“The proof is in the pudding”. What the heck does that even mean? 

Is it Blueberry Pudding?

Lemon perhaps?

Peach with mint on the bottom?

Or cherry??

I don’t know, but pudding may not be the best idea when it comes to Home Staging. 

I was brought in for a Home Staging Consultation on this 1890 Historical Home that is on the National Registry of Historical Places.

It had been on the market for six months without a single offer. 

I gave some suggestions such as:

Paint the walls a more neutral color (even though the yellow was a historical color choice from Benjamin Moore it was too taste specific for selling). I also recommended taking down the drapes so the buyer could see the incredible windows and their magnificent height.

The Dining Room had an antique table in it but even though the home is historic not everyone likes antiques. I recommended the home be staged with more modern furnishings.

In the family room I recommended they remove the carpet as original hardwood floors were underneath.

The kitchen was getting negative feedback due to the long open wall area and lack of counter space. I recommended they purchase a portable island to create more counter space, put in pendant lights to create some drama and stage the area with an eat-in area.

Tiny bedroom? Let’s make it an office.

Master Bedroom…..let’s spice it up a little. (is there spice in pudding??)

So……here is how the flavors turned out.

The entryway is now a stunning start into the journey through this beautiful home.

The Lemon is now a mild Chocolate Latte enhanced with a touch of formal but still modern and casual.

The chocolate latte carries into the Dining Room and the old table is replaced with new but still classy.

The Family Room now has original wood floors and no more peach!

The kitchen…..now has more counter space, check out the cool pendant lights, and an eat-in area in the kitchen is so valuable!

It was best if they painted the bathroom but that wasn’t possible for a couple reasons so hey….sometimes you need to work with what you have and turn a negative into a positive.

And a little room becomes a great computer and study room. 

And hey…..make them laugh while they are there.

Now the Master Bedroom looks more inviting…..

Within two days the buyer received two offers for almost full price.

So…..I guess the Proof Is In the Pudding STAGING!! I definitely know what that means!

  If you are dealing with any flavors of your own and need some advice, call 952-567-1124 and let a professionally trained certified Home Stager give you a hand. Or check out our website for more before and after photos.

www.RoomsWithStyle.com

What is your buyer’s reaction really worth?

Home Staging – Cost versus Benefit

The price of Home Staging….is it worth it? That is always a question on the minds of home owners especially if their home is vacant.

It isn’t cheap to bring in furniture and have it staged. There is of course the rental fee for furniture but it is also all the labor. The movers, the truck, the staging time to pack everything, stage the home and then come back and pack it all up when it sells.

So is it really worth it?

I recently staged a 1904 three story home that sat vacant for many months. Let’s look at the cost versus the benefit of Home Staging for this architectural jewel in a classic neighborhood of St. Paul, MN

Cost…

1) The old cliché  is true….Home Staging almost always costs less than the first price reduction.

2) In addition, Home Staging is usually less than the carrying costs for one month. Let’s look at the costs involved in maintaining a vacant home:

Mortgage, interest, real estate taxes, insurance, water, heat, air conditioning, electricity, shoveling or lawn maintenance services, cleaning services, and maintenance upkeep.

Buyer after: “Wow, look at the vintage subway tile on the fireplace, check out those bay windows.”

Buyer Before: “What the heck am I going to do with this small room right off the Living Room?”

Buyer After: “What a great room for the kids to watch TV!”

Buyer Before: “This is kind of dark and dreary.”

Buyer After: “Look at this stunning wood and original lead glass windows. And that built-in hutch that is 109 years old – Incredible!”

Buyer Before: “The kitchen is nice.”

Buyer After: “I want this kitchen! The kids will love this bench for eating breakfast every morning.”

Buyer Before: “Huff…ah, ah…after climbing three flights of stairs it better be worth it. This is it?”

Buyer After: “I can’t wait to run up those stairs to get up here every night. I am heading off to soak in the tub and then curl up with a book on that window seat by the fire.”

“Oh….that’s right, give me the papers to sign and make it snappy.”

So…which statements are your buyers saying? What is their reaction worth?

If the difference is getting your home sold in days versus months, may the benefits of Home Staging outweigh the costs?

If you would like to discuss the cost versus benefits of Home Staging for your property, please give us a call at 952-567-1124 or visit our website at www.RoomsWithStyle.com.

Do Buyers Think It Is Halloween When They Approach Your Home?

Home Staging Minneapolis, MN

What do buyers see as they are approaching your home?

