CASE STUDY: Why Real Estate agents stage their OWN homes

We work with Real Estate agents day in and day out. Agents refer us to their sellers for staging their client’s vacant homes for sale.

Although it is a Real Estate Agent’s fiduciary responsibility to provide their sellers with the tools and marketing strategies for a successful sale, some are occasionally hesitant to suggest that their clients invest in staging. Why would this be, you ask? Staging is statistically proven to increase the perceived value of the home, and our clients have netted up to 700% return on their staging investments this year.

The listing agent’s role is a delicate balance, and one of advocate, advisor and strategist, just to name a few. As they tasked with marketing a product that they themselves have no control over, with regards to location and condition, they can only make best-case recommendations to their clients. Some agents may not want to “rock the boat” and suggest their clients invest in updates or staging at all, in fear of losing the listing altogether.  

We feel that the savviest of agents are those with proven, repeatable processes for marketing and presentation of their listings, regardless of market conditions.

This month, we’d like to showcase a few agents who not only believe in staging and make it a part of their listing process, but have recently staged both a combination of their own personal homes, or investment properties, with great success. The locations range from Willowsford in Loudoun County, Alexandria, Ashburn and Reston. Let’s hear from them in their own words:

Why was staging important for your home/investment property? 

Rebecca Williams, Pearson Smith Realty:

Believe it or not, this was the first time I have ever hired a stager but must say I am a true convert.  I have sold most of my listings/homes empty but in this case I wanted to showcase the functionality and define the open space on both the main and lower levels of my home. While I had envisioned various uses for the sunroom, dining area, office nook, and the different spaces throughout my lower level, integrating these spaces cohesively proved challenging. I sought the expertise of Staged by Design to help visualize and unify these areas into a harmonious and cohesive layout.

Eric Pearson, Pearson Smith Realty:

Being an older home (1906) and vacant; it was important to incorporate staging/furniture to highlight the character of the home. This home has a very unique floorplan, so allowing the buyer to visual how the property could come together with furniture/decor, made an extremely positive impact during tours, etc.

Jeremy Browne, Century 21:

I believe staging is important for every listing.  It is very rare to see a "lived-in" home that will appeal to the largest pool of buyers in its immediate condition.  We had just finished a full renovation of this property, and it was vital to provide a vision for how it could look.

Rob Ferguson, RE/Max Allegiance:

It was such a nice renovation project that we felt that the staging would be the perfect complement to enhance all of the upgrades and allow a buyer to feel how they would live in the home.

How did staging affect the way the home showed, and/or feedback on the home? 

Rebecca Williams, Pearson Smith Realty:

I immediately began receiving very positive feedback regarding the staging of my home.  I sent colleagues and friends the pictures and they were stunned over how great my home looked, especially those who had spent time in my home prior to listing it.  Heck, after walking through the first time after the stagers left, I  joked with my husband that we were not going to move after all.  

Ultimately, the furniture choices, rugs, artwork, accents all brightened up my home (I have dark hardwoods, dark kitchen cabinets and dark granite) and made it feel cozy, warm and inviting.  I have hosted many open houses and the host of my open house told me that buyers were spending 45 minutes to an hour in my home and I ended up receiving several offers over asking price on day one!  This never happened when I had no staging/furniture in my listings. I credit the staging, 100%.

Eric Pearson, Pearson Smith Realty:

We received over list price in 3 DOM; so it is safe to say, staging was 100% worth it!

Jeremy Browne, Century 21:

Staging made the home feel inviting and complete.  Several people asked me if they could buy the furniture, as they loved the way it was put together!  The home sold the first weekend for $50,000 over list price.

Rob Ferguson, RE/Max Allegiance:

It gave the house a warm, home like feeling that we were hoping for so the house would have a personal feel.

Were there areas of the property you hoped that staging would highlight or help make sense of for buyers? 

Rebecca Williams, Pearson Smith Realty:

Yes, definitely.  Aside from making the open spaces more defined, I thought it was important to showcase/highlight the main level and lower level of the home for those buyers who were seeking multi-generational living spaces.  When we bought this home, we purchased it with the point of view of raising teenagers but more and more buyers are desiring spaces to accommodate family and I think the staging team nailed it.  

Eric Pearson, Pearson Smith Realty:

Leigh and her team made it a point to highlight the main level (home buyer first impression), the primary bedroom, and bathrooms. We trusted their judgement (they are the experts) and we believed they nailed it!

Jeremy Browne, Century 21:

Yes!  The main floor had flexible space, and I wanted it to capture that flexibility.  Leigh and her team did an amazing job of creating a flow from the kitchen to the dining to the family room.  The living room actually felt like a living room, and one that would be used, as opposed to a formal living room which seems to be dated at the moment.  The recreation room on the lower level was also laid out to maximize space and really helped to give buyers ideas for themselves.

Rob Ferguson, RE/Max Allegiance:

 Yes…the kitchen was nicely remodeled and had what we would consider a pantry/coffee bar/small seating area or office off the kitchen.  It would be hard to have a vision for this space without directing the buyer to ideas that we had for the space and the staging helped provide that vision.

Whether it’s your own home, listing or investment property, we can help elevate the home through intentional designs that MAKE YOU MONEY!

Click here for more information and a quick quote: https://www.staged-by-design.com/contact

50 Tips and Tricks for Moving and Packing

You’ve bought a new house….now what?!? Your head is spinning a thousand miles a minute. Reality is setting in and deadlines are in place with closing dates. Moving can seem daunting, but we are here to help. In this blog post we have come up with 50 tips (and tricks) for moving AND packing. Hopefully this list can help put your mind to rest and give you the strategy you so desperately need to get out of your current home and into your new home.

Planning Phase

1.      Plan ahead – it is never too early to get your plan together!

2.      Prepare a budget – include costs for movers, packing supplies, travel arrangements, etc. and then add in 10% extra for unforeseen expenses

3.      Organize yourself – whether you are a spreadsheet person, a list person or a sticky note person, decide on a system and keep with it throughout the move

4.      Make a master moving folder with all of the necessary contact info for both ends of the move and master packing list for locating items when needed

5.      Keep copies of all moving related contracts and receipts

6.     Gather important records and documents including identification, birth certificates, passports, banking and medical records and store together in a lockbox in a safe place

7.     Interview, review quotes and decide on whether you will be packing and moving yourself or hiring some/all out

8.      Reserve your movers!

9.      Notify schools of your upcoming move and register students at new school

10.  Make arrangements for transfer of medical records and prescriptions to new location

11.  File a change of address with the post office, insurance carrier, medical center, and banks

12.  Arrange for the transfer or cancellation of utilities (change should be in effect on day of closing)

13.  Make all travel and hotel reservation for you and your family if you are moving out of the area

14.  Make a space plan for your new home to help you decide on how much you will need to take with you and how much you will need divest. Remember, you will be paying to move every item – why pay more than necessary?!

15.  Moving is stressful for everyone. Arrange for childcare on moving day, but also consider playdates while you are packing, to keep children out of the home moving stress and give them added time with friends they may be leaving behind

16.  Don’t forget your pets! Make arrangements for transporting them, but also for a pet sitter during the packing and on moving day

17.  Meal plan to use up food in your refrigerator and cabinets to cut down on waste or moving efforts

Packing Phase

18.      Pick up all moving supplies -blankets, boxes (multiple sizes), bubble wrap, packing tape, plastic wrap, mattress bags, etc.

19.      Sort through one room at a time filling boxes to sell, donate, trash and pack. Leave out what is necessary to get you through until moving day, but make sure you have enough boxes for the last-minute items

20.      Make a packing list for each box to include in your master folder

21.      Select a color for each room of the house and label each box with a sticker or tape in that color. When you arrive at your new home, use the same colors to mark each room so that the movers can easily place each box in the appropriate room. Your packing lists should also be color coded for a smooth transition

22.      Return any borrowed items that you uncover while packing

23.      Collect any things that you lent out

24.      Pack and mark special boxes that will be loaded onto the truck last and unloaded first that include items necessary for the first night in your new home

25.      Look into transportation requirements and restrictions for houseplants. Gift those that cannot make the trip

26.      Prepare a suitcase of personal items for each member of the household to take with them on the move. This can be their carry on luggage if traveling by plane

Downsizing

27.      List items to sell on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Give yourself enough time to get the word out and make the sale

28.      Gift special items that you are unable to transport to friends and family. Arrange pick up or drop offs before your move

29.      Reach out to thrift stores or charitable organizations to pick up donations.

30.      Relist any unsold items on Freecycle or neighborhood gifting site

31.      Drop off any remaining donations or gifts not picked up at a donation center

32.      Make a trip to the local dump with any leftover items

33.      Shred all sensitive paperwork needing disposal

34.      Eat the food that you cannot pack and take with you

Moving Day

35.      Be there to greet movers and oversee the entire loading process

36.      Explain your organization system and point out your “load last” boxes

37.      Specify any valuable items that need extra care in packing/moving

38.      Remember that professional movers do this everyday and probably have better packing skills than you. That said, do let them know if you have concerns before any unfortunate occurrences

39.      Supply drinks and food for the movers – they are working hard!

40.      Clean out the refrigerator and leave empty. This goes for all of your appliances

41.      Vacuum and wipe down everything in the house before leaving. Pack these cleaning items onto the truck last so that you are ready to repeat the process upon arriving at your new home

42.      Do a final walk through to make sure nothing has been left behind

43.      Turn off all lights, lock up and hand over keys to your real estate agent or landlord

First Night in New Home

44.      Meet the movers at your new home

45.      You should have already done a final walk through before closing, but this is a good time to double check all faucets, utilities, smoke detectors and security systems before moving everything in

46.      Check off items as they are unloaded and photograph any damages before signing the bill of lading

47.      Direct movers to place items in the proper rooms as per your color coded packing system

48.      You should have available your personal carry-on case and first off of the truck moving boxes. These should include bedding for each person, pajamas, toiletries, towels, toilet paper, medications, first aid kit, pet food, litter box, leash and bowls, basic tools, lightbulbs, phone charger, flashlight, basic cleaning supplies, paper plates, cups, snacks, drinks and entertainment for the kids

49.      Plan to eat out or order in food

50.      Take a deep breath, take a photo or two and enjoy the first night of your new adventure!

Moving is stressful but planning ahead will definitely help ease the stress and give you a bit of structure to a very hectic process. Though we can’t magically take away all the pains of moving, hopefully these tips can start you on your way to a successful move and bring order to your chaos!

How to Light up Your Life

Many people are choosing LED lights for their homes these days, but many have no clue where to start when shopping for LED bulbs. We’ve got some great resources and tips for you to figure out just how you can light up your life with cool products that are available.

Proper lighting is essential to create ambiance and enhance online photos. We are consistently asked about what type of bulb to purchase. The way to go these days is definitely LED bulbs. BUT they can be so confusing to shop for when you are unfamiliar with LED terminology such as lumens. Kristie Barnett, the Decorologist, has a helpful guide to wade through the myriad of options in LED lighting and WHY you should replace the bulbs in your home. Read it here. There she delves into the color (temperature) of LED bulbs and she also breaks down the conversion of watts to lumens for the brightness level of a room.

Sufficient lighting can be a huge problem when a home was not built with overhead lighting into rooms. There may be a switch attached to an outlet in the room that you can use to turn on a lamp, but that switch could be inconveniently located. Or better yet, one lamp just may not put out enough light for the entire room. One of our lead stagers, Kim Jones, found a cost effective solution to this problem in her own home. In the video below she demonstrates how you can light up a room with new smart bulb technology even when you don’t have overhead lighting. Take a look:

Say no to dark rooms and turn on the lights! Lighting technology has come a long way in the past five years. There’s so many cool products out there that provide the right light no matter your problem or area. Better lighting can increase your mood and your productivity levels. AND its especially helpful to have sufficient lighting when selling your home!

