Lisa Collymore

Two major North American holidays have already passed this summer, as time flies quite quickly. These holidays were Victoria Day for Canadians and Memorial Weekend for Americans. For many of us, these holidays are considered the beginning of summer although, not officially. Many homeowners who are preparing to sell their home are faced with having guests stay with them during their transition. This leads to guests from out of town temporarily staying while the open house is taking place and while potential buyers are busy looking at every aspect of your home.

Your guests might not have their quarters in tip top shape. After all, they are on a vacation and tend to be more laid back as they should be. This is where staging a guest room is very important. What can be done to make your guest room while it is being occupied, still conform in unity with the entire house? This is very simple. Allow guests to know about home staging and what it entails and why you are using it. Explain to them that they must tidy all possessions left unattended within their room. These include luggage, digital camera, laptops etc. Personal belongings need to be placed away from the potential buyer's eye.

Towels should be clean and fresh. Spraying or burning any form of lavender scents are perfect for the bedroom as they are associated with slumber. Having the bed made at all times will also be a big bonus to potential buyers and the current homeowner.

In Montreal, the summer is so short that despite having your home for sale you can still enjoy and welcome guests despite your home being listed on the market.

Summer is quickly approaching, for many property owners of vacation homes business may be quite slow. Due to our countries economic situation, one of the first forms of entertainment that consumers eliminate is their vacations. For many summer vacation home rentals this can

become a major loss in revenue. Setting the stage for home staging your vacation home can make a big difference. Although, the market is down, there are a still a very high number of people who are still going on vacation and are still looking for summer rentals. Staging your summer home for potential clients can attract vacationers who never knew that about your rental or who never knew of your home's location as a vacation destination.

Your vacation home can be a condo or a small home located out of town, or even an unknown bed and breakfast. There are even beautiful recreational vehicles that are located near family loved amenities. All of these attract clients.

Summer is a very short season. Staging can help you attract as many clients as possible who in return can become regular clients for years to come. These clients in turn can spread the word on what a great property the stayed at refer your summer home to other vacationers.

As spring rolls into town, we visualize tulips and beautiful gardens beginning to bloom. Spring brings out the home owner who is looking to sell their most valued asset. Their property. As potential buyers come to view your home, you must make some adjustments to the homes exterior appearance.

As the interior scene is very important, so is the front lawn and other parts of the property that are exterior. These areas must be taken care of that have been overlooked since last season. If your entrance screams community trash and items that should be recycled, this does not give your home any curb appeal to potential home buyers.

What home owners should do is clean up as much as they possibly can and if possible hire a gardner or landscaping company to complete the rest of the job. A simple tip can be using potted plants along their walkway or if possible try using artificial evergreen plants which can be taken to their new home when they leave.

Light fixtures outside of a house should beturned on as this will allow the potential buyers to view the size and type of landscaping area their new home has to offer.

For a number of potential clients and exsisting ones, I have to differentiate what is the difference between home staging and interior decorating. Due to offering both services within Highstylebydesign, I have to explain that their is a big difference between both services.

Homestaging is de-personalizing a home for potential buyers. This includes undertaking the task of marketing the house "showroom perfect." I use these words because potential buyers are looking for everything to be perfect and spotless. Staging is the art and science of setting the stage for a home sale.

Interior Decorating is personalizing the home for current or new owners. This is the complete opposite. Clients are either requesting a room makeover or an entire home facelift, specific furniture pieces and art work are selected based on the client recommendations and on the interior decorator's professional advice.

Both services have some similarities such as use of color consultations, artwork and furniture placement.

Home Staging is the service needed for clients selling their home in today's real estate market.