Award Winning New Construction

Okay, the award part I made up but it really should get props for its refreshing and livable design. The builder is our very own Open House Stager Girl (and owner)-Tara. She wears a couple of hats as you can see.

Listing is by Jennifer Maher for Windermere Real Estate and making each room come alive with furniture, art and accessories are the fun loving, brilliant and talented gals from Open House Staging. Yes folks…it takes a village, well it takes our village to create this beauty!

Farm House Chic

Builders and buyers are still loving the farmhouse vibe. Shiplap is still a thing and accent walls are holding strong. My favorite trend that remains is the covered outdoor space. The rainy days here thank you for continuing to create year round usable spaces. Here is a new build we staged.

This beautiful home is listed by Tom Maider and Brad Knowles and the badass staging is by us gals at Open House Staging.

Easy City Living

This home is in an old Seattle neighborhood. Very lovely. Take a minute to tour and dream….

Listing by Jane Powers Ewing & Clark Inc and the fabulous staging by us gals at Open House Staging.

Queen Anne Beauty

We finally had an opportunity to use one of our new purchases from our time at market in Las Vegas. We call it “the Ladies”. See the image in the media room. Took 3 of us to hang it but what a POW! it provided.

This one of a kind home was listed by Rene Stern & Kim Wesselman-Windermere and the fabulous staging is done by us gals at Open House Staging.

Grand Dutch Colonial in Wallingford

I wish you all could see what a good, high quality remodel looks like. The kitchen windows are to die for, the light fixtures are big statements and the spaces are incredible. Take a look …

This beauty is listed by Kris Murphy & Elaine Shankland for Keller Williams and the fabulous staging is by us gals at Open House.

Staging

Listing by an amazing team: Kris Murphy & Elaine Shankland for Keller Williams Luxury. Staging by another amazing team here at Open House Staging.

10 Steps to Preparing your Home for Sale

Would you like to make as much money as possible on the sale of your home? Sellers are getting top dollar when they put some skin in the game and prepare their home for the market. 

These are important first steps:

#1. Put away your emotions and put on your business hat. You are now selling a product and someone else’s dream.

#2. Curb Appeal: Get your landscaping dialed in. Weeded, planted, mulched (no red bark please) and beautiful. Be honest-how does your front door look? (See #3)

#3 Paint: Out with the strong statement colors and in with the neutrals. [Check out this blog post for in-tell on paint]

#4 Lighting: Remove fabric window coverings, valances and anything that blocks out the light. Illuminate the room with table lamps and floor lamps or better yet, a current light fixture.

#5 Reinvent rooms. Create an office in a small nook area, or a craft room in a dingy area of the basement. (See #10)

#6 Pack away belongings and de-clutter. Do not leave any closet untouched. Get a storage pod and pack pack pack. Or better yet, move out altogether. 

#7 Clean. Professionally is always my vote. Cleaners see so much more than homeowners. They know the drill. Do not forget windows-inside and out.

#8 Repair as much as possible. Make a list in order of importance. Buyers want a home that has been well cared for and loved. 

#9 Interview Real Estate Agents and listen to them. They are in the business of helping homeowners get top dollar and most should know how to do that.

#10 Hire a reputable staging company. Check out their current work and reviews from clients. Start with Houzz.  It cost money to stage so make certain you have connected with the right staging company.

Yes! The Market is Hot but you still need to go the distance

We hear it all the time. "The market is so hot that my house will sell itself". My sister and I are in hundreds of homes consulting and staging. We are blown away when we get resistance to painting out the red dining room that was hot in the 90's, the sponge painting of the bedrooms, the wallpaper border that trails around the room. Yes, it was great back in the day but it will not do the job of appealing to a larger group of potential buyers. I know you only need 1 buyer but appeal to many so that you can help drive up the price of your home.

If you want to make the most money selling possibly the largest asset you have then follow the exercise below:

 1. Grab you're smart phone or camera and head to the front of of house. 

2. Take photos of the front yard, side yard and back yard.

3. Head inside your home and do the same for each room.

4. Review each photo and make a list of what your potential buyers will see and where you need to make changes. Voila! the beginning of your "to-do" list.

Your goal is to make it look like your home has been well maintained and loved.

The next steps are equally important:

1. LET GO OF YOUR HOME. IT NOW NEEDS TO TURN INTO A PRODUCT TO BE MERCHANDISED AND MARKETED. (that is if you want top dollar)

2. LISTEN TO THE ADVICE AND EXPERIENCE OF YOUR AGENT. (they are well trained, well connected and have their finger on the market)

3. MAKE A LIST OF RECOMMENDED REPAIRS IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE AND START THE WORK. (refer to that well connected agent of yours for help with professionals) 

This sells:

This does not: