4 Tips for Hosting an Epic End-of-Summer Party

With Labour Day approaching, so too comes the inevitable end of summer. If you are looking to throw an end of summer party, you’re your backyard is lacking a bit, the Canadian Tire CANVAS collection has you covered with affordable, durable, and inviting pieces.

Tip #1: Keep it Comfortable, and Keep it Conversational

Create a central gathering space for your guests – somewhere that they can eat, drink, and socialize comfortably. The CANVAS Dashley Patio Dining Table, with it’s sophisticated and sturdy pedestal base, makes a bold statement and provides the perfect place to congregate. Be sure to surround the table with chairs that are not only stylish, but inviting as well. The CANVAS Dashley Cast Patio Dining Chairs are a classic look with curved armrests and removable cushioning that provides an extra level of comfort.

Tip #2: Create an Ambient Atmosphere

With the days getting shorter, be sure to have some great outdoor lighting. When the sun goes down, you can keep the party going, and create an elegant atmosphere.

We love the CANVAS Brooklyn String lights, they have an industrial chic look that is on-trend, and are super durable. You can attach up to 7 strands for coverage throughout the yard. Adding lanterns throughout the yard are great for setting the mood as well. The CANVAS Chantilly Lantern is a favourite due to its weather resistance, and stylish design. It works easily with any décor and brightens the space beautifully.

Tip #3: Create a Warm Welcome

As the summer enters fall, we can expect cooler temperatures, and in Canada, we like to squeeze every last bit out of summer. Keep the party going into the night by ensuring your guests are comfy and warm with a fire table, such as the modern style CANVAS Granville Gas Fire Table. The stainless steel burner on this table protects it from Canadian weather with extra durability, and its 26,000 BTUs are sure to keep your guests toasty. For an extra layer of warmth, keep  some outdoor blankets on hand, such as the CANVAS Striped Outdoor Throw – these are great to cuddle up in and enjoy the evening.

Tip #4: Presentation is Everything

Have you ever attended that party that looked like it was taken right out of the magazine? I’m going to help you to achieve that with some finishing touches for your epic outdoor party. Whether serving your guests food or beverages, do it in style with the CANVAS Grappa Beverage Cart. This cart helps to complete the comfortable vibe you’ve created, with wheels to make it easy to move around the yard as needed. Complete with weather-resistant wicker baskets, keep everything that you need easily stored and at your fingertips. Easily chill your drinks in the CANVAS Oval Outdoor Party Tub, a unique flare to the standard drink cooler, and serve up your tasty treats from in the super durable Serving Bowl and Dip Bowl Set. No hospitality industry experience? No problem! Serve your guests like a pro with the CANVAS 3-piece Galvanized Tray Set, a great way to present your appetizers or desserts with flare. They can even be used for a decorative display such as candles, plants, and whatever else you want to use to elevate your party presentation to the next level.

What better way to say farewell to summer then to top it off in style with a fabulous backyard party with the help of the Canadian Tire CANVAS line. Host an epic end of summer party that will provide memories for your guests long after the snow begins to fly.

Click here to see Shauna Lynn talking about the CANVAS line and how to host an epic end-of-summer party on CTV Kitchener with Nancy Richards.

BTSH Founder Wins RESA Kathy Nielsen Spirit Award in Las Vegas

Honoured, shocked, and incredibly humbled – these are the words that best describe Shauna Lynn Simon’s reaction when she learned she was this year’s recipient of the RESA Kathy Nielsen Spirit Award at the 2018 Real Estate Staging Association’s Annual Convention and Awards Gala in Las Vegas. Kathy Nielsen dedicated much of her life to furthering the home staging industry through her work at the Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA). She was not only a leader within RESA; she was a mentor to so many home stagers. She was always willing to take the time to talk with someone, to give sage advice, and to brainstorm the next new idea for our industry. Kathy Nielsen passed away 3 years ago, and the award was created in her honour, as a tribute to her unwavering spirit, and as a way to recognize those that embody her true spirit and the values she upheld.

Candidates are nominated by the RESA membership, based on their willingness to mentor others, their commitment to professionalism, and their role in leadership within the organization.


