Puzzled by a Ceiling Light… Hang in There.

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Why would they put that light there?  A question many people ask themselves when they are looking at homes.  Even tougher, all of the homes without ceiling mounted lights in certain rooms.  An issue I will address more in my blog, Properly Lighting a Dark Space.  My conclusion is this…

Most homes are built with the chandelier centered to the windows or smack dab in the middle of the room.  I am convinced that very few builders think of furniture placement as they are installing the electrical wiring.  So now you, as the home owner, are faced with where to put that dining room table.  You try to place it directly under the chandelier, but then the chairs are snug up to the patio door or the kitchen island.  Frustrating!  How do you address this?  Another great question for your home stager!  My advice to the home owner is to take down that chandelier and put in a ceiling mounted light.  No-one will notice how off centered it is.  My advice to home builders and investors, call a staging company.  Like us, Kariel Home Staging.  Ask us where the best place for the light fixture would be.  I understand having to follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) for safety, but can’t we all get along?  🙂  We carry a very large inventory of dining room tables, and can advise you to the best place for lighting.  If you are located in the Minnesota Metro Area, we will stop by for free.  That way, your potential home buyers won’t be so perplexed on how they will fit their furniture into your homes.  The lighting will blend so well with the staging that it will make a very positive and lasting impact on potential buyers.  Your homes will Shine!

Final Thought…

Home owners can make a simple fix to a very common issue.

Home builders could possibly work with us to design and build homes with efficient lighting better suited for furnishing.

 

 

Giving a Room a Purpose!

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Does your home have that catchall room that holds all of your miscellaneous pieces of furniture and things you have collected over the years?  Or maybe a weird space that still puzzles you as to what it’s for?  You want to show a possible buyer all of the potential that each space in your home has to offer.  Homeowners sometime think that adding that extra desk or crib to the master bedroom will show how much extra space that room has.  Wrong!  Now all that potential buyer sees is less room.  We, at Kariel Home Staging, can walk into a questionable space or that catchall room and find its purpose.  We assess the home to find what it may be lacking; more sitting space, a small office, a child’s play area.  A better solution for that extra desk would possibly be behind the couch as a sofa table?  There are many solutions, it just takes an unbiased eye to see them.

When selling your home, you must give every room a purpose.  Buyers walk into a home and instantly assess each room.  Do you want them to see wasted space…leaving them puzzled and confused.  Or should you show them how great that extra area is by giving it a purpose!  Don’t leave potential buyers guessing if your home is the one.  Wondering if they will have the space they will need.  Questioning if that small loft is useless, or the extra room in the basement with no windows is for nothing.   Show them that every inch of your home will fill their needs.  That your home will be the space they need for their things, their family.

We are here to help you do just that!

Final Thought…   “Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.” – Joseph Campbell

 

The Short and Simple Truth…Furniture Placement is Key

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Blocking off any room with furniture will only mask its true potential.  Furniture placement plays the key role in showing potential buyers how great your home can look.  It can make a small room look larger, a darker one look brighter, and overall the entire home more inviting.  You want buyers to walk in and Feel like they are Home!

Find out more on this in my upcoming blog Giving a Room a Purpose.

Final thought…  Why the short blog?  Because pictures are worth a thousand words!

 

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My Thoughts on Choosing a Realtor and Having them Represent You the Right Way!

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I am writing this blog in reference to the many calls and emails that I receive on a daily bases about picking a Realtor.  This is the information that I tell people to look for in a real estate agent.  Not everyone may agree, but not all real estate agents are the same.  These are the main points that I have learned over the years that will help you to identify the correct agent.

 

Make sure the Realtor that you choose to sell your home will do the following things:

  1. List the property on MLS and have professional photos.  Buyers look online first and your property should have professional photos – this is the first sign of a professional real estate agent that understands today’s market.  Having your home professionally staged will make these photos shine over the competition.
  2. Price the property correctly.  Get to know your competition.  Supply and demand within a neighborhood play an important role in pricing.  Have your agent show you open houses in the area.  Sometimes a seller believes their home is worth a certain number, but that can be far from the truth.  Your agent should be Brutally Honest with you…even if it is not what you want to hear. 
  3. Have a professional sign in the front yard.  The sign should have a direct number to your real estate agent, not a general information number.  Potential buyers are calling because they are interested, you want them speaking directly to your agent.  There should also be a full size brochure box with color photos.  Again, potential buyers are grabbing this information because they are interested.  The real estate agent should keep this box fully stocked.  Exposure creates interest!
  4. Have the property present on the internet.  Social media is very important.  Most agents have access to several real estate websites to promote their listings.  Make sure that you have a web savvy agent.
  5. Print advertising.   Yes…people still read from magazines and the newspaper…crazy right! 😉  Encourage your real estate agent to promote your property in local newspapers or magazines in full color.
  6. Realtor availability.  They should be available day, night, and weekends.  Do not expect a return call instantly, but at least within 24 hours.  One of the biggest frustrations that I hear about is when an agent calls another to make an offer and that agent doesn’t return the call until the next day or after the weekend.  This could make a potential buyer move on to another property that they like.  You want a real estate agent that will network and work cooperatively with other agents.  Seasoned agents tend to know other agents in the area and have good working relationships with them.
  7. Points of interest . Have a printed out Points of Interest brochure available for potential buyers to take with them at your home.  This is the only way that you can tell them about all of the upgrades and great features that your home has to offer.  One of the main conversations that I have with the homeowner when I come to do a consultation is everything that is great about their home and what upgrades that they have done to it.  No one knows the home better than you.  And Remember, from my previous Blog Should I Stage My Vacant Home, one of the most important things is what that potential buyer remembers from your home above all others.  Having this Points of Interest to look back at later with help them remember your homes wonderful features!
  8. Realtor sells full-time.  It isn’t that newer agents aren’t capable, it is just a factor in making an informed decision.  Many “experienced” agents may not be the best choice either, especially if they haven’t kept up with technology. You deserve an agent that is committed and knowledgeable.

Final Thought…  An Educated, Committed Realtor + Professional Staging = SOLD!