Pamela Williamson Team Clayton, Missouri Real Estate

This is part of the consumer questions answered series.

This is a guest post by:

Cheri Dueker

Transitional Designs, LLC

Phone: 314-517-5844

Email: cd_stl@yahoo.com

Web page: http://transitionaldesigns.com

Home Stagers are SMART for home sellers and Realtors

With the current real estate market uncertain, home sellers can gain an advantage over the competition by hiring a Home Stager. Due to high numbers of homes available to the limited pool of buyers, sellers need all the advantages they can get. Realtors and sellers use Home Staging as the window dressing to make a home memorable.

Professional Home Stagers use proven techniques to highlight the best features of a home. With a wide range of prices, a staging plan of action can be created for every home. Each room should have a focal point and the interior and exterior of the home should be clean and in excellent repair. The cheapest update to any home is a fresh coat of paint. Sellers should remember that white is not a color and are often overwhelmed with the color choices available. Homes that are vacant for showings are only a house. Furniture and accessories present the property as a home.

Here is why hiring a Home Stager is SMART:

Specific-A unique merchandising plan for each home

Maximize-Keep buyers in the home longer-make the most of each showing

Art-Carefully selected paint colors, furniture, art and accessories to control the first impression and the buyers eye.

Refresh-Stagers are an objective eye to identify/correct possible issues with a buyer’s first impression

Team-Stagers are professional members of the real estate team with the goal to get a home sold quickly for the highest possible profit.

Have questions or need additional information? Contact Cheri at 314-517-5844 or email cherid@transitionaldesigns.com .

This is part of the consumer questions answered series.

Question answered by Julia Mittelstadt of

Coldwell Banker Gundaker

Introducing You to Historic St. Louis Neighborhoods

314-862-7500 Office

Question:

What should I be aware of as far as difficulties in buying a historic home that needs lots of work. I am very interested in doing this, but don't want to bite off more than I can chew.

Also what questions should I be asking realtors to make sure they specialize in this area. I want someone who has already done plenty of these kinds of deals. Thanks.

From Lily in St.Louis

Response from Julia:

Q: What should I be aware of as far as difficulties in buying a historic home that needs lots of work. I am very interested in doing this, but don't want to bite off more than I can chew.

A: If you have never rehabbed a home before, you will want to talk to one or several contractors who would do the work for you. I have contacts in this area who are often willing to look at a house with you if they know you are going to hire them to do the work. The most important this to know is, after all is said and done - will you be able to get your investment back? This take a realtor who is very knowledgeable about the historic areas in which you are buying as well as government programs that will assist you in the restoration.

Q: Also what questions should I be asking realtors to make sure they specialize in this area. I want someone who has already done plenty of these kinds of deals. Thanks.

A: Ask them to show you the houses they have sold – get a list and check where they are. Better yet, ask them to take you on a tour of the neighborhoods you like and show them the houses they have sold.

I have been selling Historic Homes since 1989. I started selling Early 20^th Century homes in Rochester , New York . After moving to St. Louis in 1993, I quickly settled in on St. Louis Historic neighborhoods. I currently live in Benton Park and own property in Soulard. I help my rehabbers from start to finish on their projects, advising them on floor plans, tax credits, neighborhood preservations credits and tax abatement. In addition, I just finished taping 2 segments as the expert realtor for HGTV’s “My House is Worth What?” The houses were in Soulard and Old North St. Louis. The producer wanted someone who specialized in the Historic areas and I fit the bill. I am currently negotiating a contract for a buyer purchasing in Benton Park - the house needs a total gut rehab. Tonight I am taking a buyer out who is looking in Benton Park , Soulard, Mckinley Heights , Tower Grove, Fox Park and Shaw for a house to rehab. For further information, please feel free to check out my website at www.juliamittelstadt.com.

Julia

St. Louis, Missouri events for the weekend of September 26-28, 2008

David Sanborn

Date: 9/26/2008
Location: The Pageant
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: (314) 421-4400

Website: www.thepageant.com

St. Louis Blues Hockey Game (Pre-Season)

Date: 9/26/2008
Location: Scottrade Center
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: (314) 421-4400
For more information call: (314) 622-5400
Website: www.stlouisblues.com

St. Louis Blues vs. Atlanta Thrashers.

Saint Louis Symphony Orchestral Program: A Fine Madness

Date: 9/26/2008 - 9/27/2008
Location: Powell Symphony Hall in Grand Center
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: (314) 534-1700 or (314) 534-1111
For more information call: (800) 232-1880
Website: www.slso.org

Maestro Robertson, pianist Yefim Bronfman and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra present Adams’ “Guide to Strange Places,” Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 3,” and Bartók’s “Concerto for Orchestra.”

Tickets Available Online - TicketMaster

St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Game

Date: 9/26/2008 - 9/28/2008
Location: Busch Stadium
Time: 7:10 p.m. (26); 6:10 p.m. (27); 1:10 p.m. (28)
Tickets: (314) 345-9500
Website: stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds.