C by GE Smart Home Bundle Pack - 2 Smart LED Bulbs and Wire-Free Smart Dimmer Switch (2 LED A19 Tunable White Smart Light Bulbs + Wire-Free Smart Dimmer Switch + Color Control), Bluetooth Light Bulbs Buy on Amazon

Why Stage A Home in a Seller's Market?

COVID brought on a myriad of shortages for 2021. The shortage of homes for sale has caused the real estate market to just go a little crazy, to say the least. It’s definitely a sellers’ market with little inventory and over the top bidding wars. Many are scoffing at the idea of home staging in this market because they think buyers are desperate to find homes. While this is true, we have many examples and statistics as to why you may want to consider the small investment in home staging before listing your home in today’s market. There may be money left on the table if you don’t…

The shortage of inventory is causing record multiple offers above asking price on homes. But just because it’s a seller’s market, does that mean any home will sell for multiple offers above asking price? The short answer - no. If a home has not been updated in over a decade, do not expect it to compete in today’s “crazy over listing price” market. Yes, it may sell but it won’t bring in top dollar due to the sheer fact the buyer will calculate in all those updates that need to be done.

In today’s market, your first step toward curb appeal is your online presence.

Pictures say a thousand words and in the real estate world it is the buyers’ first impression of any home. If your pictures don’t “wow” the client, it’s unlikely they will schedule a showing. If your pictures show years of neglect on updates, then you won’t see that high offer on day one. The buyer will simply move on to another home online.

Home sold in 2 days after staging!

Home staging allows the buyer to visualize themselves in the home.

According to the new 2021 survey from the National Association of Realtors®, eighty-two percent (82%) of buyer’s agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. If the buyer feels like it’s home, their desire for the house will drive their offer. This report also revealed that staging increased the sum buyers were willing to spend for a property. Twenty-three percent (23%) of buyers' agents said that home staging raised the dollar value offered between 1% and 5%, compared to similar homes on the market that hadn't been staged. Coincidentally, the same percentage of seller’s agents (23%) stated they received between 1% and 5% higher offers on home that had been staged. Let’s do the math on that, shall we:

Amounts are approximate depending on area you reside, size of home, and value of home. Home consultations are a service that provides you with a list of needed updates/repairs that the homeowner should consider. Full service staging is bringing in furniture for a vacant home. Both avenues give a nice return on investment.

So based on the math, you don’t lose money. You make back your investment plus gain an extra profit - the amount depends on your list price, and whether the home has been properly prepared.

Real estate agents have good reason to stage too

Don’t sacrifice your proven, repeatable systems even in this strong sellers’ market. That includes professional photography AND staging. This sellers’ market will not last forever, and it’s important to show how you differentiate yourself and your listings from other Real Estate Agents.

Don’t forget that a home that sells for more also increases YOUR commission, in addition to adding to the equity in your sellers’ home.

If you are a homeowner and/or realtor in the Northern Virginia area, take a look at this video that Owner, Leigh Newport, made in February. She makes great points to support the reasons behind staging in a sellers’ market.

It stands to say that the small investment in home staging can bring in a nice return on investment (ROI). In the past we’ve always referred to home staging being less than your first price reduction. In today’s market, you’ve got to consider the amount of money you are leaving at the table by NOT staging. Go ahead - be the best house on the block!

Interested in more tips and advice about home staging? Porch.com has a great Q&A article from home stagers around the country (including our very own Leigh Newport!). Check it out here: Real Estate Photography, Home & Virtual Staging Q & A: Tips & Advice

If you need help being the best, book an online appointment with us and allow us to shine a spotlight on your home!

5 To-Dos for a Quick Listing

The Spring selling season is almost upon us. Are you ready? With limited inventory on the market, the home selling/buying process is moving very quickly. If you are needing to put your house on the market in a quick time-frame, we have come up with 5 things you need to do before listing. These are all very economical tasks you, as the homeowner, can do in a short time frame that will increase the salability of your home.

