Manitoba

WINNIPEG STAGED PROPERTY SOLD IN 5 DAYS !!! $35,000 over list price !!!

Susan Macaulay owner and Professional Stager of Clarity Over Clutter staged a property in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Meeting with the clients for a 'Consultation' was the first step in preparing this property for sale. There was a number of recommendations that were shared with the homeowners. The homeowners were willing to put alot of effort into getting the house ready to sell. Working with a budget and keeping in mind that the family, which included 3 children, had to continue living in the property while the work was being done, were a few of the things that we had to keep in mind while preparing the property for Staging.

A number of items needed to be removed from the property and stored off site. Some painting and repairs were completed by the homeowners. They worked hard day and night!

Reminding the homeowners that these preparation are also beneficial when they move, as they have gone through items that will are now ready to be placed in their new home.

Opening up the space in all the rooms both physically and visually is evident in the photos.

The difference speaks for itself. A very welcoming, relaxing Living room.

This Dining area is a place to relax and enjoy eating with family and friends.

Removing the extra items in the kitchen, doing some painting, restoring the cabinets, and adding some accessories gave this kitchen a fresh look revealing the spaciousness and brightness.

Removing excess furniture in the Master Bedroom, adding some accessories to highlight the existing colors in the room created the feeling of 'This is a relaxing - get away from the world' space.

Removing the stored items allowed this room to be set up as its intended function - a Playroom. As the family grows this space can be transformed to a Games Room - maybe pool table or foosball??

The Staging work that Susan Macaulay of Clarity Over Clutter did in the house was performed with a limited budget and the fact that the family was living in the house while it was up for sale.

I thought I'd post these thoughts before one of the five women in my family, or one of the hundreds of agents/brokers in town here point me to a site with them:

With her in the car on the way to anywhere, look deeply into her eyes and say, "Let me pull over and ask for directions."

After dinner, when the candles are still burning, say, "I'll clear the table and do the dishes, honey. You go watch ANTM."

Greet her with a cup of coffee in the morning and let her know you have already taken out the garbage, vaccuumed the first floor, and washed and folded a few loads of laundry.

On Sunday at noon say, "Let's go shopping. We should be able to get a good place to park once the football games start."

Ok, that's enough. Now back to your regularly scheduled man thoughts.

GETTING READY FOR HOME STAGING IN WINNIPEG

Recently, I had the opportunity to complete a Consultation for HOME STAGING IN WINNIPEG for a wonderful family. There are many things to do in preparing to move. Packing up excess items prior to listing a house is very important. As items are pulled out for packing up, it can become very overwhelming and stressful. especially when you have a young family. Taking the time in preparing the house for sale can make all the difference in the world to selling it faster and for increased profit. REMEMBER - buyers want to see the house and all that it offers - not your personal items. It can also make the transition to the new home a little easier.

There are a few tips that can help in the process of packing up:

- Make plans for an off-site storage location, either a rented space, using portable storage containers, storage in the new home, or friends and family. Knowing where all the stored items will be stored gives you a clear plan of what to do once things are packed up.

-Gather boxes from stores or purchase some at the moving and/or storage companies. Another great way to pack up items is using large plastic storage bins with lids. They can also be used after the move to store out of season items. (Plastic bins keep moisture out as well)

-Start in one area of a room. As items are taken out of drawers, cupboards, closets etc., decide to - KEEP (still used, not worn out, not broken) DONATE (not used anymore, don't fit) DISCARD (broken, worn out, missing pieces). Moving items that are no longer needed or used only add energy, expense and time to moving. Be very objective of items not used. (Are there coats, dishes, decorations, or other items that you are hanging onto but don't use - take a breath and decided to let it go). After you complete an area - move to the next area. This system of working through your house will help to keep you focused. Jumping from room to room or area to area will only cause confusion and add to stress AND waste your productive time.

-Keeping items because you want to pass them on to family or friends in the future BUT don't use them now yourself - ask them if they want them. If they want them - give them to them now. Better for them to enjoy them now than later. If they do not want them - rethink where they can go. There are many organizations that will take items for needy families or individuals.

-As you have a collection of items to donate or discard - remove them from the house as soon as possible. It will free up the space - and add to your feeling of accomplishment.

-Label each packed box / container (Marck on the top and 2 sides) with the room that is will be going into. Also mark what the box contains. ie; Kitchen - pots and pans or Family room - games

-For items that are used daily and need to be accessible, pack them up last and keep that pile of boxes / containers grouped together and transported in such a way that they will be accessed first and easily. Place a special marking (either a large coloured paper taped on the box OR marked in RED marker) identifying that it is an essential box/container.

-Use packing paper (if possible) to pack up breakables. Using newspaper is okay - but an extra job of having to wash or wipe off the print could add a step in the unpacking process. Packing paper is available thru storage/moving companies.

This items in this room are in the beginning stages of packing up and moving out. The room is GETTING READY FOR HOME STAGING IN WINNIPEG, MB This room will be the games/playroom.

