A good story doesn't cost a thing...so what's your story?
Lets face it just about everyone enjoys a good story, even the potential buyers looking at your property for sale. In Hawaii we call it Talking Story which colloquially means both story telling and social conversation. When it comes to Real Estate Merchandising and Marketing, storytelling or in this case Story-SELLING is more than just anecdotal ice breakers or idle gossip but a highly evolved art of association that casts the potential buyer as the protagonist in the drama that is your property for sale.
In the antiques and diamond selling business it's called provenance. Similar to a chain of title in Real Estate terms the provenance of a unique and valuable asset is the history of it's ownership from it's creation to it's current owner. Sometimes it is the very history of the object that closes the deal for the purchaser and not so surprisingly it is the emotional connection to the narrative that often motivates the purchase. Case in point the infamous Hope Diamond has an astonishing and storied provenance and a purportedly notorious curse. The large blue diamond was first introduced to Evelyn McClean, Washington socialite and owner of the Washington Post, by renowned French jeweler Pierre Cartier. Knowing the power of storytelling, Monsieur Cartier cleverly presented the diamond wrapped in paper and did not reveal the stone until he told it's storied and colorful past, at which point Mrs. McClean demanded to see it. Although, Cartier did not make the sale that day, Mrs. McClean did purchase the legendary gem shortly there after and it is said she did so largely because of it's story and curse.
with the space and the many generations that have lived there. It is here that the story teller turns wear and tear into nostalgia; an empty room into the birth place of a dynasty; a dank basement into a former speakeasy; and a cool consumer into a burning buyer. The narrative should of course be truthful but it doesn't have to include famous people, major events, or end happily for that matter. It just has to convey emotion in a way that is relatable to the buyer. Granted you will probably want to leave certain information as a discreet disclosure as necessary. It doesn't take a Stephen King to know that horror as a genre may sell movies and books but not necessarily homes, obviously discretion should be used.
Season's Greetings
- Happy Holidays -
Mele Kalikimaka!
Tip for the HOLIDAYS:
Remember to inspect your chimney, gutters and downspouts!
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'Ulu Festival 2011
Do you believe in breadfruit? We do! Breadfruit can once again become a major source of delicious and nutritious staple food inHawai'i and replace some of the 85% of the food that we import from outside the state. * Magazine articles |
Family Grant Program Launched to Match Savings for Home Purchases and Debt Reduction Honolulu, Hawaii - The Hawaii Family Finance Project, funded in part by the U.S. Treasury department and First Hawaiian Bank, has launched a statewide initiative to match savings funds of families to improve credit scores and achieve homeownership. "Eligible households can apply to receive 4 dollars in matching grant funds for every one dollar saved," said Lilia Kapuniai, HFFP Project Officer. "The maximum is $8,000 in match on $2,000 saved by a family, which is a significant boost toward making a down payment on a home." In addition to a maximum of $8,000 in grant funds on a home purchase, the project also provides a 1 to 1 matching grant on funds saved to pay down consumer debt and improve credit scores up to $2,000. "Individual Development Accounts, or IDA's as they are referred to, are matching grants that help families reach important goals they are saving for," Kapuniai remarked. "We created the Hawaii Individual Development Account (HIDA) program under the project for families in every county of Hawaii." Three of Hawaii's most active HUD certified housing counseling agencies are delivering services under the Hawaii Family Finance Project: Hawaii HomeOwnership Center, Hawaiian Community Assets and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. To receive free services in homebuyer training, technical assistance, and to apply for HIDA, contact one of the project partners: Hawaii HomeOwnership Center: 808-523-9500 or info@hihomeownership.org Hawaiian Community Assets: 808-587-7886 or info@hawaiiancommunity.net Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement: 808-596-8155 or info@hawaiiancouncil.org The HFFP and HIDA are programs available to Hawaii families, rural or urban, Oahu or neighbor islands, native or non-native, fee simple or trust land properties. For more information, contact a project partner today!
It's all about getting noticed
in a sea of for sale signs. . .
Recently after discussing Home Staging and merchandising techniques with a fellow AR Home Stager. I made a comment that the property we were discussing was actually merchandised and NOT staged which solicited the comment,
Isn't Home Staging and Real Estate Merchandising essentially the same thing?
My reply was an emphatic, NO it's not!
But isn't the purpose of merchandising to make a property for sale as appealing as possible to buyers which is what Home Staging is doing?
Yes, but there are major differences that place Staging and Merchandising in opposing trajectories when it comes to the ethos behind the design". At that moment it struck me, why not compile my previous Real Estate Merchandising posts into one Go-To post describing what Real Estate Merchandising is and is not. In celebration of hitting the 100,000 points milestone I though what better way to celebrate than a compilation of my posts describing what I do as a Merchandiser. Cheers!
Getting noticed... What Real Estate Merchandising is and what it isn't:
The Devil wears Prada and makes one hell of a Real Estate Merchandiser.