De-Clutter

Our home revolves around our lives. Life gets messy - especially with kids. But when selling a home, let's edit some of the items we use on a daily basis. We don’t really need buyers seeing our every day lives spilled out on the countertops of our kitchens and bathrooms. AND buyers don’t really want to see evidence of someone else living in the home.

Furniture Placement

If you can't see it, you can't sell it. Draw attention to the focal points of the room and make sure you have have ample walking space from room to room. This may mean moving some furniture out into storage while your house is on the market.

Clean, Clean, Clean!!

We are talking Spring cleaning on steroids. Make sure to take into consideration things you don't normally think about on a regular basis like air vents, light fixtures and grout. Sometimes buyers can see past clutter but they can’t see past the cleanliness and condition of the home.

Adding Style

Adding a few inexpensive light touches makes a huge difference. New pillows always freshen up an old sofa. New white crisp bedding and towels give off that clean hotel appeal while adding style to a space.

Curb Appeal

Realtors spend several minutes at each home trying to open the lock box and get the key to the home. During this time buyers are analyzing ALL the details of the front exterior. First impressions are huge! Items you can tackle in this area include trimming those overgrown bushes, adding a fresh coat of paint to the front door, giving the flower beds a fresh appearance with new mulch, and planting seasonal flowers.

The market is definitely crazy right now and things are moving at a fast pace. These 5 things will put you in the right direction toward a quick listing date. If you are feeling overwhelmed or your house needs a little TLC before hitting the market, book a home staging consultation with us. We will give you a room by room priority list of what you can do to spruce up your space within your budget. We can shine a spotlight on your home!

Home staging and Dating Have More In Common Than You Think

It’s February and love is in the air. Did you know that when selling your home, you are essentially courting your buyers? Think about it as the most expensive first date you can imagine. Blow this first impression and you’ll have more than unreturned phone calls to deal with! So, how do you channel that first date anxiety into preparing your home for sale?

Before your date, do a little soul searching

Pull out the proverbial full length mirror and prepare to be honest. You must scrutinize your home with a buyer’s eye. Stand in the doorway of each room and take pictures. This is what buyers will see online, where you have less than 3 seconds to grab their attention. Is there more furniture than open space? Does it look inviting? Your online presence is the first step to curb appeal.

Make it about them - not you.

Just as you would be selective with your fashion accessories, the same idea applies to your home. Pack up the knick-knacks, personal photos and breakables. Your goal is for the buyer to be able to envision themselves in your home, and de-personalizing and de-cluttering is key.

Reveal your strengths, not your weaknesses

When selecting the look for your big night, determine your best feature and highlight it. Do the same in your home by creating a focal point in each room. Create a conversation area around it, or use it as inspiration for what colors or furnishings should remain in the room.

If you find that you’re still not sure where to begin, Professional Home Stager takes on the role of the trusted girlfriend; sharing your goals, being supportive, yet brutally honest when a complete makeover is needed. They can do as much or as little as you like. If it’s your furnishings that could prevent your home from looking it’s best, they offer accessories and furniture for rent, and provide much needed direction for what it will take to sell your home for more money in less time.

Sugar, Salt and Home Staging

“Don’t trust everything you see, even salt looks like sugar.”

Remember when you were a kid and you would pull a prank on a friend by filling the sugar container with salt, or vice versa?  Upon first look, the poor friend couldn’t tell the difference.  It was once he poured it on something and took a bite to realize it wasn’t what he thought. 

Virtual staging is a lot like salt.  It looks like sugar and is so enticing but once a buyer goes into the home it turns into salt.  It’s simply not as inviting as the pictures online promised. (Feel free to take a look at one of our previous posts, Can’t Beat the Real Thing Baby, to read more of our thoughts between virtual and professional home staging).

Recently, we had the opportunity to stage a home that was previously listed on the market using virtual staging.   This home showed well online virtually staged (though not to scale) but buyers were disappointed once they walked in the door to this country home.  They were anticipating sugar but got a spoonful of salt instead.

