Before and After Pictures

By Debra Rosser

Picture This!

I just bought my first DSLR camera, a Nikon d3100.  It takes amazing pictures!  Taking a great interior shot seems to come down to having an artistic eye (I've got that), a steady hand (or for me a VR lens and tripod), a wide angle and a professional camera.

 Having better pictures will enhance the before and after pictures that help sell my service on my webpage!  This will also mean that if you have a house on the market, and you already had professional shots taken but now you want to stage some of the home; we will be able to deliver beautiful after shots that you can swap out of the rooms we stage.
 

What is in your MLS photos can drive traffic to your listing... or away from it.  You have a lot of control over this.  Look at your pictures carefully, think about the properties best features.  List the strongest photos/features first.  We have a favorite local real estate photographer we partner with and can even include their professional photography services in a package designed just for you.  We are happy to give referrals; just ask! 

Quote

The happiest people don't have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything!
Bill Etheredge
Counselor
The Colony High School

Dressed for Success

Do you think it is a good idea to get your car detailed before you sell it?
Do you wear clothes to a party or usually go naked? Why?
When you are having a party do you clean up the house, the bathrooms, the floors, and the kitchen?
Do you generally think people look better after a make-over?
Do you think that the style of clothes a person wears can make them look older than they actually are?
Is it important to you to stay in shape?
If the price is the same do you buy new or used?
Have you ever been surprised by someone’s talent on American Idol? Why?
Have you ever notice that someone had chipped toenail or fingernail polish?                    
Do you dress differently when you are cleaning house than when you are going to work?
Do you wear deodorant? Why?

Like it or not, looks (and smells) do matter. We make judgments about all kinds of things based on what we see. If your house is on the market it is competing with the other houses on the market and guess what….the best looking houses (in each price range) sell first, and for the most money. Understanding this is not rocket science. If your house is about to go on the market or already is on the market (and you are disappointed with the results you are getting) contact us. Staging is an investment that pays very well and it is always cheaper than a price reduction. Staging Matters. Call today.

Susan Boyle, the older woman who appeared on American Idol and shocked the nation with her voice, is a great example of how packaging creates expectations. Susan Atwell, of Atwell Staged Home, writes an interesting article on this subject in her blog. You can read the article here:
It All Boyles Down to this – Looks Count

North Texas Holiday Staging Tips

It must be tempting, if you are a homeseller, to pull your home from the market during the Holiday season. For some this may be a smart time to let the clock reset and take a break but before throwing in the towel you might want to consider the advantages of sticking it out.

There are fewer homes typically on the market over the holidays; this means you will have less competition (that is a big deal in a buyers market). Secondly, those buyers that are looking during this time are more likely to be serious, motivated buyers.

I have been asked already several times about how I suggest someone "stage" during the Holidays. Here is the honest answer to this question from a staging perspective. It is not a popular answer but it is an honest one. If your seller can stick to these guidelines they will have an edge over the competition and that is sometimes all it takes.

 

So here are my suggested guidelines...

Less is still more in November and December. If you add something large (Christmas Tree) you must remember to take something of equal size out of the room (loveseat or large chair). Square footage is what you are selling so remember that less is still more even during the Holidays.

Curb appeal is still critical! The first impression from the curb can include a Holiday Wreath and maybe some white lights....but that is really it. Frosty the blow up Snowman and all the plastic candycanes need to stay in the attic.

This is not the year to decorate all the rooms of your home. Buyers need to be able to focus on the house, not your decorations. So what is the magic formula? Think in terms of 3. Three areas is enough to keep you in the Holiday spirit and to celebrate family traditions but not overwhelm your buying guests. For most this will mean they will put up a tree, decorate a mantle and set the dining room table. That is all, just those three places.

Kitchens and Bathrooms sell houses. Keep these areas "holiday free". Buyers will be able to appreciate these rooms if they aren't distracted by your decorations.

While you shouldn't overwhelm buyers visually with the Holidays you can enhance the warm feeling of your home by baking some cookies and leaving some Holiday music playing softly in the background.

Being on the market during the Holidays is not without challenges so if you are going to stick it out....stay in the race!

Dallas/Ft Worth Stager Shares a Trick

Sanity Saver for Homeowners

Imagine it is just past 8 in the morning. You are still wearing your pajamas and you are in the middle of feeding your toddler some breakfast. The phone rings. It is the service wanting to let you know that your home is scheduled for a showing within the hour.

It is really rare that you will get a showing that is truly convenient. Somehow the service that schedules those doesn’t ever schedule a showing when you are perfectly prepared, when your spouse is around to help or when the maid has just left. So how do you survive when you have less than an hour to prepare?

Quote

The Only Thing More Stressful Than Having Your Home On The Market, Is Having Your Home On The Market For A Long Time! 
To avoid this give us a call today because the Staging Matters.