Staging Tip #23 - Appliances #homestaging #realestate

Ensure that all appliances listed with the house are cleaned and are in good working order. If they have stopped working properly, replace them. It is better to replace with a brand new inexpensive appliance than to simply exclude it altogether.

Staging Tip #24 - Staging for Holidays

Holidays – in the case of holidays, less really is more. Keep in mind that not every buyer will be celebrating the same holidays, and you want to avoid the distraction of over-decorating. For holidays related to your faith, avoid any direct religious representations (these are considered a personal item similar to photographs).

Staging Tip #25 - Bathroom Tip #homestaging #realestate

      Make sure toilet seats are closed - seems like a small request, but makes such a difference.

Staging Tip #27 - Doors, Trims, and Baseboards #homestaging #realestate

Touch up doors, trims, and baseboards – these are areas that get a lot of use and are often smudged with fingerprints and nicked from bumps. Taking a fresh paint brush to these will give them a polished look.

End Unit Bungalow Townhouse in Tranquil Doon Village $344,900 #kwrealestate

2 Bedrooms, finished basement, great location! MLS# 1293752

http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?&PropertyId=12223937&PidKey=-720887328

Staging Tip #27 - Bookcases and Shelves #homestaging #kwrealestate

Bookcases and shelves – avoid over loading, especially with books – vary heights by laying some books on their side, while standing up others, and mix in some small accessories to add dimension.

Check out BTSH's updated portfolio online!

Lot of new before/after photos from home staging to decorating and original design http://www.beyondthestagehomes.com/design-portfolio/

Staging Tip #29 - Bathrooms

Remove garbage pails, plungers, toilet brushes, bath mats, and extra toilet paper rolls from bathrooms. These do not add anything decorative to your bathroom, they are functional only and are just taking up space and distracting from the overall look of the bathroom.

Another BTSH Original Design

I love designing bathrooms - so much to do in such a small space!! Of course it is always easiest when you start from scratch - in this bathroom, we even installed an electrical outlet and holster under the vanity for the hairdryer.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Staging Tip #30 - Repairs #homestaging #realestate #kw

Take care of repairs before you list your house. I often hear clients say "oh that's just a small thing, the buyer can do that". If it's small, then do it! Buyers want a move-in ready house, and taking care of the small repairs shows that you have cared for your home.

Staging Tip #31 - Hang art #homestaging #realestate #kw

Don’t be afraid to hang artwork – choose neutral, non-personal artwork pieces. These help to really pull the room together and give it a cozy, lived-in feel.

Loft Style 2 bedroom Condo in Waterloo $350K

Corner unit with wrap-around balcony, perfect for entertaining!! http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?&PropertyId=12168394&PidKey=1640003569

Open House Sat 2-4 - 3 Bedroom Waterloo Condo $220K

Well maintained condo in Waterloo - stop by the open house this Saturday July 21! http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?&PropertyId=12212507&PidKey=-1798875289

Staging Tip #32 - Add Mulch to the gardens #kwrealestate #homestaging

Add mulch to the gardens – this is an inexpensive landscaping update. Choose black or natural.

Staging Tip #33 - Trim The Trees #homestaging #kwrealestate

Trim all trees – ensure that all trees are trimmed to give them an appealing shape and remove any dead or out of place branches. Try to ensure that trees are not blocking the view of the house from the street. As well, if trees are planted close to walkways and driveways, be sure to remove stray branches that may get in the way of buyers and their vehicles.

Staging Tip #34 - Avoid Show-stopper Pieces #kwrealestate #homestaging

Even well decorated homes require staging to ensure that pieces are not up-staging the home. Remember that you are selling the house, not the things in the house.

Staging Tip #35 - Paint #kwrealestate #homestaging

Be sure to paint neutral, non-offensive colours – neutral can be light shades of grey, yellow, or green, they don’t have to be beige; if your walls are already neutral, touch-up or repaint if needed. Painting is the least expensive update with the greatest return!

Staging Tip #36 - Where you never think they'll look!!

If it’s sold with the house, potential buyers will look there! This means kitchen and bathroom cupboards and drawers, closets, and appliances. Take a look at the attached information sheet for more details.

Decorating With Colour - Expert Tips #paint #color

These are great tips, and a great reminder that even if you're afraid to commit to a bright color, neutral does not have to mean "beige". Think outside the box and have some fun with #color!

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/colors/decorating-with-color-expert-tips/?ordersrc=rdbhg1104327#page=29

Staging Tip #38 - Avoid oversized furniture #realestate #homestaging #kw

Avoid oversized furniture – even if the furniture “fits”, it tends to look sloppy and makes the room look smaller than it is. By using smaller furniture, buyers can see that larger furniture can fit, whereas large furniture shows the room “maxed out”

Staging Tip #40 - One room at a time #homestaging #realestate #kw

Work on one room at a time – and this is literally what this means. When you find things that belong in a different room, simply set them aside – do not move them to their respective rooms until you have completed the room that you’re in, otherwise, you’ll find that you’ll get distracted with the new rooms.

Staging Tip #41 - It's not what buyers see, but what they percieve #kw #realestate #homestaging

It’s not about what the buyers see, but what they perceive – think of the message that you’re sending to the buyer. A great example of this that I use in consultations is the kitchen – many homeowners will store pots and pans in their oven and think nothing of it – if a potential buyer sees this, they may perceive this as a lack of storage in the kitchen, and the owner clearly must be storing these here because they don’t fit anywhere else.

SELLERS: 5 Musts for Generating Multiple Offers

Great article from Ask Tara @ Trulia!!

http://www.trulia.com/blog/taranelson/2012/06/sellers_5_musts_for_generating_multiple_offers?ecampaign=cnews201206B&eurl=www.trulia.com%2Fblog%2Ftaranelson%2F2012%2F06%2Fsellers_5_musts_for_generating_multiple_offers&goback=%2Egde_1599487_member_129932544

Staged and SOLD - 207 Lourdes, Waterloo

Vacant property staged and sold firm in only 1 week - congratulations to Erin Mclean, looking forward to working with you again!

http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?&PropertyId=12114613&PidKey=-1995182394

Staging Tip #42 #kw #realestate #homestaging

Think of clearing things out as a way of getting ready to move. Removing the clutter in this house will prepare you to be organized for the next house, and give you a head-start on the moving process. Be sure that anything packed up is stored out of sight (and preferably off-site).

Get rain water without the rain barrel!

Great new products from Pure Rain that actually help to recreate the level of oxygen found in rain - available at Lowes

http://purerain.com/