Is it dark? Poor lighting or maybe even no lighting? Are they slowing their pace thinking they mistakenly are at the Halloween Haunted House?

Does it creep them out to walk up the sidewalk and approach your dark porch or overhang?

What about when they unlock the front door and step inside? Are they worried they are entering…………….

“The Twilight Zone”

Is the entryway cold…..cavernous and making them think the Halloween Monsters are going to pop out?

Are they wondering what in the world they would even do with the cold space?

Well, if the buyers are asking these questions, wondering if it is Halloween and looking for the Snack Size Snickers and the spooky music to start, let’s just say you have a problem.

Bring in color…..bring in warmth. Use the colors of the season.

Fall is a great time to bring in the brilliant oranges and rusts that are everywhere outside. Extend the warmth of green past the front door.

Highlight any focal point they see from the front door and draw them in. Make them want to keep coming in.

And don’t forget to keep the character of the home when staging your entry. If you have a beautiful stately mansion, then show it off in a beautiful stately manor.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR BUYERS ARE NOT THINKING IT IS HALLOWEEN EVERY DAY WHEN THEY ENTER YOUR HOME, THEN CONTACT “ROOMS WITH STYLE” FOR EXPERT HOME STAGING ADVICE.

www.RoomsWithStyle.com

952-567-1124

My Madmen House. Home Staging St. Paul, MN

Yup….I got to stage a Madmen house. Well…that’s what I called it anyway.

Do you watch the TV program “Madmen” set in the 50s and 60s?  

Well I got to stage a Mid-Century Modern Home and had a blast!

The home was built by the home owner who was an Interior Designer. She raised her family in the home and died at age 93.

Everything was original and many things outdated so the children had to decide what to update and what to leave as is. Where was the best place to spend money to get it sold?

They decided staging the home was one of the best places to spend the money rather than on major updates.

Clean lines…..beautiful views…..but it was tired.

Below, do you see the swinging door on the right of the dining room going into the kitchen? When I was a kid I used to watch ‘Family Affair’ and every time Mr. French came through that door I thought “How Hip”! I wanted one.

Yes….the kitchen is dated.

Yes….the tile in the informal eating area and sun-room is dark and dated.

But oh what potential! Let’s show the buyer what it can look like! The fireplace is stunning and the dated washed paneling got a warm coat of paint.

Keeping true to the straight lines but making it warm and cozy were important. I incorporated one of the original mid-century console tables in the living room to keep the character.

Fresh paint in the Dining Room….but still loving the swinging door.

Again….just fresh lime green paint on the walls to brighten up the look of the original cabinets and refinishing of the original butcher block made a huge difference. (I am standing in the swinging door, ha….yes, I LOVE that door).

I don’t think the dated dark tile is as obvious now!

I staged the home on a Friday. It was ‘officially’ going to be on the market on Monday with a Realtor Open on Tuesday. But….someone came through the property on Sunday and made an offer. SOLD! IN ONE DAY!

If you don’t have Tens of Thousands of dollars to update your home make sure to ask an expert where you should spend the money to get the most bang for your buck.

These sellers knew where to spend their money to get the home sold. Make sure Home Staging is an important part of your budget when putting your home on the market!

www.roomswithstyle.com

952-567-1124

How Do You Find the Home Stager That is Right For You??

Home Staging Minneapolis MN

You may live in an area with many Home Stagers to choose from and you just don’t know how to choose. What should you look for and how will you know if they will be a good fit for you to stage your home?

FIRST: Look at the Home Stager’s Qualifications and Experience.

Are they certified? I have been a Certified Home Stager for eight years and am also a Certified Home Stager Pro Trainer for APSD. Your Home Stager should not have received their training from watching HGTV.

Do they belong to Home Staging Organizations and Associations? I am a member of Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) and have a RESA Pro designation which is the highest degree of accountability for a Stager. We are required to pass an Ethics Exam, have certain business credentials and maintain ongoing Continuing Education.

SECOND: Do they have a website with a portfolio showing their work and services?

Rooms With Style’s Home Staging and Redesign website holds a complete portfolio as well as a listing of all the services provided. You will get to know more about me, how I work and what I can do for you.

THIRD: Do you like the person?

That is plain and simple. Many Home Stagers are great in what they do but you need to click with them, like them and trust them. So chat with them on the phone, read the testimonials on their website and ask for a reference.

One of the greatest compliments is when people tell me they loved working with me as I was easy going, gentle in my delivery and made the process fun.

Many people feel nervous having a Home Stager into their home as they feel they will be attacked for what they have done or not done. You should never feel that way! I will need to Stage my own home someday when I go to sell. We all live differently than when we sell. Find a Home Stager that understands that and what your needs are.