Stay tuned for the AFTER photo

HOME STAGING COMPANY IN WINNIPEG SHARES TIPS ON ORGANIZING AREAS OF YOUR HOME THAT BENEFIT NOW AND IN THE FUTURE WHEN LISTING FOR SALE

There are many areas of a house that we can store items that have been collect over the years. Items are kept for many reasons ie: seasonsal clothing, seasonal activities, seasonal decorations and changes also happen in our decorating tastes. Many times, new items are brought in to to update the changes, but sometimes the old items get stored 'just in case'. Just in case 'I may need them again', 'Just in case the kids want them', 'Just in case ....?'. The list of 'just in case' could be any number of reasons that items are kept in storage.

Taking a good look around your home and make an honest evaluation of items that are in storage is the first step in the process. Areas that are used for storage vary from house to house. Some commom areas are: drawers, cupboards, closets, spare rooms, basements, sheds, and garages.

Sorting through and getting organized is a job that takes some time and effort. BUT the rewards of chipping away at the process are very rewarding. Creating a space that is relaxing and comfortable as a result of dealing with the excessive items can clear not only the space but improve the well being a person. Walking into an organized area can save time (not having to look for things, because they are easily accessible) and saves money (your not having to go out a purchase another item that you already have).

-86% of those surveyed said 'storage space' is important to potential buyers -effective staging maximizes space and spaciousness' 2005/2006 Maritz Research

Three top interior features for selling were freshly painted walls, organized storage space and current flooring - effective staging will address all three. 2005/2006 Maritz Research

Clarity Over Clutter Home Staging in Winnipeg recommends to start small - pick a particular area such as the cupboards or drawers in the bathroom. Empty out all the items onto a surface. Wash out the cupboard or drawers. Review the items that were in the areas, discarding items that are used up, expired, or not needed any more. REMEMBER - take old prescription drugs and/or medications to a pharmacy for proper disposal. If there are bottles and packaging that can be recycled - take that step as well. When replacing items back in the storage areas group them with like items ie: first aid supplies, hair products, face products etc.

Continue through other areas of the home following the same process as mentioned above.

When you are done, you not only have a clean, organized home, BUT a big part of the work of decluttering can be accomplished for that future time of listing a house for sale.

Moving is a big job and stressful. These suggestions for organizing for living can be very beneficial now and in the future.

A before and after of a closet shows what a bit of time and effort can accomplish.

Taking the time to get organized and declutter now is a great way to invest in preparing a house for sale.

If you have any story about an area of your house that you have been working on, please share it with us - We would love to hear about it.

click here to visit Clarity Over Clutter Website

FIRST RECORD MLS® SALES MONTH IN 2009

September MLS® Sales Up 3%; Dollar Volume Rose 11%

WINNIPEG - It took nine months to set a new monthly MLS® sales record this year but they say patience is a virtue so it is worth waiting for. Third quarter MLS® sales in 2009 were almost on par with the same period in 2008. This result shows the Winnipeg real estate market has returned to its former glory with healthy market activity. Even more impressive is the continued dollar volume rise as evident from an 11% increase from 2008 to 2009 in the third quarter. Year-to-date dollar volume is now less than 3% off the record dollar volume pace set last year and just $25 million away from reaching the $2 billion mark for the third consecutive year. It is quite conceivable that with a solid fourth quarter performance 2009 will usher in a new WinnipegREALTORS® dollar volume record. Last year's total MLS® sales eclipsed $2.4 billion.

In being the best September in 106 years September 2009 also recorded two million dollar plus MLS® sales. As a result, the ten year-to-date million dollar plus sales are more than any other year as 2008 had the most previously at eight. The two recent ones are a Wellington Crescent apartment condo and a 6,000 sq. ft. Tuxedo home which sold for above list price.

September MLS® unit sales were up 3% (1,127/1,097) while dollar volume jumped 11% ($227.6 million/$204.9 million) in comparison to the same month last year. Year-to-date MLS® sales are down 7% (9,747/ 10,489) while dollar volume is off less than 3% ($1.97 billion/$2.03 billion) in comparison to the same period in 2008. Conversion of MLS® listings-to-sales this year is 67%, a few percentage points off last year's conversion rate. Home and condo conversions are running at 72 and 73% respectively.

"The absolutely terrific above average weather in September shone brightly on our local real estate market as sales were the best on record for this month," said Deborah Goodfellow, president of WinnipegREALTORS®. "We are recovering from our slow start this year as the third quarter performed extremely well and there is no reason to believe we cannot finish strong in the fourth quarter."

A recent Statistics Canada report showing Manitoba's population growth had its best quarterly increase since record-keeping began in 1971 can only bode well for keeping demand brisk in the local housing market. It becomes even more pronounced when you consider the acute shortage of good rental units as an alternative living accommodation. Low unemployment numbers and very favourable mortgage rates are also contributing factors to helping WinnipegREALTORS® have one of its best years on record.

For residential-detached sales, the most active price ranges were the $150,000 to $199,999 and the $200,000 - $249,999. They represented 24% and 21% respectively of total residential-detached sales. Interestingly enough, similar percentages of total sales in these two price ranges were also found in condominium sales for September 2009. However, 23% the of condo sales were between $100,000 to $149,999, whereas in residential-detached it was only 14%

The average days on market of sales for residential-detached listings in September was 30 days, the same as last month and 4 days slower than September 2008.