I vividly recall the First Sale of this home on 5459 Greenboro SE in Kentwood MI several years ago. The home was somewhat unassuming from the exterior. But once inside, what seemed like a conventional home turned out to be out of the ordinary when it came to the issue of spaciousness.
There were 3 living room areas: a formal living room, a sunken family room with a fireplace and a large recreation room downstairs. In addition to a the dining area, there were 4 bedrooms, and 2 separate office areas. The buyer who ran a home based business was thrilled!
This was the era in which sellers were advised to neutralize everything. The former home owners painted the wall surfaces off white, and the new owner in keeping with the times, added off white carpeting. The look was clean and spacious, but not particularly welcoming.
Fast Forward several years and now color is everywhere in the real estate market place.
I hadn't been in the home for several years. When I entered for the listing appointment, I was wowed! The off white paint had been replaced by Tiffany blues, Cocoa Browns and Tawny Autumn accents. The effect was warm and sophisticated. A house which had a great floor plan and space had been transformed into a home that exuded classic chic!
Coloring a Home Beautiful does not have to be an expensive process. Here are some tips you can utilize to create a transformation for your home.
1. Research what's Hot!
Do this by taking the time to look through home magazines and visit design show rooms and model homes. It's not necessary to re-invent the wheel and start from scratch.
2. Choose ideas that you like!
Not every idea is a good one for your home. But, the more options you have to select from, the more likely you are to find one which works for you.
3. Give yourself time!
One of the most common mistakes people make is decorating at the last minute. While this is sure to add to the stress, it does little to increase the likelihood that your choices will be the best. This home owner compeleted the remodel well before the planned move. This gave time for completing the job and enjoying it for awhile before moving.
4. Ask for Help!
Help doesn't have to cost a ton of money. But Help can save you a ton of money. An investment of approximately $100 in a Staging/Design Consultation may be the best move you ever make in selling your home. Stagers can help you select the right colors and accents. They can also assist in arranging your furniture in the most attractive way. If you need recommendations for staging consultants, please contact us at 616-791-0511.
Now, please enjoy this show highlighting the Affordable Sophistication of 5459 Greenboro SE, Kentwood MI 49508.
There are currently approximately 90 Homes For Sale in Kentwood MI in this general price range. Please Click on the link to preview them 5459 Greenboro is a BRAND NEW HOME LISTING. Our Team of Real Estate Specialists are available to show you this home or any other home in the Kentwood area.
Picture is courtesy of haydnseeks' photostreamon flickr.
Copyright 2008 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved
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Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate including information on local real estate market conditions and insights from Lola Audu ~l Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate Broker.
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LOVELY post, Lola! As a former interior designer, I always recommend that people 'warm' their home up with some color. To me...a totally neutral home is just boring. GBU!!
I agree that buyers are more sophisticated and accepting of different color schemes. Maybe this change has come about from the influence of all the home design shows on the air. Neutral just looks mundane now.
I just love the picture of the shiny new crayons! Remember wanting new crayons every year when school started?
Lola,
Thanks for the post. This is a great primer for sellers. In point of fact, it makes for good required reading.
Elizabeth, I'm totally with you today, but there was a time when I was Ms. Neutral Queen. Color was intimidating. Today, I love it...the idea of all white walls would be hard for me to return back to.
Elaine...The picture of the crayons is fun isn't it? Thanks for stopping by to read and share a comment. I do think that the media exposure has made a big difference in highlighting the ways in which color can be used to transform a home's interior.
William...Thanks for the compliment. I appreciate your stopping by to read and watch the show.
Lola, good advice, especially for someone like me that is challenged in this area. I would need lots of help :)
Hi Lola, Yes, you are so right! Many people have the idea that to neutralize means to paint walls white or off-white. Warm, colored neutrals are what we stagers mean by neutralizing. Did you know that some shades of green are even now considered neutrals? Grays are usually the hardest to sell and white or off-whites are too sterile, especially if a home is vacant. If someone is staying in their home, though, I encourage them to have fun with color. It's one of the most important elements of decorating.
P.S. Thanks for the suggestion to hire a stager!! I'd be happy to help anyone looking to do minor enhancements for resale or for living.
Lola,
What a great post! Getting a stager in after you purchase a home and before you start decorating is such a good investment. Plus you get to enjoy living in the beautiful space you create opposed to just making it nice for the next buyer.
Nice post, good information. The last minute decorating is murch more difficult. The earlier your start, the better the end result.
Lola: Warm welcoming colors are what my home is screaming for. Hubby and I can't agree on anything! If I can get him out of town to visit his Mom, and do a surprise makeover while he's gone, he'd see just how boring off white walls can be.
Lola, Great suggestions. I agree with you that you need a bit of color somewhere. If you are faced with dealing with white walls and carpet as a stager, bring the color in through the artwork and accessories. It's such a quick and easy fix and makes the home look fantastic.
Color is SOLD!!!! Lovely post!!
Heidi, Thanks for sharing your insights. Things have definitely changed in the home decorating world. Knowing how to make color work gives a big advantage to a home which is competing with several others in the neighborhood. You're definitely one Stager I would recommend in the Grand Rapids area. :)
Terrylynn, Conventional wisdom has been to do these changes in order to sell the home. I say do them a little earlier so you can enjoy your home as well.
Chris...Good Luck. :)
Susan...Excellent point! There is more than one way to work color into decor. Walls probably are the most dramtic change, but the right accessories can also warm an environment or make the space 'pop.'
Good idea....it is so hard to get people to keep resale in mind and it saves them a lot of time and money if they do!
Lola,
Great information. I try to get my sellers in the mindset that they are dressing the home up for the new owners. It is no longer their home.....so it doesnt matter if they dont like the new paint scheme...they will not be living there
have a great day
Leander