This home had been on the market for over 6 months vacant.  Then they paid to have it virtually staged.  It still did not result in a contract.  They reached out to us and we staged the entire main floor plus basement.  The home then sold in less than a month.  Proof is in the pudding folks – professional home staging allows the buyer to FEEL like they could live in a space once they walk in the door. 

For example, take a look at the comparison between the virtual and professional staging of the living room:

The virtual living room was not staged to scale.  The plant in the niche by the stairs touches the chandelier. The ceiling height is also depicted as very low due to the placement of the sofa and art. Our professional staging photo (though at a slightly different angle) shows the ceiling being much higher due to the vertical art above the sofa. It also shows the space is larger by allowing a sofa and two end tables. The niche is also more to scale showcasing the beautiful chandelier with a small ottoman placed in that nook.

The bedroom that was virtually staged looked great online. But once you entered the room you probably would not feel like you were in the same space. It seems much larger online due to the virtual placement of furniture. The render makes the window behind the bed seem centered on the wall. In reality the window is not centered. In addition, roman shades were added as part of the virtual staging. Window treatments typically convey with the home, but these don’t even exist. Talk about bait and switch! We actually staged this bedroom with a different layout since the windows were not centered on the walls. We felt this opened up the space more in the room. If we would have placed the bed in the same spot as the virtual render, there would be no room for an end table beside it.

The basement virtual stage was a bit more realistic, however, the main flaw was the scale of the room. The virtual furniture created a much smaller space than in reality. Take a look at the comparison below and see how much space the sectional and ottoman take up compared to our sofa and large coffee table.  This basement probably did not wow the buyer once they walked in and saw it empty and cold. Furniture breathes life in the basement!

This home is just one example of many out there who choose to virtual stage.  Yes, it’s less expensive.  Yes, it’s quicker.  BUT salt does not make the chocolate chip cookie amazing – it’s the sugar. 

Next time, skip the virtual staging and spend less time on the market by choosing professional home staging prior to listing. Give us a call or book online for a home staging consultation and learn how we can make your house into a home that will sell. Let us shine the spotlight on your listing. 

Best Curb Appeal Ideas for Any Budget

First impressions never get a second chance! According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 93% of home buyers use online websites to search for their ideal new home. This means photography play a huge role in whether or not a buyer likes the home. And what is the first photo in a listing? Generally, it’s the exterior of the home. We have created a list of the best curb appeal ideas for any budget to ensure your home is picture perfect and generates a profitable first impression!

CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN

One of the first steps to a great first impression is cleaning the outside of the house. This can be done very simply with a good pressure wash. If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can easily rent one or hire a professional. Not only does the siding need to be cleaned all the way around the home but also the front porch area, deck and any walkways around the home. And don’t forget to clean those windows. And while you are at it, remove those screens altogether!

PLANT SOME COLOR

Plant some nice colorful flowers in your flower beds, front porch containers and/or window boxes. If it isn’t springtime, there are some great options that can last through tougher conditions like pansies and fresh greenery. To show off those new beautiful flowers and to present a clean landscape, we would also suggest a nice new layer of mulch in your beds around the front of the home.

PAINT

As we have mentioned before, paint is money in a can! Consider sprucing up the front of the home by painting your front door, trim and/or shutters. This presents a clean finished look to the house and tells the buyer you take pride in the appearance of our home.

SHOW OFF YOUR ADDRESS

Make sure your house numbers are clearly visible and easy to read. This may seem silly but when a buyer is looking for your home you don’t want them to accidentally pass you buy because they simply can’t see your house numbers. If your numbers are in good condition, consider cleaning and/or giving them a spray paint to make them stand out. Otherwise, consider purchasing a new set of numbers to install.

