Staged by Design Blog

I was interviewed by Joe Doman of Re/Max Gateway, on the benefits of Home Staging. This video is second in a series of three.

 http://youtu.be/fXYAE8r6eiE

I was interviewed by Joe Doman of Re/Max Gateway, on the benefits of Home Staging. This video is first in a series of three.

Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/DQFyDlmDqn4

Staged by Design was recently featured in the Washington Post’s Home section regarding paint colors for selling your home.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/06/AR2009050601048.html Read More

I recently discovered a “Staging Savvy” quiz on the National Association of Realtors website. The quiz was created by Barb Schwarz, the founder and owner of www.StagedHomes.com, the leader in industry for Home Staging training. Read More

Kitchen Counter Before Staging

De-cluttering.

It is one of the most crucial steps prior to putting your home on the market, and an essential element of Home Staging. For home owners, however, it is often easier said than done. What is clutter really, but the by-product of the way we live in a home? It is the accumulation of  life’s daily activities, creeping into the corners of our home,  creating a never ending “to do” list.

Preparing your home for sale can be a daunting task. The following are tips to help you gain perspective and assist you in achieving your goal of selling your home quickly. Remember that a house well lived-in reflects a house well-loved. De-cluttering is the beginning of the transformation that allows your buyers to love your home as much as you do.

1. Begin with the end in mind. Visualize the look on a perspective buyers face when they walk into your fabulous home once it is Staged and ready to show.

2. When tackling your priority list, always begin with the task that will take the least amount of time.

3. Only tackle one room, or section at a time.

4. If necessary, break large tasks into smaller ones by setting a time limit, and complete all that you can in 15 or 30 minute increments.

5. Think seasonally when packing items for storage. This goes not only for clothing, but décor, kitchen wares, etc. If you’re not wearing it or planning on using it in the next few months, pack it.

6. Instead of putting items in closets or behind closed doors, pack them up and label them well. You will need to pack before moving anyway! Be specific in your labeling, just in case you should need an item that is already packed, prior to moving.

7. When downsizing, de-cluttering, or moving, ask yourself the following qualifying questions:

· Is it worth it to pay the additional cost to move these items?

· When was the last time it was used?

· Do you have multiple items that serve the same purpose?

· If so, what is the benefit of having multiple items?

· Is it worth potentially losing equity in my home to keep it?

8. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Call in the professionals to take on a project that turns out to be larger than you anticipated. Staged by Design, based in Northern Virginia, can assist you with this process every step of the way, either by providing additional manpower to help you accomplish your Staging goals, or by recommending professionals best suited to your specific needs. We can do as much or as little as you like!

Visit us online at  www.staged-by-design.com.