The Art of Visual Merchandising

Every product for sale on on the market today is seen by countless consumers who need a quick “fix”.If the visual images of the product they see are not appealing enough to stop them in their tracks and investigate further that merchandising opportunity is gone forever. I started off my working career as a Visual Merchandiser,trained in the Art of making a product appealing to a consumer.The function of the Visual Merchandiser is to create an inviting, visually appealing environment for the customer’s shopping pleasure.Whether the item was pants,paint or powertools I used the principles I learned to make the display appealing enough to make a consumer fall in love & open their wallet for that “must have” item.Visual Merchandisers need to be creative, enthusiastic and have a natural finesse for color, balance and composition. A strong understanding of current market trends and innovative visual approaches are extremely helpful.

As my career progressed I specialized in Home Decor and Furnishings,which turned out to be perfect training for a Home Stager.When merchandising a store you have to work with the items available so whether a sofa was $299 or $12,999 the same care was taken to insure the product had wow factor. Sound familiar? Home Staging is so much more than decluttering and adding a few accessories.An understanding of how furniture is placed,colours used and how it all looks in print and online is often difficult for a homeowner to visualize when they are so emotionally attached to their home and all their “stuff”

Investing in the services of a Home Stager will ensure your “Product” – your Home,appeals to the broadest market possible.Your property is your biggest investment so it deserves to look like the Dream Home you first fell in love with.Home Staging & Professional Photography are Marketing Tools used to showcase your  home to the world and make buyers stop in their tracks and say “I want that” Look around your home.Does it have that “I want to live there” factor for a buyer.Yes,it’s clean and tidy but is it lacking Wow factor? Why should someone make the biggest investment of their life in your property? You need to give them very good reasons or with a click of the mouse they have moved on to the next property.

Staging Works because we buy on emotions,always have always will.

When we “Prep” your property you discover the difference staging makes.

“Next” Magazine shoot with Kings journalism students.

A few weeks ago I was contacted through Twitter by Mick Cote,a journalism student at Kings in Halifax.Part of their final exam was to design a magazine from conception to finish.Their target market –  young,budget conscious professionals who love good  style,fashion and a great cup of coffee (what’s not to like).Mick asked for my help in styling the cover shot and sent me a description of the mood it should convey.

My suggestion was to find a beautiful traditional property in downtown Halifax and add some modern elements to the design.A home with a lovely hallway in Halifax was found and we set a date to shoot.I had an image of the space but without seeing it in person,had no idea of proportions or scale.I chose accessories and artwork which would fit the bill from my growing inventory.The students got a kick out of shopping The”Prepmobile”.It’s not everyday you have a client select accessories in an alley from the back of your car.Must have looked a little strange to the neighbours (Hey Mister,do you want to pick a vase?) 

I did very well with my decor picks,they seemed to love everything I brought.Final picks included a group of bright coloured vases,a lamp and artwork with an ethnic feel and fresh gerbera daisies.The hallway had a lovely dark wood bench but my plan was to use a taller sofa table.We improvised with two Ikea barstools and propped the table on top to bring up the height.I don’t think you can tell by the final shot,a “thinking outside the box” moment.Vanessa Lentz of Farm Gate Imaging came along for the ride and gave some very useful photography pointers.An enjoyable afternoon was spent setting up the display and watching as the cover shot model walked back and forth in the hallway several times(he suffered for his art) in order for Mick to get the perfect “action” shot.

You can see from the completed project the students really pulled it off with a very professional,polished and highly readable publication.I am so proud of them all,this was a phenomenal amount of work and burning of the midnight oil. 

I wish all the students well as they go on to internships with various Canadian publications.Nick is off to Maisonneuve Magazine in Montreal,lucky guy.You can check out the full publication here and read all about these uber talented young professionals of tomorrow.

http://issuu.com/mickcote0/docs/nextissuuversion2/1

Is your home ready for it’s close up?

It’s all in the details and making sure that every detail is going to wow buyers.Today’s buyer is not content with ordinary.If a property is lacking in “you had me at first look” factor it is quickly crossed off the contender list.

The average homebuyer is now younger than the average seller.This translates into, if your decor hasn’t been updated in the last 5 years the Gen Xer’s don’t want to know.These buyers want a “move in and plug the laptop in” home.One reason for this is younger buyers are usually at the max of what they can afford for mortgage payments and expenses so they don’t have the ways or means to renovate or do all the diy jobs you didn’t get around to.

Home Styling Services are an essential part of Marketing a property to appeal to today’s buyer.It’s all about setting the scene for them and giving them a reason to buy.Many buyers don’t have the time,energy,funds or imagination to see past dated decor,clutter and collections that are just too personal.Any seller who thinks otherwise may come down to earth with a bump when their home fails to impress because they have decided that it’s ok just as it is.

Home Stagers are in tune with today’s trends with what buyers really want in their dream home.They advise on where to spend and where to save to give the property maximum appeal.Tricks of the trade are used to catch a buyers eye in Marketing images online and in print.Your home only has seconds to impress so why leave it to chance.

Don’t take chances with your biggest asset,you worked hard to get where you are.Staging makes sure you get the results you deserve!

What does it cost?
The one question on everyone’s mind when Home Staging is mentioned is “What does it cost?”
When you think of Home Staging what comes to mind? “Expensive”,”Only for Vacant Properties”.
HGTV has created the misconception that Home Staging requires deep pockets.We have all seen those shows with the home invasion of a squad of contractors,designers,camera crew,hair & makeup (I only wish) and through the miracle of television,several thousand dollars and truckloads later the home is a sparkling showpiece.
Well,Home Staging in real life costs a fraction of the production budgets on HGTV but the results can still be jaw dropping.For the most part Home Stagers will try to work with the client’s current furnishings and accessories etc,carefully editing and repurposing items in a way that makes the home look fresh and new.In certain circumstances we do bring in items to enhance and add the icing to the cake if the home requires it.
By recommending upgrades and fixups that won’t break the bank but add thousands to a home’s percieved value a Home Stager can actually make money for a homeowner who thinks vast amounts of money has to be spent in order to prepare their home for the market.
Staging highlights the features of a home and minimizes flaws so a buyer can see the home’s true potential.
Not all homes require a Full Home Staging service.If a homeowner has the time and is willing to put the hard work in,a Consultation may be all that is needed to guide them and Prep can prepare a detailed room by room checklist with all the recommendations for getting a home in tiptop shape for the market.
A recent client of mine followed her checklist and carried out all my suggestions and the results were stunning.She said it was the best $150 she ever spent.Yes 150,it didn’t break the bank and the home shows beautifully.If you are pressed for time and think the task is just too daunting,a range of services is available from one room makeovers to a complete Home Staging.You choose which services most suit you and your budget.
Selling a home,your biggest investment,is stressful and like everything else in life a good plan will simplify the process.If you want some landscaping done and you don’t have a green thumb you hire a landscaper,so preparing the inside of your home for it’s “closeup on the web” needs to be approached with the same mindset.
Home Staging is an investment not an expense and it pays off big time.
Staged properties sell 90% faster than unstaged properties
Staging a property can often be completed in one day
The cost of staging is far less than a price reduction
Staged homes are shown more by Realtors
Staged homes in move in ready condition can command a higher sale price

So there you have it,Home Staging.Affordable and a very worthwhile investment.No Hollywood budgets required!