In the world of home staging, it’s the little details that make all the difference, and one of these essential details is color. Color isn’t just a matter of taste; it’s a powerful tool for influencing emotions and creating the ideal atmosphere in a property. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the world of color psychology and its role in effective home staging, providing you with insights to expedite the selling process.
Color has a remarkable influence on a room’s ambiance. Each color has its own unique personality, and they can evoke specific emotions. Soft blues and greens create a sense of calm and serenity, perfect for bedrooms and living spaces. In contrast, vibrant reds and yellows infuse energy and warmth, making them ideal for kitchens and dining areas. The key is to choose colors that resonate with your target audience to help them envision themselves living in the space.
Consider the intended purpose of each room when selecting colors.
Neutral tones like soft grays and warm beiges can create a comfortable and serene environment in bedrooms and living areas. Vibrant accent colors can stimulate appetite and conversation in dining and kitchen spaces. Harmonizing colors with architectural features and natural lighting enhances the overall atmosphere and functionality.
Color choices are more than just paint on the walls; they’re a language that can help potential buyers visualize their future in the space. So, the next time you’re staging a property, remember the profound impact of color choices, as they can be the key to a quicker sale and a higher offer.
How often have you found yourself wandering through furniture stores, scrolling endlessly through online catalogs, or staring at your blank walls, unsure of where to begin? If you’ve experienced this, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle with the overwhelming task of decorating our homes. The good news is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and the journey itself can be incredibly rewarding.
Choosing home decor can also be a therapeutic journey of healing. Life often presents us with challenges and uncertainties, and our homes become spaces where we can reclaim a sense of control and tranquility.
A Fresh Start
Perhaps you’ve experienced a major life change, like a move to a new city or the end of a significant chapter. Decorating your new home can mark a fresh start, a symbolic gesture of resilience and hope. The act of choosing decor items that bring you joy can aid in the healing process and help you reimagine your life.
Stress Reduction
The process of decorating is known to reduce stress and anxiety. It’s a mindful practice that requires you to be present, to envision the atmosphere you want to create, and to make intentional choices. Whether you’re meticulously arranging a gallery wall or simply choosing the right throw pillows, these acts of creativity can calm the mind and soothe the soul.
Your home is your sanctuary, your retreat from the world. The decor you choose should reflect your personality, bring you joy, and make you feel at peace. So, as you embrace the changing seasons, take a moment to consider the therapeutic power of home decor.
Well we’ve made it to May…Hip, Hip Hooray! Some things are finally starting to return to a new normal and we couldn’t be happier! We love helping our clients in all the ways you need! We are so excited to announce a new eDesign platform – Shop This Look! We are working hard to create stylish design boards that will be available for you to purchase. If you are looking to redesign a space and don’t know where or how to start then we are here for you. Or, maybe you have ideas but have trouble envisioning the end result…We have created not only different spaces for design but also different styles. We spend time finding just the right rug or just the right light fixture that will fit into a space. Our goal is to have boards created for all rooms such as entryways, dining and living rooms, master bedrooms, office spaces, game rooms, and even outdoor patios. And the best part is, you get these design boards at a fraction of the cost of our full-service design services!
Once you have looked through our available design boards you can purchase the style that’s right for you and pay for it online. From here you are able to shop this look right from the comfort of your own living room. The design board will break down the items in the room and you are able to click on each item to see it up close. The board will take you to the website of the item to show availability, price, and other options. With the click of a few buttons you can order what you like and have it shipped right to you. It’s like having a decorator right at your fingertips! We wanted to share a few templates we have created so far and stay tuned for our official launch… So for now, keep dreaming of that perfect room and let us take it from there!
If you are not sure if eDesign, Shop this Look, or Full-Service Design is right for you, give us a call and we can go over your needs, budget, and style, and one of our design pros will point you in the right direction!
No better time like quarantine to dive into spring cleaning. We hope this post finds you all safe and healthy and motivates you to clean out and declutter everything you’ve been meaning to get to!
MUDROOM
Let’s start with the laundry/mudroom. Check out those shelves that may be hosting products that you never use or have expired. Remember to dispose of them properly rather than just throwing them out. Most labels will have these recommendations. Now is the time to go through shoes. Make a pile of those pairs that don’t fit, are falling apart, or either need to be recycled or donated. Any rugs in this space can be thrown in the washer or vacuumed. And lastly wipe down shelves and the washer/dryer surfaces.
KITCHEN
Let’s move into the kitchen… It’s important to wipe down countertops daily but now is the time to wipe down cabinets and appliances too. If your cabinets have any molding those areas can be dust traps. You can use a damp cloth for cabinets and I like to use stainless steel wipes for appliances. They go a long way and really return the appliances to a nice sheen. If you have an open area above your cabinets this would be a good time to dust or even vacuum up there if you have a hand-held one.
PANTRY
Don’t neglect your pantry. Now is the perfect time to pull out everything, yes everything, and reorganize. Throw out anything that has expired and group like things together such as dry goods, snacks, sweets, spices, etc…I love using baskets in my pantry for organizing and it’s easy access for kids too. Just remember, before returning everything to those shelves, wipe those down too and even line them with a fun shelf liner.
Photo Credit: MrsMeyers.com
OFFICE / WORKSPACE
If you are working from home, it’s important to disinfect this space. Think about all the surfaces you touch daily and how many family members may share them as well. Computers, laptops, and ipads can all be wiped down with a microfiber cloth. Dust/wipe down desk surfaces as well. Vacuum rugs and/or any carpet in these spaces. Don’t forget to include your kids with this process. It gives them ownership of their things and teaches them responsibility. Include spring cleaning into their daily routine alongside their academics!
These spaces above are a great place to start with your spring cleaning. Of course there are others you can add to your checklist. Here are a few more ideas…
Wash All Bedding
Dust Blinds
Polish Wood Surfaces
Clean Out Junk Drawers
The important thing to remember with spring cleaning is take it one day at a time, not everything has to be done at once. Kids can be great helpers with incentives so include them too!
If you’re like us, then you’re probably ready for things to go back to normal, whatever ‘normal’ looks like! We are hoping to be up and running all of our home staging services as soon as possible, and in the meantime we wanted to help you understand our WHY… Why do we do what we do, and what are the benefits of home staging? Let me first establish our why…
We exist to make a difference in people’s lives by preparing and expertly staging homes to help them sell quickly and for top dollar!
Did you know that 95% of buyers shop online first. That means that they search the various home sites and decide from those pictures which homes they will go see in person. So how do you make your home standout above the rest? Most people cannot visualize themselves living in an empty space and even have trouble getting past your things knowing that you will take them with you. Our team is professionally trained in home staging and participates in continuing education to keep up with design and market trends. We specialize in walk and talk consultations, occupied home staging as well as vacant home staging. Our job is to either use existing furnishings and decor or bring in our inventory to emotionally connect with the buyer to want your house.
If you plan to live in your home while it’s listed and you need our team to get your house ready for your photographs, this service is for you. Based on your square footage and list price we will walk you through your home, room by room, and make suggestions on furniture/decor placement, artwork choices, and what should be packed up ahead of time.
Currently our Walk & Talk Consultations are done exclusively online via Zoom, for safety and convenience! Once we complete your appointment you will receive a comprehensive action plan on our to get your home prepared and staged prior to going on the market!
If you plan to live in your home and would like hands on expertise then this service is for you. We will customize your package based on your home needs and stagers will spend a block of time staging the essential rooms in your home before it’s listed. We will use your furniture and decor and/or make suggestions of a shopping list to have for our team when we arrive. Then you sit back and relax while we take care of the rest. 75% of the occupied homes we stage receive an offer within the first 25 days on the market!
If you plan to move out and leave your home vacant then this service is the one for you. We will choose beautiful furniture, rugs, pillows, decor/accessories from our warehouse and stage each room, based on the package you choose. We will use expert staging techniques to entice buyers and create that WOW factor. Our packages include professionally selected inventory, delivery and set up, professional photography, up to 2 refreshes during service period, destaging and pick-up. 90% of the vacant homes we stage receive an offer within the first 19 days on the market!
If you need to have your home staged for sale, contact our team today for a quick staging quote!
According to Better Homes and Gardens there are 5 trends for first time and repeat buyers. Learning about these trends can help with buying and selling your home. Let’s take a look…
TREND #1…
Millennials are looking for their dream home. This means that they are looking to buy a home that they can stay in for more than 10 years. So much for that starter home…they are looking for more square footage, upgrades and good school districts.
TREND #2…
The home buying process can take longer than it used to. First time home buyers average about 5 months whereas repeat buyers are averaging 4 months from start to close. There are two possible reasons for this that can include the multitude of online search sites as well as the loan process. Searching these home sites can make the house hunting process sometimes take longer since there are so many options. Also, it is advised to get pre-approved prior starting the the search to help with shortening the loan process. Some home buyers are selling their home first and then renting so that they can snatch up the home they want when it is listed.