Shauna Lynn has held the role of the Canadian Representative of the National Board of Directors for the Real Estate Staging Association® for almost two (2) years, and previously held positions within her local RESA chapter. In her role with the National Board of Directors, she has travelled throughout Ontario to meet with Canadian RESA chapters to learn of the needs of Canadian real estate staging professionals. She was instrumental in forming and heading the RESA Canadian Strategic Planning Committee, and has been tasked with furthering the education of homeowners and real estate professionals with the benefits of home staging and communicating what the industry stands for. She is the Ontario Instructor for RESA’s Professional Development Course, “Staging to Sell – What Every Agent Should Know”, and taught the first course in Canada at the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors®. She was voted as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate Staging for 2018, and continues to elevate the industry’s standards through her Real Estate Staging Professional Certification and Continuing Education training programs.

About The Real Estate Staging Association®

The Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®) is the trade association for professional real estate stagers and redesigners For more information on the real estate staging and the convention visit www.RESAConvention.com. For more information about the awards please visit www.HomeStagingIndustryAwards.com. For more information about real estate staging, or to find a professional stager or redesigner call 800-201-8687 and speak with Shell Brodnax, or visit the RESA® Web site at www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com

Marketing A House That's For Sale

The key to top-sales is a solid marketing plan – this means identifying your target market, understanding their needs, creating an impactful marketing message, and presenting a quality product. You need to make the sale all about the person that you are trying to sell to.

So, what does this mean for selling your home?

Everything…

Home staging is an effective marketing technique that integrates decorating with marketing and creates an experience for home buyers. It’s about more than just furnishing a home – it’s about selling a lifestyle! In order to present a “product” that your potential buyers will want, invest in a home staging consultation, and if needed, hire a home stager for additional services, including furniture, artwork, and accessory rental, to complete the look. By working with a home stager, you can identify and address all buyer perceptions, positive or negative, and ensure the most positive experience possible.

Home staging alone is not what sells a house, though it is certainly a contributing factor! Regardless of how great the home shows to buyers, listing the home for the correct price for the market, the neighbourhood, and the quality of home is key to a successful sale. This will allow you to draw in buyers from the right target market, and get the best value out of your home. A qualified real estate agent is your best resource for pricing your home appropriately – avoid making a common mistake that many homeowners make when choosing an agent. Do not choose the agent solely based on providing you with the highest list price, or the lowest commission – a qualified agent will price your house based on what they feel will net the largest return, without discouraging buyers. As well, you want your agent to work hard for you. This means putting in the time and marketing efforts necessary to ensure a successful and profitable sale, and top agents will charge a fair commission based on industry standards.

Select an agent that will ensure your home receives the greatest amount of exposure to home buyers, and is marketed to showcase the best selling features of the home. Your qualified agent will also help to advise you on the best offers to consider, and ensure that you net the highest amount of money possible for your home while also working to get you the terms that you need. In choosing the right real estate agent for you, consider the following: 

• How well do they understand the current market and trends? 
• Ask around – if you know of someone that has recently sold a home, ask them about their experience and ask for recommendations. 
• What type of negotiation skills do they have? 
• What value-added services do they offer to ensure that you will receive top-dollar for your home? This may include a pre-listing home inspection, professional photography, home staging, and more. 

Review their marketing plan – what will they do to provide you and your home with the maximum exposure that it needs to ensure that you attract all potential buyers?

Once your home is staged and ready for market, and you have selected the real estate agent that will work to get your home sold, it’s time for you to share your home with the world. It’s time to make an impression, and that impression is first made through the photos that you show of your home online. This is where the skills and expertise of a professional photographer come in. With ever-changing technology, no matter how great of a photo your cell phone might take, it cannot compare to the tools, and the talent, that a professional photographer will bring to the table. To prove our point, we have taken some great photos with our iPhone 6S, and compared to those of our photographer, Ross Bennett at 3SixtyVideo.

So when it’s time to sell your home, remember to put all of your best marketing tools to work for you, and you will see the results in a quick sale, and maximum profit.

Selling Your Home with Kids

I get it – you all have to live in your home while it's listed for sale...

The home-selling process can be very disruptive, and often stressful, on kids. You may want to recommend that they play a part in preparing their rooms for sale themselves, to help them with the transition. If you have any knowledge of their next home, you can also help to get them excited about getting their new home ready.

