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!
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!
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!
The arrival of the holiday season often means spending time with family and friends, enjoying delicious meals, and exchanging gifts. It’s also a great time to give to those in need. The ability to give without expecting anything in return is an incredible feeling. This year we are excited to announce the first annual event Staging For A Cause. Our company has teamed up with three local Texas chapter/charities to be a part of this event.
From November 24th through December 24th, when you book your home staging service with Staging The Nest, 10% of your staging package will be donated to these charities! You can choose one or have your donation split between all three!
Here’s a little bit about each charity:
The Peace of Mind Foundation is to help improve the quality of life of OCD and mental health sufferers and caregivers through education, research, support, and advocacy. They believe everyone should have access to the information they need to seek the right help and support. While providing professionals and individuals with free educational videos, webinars, and conferences. On average, it takes 9 years for an OCD sufferer to get the proper diagnosis and treatment. Their efforts are to reach the masses to give a voice to the voiceless and bridge the gap between suffering and help.
ALS Association Texas Chapter – To discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest. ALS is a devastating disease — physically, emotionally, financially and logistically. Their goal is to alleviate as much of a family’s burden as they can, with programs like clinics, that provide comprehensive care for ALS patients under one roof, support groups, that help patients and families find comfort among those who understand what they’re going through, and one-on-one consultations with care services managers to help people living with ALS and their families navigate through every aspect of the disease.
PTSD Foundation of America is a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring to our combat veterans and their families with post traumatic stress. Many warriors are coming home with visible wounds; countless others are coming home with scars we can’t see, wounded souls from witnessing the horrors of war over and over again – PTSD. It is our duty as Americans to help these mighty warriors and their families adjust and find their new normal.
We invite you to visit their websites for more information. Chances are someone you know has suffered or is currently suffering with one of these conditions: OCD, ALS and PTSD. These are dramatic things that don’t just affect the individual but it puts strain on their loved ones. By helping us bring awareness to these local organizations, for every dollar you spend with Staging The Nest, we will donate to these organizations for research, support groups, out reach programs, counseling, education and so much more. Studies show that giving back is not only good for those who receive but it does wonders for your physical and mental health. Help us make a difference! Book a package between November 24th and December 24th and let’s see how much we can raise in one month!!
To book your home staging service with Staging The Nest, contact us today!
We have some exciting news for you!! In honor of our 2 year Anniversary, we are having a Flash Sale on our Essentials Vacant Home Staging Package – It’s only $1,999! That’s a $650 savings!!! We have NEVER done this before and our team cannot contain our excited for this amazing deal!
If you would like to take advantage of this offer or for more information, contact us ASAP as it won’t last long! 832-427-2463 | Ashley@StagingTheNest.com.
How’s this intense summer weather treating you? Hopefully your days are filled with lots of a/c and pool time to stay cool! This summer has been a busy season for our team at Staging The Nest. One of the highlights is that we had the amazing opportunity to attend the HSRA Home Staging Success Seminar in Tampa, Florida and go to Siesta Key to participate in a Home Staging Mastermind with other business owners in our fabulous industry! It was an awesome experience being able to learn, share & grow with some of top producing leaders!
And, we have had the pleasure of staging so many fabulous homes this summer! That includes this wonderful family home in The Woodlands, TX. It has 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, 2,982 Square Feet, and a lovely pool ready to enjoy! Lots of space for a large family and in a highly desired location!
Check out the photos of this beautiful home! To schedule a tour, contact Kayelin Wright with Heritage Texas Properties | 713-471-3689.
Thanks for checking out our most recent blog post! If you need assistance with preparing your home for sale, Contact Us Today! Our team is ready and available to help you!
Can you believe that it is already FEBRUARY? Maybe I am the only one, but I feel like the time goes by faster and faster every year!! Anyway, as we all know February is the month of ♥ LOVE ♥! And what better way to share some love than by sharing some great news! We just got word that two of our staged properties in The Woodlands have gone under contract very quickly! One of the homes received multiple offers, and finally sold for $6,000 over list price – ALL CASH. The other home was on the market for over 8 months with little interest. We staged the home and then in only 10 days received an offer! Home Staging Works!
Home buyers are falling in love with the homes we have staged, they are making solid offers, and are now preparing for their closings! And to really add some sweetness to this, one of the closings in on Valentine’s Day! We are so very happy for our clients, their realtors and the buyers on their new homes! Congratulations!!
On another note, we are preparing for another great staging project in The Woodlands, Texas. We will be staging the entire home creating a true model home experience for buyers to fall in love with! Stay tuned for photos on that project!
If you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, give us a call or contact us today for a quick staging quote! We have staging options for all homes whether your home is vacant or occupied!
I am so excited to share with you all that we received an awesome award today from Houzz.com. We were awarded the Best of Houzz 2018 for customer service! Check out the press release below, and a few of our favorite living rooms we got to stage in 2017!
Staging The Nest – Living Room – Vacant Staging
Staging The Nest – Living Room – Vacant Staging
Staging The Nest – Vacant Home Staging
Staging The Nest – Living Room – Vacant Home Staging
Staging The Nest – Living Room – Vacant Home Staging
Over 40 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Building,
Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the World
THE WOODLANDS, TX, USA, January 18, 2018 – STAGING THE NEST of The Woodlands, TXhas won “Best Of Customer Service” on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. Thehome staging and design companywas chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.
The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 40 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2017. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award. A “Best Of Houzz 2018” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.
“Our team is so honored and blessed to have been selected for this award! A huge thank you to all of our clients past and present who have trusted and continue to trust our company to stage their homes. Without you, we could not do what we truly love! Let’s make 2018 even more impressive together!”
– Ashley Fuentes, Owner & Principal home stager at Staging The Nest
“The Houzz community selected a phenomenal group of Best of Houzz 2018 award winners, so this year’s recipients should be very proud,” said Liza Hausman, Vice President of Industry Marketing at Houzz. “Best of Houzz winners represent some of the most talented and customer-focused professionals in our industry, and we are extremely pleased to give them both this recognition and a platform on which to showcase their expertise.” Follow Staging The Nest on Houzz.com.
About Staging The Nest
Staging the Nest is a Home Staging and Design company serving Houston, The Woodlands, and the surrounding areas. Our Professional Home Stager is Certified through the Home Staging Resource {HSR}, the industry’s leading certification and designation program. The HSR Certification program is accredited by the Real Estate Staging Association {RESA}, who is the only third-party, governing association for the home staging industry. The Home Staging Resource is the first and one of the only accredited staging training courses available for the staging industry. Additionally, we are members of Home Staging & ReDesign Association {HSRA} which brings a new level of continued training and mentorship to our team for constant growth. We have also won numerous awards and recognition from Staging Studio, Expertise, HSRA, and been featured in VoyageHouston Magazine.
Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow, Tel Aviv and Tokyo. Houzz and the Houzz logo are registered trademarks of Houzz Inc. worldwide. For more information, visit houzz.com.
