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Profit from Props

March 19, 2013 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)
You’ve probably heard the expression, “It’s the little things that count.” When it comes to staging your home for sale, it really is true. A small touch can trigger a reaction in a potential buyer – positive or negative. As a professional stager, I know that proper use of props can produce a profit. Say that five times quickly!
 
Of course we want positive reactions to our property for sale. So staging the house with the buyer in mind is the goal. In every space, it’s important to consider the big picture (how the space makes the person feel) and the small details (how can this space be brighter, for example).
 
See the difference professional home staging makes?

After: The mirrors and zen accessory showcase this powder/bathroom’s space.

In the room in the photo, it was the mirrors that stole the show. For less than $100 each from HomeSense, we were able to make the space feel spacious, bright and classy. Using two mirrors created two clearly usable spaces. It helped to bounce light around the room to make it feel larger. And it reflected the vignette of the chandelier and artwork above the fireplace in the other room. What a welcoming way to enter a bathroom!
 
This space made such an impression that the client made an offer. It shows that the way a person feels about one room can expand out to the way they feel about the entire house. Make sure it feels positive. Otherwise, lose the sale.
 
What props can you use to create the image and feeling that wows a potential buyer? Start to “think and see” like a professional home stager and get your house sold faster! Or, hire me, and I’ll do the work for you!

Leprechauns Love 2013’s Colour: Emerald Green

March 13, 2013 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)
Have you noticed the buzz around this year’s colour emerald green? Green is a great colour to use in your décor for personal taste or for home staging because it represents hope, freshness, nature and eco-friendly.
 
See the difference professional home staging makes?

After: This open concept space is perfect for entertaining or relaxing.

So how can you incorporate this colour? Since a natural emerald stone can vary from a pale green to a dark bluish shade, it’s easy to coordinate this inspiration with whites and neutrals or various shades of reds, purples, blues, yellows as well as other shades of greens. What accessories to watch out for with: vases, throw cushions or blankets, bedding, fruit and of course plants!

Stage Your Home For Your Buyers Lifestyle

March 07, 2013 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)
Did you realize that people fall in love with – and ultimately buy – the lifestyle that’s presented in a property for sale? It’s important to understand so you can stage your home accordingly. Meeting lifestyle desires versus needs could be what makes your home the ideal choice for a potential buyer.
 
The story of a space matters. For example, many buyers seek an entertainer’s dream home. In the photo, the staged dining room shows in a way that invites thoughts of glamorous meals spilling out onto the deck and lasting into the night when you can star gaze, whether inside or out. Maybe the potential buyer can envision a hot tub and beautiful gardens with twinkle lights to view outside while dining. Magical.
 
Does this room look familiar?

Before: Kitchen before staging. — in Calgary.

See the difference professional home staging makes?

After: The glass table reflects the light from the backyard and emphasizes how much space this nook has.

The potential buyer doesn’t immediately worry about all the fingerprints on glass or having enough space to store things or whether it’s cold in the room because of all the windows. They have already gotten lost in their mind’s eye, dreaming of the amazing dinner parties they could have in the space. At that point, reality doesn’t matter as much. The story is aroused and your job is done.
 
Buyers will fall in love with the lifestyle they imagine for themselves first. And they are likely willing to pay more for it. So understand your buyers, commit to staging your property for their dream lifestyle, and reap the benefits. They don’t call it a dream home for nothing!
 
This is my passion and I love to help home owners present their property for sale in a way that gets maximum results. Contact me for professional home staging services in the Calgary area.

Add Some Light

March 01, 2013 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)
It’s winter. It’s dreary. And the last thing a potential buyer wants to experience when they view your property for sale is more darkness. Stage each room with extra lighting to create an inviting atmosphere and set your property apart.
 
Science has shown that light has a psychological impact on people. Darkness creates a feeling of being cold, negative, and tired. Light can be energizing, positive, and create a feeling of ease. It’s a simple choice to make if you’re selling your home. Lighten it up!
 
Consider these four types of lighting in each room when you’re staging your property for sale.

  • Ambient: General or overhead lighting, it’s the main light that fills a room. If all you have is a ceiling light, update it with something modern that gives more light and makes a statement. Use the highest watt bulb recommended for that fixture.
  • Task: Used as extra light for a specific task in a room. Grooming, working, or under kitchen cabinets. Don’t forget these. They help create atmosphere. Imagine a cozy reading nook with a perfectly angled lamp.
  • Accent: The most dramatic, it’s used to highlight a specific focal point. Art, architectural features, or a great view. Think of adding light to an area that you would like the potential buyer to notice.
  • Decorative: Adds to the overall atmosphere of a room, not for much extra light. Think candles or a unique lamp.

 

Does this room look familiar?

Before: Living room before home staging.

See the difference professional home staging makes?

After: Adding the white cushions lighten up the living room.

Lighting in a staged room is critical, yet, it’s often overlooked. Potential buyers don’t want to feel like they will be living in a small dark cave. So spend some time and make a small investment in upgrading your lighting to create an inviting space that your potential buyers can’t resist.
 
For more staging ideas or help in the Calgary area, contact me.