-       Engage your kids in the process – get them involved with deciding what will stay, and what will be packed for the new house.

-       Kid’s toys should be limited to their bedrooms and play area (if available). Remove all additional toys from the living room, kitchen, dining room, and other adult entertaining areas.

  -       If you need to have some toys in an adult area, considering investing in a wicker or canvas basket - fill with toys, and place a blanket over the top to cover. This will cleverly disguise your toy basket as a simple “blanket basket”!

-       Kid’s play areas are a great selling feature, in the right neighbourhood, if there is space available for them. Adding baskets to these areas will help to keep the toys contained, and somewhat organized.

-       Kid’s Rooms – Kids will be kids, but when selling a house, it’s important that to check their rooms each morning to ensure that the beds are made and toys put away.

-       Limit the toys to a maximum of 2 toy bins, and unless these are considered decorative, such as a storage bench, keep these bins stored away in the closet or under the bed.

-       Take advantage of your “free” storage areas – these are areas that prospective buyers will not be looking in and includes under beds, dresser drawers, and inside any other furniture that you own. Remember, if it is sold with the house, they will look inside, so avoid over-filling any built-in cabinets or closet spaces.

-       Tone down any accessories and wall coverings – since it’s a kid’s room, some toys or other fun items should be on display, but be sure that these are kept to a minimum as well, and aim for a few select larger items rather than multiple small items.

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While parents have often joked about shipping their kids off for the time that the house is for sale, some clients have actually make arrangements for the kids to be out of town, or have an extended stay at grandparent’s house for the first week or two. This helps to minimize stress on everyone, and allow them to be more flexible with available showing times – this can result in a faster sale, and return to normal life.

Selling Your Home with Pets

When preparing your home for sale, the ultimate goal is to ensure that the home shows at it’s very best, and appeals to as many potential buyers as possible. This strengthens your chance of receiving quality offers, and selling the home quickly.

Unfortunately, not all buyers are pet lovers, and in fact, a home with pets can often be a cause of concern for many, especially for those with allergies. Evidence of pets such as toys, food dishes, and pet beds will also put potential buyers on the lookout for damage throughout the house that may have been caused by furry family members. By eliminating the presence of the pets in the home, buyers can focus on the home’s features, instead of scrutinizing and looking for flaws.

The BTSH team consists of serious animal lovers, and we are proud of our dedication to the animal community. We are all pet owners, and Shauna Lynn takes “crazy cat lady” to a whole new level. Despite this, our recommendations when selling a home with pets is always the same - consider removing all pets from the home, not only for showings, but for the duration of the sale. At the very least, aim for a temporary home for your furry family members for the first two weeks that the home is listed – this is when you receive the greatest amount of traffic and interest in the house. Approach trusted friends and relatives about opening their home to your fur babies. This will mean less stress on both you, and the pets. Animals can be incredibly sensitive to changes, and to strangers in the house (even when they are removed from the home for showings), and you won’t have the worry of trying to maintain the home with the fur, dirt, and other messes that these pets create for us.

If removing your pets is not an option, there are some steps that you can take to ensure that the evidence of them is minimized. To minimize any potential pet odours, ensure that all pets and pet areas are given a thorough cleaning. Opening the windows for a few minutes every day, regardless of the season, will help to remove any stale odours that may be lingering.

Selling Your Home With Cats
Selling your home can be especially stressful for cats, so it is strongly recommended that cat-owners find a temporary home for them while the house is on the market. Indoor cats, when left in the house for showings, often escape, whether by fright or negligence of the potential buyers.

If the cat(s) absolutely must remain in the house for showings, it is important that their presence is minimized as much as possible.

• Litter box should be cleaned twice daily
• Litter box should be completely emptied and washed at least once a week
• Remove cat and litter box for showings if possible (sometimes this can be as simple as a car ride for the duration of the showing or open house)
• Store food in an unmarked, opaque container – this will help to keep it hidden from buyers, as well as keep the food fresh
• Remove all scratch trees, beds, and all toys
• Ensure that their food area is kept clean and tidy, and remove it for showings
• Vacuum and dust daily

Selling Your Home With Dogs
Dogs are a little easier to “hide” while a house is on the market. Usually, a homeowner (or a friend or family member) can remove the dog(s) for showings, if given sufficient notice. It is still recommended that a temporary home be found for dogs whenever possible, but if they must remain living in the house for the time that it is on the market, their presence should be minimized as much as possible.