TREND #3…
Buyers want a move-in ready home. Fixer-uppers are not as desired as they used to be. Purchasing a newly built home or one with no renovations seems to be more appealing. It comes down to time and money for home buyers. Cosmetic upgrades are obviously not as deterring as structural changes or replacing AC units. Not knowing the resale value to certain renovations can also be a factor.
TREND #4…
Kitchens still sell houses! If you are going to upgrade, the kitchen is the place to do it. An updated kitchen can certainly influence a buyer to purchase a home. Open floor plans, islands with seating, and double ovens are also on the desired list. Most buyers desire an updated kitchen over a theatre room or even having a pool.
TREND #5
Millenials want a good investment. Repeat buyers focus on size and style when purchasing whereas millennials are looking for a step towards financial stability. They are looking for growing areas and not purchasing the most expensive homes in that area. Thinking like a seller can help with making that good investment.
You’ve been trying to sell your home and you did everything you thought was expected of you. You connected with a real estate agent, had professional photos taken of your house, and opened your home to numerous strangers as they paraded around your halls on private tours and open houses. But after weeks of your home being listed, not a single reasonable offer has been made. Sound familiar?
Currently, the median number of days a home sits on the market is 41 days. And, of course, the longer your home sits on the market the more control homebuyers have when it comes time for negotiations. So, take your house out of seller’s limbo by adding perceived value (and actual value) to your home. Here are nine easy home improvements you can do that will make your house more appealing to potential home buyers and help sell your home fast.
1. Upgrade Your Mailbox
Upgrading your mailbox might seem like a rather silly thing to do at first, but if we are talking about making a great first impression to potential home buyers, the mailbox is often the very first thing someone sees before pulling in the driveway. It’s also the easiest home improvement you can do.
It could just be a new mailbox that replaces the old, weathered one you’ve had for years. And let’s face it, most homeowners don’t put much thought into what their mailbox looks like, often becoming an eyesore to your driveway. Or, you could upgrade to a “Next Generation” mailbox that allows USPS to deliver large packages to your mailbox instead of your front door. And we all know packages that are apparently visible to any passerby have a better chance of not being taken.
In fact, with more and more consumer products being purchased online and delivered to homes, you may even consider upgrading to a security mailbox that keeps your mail and packages safe from theft altogether.
Either way, upgrading your mailbox is a simple, cost-effective method of bringing perceived value to your home.
2. Paint Your House Inside and Out
This cannot be emphasized enough, but painting the inside of your home with a fresh neutral color goes a long way with potential homebuyers. For example, your kids’ rooms may have very unique colors that they had insisted upon at one time, but not every potential buyer is going to enjoy that purple room as much as your kid does. You’ll want to put a fresh coat of paint on those walls so anyone touring your home can envision themselves living in your space.
In fact, everything you’re doing to prep your home for sale is making your home look its very best and allowing potential homebuyers to envision themselves in every room of your house. You want people touring your house to think, what if I bought this house? This room could be my office, nursery, guest bedroom, etc. However, it becomes hard for potential buyers to envision themselves in a room with purple walls.
Alternatively, painting the exterior of your home may be the best solution to getting your home sold faster. If your home’s color has faded from its former glory, the paint is chipping, or your house has always been that home on the block the neighborhood kids call the orange house, you may want to consider getting your home painted a more contemporary color. Though painting the exterior of your home can be pricey, when done by professionals, the process has a very quick turnaround time and the result will be sure to leave a lasting impression on potential buyers.
3. Enhance Your Curb Appeal
It doesn’t matter if you live in Dallas, TXor Portland, OR, enhancing your curb appeal can go a long way toward making a great first impression on potential homebuyers.
First, you’ll want to look at your landscaping in front of and around your house. How does your lawn, trees, and overall vegetation look? Make sure your lawn is freshly trimmed, all dead debris (like sticks and leaves) are picked up, and 2 to 3 inches of fresh bark mulch is placed around your shrubs, trees, and plants.
Do you have hedges that line your property or some other form of fruit or decorative trees on your property? Having your hedges trimmed and your trees cut back can make your yard go from something that resembles an unruly wilderness to a well-maintained and welcoming paradise.
Also, if you don’t already have decorative plants bringing color to your front driveway and entrance, a few well-positioned potted plants are an inexpensive and inviting sight for newcomers to your home.
