Monday, February 27, 2012

Let's Dance! Tangerine Tango, anyone?


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For folks that don't study color and design, you might not be aware of the 2012 Color of the Year. A quick trip through any department store won't leave you guessing for long.  Stores are awash in the 2012 favorite.



Tangerine Tango is the 'it' color for 2012.


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I think it is a FAB-U-lous color!

  
It is bright, cheery and fun!  Tangerine Tango can add a delicious 'pop' of color that may be missing from your decor and wardrobe.This orange-y/coral color is such a feel-good shade !
Bing
When staging a house for sale, I always add large, crazy-bold, colorful accessories.



Accessories that are current and colorful can transform a home.


Tangerine Tango will instantly infuse any room with an instant burst of energy!  If your decor has not been updated in a few years, try a little Tangerine Tango to make it sing!  (And, who knows, maybe you'll want to dance.)




If you would like help making your house sing, please contact Linda Beam.
I always appreciate your comments!
StagerLinda@gmail.com                            http://www.quicksalehomestaging.com/
                          

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Pretty, please!


Recently, my daughter in law was reminiscing about working as a waitress during college. 
She worked at a big Chinese restaurant.

Some of the seating faced out to view the mall entrance.  Diners could watch the comings and goings of shoppers while they ate. Equally, mall customers could oogle the diners. 

"The Manager always told us not to seat anybody in front of the window unless they were attractive," she stated. I had an immediate indignant, "OMG, are you kidding!!!" reaction.

Later, I reacted to my reaction.  I am in an image business.  I know people are attracted to pretty.  (It seems less offensive when it is a house verses a person, I rationalized.) My job is to make houses look attractive to get them sold.

The restaurant manager wanted the 'pretty people' in front to draw in potential customers.  

Like the restaurant manager, I know that a house for sale must show its 'pretty' to lure in potential buyers.

You wonder why a post about home staging has pictures of George, Jennifer and Kate?  You will be seeing lots of houses on "Linda Beam - An Attraction to Staging".  You deserve to see, what I think we all can agree on, are a few pretty people. 

They always get seated in the front.


If you need help staging your house for sale, pretty please contact me. Linda Beam at StagerLinda@gmail.com        http://www.quicksalehomestaging.com/


Friday, February 24, 2012

Enjoy it NOW. Sell it LATER.

My neighbor,Virginia, treated me to lunch for my birthday. Over Cobb salads, at the California Pizza Kitchen, selling her house came up in conversation.
 
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Chatting about selling our houses is a fairly regular topic. Our neighborhood is lovely but older and 'established'. We each own houses built in the '80's. Every time one of us is confronted with a major repair, we threaten mutiny from our beloved 'hood.

Of course, the advantages of staying in our older houses are lower mortgage payments, 'convenience to everything', sprawling lots and two neighborhood lakes to enjoy.  

However, the maintenance problems of aging houses are chronic, constant, inconvenient and expensive. Finding the extra money for our bucklist of desired updates can be challenging.



Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

House Beautiful
  
So here's the rub: maintenance issues have to be addressed sooner or later. It's less of a headache and easier on the wallet if you can knock them out a bit at a time.

Don't procrastinate on repairs and updates. Waiting to complete a Home Inspector's punch list is a bitter pill to swallow. I've seen sellers cry when the work on their house is finally completed and they have to leave it for the new owners.


HGTV

Changing out plumbing and light fixtures, installing new cabinets, countertops, hardware, crown molding, etc. will help sell your house when the time comes. New appliances are a big bonus and will contribute to improving your quality of life now.
                                                        


Last year we bit the bullet and installed new Pella windows. It was absolutely the best investment we've made on updates! They look great, the comfort in our rooms is vastly improved, the buffer from outside noise is amazing, and the energy savings is literally money in our pockets. (No, Pella didn't pay me.  Could have a new career as their spokesmodel? Ummm...no...spokesperson?)


Pella

I vote that you pursue maintenance and updates for your house. Enjoy them while you live in your home! Why put all the time, effort, and money into improving your house just to sell it for someone else to appreciate?  

Isn't it time to have your cake and eat it too!

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If you need help deciding on which projects to tackle before you sell your house, please contact Linda Beam.                                                               I appreciate your comments!
StagerLinda@gmail.com              http://www.quicksalehomestaging.com/

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Emotion Behind The Buy

Hello! I am excited to start my blog today! It's my birthday--the perfect day to start a new adventure. I must give a special shout out to Maria Killam (http://www.mariakillam.com/) for her advice and support.

Thanks for joining me as I chat about my passion for staging and design. 

I want to explore the essential  emotional element that contributes to making a sale.  

Places in the Heart
Remember the anticipation of buying your first home? The excitement you felt about finding the perfect place that was within your budget? That ideal home to raise babies, prepare feasts, entertain friends, make memories, and decorate for the holidays? 

Everyone experiences a bundle of emotions when shopping for 'the' house.  A seller must make sure their house elicits the right emotions to attract a buyer.

 
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Seal the Deal!
Potential buyers tour your house based on statistics: location, price, square footage,  amenities, etc.  But, they buy a home based on emotion.

As with any consumer product, it's all about presentation. Landscaping, paint colors, furniture placement, accessories, updates, and a house that is immaculate and maintenance-free, all contribute to the appeal a house reveals to a buyer. 

Create the best first impression in this competitive market. Prepare your house for sale, and stage it to create the appeal to which buyers can relate.  Make buyers fall in love with your house and seal the deal!    


What about you?  
What tugged at your heartstrings when you bought your house?





Need help creating the feeling buyers can relate to?  Contact Linda Beam StagerLinda@gmail.com                            http://www.quicksalehomestaging.com/