• Remove the dog for all showings
• Hide all evidence (leashes, food, toys, beds, etc.)
• Store food in an unmarked, opaque container – this will help to keep it hidden from buyers as well as keep the food fresh
• Thoroughly clean all fabric surfaces (couch, carpet, rugs, bed, etc.)
• Keep dog(s) well-groomed
• Clean the house regularly
• Keep the yard cleaned and patch any bare areas

To check out a few of the furry friends that we have had the pleasure of meeting and working with, check out our video here.

For more information on how to prepare your home for sale, contact Beyond The Stage Homes!

Phone: 1-266-240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com

BTSH Reflects on 2017

As another year comes to a close, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past 12 months, and peer through the looking glass at the year ahead. We want to thank you for continuing to be a part of our journey, and look forward to another year serving the residents of Waterloo Region.

So what made this year so fantastic? Here are just a few things that happened at Beyond The Stage Homes - thank you for being a part of it!

January - Shauna Lynn Simon and Jennifer Roth attended the biggest home staging industry event in North America, RESACON in Las Vegas, where they continued to develop their skills and build relationships. In addition, Beyond The Stage Homes’ sister company, SLS Academy, was honoured as a finalist for Most Innovative Product for their Client Care Package, a staple in all BTSH consultations since inception.

January – Shauna Lynn was officially sworn in as the Canadian Representative on the National Board of Directors for the Real Estate Staging Association. In her 2-year term, her aim is to grow a stronger home staging community across the country, build awareness for the industry, and forge relationships with Canadian home staging leaders. In her first year, she has travelled to visit all Canadian RESA Chapters, and was instrumental in bringing the Staging to Sell – What Every Agent Should Know professional development course to Canada. The inaugural Canadian class was taught right here in Kitchener-Waterloo in September, providing savvy KW agents with the CSA (Certified Staging Advocate) designation. 

April – Spring is a time to refresh, and BTSH took this as a great opportunity to refresh our home staging inventory! We sold off most of our inventory, helping us to clear out space to bring in new, top-quality items for staging our homes, as we continue to be Waterloo Region’s #1 choice for vacant home staging.

May - BTSH continues to be a proud sponsor of the KW MS Walk by raising funds at our hosted home sellers workshops, providing TeamMS prizes at the walk, and volunteering their time before, during, and following the event. This event helps to raise much needed funds for the MS Society’s Grand River chapter.

July - Received 1st place Diamond Award for the Waterloo Chronicle Reader Awards Interior Design/Furnishings Category 2017

October - Received 1st place Diamond Award for the Record Reader Awards Favourite Interior Decorator 2017 (our 3^rd year in a row, thank you so much!!). To say thanks to our loyal supporters, we are offering a chance to win a $500 shopping spree from Wayfair!

Other notables of 2017:

BTSH enjoyed surprising clients with home-grown maple syrup from Harvey Martin Farm, in commemoration of Canada’s 150!

Shauna Lynn was featured on CTV, Rogers Daytime, podcasts, blogs, and more!

We continue to support local businesses and new entrepreneurs through the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre. Shauna Lynn is a volunteer mentor with the centre, and has provided leadership through guest speaking and 1-on-1 coaching.

We met some incredible people throughout the year, and we couldn’t forget about the furry friends that we made as well.

  

What does 2018 have in store?

You know what they – time flies when you’re having fun! Well, we cannot believe that the spring of 2018 will mark our 10 year anniversary – stay tuned for details on how you can help us to celebrate this incredible milestone!

In July, Jennifer Roth and Shauna Lynn Simon will attend the 2018 RESA Convention at M Resort in Las Vegas where SLS Academy will be exhibiting once again. 

Beyond The Stage Homes will continue to make Waterloo Region’s homes beautiful, and service our clients in the only way that we know how – by always exceeding expectations in our designs, and in our service, and by creating a home that they can cherish, regardless of whether they are selling staying.

