith, or pandemonium’s liable to walk upon the scene …

We know not every pet creates “pandemonium,” and in fact, pet-friendly houses can be a real plus. However, be sure to observe how animals respond to you as an “outsider” and advise accordingly. Pets that are calm and quiet around their owners can exhibit anxious or even aggressive behavior towards strangers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Liz Bohm is Marketing Coordinator and Assistant to Bill Stanley, Broker Associate at RE/MAX Mesa Verde Realty in Montezuma County, in beautiful Southwest Colorado. Prior to recently joining the world of real estate, Liz worked in nonprofit development and communications for 15+ years in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Source: National Association of Realtors

Top 10 Tips for Staging a Home for Photos

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By Justin Riordan, Spade and Archer Design Agency

Ah, yes the beloved Top 10 list. If only life were that simple and any skill you ever wanted to learn could be perfected with just 10 easy to learn, neatly packaged tips. I can see it now… “The top 10 tips for removing your own brain tumor” or “The top 10 tips for raising the dead.” Now don’t get me wrong — I don’t think that having your house photographed is as complicated as brain surgery or necromancy but it is often best left to the professionals. However, if you find yourself without a professional and needing to prepare your house for photographs either for a vacation rental, to sell it, or to just show off your new digs to friends and family, here are Spade and Archer’s top 10 tips on how to best get’r done.