Linda D. Pufford, ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

"Can Potential Buyers see the Value in your home? ~ ACTIVERAIN has the Answer"

Can buyers see the full value of a property when it's for sale? We certainly hope so... that is definitely what we are looking for each time a for sale sign is put in the front yard. What connects a buyer to a home? Is it the color of a house or how many bedrooms the house has? It's not one, two or even three things that draw a buyer in and keep them lingering... and wanting to put in an offer.

Price and presentation are two very important factors with the sale of any home. As it is with a car as well... only your home is your largest investment and the one with the greatest return! You would certainly make your car that you are selling look it best and give it a competitive price if you hope to sell it. Wouldn't you do the same with your home and maybe even more so... to achieve the best return on your investment!

Do your homework... find the best Realtor in your area. Then listen to them carefully about pricing your home correctly... a knowledgeable, experienced and commented Realtor has your best interests at heart. They will give you the right answers. Looking for an outstanding Realtor... check out the many commented Realtor's in your area here on ACTIVERAIN. You will find no better... anywhere!

Below is a house that we staged. It sold recently for full price and the new homeowner purchased our entire inventory in the home. The new homeowner saw the value of the home in the price and presentation... and couldn't live without it. SOLD!!! A word we all like to see... the present Homeowner, the Realtor, the Home Stager... and even the new Homeowner.

Buyers are looking for a home that fits their lifestyle and a home that is in MOVE-IN ready condition. Will your home interest them???

Can Potential Buyers See Themselves Living In Your Home???

"You never get a second chance... to make a Great First Impression!"

Linda D. Pufford, ASPM, IAHSP

Accredited Staging Professional MASTER

Home Staging ~ Interior Redesign ~ Color Consulting

lpufford@withdivinestyle.com

www.withdivinestyle.com

Serving the Greater San Francisco Bay Area

3 Days Left! ~ Sonoma County Fair 2011 ~ 1350 Bennett Valley Rd. Santa Rosa, CA 95404

This years Sonoma County Fair dates are July 27th - August 14th, 2011. Only three days left to enjoy all the fun and excitement! The Sonoma County Fair is celebrating it's 75th Anniversary with a Diamond Jubilee Celebration you won't want to miss! It's everything you'll love about the annual Fair plus loads of Special events and surprises planned just for this milestone occasions.

Fair Dates: July 27th - August 14th, 2011

Fair Hours: 11:00am - 11:00pm

Tickets: General Admission $9 (ages 13+)

Children: 7 - 12 $3 (Free on Thursdays)

Children: 0 - 6 (Free everyday)

Seniors (60+): (Free on Wednesday)

Don't forget to stop by the Garden Show at the annual Sonoma County Fair 2011.

It's a beautiful Show this Year!

"You never get a second chance..... to make a Great First Impression!"

Linda D. Pufford, ASPM, IAHSP

Accredited Staging Professional MASTER

Real Estate/Home Staging ~ Interior Redesign ~ Color Consulting

707.217.0817

lpufford@withdivinestyle.com

www.withdivinestyle.com

Serving the Greater San Francisco Bay Area

Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, CA ~ A Sight to Sea

San Francisco is a beautiful City with so many things to see. One of my favorite places to visit is Fisherman's Wharf. There are so many things to do and see at Fisherman's Wharf. Just some of the attractions are Alcatraz, Bay Cruises, Bike Rentals, Cable Cars, Dining, Shopping, Sport Fishing, Tours, Wine Tasting, Hotels and Nightlife.

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

Fisherman's Wharf located at The Embarcadero and Taylor Street

San Francisco, CA 94133

415.956.3493

When you are in San Francisco and think of dining, Fisherman's Wharf is a fabulous place for fresh seafood and there is a wide variety of dining options to choose from. You'll find Restaurant selections from five-star menus to crab stands offering fresh Dungeness Crab, seafood cocktails and more. Of course, your meal would not be complete without some of the fresh homemade classic sourdough bread that you will find there.

A Sourdough loaf shaped like a Crab

San Francisco's Cable Cars are symbolic of the charm and distinct flavor of the City. In no other place can you ride a moving National Historic Monument. The Cable Car can be found in the middle of the Fisherman's Wharf area... add it to your list of things to do while in the City.

The San Francisco Cable Car

When visiting San Francisco take the time to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge... an experience you won't forget!

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and are getting ready to put your home on the market and you would like help creating an environment that will connect with buyers please give us a call. We offer complimentary estimates of our services and would be happy to serve you!

"You never get a second chance... to make a Great First Impression!"

Linda D. Pufford, ASPM, IAHSP

Accredited Staging Professional MASTER

Real Estate/Home Staging ~ Interior Redesign ~ Color Consulting

707.217.0817

lpufford@withdivinestyle.com

www.withdivinestyle.com

Serving the Greater San Francisco Bay Area

Home Staging Success Stories ~ 8/7/11

Home Stagers make up one part of the successful sale of a home... the presentation part. Stagers are trained to see a home through the buyers eyes... and from start to sale we the Stager, Realtor and Homeowner all have the same goal in mind. We all want the house to sell in the shortest amount of time for the best price.

There are many kinds of success stories. For a Home Stager it could be a kind word from the Realtor or Homeowner when they tell you what a difference you made on their listing or home. Or after you have staged a Homeowner's home and they ask you to come and stage their new home that they are moving to. It could be a referral from a Homeowner or a Realtor. Or when a Realtor calls you in to stage their listing and give it a great presentation so the home can stand out above the competition.

Here is a wonderful example of a success story... which all Real Estate Professionals should receive credit for. The Realtor, the Homeowner, the Stager, the Home Inspector, the Appraiser, the Title Company, the Lender/Mortgage Company all play an important role in a home having a successful sale. Without the expertise of all these professional's the home below that recently sold with multiple offers in the first week on the market and sold for 15K over asking price would not have achieved. We are all a team and working together we can achieve a successful story with every home that goes up for sale!

Find an experienced and knowledgeable Realtor who can help you with pricing and marketing your home and then start preparing the presentation of your home... make an emotional connection with every potential buyer that walks through your door!

If you would like help creating an environment that will connect with buyers please give us a call. We offer complimentary estimates of our services and we would be happy to serve you!

"You never get a second chance... to make a Great First Impression!"

Linda D. Pufford, ASPM, IAHSP

Accredited Staging Professional MASTER

Real Estate/Home Staging ~ Interior Redesign ~ Color Consulting

707.217.0817

lpufford@withdivinestyle.com

www.withdivinestyle.com

Serving the Greater San Francisco Bay Area

Home Staging Tips ~ Advice for Sellers ~ 8/3/11

When selling a home PRICE and PRESENTATION are KEY to a SUCCESSFUL SALE. The right PRICE gets buyers in the door and the PRESENTATION brings in offers. The two together can equal success. When you are preparing your home for sale and before you put it on the market ask yourself... have I done everything I can to make my home a captivating home that buyers will find irresistible? Does your home stand out above the competition in your area? Will your home make an emotional connection with every potential buyer that walks through your door?

Buyers are looking for a turn key home... a home that is in move in ready condition. First and foremost... your home should be clean.. as clean as clean can be! No clutter of any kind... your home will appear well maintained if it looks fresh and clean. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to the appearance of a home for a minimal investment.

If your home needs to be updated or improved the two most popular areas for updates are Kitchens and Bathrooms. Here are a few examples of Kitchens that were updated before they were put on the market that resulted in quick sales. All the examples below were freshly painted and new hardware was put on the cabinets... with some of the examples full remodels were done. If your investment is limited what is needed is for your Kitchen to look spotless... and possibly even a fresh coat of paint on the walls and maybe the cupboards if they are dated as one example shows.

Examples of Homes Staged by With Divine Style!

The Photos below are of Kitchens that were updated before the sale of the home!

This vacant home was built in the early 70's and the Kitchen and the bathrooms were updated and then Staged by With Divine Style before the home went on the market. The home below went under contact within 5 days of being placed on the market! This home was priced right and had a wonderful presentation!

The next vacant home was built in the early 80's and the kitchen was updated and then Staged by With Divine Style before the house went on the Market. The first week on the Market this home had multiple offers and sold for 15K over asking price. This home was priced right and had a wonderful presentation!

This next vacant home had a state of the art Kitchen... upgraded appliances and many extras that created the WOW factor! This home was Staged by With Divine Style and just hours after being put on the market a new owner was found and this home went under contact on the first day!

The final home I would like to show you was an occupied home that was built in the 70's. The owners did not invest in a complete remodel but decided it was still important to update their Kitchen as much as possible without a large investment. They painted the walls and cabinets, put on new hardware on all the cupboards, replaced the dishwasher to match the rest of the appliances... which they purchased for $35. on Craig's List and then decluttered and cleaned the Kitchen. They then had With Divine Style stage their home and within 21 days of being on the market this home sold for full asking price while an un-staged house, twice the size down the street sold after being on the market a month longer then this house and for $100K less.

Find an experienced and knowledgeable Realtor who can help you with pricing and marketing your home and then start preparing the presentation of your home... make an emotional connection with every potential buyer that walks through your door!

If you would like help creating an environment that will connect with buyers please give us a call. We offer complimentary estimates of our services and we would be happy to serve you!

"You never get a second chance.... to make a Great First Impression!"

Linda D. Pufford, ASPM, IAHSP

Accredited Staging Professional MASTER

Real Estate/Home Staging ~ Interior Redesign ~ Color Consulting

707.217.0817

lpufford@withdivinestyle.com

www.withdivinestyle.com

Serving the Greater San Francisco Bay Area