Wishing you a healthy and prosperous 2018!

All the best, from Shauna Lynn and the entire BTSH team 

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Phone: 1-266-240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com

Inexpensive Kitchen Updates that Sell

1. Light Fixtures 

Review all of your lighting in your kitchen and identify when it was last updated? This includes your eating area, above your island (if applicable), and above the sink. As a general rule, if the light fixtures have not been installed within the past 10 years, they will likely need to be replaced. If the light fixtures are the original ones that the builder installed, they should likely be replaced.

Here is what not to do:

Here are some great alternative options: 

While you’re updating your lighting, why not consider adding under-cabinet lights? These add a great task lighting and are a great selling feature! 

2. Faucet/Sink 

Out with the old, and in with the new! If your faucet is showing age and/or wear, upgrading it can be a great low-cost update. 

Find something with a spray head included, and select a faucet that compliments the overall style of the kitchen (i.e. that antique style faucet may look nice, but if your house is a newer house with clean lines and very little traditional style and feel, it may not be the best choice). Brushed nickel is still the preferred choice for the kitchen, but if your light fixtures and/or door hardware has been upgraded to an oil-rubbed bronze, you may want to consider adding a faucet to match. 

Stainless steel sinks are becoming a thing of the past, and are being traded up in favour of granite sinks and other alternatives. If you are replacing your countertops, it would be a great time to consider replacing your sink as well (note that if you are not replacing your counters, you will need to find a sink that is comparable in size to your current sink, and may require some minor counter adjustments to be made).

3. Cabinet Hardware

Plastic, wooden, brass, or other outdated cabinet hardware should be upgraded in favour of a newer style and finish. Again, brushed nickel is the preferred choice, however oil-rubbed bronze is a great consideration if it compliments other aspects of the home. This could be one of the least expensive updates in your kitchen, with the greatest impact.

4. Refinish/Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Remember that when selling a home, our goal is to provide a move-in ready house. If the kitchen cabinets are in need of a facelift but a full renovation is not in the budget, consider painting or refinishing them instead.

5. Backsplash

A backsplash is the finishing touch that every kitchen needs. It’s like that last accessory that you put on to complete your outfit before heading for an evening out! When you’re dressing your kitchen, the backsplash will complete the look. It always amazes me how many homes do not have a backsplash. If you’re installing a new backsplash, and have not yet installed under cabinet lighting, I recommend installing the lighting first, as it will be much more difficult to properly run the electrical for it after the backsplash is installed.

6. Countertops 

It’s truly amazing what a new countertop can do for a kitchen. Most buyers today would prefer to see a granite or other stone countertop in a home, regardless of the price point of the house. Again, our focus is on move-in ready, so if the kitchen is likely to be fully renovated by the new homeowners within a couple of years, you may opt for a low-cost counter solution such as laminate, in an updated style/colour. If the kitchen has a great layout however, and the cabinets are in good shape, it’s unlikely that the new owners would take on a full renovation, in which case an upgrade to a stone countertop is a worthwhile investment. Take a look at this example:

This is a great example of a kitchen with a good layout, and good quality cabinets, but the counter makes it seem dated and uninviting. The home had been previously listed for approximately six months prior to calling Beyond The Stage Homes. The homeowners were concerned that we would suggest a full renovation, but instead we recommended adding a backsplash, new countertop, and updated cabinet hardware. The transformation was just what the home needed.

7. Appliances 

Most buyers expect to purchase all appliances with the home. While they may not need to be stainless, if they’re dated, or broken in any way, they should be replaced. Check out your local scratch and dent stores for good quality appliances at a discounted price.  

For more information on how to update your home, whether or selling or living, contact Beyond The Stage Homes!

Phone: 1-266-240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com

How to Declutter Before Moving

By: Samantha and Emilio - KW Professional Organizers

We want you to have a stress- and anxiety-free move. Here are the TOP SIX benefits for why you should declutter before moving homes:

* Getting rid of the clutter will allow you to relax and feel great!
* The Home Staging process will be faster and more effective.
* Your home will look inviting and it will attract more buyers.
* Save time, energy and $$ by not moving unnecessary items.
* Less time spent unpacking in your new home; arranging only the items you love.
* Sell and/or Auction Unwanted items to get $$ back.

DECLUTTER IN 14 STEPS TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR SALE AND MAKE YOUR MOVE SEAMLESS.

1. WHAT’S YOUR WHY? What do you want? Why do you want it? How are these goals going to make your life better?

2. CAN YOU PICTURE IT? Visualize your ideal space. What does it look like? How do you feel when you are there? Having a clear vision in your mind that motivates you will make the process of decluttering and moving way easier. You will also have a better understanding for what items to take with you and what to leave behind. What kind of activities would you like to do in the new space? Make sure to set up the spaces according to your needs.

HELPFUL TIP: Are you moving into a smaller space? Having detailed measurements of every room can help you decide if an item will fit in the space or not. Measure and play with the layout before you move in.

3. PICKING A SPACE TO START. What is your first priority? What space can you benefit the most from? It’s very powerful to be able to start and finish one area. You will be able to experience a functional and inviting space. This will empower you to keep going with other areas.

4. ACCEPT HELP. Yes, it is true. Getting help makes the decluttering process much faster and more fun! Having someone else will help you feel supported, give you extra hands, help you keep the motivation going and keep you accountable.

5. SCHEDULE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME. Be realistic. This is a tough one. It will depend on how fast you make decisions, how much help you have, and how many items there are in the space. Don’t try to do it all at once. Take whatever you estimated and add 2 more hours ;)

6. TAKE BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS. Pictures are not just for professionals to build their portfolios. Taking photographs will help you see your accomplishment and will be motivation you for future sessions.
“When you understand what drives you, what truly motivates you, you are then able to create an environment that facilitates your goals. It frees up space so the new you can step in. There is purpose in how you live.” - Lanna Nakone, Organizing for Your Brain Type.

7. SET UP A STATION. If possible set up a folding table in the space you are working. Only deal with the items on the table. Keep focused and use a timer if you need to. Under the table, have a few bins (donation, recycling, garbage, shredding, belongs in another space, to give to someone, to sell). Every situation will require some or all of these bins. If you have clear space in the room or close by in another room you can make piles there.

8. THE ‘WAVE’ PROCESS. Start on one side of the room and do a “wave” touching every item in the space: Do I need this item? Is it going to help me achieve my goals? Put the item in the proper pile. If you are unsure make a pile of unsure items and go back to it later.
HELPFUL TIP: Taking a photo of an item can help you keep the memory of it without having the physical item. Keep working with the items you know for sure what to do with them.

9. MESSIER BEFORE IT GETS BETTER. Don’t panic. Things will look messier during the beginning of this process. Allowing time to clean up and place things where they belong at the end of the session is very important.

10. GIVE EVERYTHING A ‘HOME’ Every item that stays in the space needs a permanent spot. No excuses.

11. KEEP A TO-DO LIST. As you sort through your items write down every task that comes to mind as you work. It will help you get things done and make smarter decisions. At the end of the session make sure to schedule all the tasks in your calendar.

12. UNWANTED ITEMS. If you know for sure there will be a lot of unwanted items to go for donation, auction, consignment, and/or recycling make sure to arrange for transportation.

13. STORING ITEMS FOR SOMEONE ELSE. Give them a deadline and make sure they are gone before the end of the session. Move them to another space if that’s an option. They need to understand that you are dealing with clutter and working really hard to get your space back. Their stuff is not helping you accomplish your goal.

14. PAPER. Dealing with paper can take a very long time and you won’t see immediate visual results. We recommend putting the paper aside and deal with it in a future session when you have a clear space to tackle it. If you are dealing with paper you may benefit from reading Tips to win the constant battle against paper clutter.

REAL CLIENT EXAMPLES:

ART STUDIO TRANSFORMATION

CREATING A STARTING POINT

OFFICE ORGANIZING

FINAL NOTE

Decluttering your home will allow you to make the process of selling your home and moving seamless.

It will also allow you to get a fresh start. It’s a new chapter in your life and you can decide what that chapter includes.

Don’t want to tackle decluttering on your own? We love working with KW Professional Organizers. Call them today at 226-606-3233!