LIGHT IT UP

If your porch lighting is outdated or rusted, replace it. Below are some very affordable options on Amazon. Before purchasing anything, make sure to pay attention to the size and shape of the base plate of your existing light fixture and buy accordingly. Another source of light that should be addressed are any lamp posts that may be in your front yard. Make sure the glass is clean, the bulb is bright and the paint is refreshed. Before addressing these lighting concerns, check with your HOA to make sure they do not have any stipulations as to what kind of light can be used on the exterior of the home or if they can repair lamp post if needed.

Top left, Top right, Bottom left, Bottom right

MAKE IT WELCOMING

Adding a new doormat is an easy way to make your home inviting. Buyers spend quite a few minutes standing on the front porch waiting for the realtor to get the lockbox to open for the key. For these few minutes the only thing the buyer has to do is study your front door. Seeing a clean entry with a clean welcoming door mat is appealing to any buyer. You may also want to consider another rug just inside the home for buyers to step onto when entering the home and a place to take off their shoes.

ADDRESS YOUR MAILBOX

If your mailbox has seen better days, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint. If it’s beyond the paint cover-up, just replace it with a new one. Once again, you will need to check with your HOA if there are restrictions to what kind of mailbox can be used.

These quick updates can do wonders for your curb appeal. The goal is to draw buyers inside your home. Showing them you care enough about the outside tells them you care enough about the inside too. Remember, first impressions never get a second chance. Take that first step and book a home consultation online with us - we would love to shine the spotlight on your home and get it market ready!

*Disclaimer: This page contains Amazon affiliate links which means Staged by Design® may earn commission if you use links provided

4 Design Trends Holding Strong for Real Estate

This year’s spring market has turned into more of a summer market thanks to COVID-19. More buyers are listing their homes now that states have opened back up with social distancing protocols. Although inventory may be lower does not mean buyers will not be particular about the upkeep and condition of the home.

We have identified four design trends that are holding strong in real estate. With each of these trends, you can improve your home’s appearance with simple, low cost updates that will give you a great return on investment (ROI) and sell your home quicker.

Not sure how to approach these trends in your own home? Book your consultation today. We provide staging services for all of Northern Virginia for our in-person consultations, and can assist out of area clients via our Online Staging Consultations.

Soft neutral paint colors

Buyers are still loving their neutral walls. We highlighted some beautiful no- fail wall colors in a previous post. Neutral walls give the sense of relief to a buyer when they walk in the home. It’s clean, it’s easy to live with and goes with any style. Buyers, on average, will offer $5000 less the cost of what it would cost you to have it painted. For example, it may cost you $3000 to have the main portion of the home painted, but the buyer will offer you $8000 less on asking price. Huge difference right?! We like to call it the “pain and suffering” penalty. Some colors just aren’t tolerable for buyers (ahem - we’re looking at you, red walls) and they don’t want to go through the pain and suffering of trying to get the walls painted before moving into the home. As a result, they offer FAR less.

Mixed Metals with Light Fixtures

Progress Lighting Chandelier - Amazon

We are seeing more and more light fixtures using a mix of metals. We are also noticing the metal on light fixtures doesn’t necessarily have to match the hardware on the cabinets. This is great as it offers flexibility with design choices. Light fixtures are such an inexpensive way to update your home and create a HUGE impact. They are the jewelry of the home. Builder grade light fixtures scream the fact you haven’t updated your home since you moved in 20 years ago.

Painted Cabinets

Instead of spending tons of money replacing cabinets, think about painting your cabinets. BUT PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS YOURSELF - LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS. Painted cabinetry has been on trend for a couple of years now and is still holding steady in today’s market. Islands are often painted a different color to set them apart and to add interest. If your cabinets are in great shape other than the finish, painting is a low cost way to create an updated feel to the home. Buyers will notice when a bad job has been done so please don’t try this as a weekend DIY project. When done correctly they will bring much added value to your home.

Luxury Vinyl Tile and Planks

Vinyl has come a long way, baby. A great way to update your flooring (particularly outdated tile) is to install luxury vinyl tile or planks - also known as LVT or LVP. The planks give the look and feel of wood floors without the upkeep of wood floors (so Fido can run all he wants on this flooring with no scratches left behind). This flooring is also an excellent choice for basements, as it can tolerate water better than wood or carpet in case there happens to be an accidental flood. This flooring is becoming more prevalent in today’s homes. It updates the home and gives the look and feel of tile or wood without the maintenance and upkeep.