4. Clean, Declutter, and Stage Your Home
Nothing turns potential homebuyers away faster than an unkept and cluttered home. If you’re looking to sell your house quickly, it might be a good idea to hire professionals to get your house in order. Decluttering and staging your home is a must if you want to make your home and all its uniqueness shine its best for potential buyers.
If your closets are overflowing with winter jackets, or you have too many large pieces of furniture in your living room, your spaces will not be showcased the way they should be. People touring your home like to look not just at the larger rooms, but also poke around in closets, drawers, and other storage areas to make sure their stuff will fit. If your stuff is in the way, that makes it much harder for buyers to see themselves in your space.
Furthermore, a deep cleaning is a must before any open house or home tour takes place. If you have a cat or dog (or both), you probably don’t smell them anymore. However, people that don’t have pets are acutely aware of homes that do, simply because it’s a scent they’re not used to. If you’re looking for a quick turnaround, a professional can help eliminate odors, stains, and any number of other things you may no longer be aware of and make your home feel brand new again.
5. Fence in Your Backyard and Refinish Your Deck
It’s amazing what a refinished deck or new cedar fence enclosing a backyard can do for a home. Not only is it functional and aesthetically pleasing, but the return on investment is nothing to shy away from if you’re looking for an easy project that will help you get your home sold fast.
In fact, the national average in 2019 for recouping the cost of a wood deck addition on a home is 75.6%. So, although you may take a small hit financially by adding a wood deck onto your house, you would recoup most of the cost and potentially sell your home faster because of the added feature.
Likewise, adding a fence to your property can do wonders for your home in a relatively short period of time. And according to a 2018 survey by the American Pet Product Association,”67% of U.S. households own a pet,” meaning over half the people touring your home have a fuzzy little friend, and a fenced in backyard is a bonus to some homebuyers but a must for others.
6. Fix Your Light Switches and Update Your Fixtures
So it’s true, people touring your home will play with your faucets, open your drawers, and test ALL your light switches. If you have a light switch that doesn’t work (or an electrical outlet), now is the time to get it fixed. Light switches that do not work signify to homebuyers that your house may have electrical issues, when in fact, it may be something much more simple. Nonetheless, at that point, you’ve already lost that potential offer.
You’ll also want to replace all your burnt out light bulbs to make sure every room in your house is bright and inviting. Furthermore, all your interior lights should be the same color temperature for consistent lighting throughout your house.
Updating your light fixtures, ceiling fans, and even your hardware on doors and cabinets is an easy and cost-effective way of increasing the perceived value of your home. If you already have an electrician fixing your light switches, they could also replace your dated brass light fixtures with ones that have a more contemporary feel. Beyond making your interior appear more modern to homebuyers, you can take this opportunity to find fixtures that can help brighten your home and make it stand out among other homes for sale in your area.
7. Upgrade Your Garage Door
Installing a new garage door is one of the simplest and quickest ways to give your home a much-needed facelift and impress potential homebuyers. New garage doors recoup nearly all the money invested into them, and, in some areas like the west coast, a new garage door actually recoups more than its initialinvestment at 123.8% on average. Meaning your new garage door could actually put money back in your pocket.
There are several styles and designs to choose from, just make sure that you go with a style that fits the look of your house. Especially if you’ve recently painted your home a more contemporary color, a new garage door can be that easy home improvement that pushes home lookers into actual offers.
8. Get a New Front Door
Give others entryway envyby upgrading your front door and transforming the character of your home. Over the years, front doors see a lot of abuse and begin to look worn and tired. Luckily, a new front door is quick to replace and a very cost-effective way of making your entryway unique and aesthetically pleasing to anyone stepping up onto your doormat.
Solid wood doors are always a classic style for homes not to go out of style anytime soon. They’re solid and typically last much longer than alternative materials like fiberglass. Additionally, front doors with inlaid glass can also give your entryway more natural light for the interior of your home. Either way, a new door is a quick and easy way to impress homebuyers.
9. Update Your Kitchen Appliances for a Fresh Look
If you’re looking to sell your home quickly, updating your kitchen with modern and timeless stainless steel appliances is a great way to go. Though this can be costly, new appliances really appeal to first-time homebuyers, and as a result, you could see more competitive offers.
Furthermore, there is a good possibility your appliances probably need to be updatedanyway. Typically, larger appliances like fridges and stoves should be replaced every 10 years, while smaller appliances it’s recommended to be replaced every 5 years. Nonetheless, updated appliances are a safe bet if you’re looking to sell your home fast.