Fourth: Do You Need Furniture?

Rooms With Style has a 2500 square foot warehouse filled with furniture and accessories for those of you who have already moved and need to stage a vacant home; or for you Real Estate Investors with rehabbed properties that know vacant homes are difficult to sell. Get them staged with beautiful, cozy decor that will draw the buyer further into the home! Call 952-567-1124 for Furniture Rental Information.

You love your home and you should love your Home Stager.

Shar Sitter at Rooms With Style would love to work with you in getting your home showing to it’s full potential.

www.RoomsWithStyle.com

952-567-1124

shar@RoomsWithStyle.com

I LOVE MY JOB….I LOVE MY JOB! Oh yah…..oh yah….. Home Staging Minneapolis MN

Isn’t that the goal. Yup….quick sale. Love it!

I first staged a vacant home for this investor that sold in 3 days with multiply offers so he had me stage this one as well. This one didn’t go so well. It took 5 whole days!

Ha….okay…..I think they are happy with that.

The investor did a fabulous job in rehabbing this home. Take a look….

Now I got to add the glitz and glamour to wow the buyer……

I love my job, I love what I do, and I love success stories!

Need some help with your property? www.RoomsWithStyle.com

Nobody Puts Baby In the Corner….well except for me. Home Staging Minneapolis MN.

Patrick Swayze said ‘No one Puts Baby in the Corner” and I have always believed that but hey…..sometimes Baby just needs to be put in the corner.

Well fine….technically she isn’t a Baby. She is Full Sized but she is still my Baby to deal with.

When the owners moved out of their stunning St. Paul home they chose to leave the Grand Piano until a later date. They kept her straight inside the doorway to the Living Room which wasn’t the best place for Baby for Staging purposes.

Baby was cutting off the living area…..

Baby was hiding the beautiful architectural detailing of the columns……

Baby was hiding the stunning views…….

Baby had to go to the corner……..sorry Patrick.

Now the living area flows better……

Check out the architectural detail that Baby was hiding!!

Now that’s a stunning room Baby…..

See Baby, there are now chairs for people to gather to enjoy your sound while sipping a glass of wine.

Sorry Baby but the corner is where you need to be for now.

And for what it’s worth…I THINK YOU ARE STUNNING BACK THERE!!

It Doesn’t Matter What You Use it For - Home Staging Minneapolis, MN.

You live in your home thus you can use a room or space anyway you want or need. But when you go to sell your home it is another matter. You really need to think of it as not your home any more.

If you use a space that is unique to you, your buyer will dismiss the space.

In this home there was a tiny space off the family room that the seller didn’t use. To them it was just a place to put a few random furniture pieces.

Wasted space to them but there is no reason to have it be wasted space to the buyer.

This seller’s competition all had built-in bar areas. The return on investment was not enough to justify building the bar just for selling so show the buyer the potential. Show them what it can be!

This seller used the end of this hallway as an extra place to sleep. But it was just outside a far corner basement bedroom with a bath across the hall. It was a space too large to dismiss.

The buyer would scratch their heads if it was empty and really scratch their heads with a bed in the hallway.

What a perfect setting for a ‘tweener’ room. A space for a teen to study right outside their bedroom.

You may use a space in your home that works for your needs but if it is unique to you the buyer won’t get it.

When selling, make every space in your home count and show the buyer what THEY can use it for. A Professional Home Stager can assist you with the process.

Yes….the little things do matter! Home Staging Minneapolis, MN.

Home Stagers talk about the little things all the time – get rid of the little things and de-clutter! BUT…many times the opposite is true.

The little things make a room cozy, warm and inviting. They make a house a home. Without the little things a house is just plain blah.

Blah, blah, blah….

Take this sun room, there isn’t anything wrong with it. It is okay. But just okay.

With a little tweaking, it can be cozier. First the furniture arrangement needed a small adjustment. Yes a little thing but it matters.

Second, a few throw pillows and pictures with a little sparkle make it better.

Let’s look at this family room. Clean and crisp and plenty of room. Isn’t that good for selling?

No. It doesn’t grab a buyer’s attention and make them want to sit down and relax in the space. It actually allows them to dismiss the space and this is way too much square footage to dismiss.

The little things matter. Throw pillows, lamps, vases, and candles make a room come to life and makes the buyer take note.

So if someone tells you the little things don’t matter tell them pish-posh. They do matter!

This house under contract in 5 days with multiply offers.