A price reduction is not a marketing tool it's a financial loss! Reducing your price gives buyers the impression there may be something wrong with your home or that you are in a desperate situation and need to sell now. While this may very well be the case the costly marketing campaign you've chosen has a poor return on investment and looks the same as every one elses. Marketing is about standing out from the competition to gain more exposure. It's a game too few really understand.

When you sell your home there are options you need to consider. Investing a few hundred dollars now could save you thousands in the future.

Option 1: Price it right the first time and according to your needs. Be realistic in what you want and expect from the sale of your home. Hiring a professional Real Estate Agent doesn't mean they decide your fait. The market assessment you receive from them is a guideline of current market conditions but ultimately you are responsible for choosing the asking price.

Option2: Have your home appraised. Getting a professional appraiser to place a value on your home is the best way to determine what it's really worth today. Doing this will make pricing much easier plus you'll have a legitimate report that shows potential buyers the real value of your home.

Option 3: Have a professional Home Staging & Redesign specialist to properly prepare your home for advertising online, print and showcasing. Marketing the appearance of your home is as important as the price itself. The way your home looks is the very first thing a buyer sees. If it doesn't look good it will quickly be dismissed by the majority of buyers leaving only investors and bargain shoppers waiting in the wings.

Option 4: Ask for increased advertising from your Real Estate Agent. Agents usually have set guidelines by which they advertise but may be willing to increase print size and sources for a nominal fee or in some cases for free. Use caution with this option! If your home isn't priced accordingly from the start or if it doesn't show well; this option is a waste of time and money. Agents will be reluctant to spend extra time and money helping home sellers who don't help themselves.

Option 5: Do nothing. By choosing this option you have decided to remove yourself and your pocket book from the equation for success. In the short term you'll be saving yourself time and money but having relinquished all responsibility will cost you thousands in the end.

Just because every one else is doing it doesn't always mean it's the right thing to do. Talk to your local Real Estate Agent or visit our website for more useful information on preparing your home for SOLD!

Call us at (780) 904-4647

email: info@rivercityredesign.com

www.rivercityredesign.com

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Hooray! We finally finished the Lois Hole Family Room at the Zebra Centre. This was by far one of the most challenging rooms I've ever designed. The Family Room is primarily used for ages 12 through 16 to watch their interview videos, discuss their cases with prosecutors and a special place to just hang out. When Barb (the director of the centre) and I first sat down to discuss the needs she told me the sky was the limit but it had to appeal to the teenagers both male and female and be welcoming enough for adults. Hmmm... That's a lot to ask for in a room that's only 15 x 10 feet!

I needed to think outside the box. I needed a solution for a multi purpose room that was age appropriate and gender neutral. After spending long hours sourcing, taking photographs and building story boards for different ideas, Barb chose the urban theme I proposed. After weeks of waiting for custom built shelves and art work, my team and I started working on the transformation last week, completing it on Thursday.

It's hard to see (literally impossible in the photo) but I had a local sign shop custom make me about 50 special words. The vinyl is clear adding only a shine to the painted surface. The great part is that as you enter the room it isn't noticeable but as you move the light catches the words and makes you discover what exactly it says. All of the words are inspiration for the teens - courage, strength, trust, love, compassion and so on.

This room was a challenge and a pleasure to create for such a deserving and truly courageous group of kids. I received a beautiful email from Barb the day after it was complete:

Good Morning Donna

Well - what can I say about the family support room? EVERYONE LOVES IT!!! ...oh my God; you are kidding me; it is beautiful, what an amazing space; is she a designer?; where did you find her? are some of the reactions YOUR room received this morning.

Thank you so very much.

I didn't take on this project and volunteer my time or my teams for any other reason than to give back to my community and to inspire the kids. Receiving such a great email was unexpected and only the tip of the ice berg of what Barb had planned. She invited me to join her and her team this past Saturday at The Edmonton Golf and Country Club. My company along with about 50 other businesses and volunteers where honored that night. It was amazing!

Giving isn't about getting back - it's a selfless act of compassion, love and respect for others. I love what I do and knowing that the Zebra Centre is that much more inviting for the kids who need protection makes me smile inside and out! That's all any of us need now isn't it!

(780) 904-4647

email info@rivercityredesign.com

www.rivercityredesign.com

Kitchens are an integral part of the entire package for homebuyers. Not only are they looking for updated kitchens but space, functionality and great appliances. With all the competition in the Edmonton area it's more important than ever that your home looks it's best in print, online and during showings.

Updating a kitchen can be as easy as a new coat of paint, new door hardware and flooring. If you're considering remodeling your kitchen there are more cost effective options instead of the large expense of a complete makeover. With some professional advice, creative thinking and a little hard work a ‘new' kitchen is possible for a fraction of the remodel price.

The kitchen shown here was dated, dark and non functional. Some how while remodeling back in the 1970's the home owners forgot to make space in the kitchen for the appliances.

In the spring of 2006 River City ReDesign and its team transformed the kitchen to bring it up to date.

Here's what we did:

new flooring -$1500, custom built island for stove $1000, resurfacing of counter tops $300, tile backsplash $350, paint $75, lighting $150, cabinet hardware $175, sink & faucet $300 - total transformation under $3500 (plus appliances)

Even updated kitchens can be over run with daily life leaving them functional for the current owners but cluttered and unappealing for potential buyers. The photographs below are a great example of how River City ReDesign transformed another cluttered kitchen into a buyers dream.