If you need assistance with getting your home ready for the market, contact our team of expert home stagers. We offer a variety of home staging services to fit your need and budget!
We are so excited to announce that we are having our Semi-Annual VIP Realtor Warehouse Tour! This event is going to be so much fun! We will have meet & greet with our Home Stagers, Light Snacks & Cocktails, a Photo Booth, Professional Headshots available to Realtors, DJ C Ya will be on the turntables, and a tour of our facility!
And there will be swag bags for the attendees, and a drawing for 5 VIP Gift Baskets including some goodies plus cool surprises! You don’t want to miss out on this event!
Details:
Thursday, October 24th from 4-6pm (but will probably go until 7pm).
Location:
Staging The Nest | Office & Warehouse
1150 McCaleb Rd., Suite E-10, Montgomery, TX 77316
First off, TGIF!! Secondly, How is your summer going? I know, I know… it’s hot and humid and back to school is just a couple weeks away, already! But hopefully everyone has had a chance to take a vacation or two, spend some much needed time at the beach, or maybe even travelled abroad!
Well, although we know summer is all about fun in the sun, it is also the hottest time of year to sell your home if you live in the Houston Metropolitan area. And we have been feeling the super busy rush! Our team has been going non-stop this summer staging house after house and consulting with all of you fabulous homeowners! We have helped over 150 client so far this year and looking forward to all the new clients we will meet!
Check out just a few of the homes we have staged over the last few months…
If you are planning to sell this summer, give us a call before you list! Our team will get your home staged and ready for buyers! Click below for a quick staging quote!
Can you believe Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now we are all decorating for Christmas? Time flies when you’re having fun!
Speaking of fun… Our team had the privilege of attending HSRA’s 2018 National Home Staging Summit from November 1st thru November 3rd in Dallas, Texas. It was a blast and we learned so much!!
For those that don’t know, the Home Staging & Redesign Association {HSRA} exists to provide expert training, knowledge, and support to Home Stagers and Redesigners throughout the world, which ensures top service and results. But that’s not all, they are like family. Attending the 2018 National Home Staging Summit is like attending a family reunion. We get to connect and reconnect with other home staging professionals across the country, and it is so amazing the relationships we gain from this amazing event each year! And, what a perfect time to have such a gathering since it happened just before Thanksgiving. As the group of amazing people grows, we are able to continue to meet, connect, and learn from new people that don’t only challenge us, but also inspire us to be a better version of ourselves.
This year the theme was MOMENTUM! By keeping the momentum going, we are making it our time to shine! What is Momentum? The Webster dictionary defines it as the strength or force that something has when it is moving; the strength or force that allows something to continue to grow stronger or faster as time passes.
The three day event was power packed with events back to back! We started off with a VIP tour of Model My Home’s warehouse along with a luncheon and Q&A, then we ended the evening with a Meet & Greet at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown Dallas. Days two and three were filled with breakout sessions built to bring us closer together and establish friendships within our stager community. We had team member breakout sessions along with business owner main sessions to help build our business and help us learn and grow from the best in the biz!
We got to listen to so many speakers but just to name a few Mike Reese (Keynote Speaker), Dusty Dean, Heather Rains and many more poured valuable knowledge into us. Giving us just the jolt of energy aka MOMENTUM we need to move forward. Mike Reese what a powerful speaker; he’s what you would call a relentless learner and focuses on online and offline marketing. He encourages your business to find your ideal client and what their values and goals, how would they define success. Dusty Dean focused on Leadership and how it’s not just about being the boss its about allowing your team room to grow. Heather Rains spoke to us about our dreams and goals. Dreams don’t just happen over night they can be 10 years in the making. The process is in the purpose.
Our BIG takeaway: Aline yourself with those that will lift you up and speak life into you. That will feed you MOMENTUM and give you your moment to shine.
We were so humbled and honored to have been awarded the Top 10 Professional Home Staging Company Award along with recognition for our role as an Elite Leadership Member and for earning the Mastery Award for having 250+ hours of Continuing Education in the Home Staging Industry!
Without the 2018 National Home Staging Summit we wouldn’t have been able to gather around like-minded individuals and we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to pour knowledge into others as they poured into us.
Thank you HSRA for allowing us into your lives. Also, a personal thank you to Jana Uselton, as if it weren’t for her none of this could have ever been possible. We look forward to seeing you again at the next HSRA event. We wish all of our HSRA family an incredible holiday season and can’t wait to see how your business grow this next year!
Remember it’s your moment to shine! Now it’s time to ELEVATE our business to the next level!