One Little Red Wagon Thats NOT Tied to Other Sinking Ships in the Industry!
Under Contract in Four Days: Why Real Estate Merchandising Gets Buyers Attention!
Is going turn key with a rental unit a good idea?
The Reality, not everyone wants what you got; the benefits of targeting your buyers... Philosophy of a Merchandiser:
Virtually Staged: The Kitchen at 909 Kapiolani, Honolulu HI 96813
Staging a Bedroom, Virtually Speaking: a Design and Merchandising Perspective.
The Master Bedroom: Virtually Redesigning the Boudoir (a la Nipponaise)!
Nu'uanu Hawaii, Virtual Master Suite Make Over Part II: The Master Bath
Sensuality is made manifest by the senses...Materials of a Merchandiser:
Finding the Right Fabric to Make it Fabulous! An upholstery and fabric field guide...
Pillow Talk: the artful placement of pillows vol I. beyond the fringe.
Pillow Talk: The artful placement of pillows vol II. piling practicum
Chairs of Character: A pictoral guide to stylish seating vol I. The British Invasion
Chairs of Character: A pictoral guide to stylish seating vol II. And then there's Mod!
Never under-estimate the power of blah to sour the deal... Understanding the use of Color:
Inspired Color, Hawaiian Style: Natures Paint Swatches Vol IV
Questions for Kimo: What color is Celadon?
Questions for Kimo: What is Windsor Black?
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Honolulu Real Estate Merchandising Services including: Home Staging & Interior Decorating. Specializing in Hawaiian & Pacific Rim landscaping, remodeling, turn key services, marketing & MLS photos
JDS CONSULTING:
Merchandising for Real Estate-
We are a collective of independent contractors who maintain employment in the Real Estate industry as Realtors, Realtor Associates, Investors, as well as, Home Stagers, Professional Artists and Interior Decorators. Together we offer Real Estate merchandising services to those who lack the time and wherewith all to effectively merchandise their Real Estate.
Kimo Stowell is president of JDS Consulting and has experience in finance and design. Kimo serves on the Board of Directors for the Gold Coast Neighborhood Association and is a part time actor and vocalist. Kimo has appeared on Lost, Beyond the Break, National Geographic, and Dante's Cove and performs with the vocal ensemble Zamar at Unity Church in Diamond Head. Kimo is a Volunteer at the Unity Church Diamond Head and the historic Hawaii Theater.
JDS Consulting: Provides Real Estate Merchandising services in the following: Home Staging, Virtual Staging, Interior Decorating, Redesign, Remodeling, Turn Key Services, Virtual Tours, Curb Appeal Makeovers, Open House Hosting, and MLS Photography.
VIRTUAL DESIGN:
Virtual Design is a service of JDS Consulting offering our clients the opportunity to see before they buy. We use digital technology to produce visual renderings of our proposals so that design choices can be made quickly and with certainty.
Creating visuals for our clients takes away the guess work and time required to explain design ideas."Painting" walls and arranging furniture in digital renderings allows home owners the ability to see the concept before they commit to it; reducing client anxiety.
In the past clients would often toil over design choices, with the endless selection of swatches, paint chips, and material samples. Finding the right furniture meant many hours spent in furniture stores and design show rooms which inevitably slowed the process down. Changes to patterns or style choices often meant hours of additional work for everyone but when you have just moved into a new home, who wants to wait months for a sofa? We provide all the information required to purchase direct from the supplier: Item number, price, color, name, size, etc. We also provide substitute suggestions should items become unavailable.
Virtual Design can save you time, money, and the overwhelming feeling that comes with making the right design choices. Welcome to the 21st Century of design.
JDS Consulting can design interior and exterior spaces to suit your individual style and tastes. We can provide multiple looks to choose from varying colors, accessories, and design styles.
Before and After Project Photo Albums by JDS Consulting
TESTIMONIALS:
"I would have never thought to arrange the furniture in this way, but it works great and John, uses the room everyday now"
Redesign Clients John & Linda S. Saratoga Springs NY
"They completely decorated our beach front three bedroom condo in 10 days, wow what a difference. It has such an elegant feeling, we went from lawn chairs in the living room to Hollywood almost overnight"
Interior Decorating Clients Red & Sylvia VH, Hudson FL
"I went away for the weekend and I came back to something absolutely fabulous, and they took care of my dog too"
Interior Decorating Client Anne M C, Ka'a'awa HI
"Wow, what a transformation"
Staging Client David G, Kailua HI
"My family and I thoroughly enjoyed your choices and layout plans for our apartment. Now I have a guide as I shop which should make furniture shopping more efficient and less daunting. Thank you for keeping yourself available to us. I'll be sure to keep you updated. You have been wonderful to work with and I wish you much continued success! E malama pono,"
Virtual Design Client Stephanie A, Nu'uanu HI
He mea pau 'ole ke aloha
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