This blog was posted my Deb Waters some time ago @ Energized Seller. I thought it was great to re-post as I have experienced the same thing recently. We all know every home is unique and getting them into saleable condition requires creative critical thinking skills, planning, organizing and lots of hard work. We all have our place in the R.E. & Design World but the lines often get blurred at to what you can do vs. what you are trained to do and what your career focus is.

"Today I received a call from a seller who wanted to cancel his staging consultation because his new realtor told him that she is a full service realtor and provides staging for free. After waiting a few minutes to calm down, I began to ask some very important questions regarding the actual work that the Realtor stager would do for "free". When we were finished with our conversation, he understood the difference between the work that a professional stager does to prepare a home for sale (average time is 6 hours) and what a Realtor may do in an hour. This conversation has propelled me to share some of the myths of Home Staging with my bloggers."

Myth 1: All I Need are Lights, Flowers and Music....

Fact: Lights, flowers and music are great for Showing a house, but that is not Staging. Staging requires an objective and professional assessment of a house's strengths and challenge areas, and solutions to help Buyers fall in love with what they see. This requires more than just flowers and music to achieve - it requires an Action Plan (a detailed consultation report) which lists recommended improvements to be made before the house is listed. Once the list is developed... now it's time for Action. Removing clutter, moving furniture, rehanging artwork and placing stylish accessories in the rooms until the entire house looks like a model home.

Myth 2: I can Just Watch HGTV ....

Fact: The shows on HGTV and similar channels give Sellers the education that staging is one of most important aspect of selling a home for top dollar. However, Sellers cannot truly be objective in a house they have been living in and need a professional, experienced and independent opinion to get it properly staged and sold. Professional stagers stage the house through the eyes of the Buyers. Stagers have the experience and the ideas to creatively use what the homeowners already have in a new, innovative way.

Myth 3: Staging Costs Too Much ...

Fact: Staging is an INVESTMENT in getting a house sold and the investment in Staging is always less than a price reduction. A Professional Stager has been trained to work with a Sellers' budget and time frame to properly stage a house. We like to ask our clients, "Can you afford NOT to Stage?" When compared with the other costs associated with the sale or purchase of a home, Staging is very reasonable. The cost of the consultation report detailing what needs to be done to Stage the house for sale is less than the appraisal or home inspection report.

Myth 4: Staging is Decorating ...

Fact: Staging is just the opposite of decorating. Decorating or design is personalizing your home to your specific, unique style. Staging is Depersonalizing and preparing a house for the un-known Buyer with various styles. Staging neutralizes the space with wall colors, furniture and accessories that fit into any style.

If you're anything like me you love a fresh, clean smelling home or office. I was shocked to learn the candles I was using to freshen my home and the homes I Staged with relaxing aromas were actually doing more harm to me and the environment. I was glad to learn that soy candles smelled even better and were Eco-Friendly. The Shaping Spaces Group always uses soy candles for their Staging now (when I found out some of the candles I places in homes were being used at evening Broker Opens.)( I was also concerned with the Liability, now in contract, but that's a whole nother blog. )

A few reason to use Soy wax instead of Paraffin wax.

Paraffin wax is a by product of petroleum (not good)

Soy was is made using a renewable resource and last up to 50-% longer (good)

Paraffin was can cause a residue on walls and furniture called "ghosting" (not good)

Soy was is Earth friendly (good)a favorite of environmentally conscious people because it is not made from petroleum, like paraffin candles. Burning of soy candles does not increase the CO2 level in the atmosphere.

Soy wax also cleans up with soap and water (as we all not regular candle wax does not)

There are many Soy candles but SOI is one of my favs. SOI Candles are hand-poured using 100%, FDA approved, kosher soy oil and burn cleaner than paraffin-based candles. Available in a variety of sizes, our candles burn about 140 hours (about 40% longer than wax candles), are soot-free and do not emit any harmful toxins (like Benzene) into your home. Unlike wax, soy oil burns coolly at 106º into a reflective pool of soy that always remains warm to the touch and will not burn little hands. Because SOI Candles are created from natural soy, the melt pool can also be used as a skin moisturizer that can be massaged into any dry or irritated areas. It can also be applied as a soothing remedy to sunburned skin, eczema, psoriasis, and poison oak!

SOI Candles are triple-fragranced with a variety of delightful aromas to match the décor and accentuate the feel of your home. Never overpowering, one SOI Candle can scent a 2500 square foot area.

The Shaping Spaces Group is proud to announce "Green" Home Makeovers/ Eco Consultations to our list of sevices. We help take the stress out of which products are good for you and your family for those who want to Live Green, Live Smart and save money a long the way. Eco Consultations has also been a great gift for Realtors to give to New Home Buyers.

The Shaping Spaces Group: Home Staging & Design for Los Angeles, Torrance, Inglewood, Weschester, Marina Del Ray & surrounding areas http://www.theshapingspacesgroup.com

No matter how often you tell clients these simply fixes to do before putting their home on the market, time and time again I go to open houses and walk in thinking "What is that smell" or "Wow could they clean up a little"

Buyers don't care if it's a Rental, Foreclosure or Short Sale. Buyers want to see a well maintained home. There is too much inventory to leave room for negotiations. A little elbow grease means more $$ to all involved.

1. Remove odors caused by pets, smoking, baby diapers, etc....

2. Depersonalize, remember the goal it to sell! Let the buyer imagine their family in the home, not focus on your families stuff.

2. Neutralize paint colors, make them representative of the neighborhood (example: bold colors for historical homes, neutral tones for conservative buyers) Leave the color splashes to accessories

3. Spruce up bathrooms and kitchens with new cabinet hardware, remove all counter clutter. (remember, these rooms sell homes)

4. Show ample space in closets and rooms. If you have custom closets show them off. Remove all clutter even color coordinate, impress your buyer.

5. Don't forget about Curb appeal. In order to get buyers inside they have to like the outside. Remove dust and dirt from around front door, add new plants up walkway or maybe planted urns besides the front door.


People Buy with Emotion: Make That Connection!

Selling is an overwhelming process, The Shaping Spaces Group can make this an easy transition by alleviating the home preparation process. Consultations and Turn Key services available.

Like most Home Stagers The Shaping Spaces Group does a Do-It-Yourself report for those homeowners that are putting their home on the market and the budget calls for redesigning what they already have. With the report I like to give my clients real examples (from past staging) of things they can do with what they already own to help get the property ready for showing. This also helps give them the confidence so when they move they have ideas they can resuse again and again. This is just one example I show home sellers for their Bathrooms and Powder rooms

3 simple ways to dress up boring bath towels with "everyday" items to entice Buyers or WOW your friends.

1. Use left over ribbon from the holidays or birthday to give those towels a new life.


2. That's right bungee cord, can become glamorous to add that designer masculine touch.



3. Tie backs aren't just for drapes you know. Switch it up and put your drapery accessories on your bath towels for a regal statement.

Scented Paint: can it help sell your home?