We added art work ($35), accessories ($45), cabinet hardware ($135) and greenery ($35) for less than $300. By removing the window valances and opening up the blinds, the space instantly looked brighter and seemed larger. Putting away the clutter gave a true understanding of the mass counter space; the highchair was stored in the utility closet during photographs and showings making this kitchen a true winner in the eyes of a potential buyer!

Whether you're renovating, updating or looking for advice on properly preparing your home for sale, River City ReDesign has the knowledge, resources and customer service to help you through the process.

You can do it and we're here to help!

Call us at (780) 904-4647

email info@rivercityredesign.com

webpage www.rivercityredesign.com

Master bedrooms are such important selling features you just can't afford to get them wrong! When a buyer walks through your home in anticipation of the master retreat a poorly showcased master bedroom can be disastrous.

The Master Disaster below shows zero appeal and major lack of inspiration for a luxury retreat.

We made the bed, used throw pillows and a chair from another room, added art work, greenery and window dressings all for under $200.00

This Master Bedroom is now a cozy retreat that inspires buyers to make an offer.

For more information on inexpensive ways to transform your home visit our website at www.rivercityredesign.com

Most newer homes today are open concept 'Great Rooms'. If you are one of the lucky ones to be blessed with a formal dining room be sure to play up the luxury factor! Too many dining rooms are being left in the wayside or converted to play rooms, den's or a second family room. When preparing your home for sale show your dining room as a cozy romantic entertaining area instead of a forgotten space. Buyers will see the value and fall in love with the luxury of great entertaining!

Before River City ReDesign

After River City ReDesign

For more information on Home Staging & Redesign services visit our website at www.rivercityredesign.com

My team and I have had the pleasure of working with a local nonprofit organization called the Zebra Child Protection Centre. Instead of having to visit a police station, physiologist office, lawyer office, and so on, children of child abuse are able to come to the Zebra Centre. As soon as the kids enter the centre they realize they are in a safe environment that is catered to them and their sensitive needs.

We are in the process of redesigning three of the rooms at the centre with the first one called the Toy Closet completed last Thursday. The only guidelines for the room was that it needed a WOW factor!

Barb, the director was personally blown away by the transformation and I have had the pleasure of seeing a few reactions from the kids. This certainly isn't Home Staging but it sure was fun!

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After

Just imagine being a child who's had such trauma, going through a day of interviews, medical exams and so on. It breaks my hart. This room has the door closed and as the children get ready to leave after their long day filled with emotion - a child advocate takes them down the hall and lets them open the door.... WOW!!!

All of the toys, blankets, hygiene products and clothing is donated from local businesses and citizens. Each child gets to choose one or two things to take home. What a great childish ending to such a political day!

Stay tuned for before and after photos of the other two rooms once they're complete!

If you would like more information on The Zebra Centre please visit their website.

www.rivercityredesign.com

With thousands of Real Estate listings in the Edmonton area it's more than likely there's a bit of competition on your street. Properly preparing your home for sale will bring it to a level playing field, if not a step above its competitors.

Home buyers differ in their priorities for their new home but they all have a few things in common:

• 80% of them view your home online or in print for the first time
• Most make a priority list of homes to view based on how they look in the advertisement
• They are looking for a great home at a great price and start looking for ways to justify a lower offer
• They can view a number of homes in a day with showings lasting as little as 10 minutes
• Most are looking for move in ready homes
• They tend to lump homes with dated décor as fixer uppers
• Regardless of age; cluttered homes look smaller and less appealing
• Many will place their furniture the same way they see it displayed, so if it doesn't look right they assume there is a lack of overall space rather than a problem with the furniture placement
• Only 10% of them can visualize a home's potential; if it doesn't look appealing they lose interest quickly
• First impressions are formed in less than 60 seconds and can cause a quick decision based on visual appeal
• It's hard for them to make an emotional connection in a home that showcases personal photographs and collections because it reminds them it's someone else's home
• Their ultimate goal is to find a home that looks and feels better than what they have now

Don't leave it up to a buyer's imagination - show them how wonderful your home is!

As Home Staging & Redesign professionals, River City ReDesign's team of experts knows what it takes to properly prepare your home for sale. We offer a number of services that include in home consultations and rental furniture for vacant homes. Our room by room reports address what to add or remove, what may need to be repaired or replaced, how and what to highlight as the main selling features, proper furniture and accessory placement plus we have partnerships with local trades people and home improvement stores that offer special discounts and quick turn around times for our clients. Please visit or website for a complete list of services.

As the Edmonton Real Estate Market continues to have a record breaking number of listings, the need to impress your potential buyer is more important than ever. In 2007 many published Real Estate reports stated that Home Staging & Redesign added more value and buyer appeal causing homes to sell faster and for more money.

Remember that if a buyer can visualize themselves living in your home they may just fall in love with it. Price, location and your personal décor no longer becomes a factor once their hart takes over so take the time to get it right the first time. Your hard work won't go unnoticed and it will certainly make the selling process less stressful and in most cases much more profitable - exactly what you are looking for!

River City ReDesign Inc.

email: info@rivercityredesign.com

Telephone: 780-904-4647

website: www.rivercityredesign.com

I just completed a lengthy entry into the 'At Home In Edmonton' blog about helpful sources for going green.

I'd like to make mention of The Living Green Pavilion at Edmonton's Home & Garden Show this coming April 3-6th having a wonderful array of green living ideas, sources and services available in and around Edmonton. Thier 'Its easy being Green at Home in 2008' list is a great source for easy how to's and ideas on making a difference every day.

Cheers to Green!