Spring Market 2017

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Avril Brown

Spring Market Staging Update 2017

The 2017 Real Estate staging year at Prep has had a busy start. Our staging consults are way up from last year, as more and more Real Estate professionals and homeowners are beginning to catch on to the value of a staging consult when selling a property.

Too often seen as an extra expense, staging is now being recognized for the value it brings, in time on the market, internet exposure and return on your investment. Online images are the “make or break” when a busy home buyer shops the internet for a new home. A “no thanks” is just a click away so don’t be fooled into thinking your home is “ok” to list on the MLS. A home owner can’t be objective when it comes to their “palace” You may have put time , money and sweat into getting your home ready for listing but does it have the look today’s buyers are looking for.

Even professionally decorated homes often need tweaks by an experienced staging professional. We do this everyday, we know what buyers are looking for, what turns them off and what it takes to get your home on their “must see” list.

All the homes above and many more have sold this Spring. Many of them had just a 2 hour staging consult and e mailed report. All had an experienced Realtor who is social media savvy, professional photography and serious, “do what it takes” owners who trusted Prep Home Staging to advise them on what is required to attract buyers in today’s Real Estate Market.

Call me today

Avril Brown 902 489 6162

Staging tips for the Holidays

Posted on November 19, 2014November 18, 2015 by Avril Brown

Home Staging during the Holidays

How much is too much? Should you put up a Christmas tree? Is it PC to do so?

One thing to consider is who are your target buyers? Do your neighbors decorate their homes for the season? Do you live in a family oriented neighborhood?

If you do decide to decorate for the season while your home is on the market, this is not the year to turn your home into Santa’s grotto. You don’t want prospective buyers to concentrate on your collection of 75 nutcrackers or your village complete with train station, you can enjoy those next year in your new home.

Keeping festive décor to a minimum will ensure buyers will still notice your home’s beautiful features and not be distracted by too much visual clutter, plus crowded spaces feel smaller.

When placing a tree be careful not to interfere with traffic flow in the room, remove a piece of furniture if need be and place in another room or storage. Choose your colour scheme wisely and try to coordinate with the rooms décor. Keep it subtle and sophisticated and save the macaroni ornaments made by your toddler and the paper chains for next year.

If you have a fireplace play this selling feature up and do a tasteful arrangement on the mantle to create a beautiful focal point in the room. One display in the centre of the dining room table and a few natural elements in the kitchen will carry the theme through.

Last but not least curb appeal. Leave those inflatable, flashy and cute items alone, much as the kids want you to put them out, just don’t. This is the time to really use restraint – less is more. A simple, lovely wreath on your front door and small evergreens in pots at either side of your door with twinkling white mini lights will say “welcome” and appeal to buyers without going overboard.

December house hunters are serious ones so you can’t afford not to appeal to each and every buyer.

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How to acheive high style on a budget

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Avril Brown

Thrifting,everyone is doing it!

Home Stagers are are masters of creating savvy design ideas for little investment.With the use of paint,colour and a few tricks up their sleeve they create show stopping interiors to wow buyers.Design on a dime requires some thinking outside the box,reusing and upcycling pieces already owned or purchased for a song in second hand stores and garage sales.

When shopping second hand don’t get caught up in buying something just because the price is right.Look for quality made furniture in solid wood if possible that won’t fall apart before you get the piece home.If you do find some items you love but the finishes are outdated or don’t match don’t worry.A coat of fresh paint will fix that problem to unify all your finds,a soft cream or dark brown will work depending on the furniture style.One thing to keep in mind is the scale of all the pieces,don’t crowd a room with too many pieces remember you are selling square footage not furnishings.Hardware is another way to instantly update.Nothing dates furniture more than garish brass so new nickel or chrome handles will give a fresh new look or spray paint if the budget is really tight.

A few of the pieces I have given a new lease of life to recently are a chrome wall unit purchased for $9.99.With a little elbow grease,some new glass shelves and paint I now have a stylish and funcional piece for my dining room.A bar cart which was a steal at $12.99 recieved a new coat of Benjamin Moore “Bittersweet Chocolate” 2114-10.The top needed a new surface so I decided on a faux leather look.I didn’t want this have too much of a shine but lucked out with this wallpaper purchased at Kent.Easy to apply with some spray glue and can be wiped clean.

Another piece I love is a night table,a Value Village find for $35.It had good bones but the oak finish was not to my liking.I splurged a little with this one and had it refinshed for $150.I had a feeling it was a good piece of furniture but my refinisher made my day when he said I had a good eye and it was by “Knechtel” a U.S. furniture company and solid wood.In this case the investment was worthwhile.

001 — Bar Cart beforeNightstand refinished

Accessories are another way to add splash without cash.A few well placed can make a room but don’t go overboard.Less is more when it comes to accessorizing.A few larger pieces have more impact than too many collections of small nicnacs,this just adds clutter and in Real Estate listing shots you need a focal point in a room.Too many small items are distracting to a buyer,there is nowhere for the eye to rest.Too much clutter in a room means a buyer will focus on all your “stuff” and not the features of your home.

Recently I sat down with Christina Copp for her article in East Coast Living Magazine and shared a few of my ideas for “Decorating on a Dime”.The Summer issue has just been published and you can read some more of my design tricks.Summer is a great time for yardsales so get out there and bring home a few treasures of your own.It’s fun,good for the planet and makes your decorating budget go some much further.Enjoy!

http://eastcoastliving.ca/2011/06/decor-decorating-on-a-dime/