Small, inexpensive updates can give a huge return. These four investments will give you a substantial return on investment (ROI) no matter where you live. Buyers want homes that look updated and feel updated, and these four design trends will be noticed immediately when walking into a perspective home. We stage, on average, 500 homes a year and these four items are on our list for 90% of the homes we stage. If you need help getting your home market ready, let us help. We can do virtual consultations no matter where you live. We strive to offer the best advice with low cost updates to give you the maximum return on investment.

Book your online consultation today and let us shine the spotlight on your home.

*Disclaimer: This page contains Amazon affiliate links which means Staged by Design® may earn commission if you use links provided

Staging Toolkit for Realtors

Real estate doesn't stop because of a global pandemic. Clients need to sell regardless based on circumstances prior to the coronavirus outbreak. Whether it's during this crazy time or just a normal day outside of coronavirus mania, we thought it might be handy to supply you with a basic staging toolkit for realtors that can help prepare a house for sell when professional staging is not an option. (Click on pictures below to purchase straight from Amazon)

The finishing touches really do count when transforming a house to a home. The same is considered when staging a home to sell. There are little things you as realtors can keep on hand to assist in staging a property and making that buyer feel like that house is home.

Door Mats

First impressions are a must. Buyers on average make up their mind if they like a house within the first 15 seconds of entering a home. Why not make the most of those first few seconds by placing new clean mats at both the exterior and interior entrance?

Towels

Who doesn't love a brand new towel?? White towels are a must. They scream crisp and clean and go with every type of decor. We like to place towels on every towel bar in every bathroom to soften it as most bathrooms come across as cold and empty. And don't rule out a good gray towel if your bathroom has a lot of white in the hard surfaces. This will bring a pop of color to the bathroom but still keep it neutral..

Shower Curtains

Shower curtains also add to the softening of a bathroom. White shower curtains, again, shout crisp and clean and they go with all decor. We've also recommended a fun ombre one as well to bring in that ever-so-popular gray.

Bedding

White bedding gives a bed that hotel feel. Are you sensing our crisp and clean theme?? It's simple, neutral and creates a wonderful focal point for professional photos. Gray is also a great neutral backdrop if the room is light in color. Used together, you can fold one at bottom to create a nice layering of textiles that feel like luxury and comfort. And don't forget that white bed skirt if needed!

Lamps

Lighting is key to showing a home. Not only do we suggest using the highest wattage, non-energy efficient light bulb you can, but we also suggest layering lighting with lamps in darker areas. This will help buyers see the house better at night and on darker, cloudier days. Here's some great lamps to keep on hand that will never lose trend and will work with almost every style.

We hope this staging toolkit for realtors will be helpful to add some light touches to your properties. We are always available if you need to call in the big guns - we are still staging vacant homes using all the necessary precautions to keep your client and ourselves safe from COVID-19. Feel free to give us a call (703-552-4545) or book a virtual home consultation online and we will be happy to partner with you to SHINE a SPOTLIGHT on your home.

*Disclaimer: This page contains Amazon affiliate links which means Staged by Design® may earn commission if you use links provided

Introducing a new service: Online Consultations

INTRODUCING......online virtual consultations! The effects of the coronavirus epidemic have affected all of us. As we all practice social distancing, we here at Staged by Design® will continue to offer our services utilizing online virtual consultations. We know some our clients still have a need to sell homes regardless of what's going on in the world. Here's owner, Leigh Newport, with more on this new service:

https://youtu.be/CyvQadvibO8

If you would like to learn more about our consultation process, please refer to our blog post on Home Consultations: Friend or Foe.We do our best to provide recommendations that will increase your return on investment and we have a proven track record to prove it.

To setup your online virtual consultation, visit our website and schedule today. We would love to partner with you and shine a spotlight on your home!