US Cellular presents Taste of St. Louis

Date: 9/26/2008 - 9/28/2008
Location: Downtown St. Louis at 14th and Market
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. (26); 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. (27); 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (28)
Cost: Free admission; tastes for a small charge
For more information call: (314) 306-1162
Website: www.tastestl.com

St. Louis's top restaurants will serve "tastes" from their menus, plus national act concerts, Macy's restaurant row, The Marketplace, ArtDimensions Village, The Grant's Farm Kid Zone, The St. Louis Bread Company Culinary Competition and much more.

Grand Opening: Dancing in the Street

Date: 9/27/2008
Location: Grand Center Arts & Entertainment District
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more information call: (314) 533-1884
Website: www.grandcenter.org

A street festival celebrating the opening of the fall season. The event will showcase the Grand Center Arts & Entertainment District and include a Gallery Walk, the EarthWays Center Energy Festival and more. The event will also showcase more than 50 dance organizations from the Metropolitan area performing on outdoor stages.

Missouri Chili Cook-Off

Date: 9/27/2008
Location: West Port Plaza
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
For more information call: (314) 961-2828
Website: www.NKFchilicookoff.org

A celebration of all that is spicy - chilies and salsas of every variety and live music with local bands.

Fourth Annual St. Louis Wine Festival presented by Van Kampen Investments

Date: 9/27/2008 - 9/28/2008
Location: Forest Park
Time: 12:00 pm. - 7:00 p.m. (27); 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (28)
Cost: $20.00 in advance; $25.00 at the door
For more information call: (888) 210-0074
Website: www.stlouiswinefestival.com

More than 150 wines from Missouri, domestic and international wineries will be featured at this two-day festival along with food demonstrations and tastings from renowned regional caterers and restaurants. Live music groups will entertain throughout the festival. A ticket will include ten wine tastings, a souvenir wine glass and Saint Louis Wine Festival program.

ParkPalooza

Date: 9/27/2008 - 9/28/2008
Location: Gateway Arch grounds
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
For more information call: (314) 982-1410
Website: www.parkpalooza.org

An interactive event where children and families can explore the world of national parks through a variety of activities such as learning how to set up a backcountry tent, how to fly fish, how to pack a backpack for hiking/camping and how to use a compass. There will also be rock climbing, virtual geocashing, hands on crafts, live animals, live music and dance performances, artist demonstrations, historic character portrayals, historical demonstrations and simulated archeological digs.

Ottertoberfest

Date: 9/27/2008 - 10/12/2008
Location: The Saint Louis Zoo in Forest Park
Time: Saturday and Sunday
For more information call: (314) 781-0900
Website: www.stlzoo.org

An Oktoberfest the whole family can enjoy! Enjoy otter-related children's activities, biergarten food and drink, live entertainment and more.

St. Louis Rams Football Game

Date: 9/28/2008
Location: Edward Jones Dome
Time: 3:05 p.m.; doors open 1 1/2 hours prior to kick-off
Tickets: (314) 241-1888
Website: www.stlouisrams.com

St. Louis Rams vs. Buffalo Bills.

Tickets Available Online - TicketMaster

This is part of the Consumer questions answered series.

Home staging questions answered by Audrey Zurmuehlen of Inviting Space in St.Louis, Missouri

Question:

What questions should I be asking stagers when I interview them to make sure they are the right stager for me?

What questions should I be asking stagers when I interview them to make sure they are the right stager for me?

The goal of a professional stager is to make your house look fresh, bright and attractive to a multitude of buyers. So you will find that we don’t work with specific styles but we work to achieve an overall feel and look for the home. We love what we do and our energy and excitement will be catching. Choosing a stager, although a financial and strategic decision, will be an enjoyable experience.

First? Reviewing the stager’s portfolio should be the most important and first step in choosing a staging company. Their photos should showcase other homes as they will showcase yours. Most successful staging companies have terrific websites with photos or videos that you can peruse before you make that first call.

Needs? Next you need to determine if they do the type of staging that you need. Do they do enhancements (occupied home staging using some or all of the existing furniture and accessories), vacant home staging or both?

Pricing? Please keep in mind that staging pays for itself in faster and more lucrative sales. Varying statistics quote up to 50% faster sales and up to 15% higher offers for a home staged versus one that is not staged. So the initial price might be a concern, but will pay for itself on closing day. There is not a standard pricing formula in the staging industry. Flat fees, monthly fees and a combination of both are all acceptable.

Demographics? Professional stagers will review your home’s competition in the market and check with your agent to be sure they stage your house to stand out from the crowd. Again review their portfolio and talk with them about their success stories. I am sure they have quite a few!

Your involvement? Professional staging companies will take care of everything without you having to lift a finger. They should have referrals for cleaning, painting, etc. should the home need those services before the actual staging day. It is our job to put your home into selling shape with little effort on your part. So ask about the logistics of furniture delivery, de-staging and how closely they can meet your timeline.

With that said, I know that when you choose a stager in our area, you will be pleased. St Louis has many talented and result driven professional staging companies.

This is part of the Consumer questions answered series.

Home staging questions answered by Audrey Zurmuehlen of Inviting Space in St.Louis, Missouri

Question:

What is feng shui staging?

from Marilyn in Wildwood

Feng Shui is a natural partner with professional staging. Feng shui refers to creating a positive energy flow and engaging the senses.

Staging (feng shui or otherwise) has the same goals. To create that positive emotional attachment. While we may say it just feels right, feng shui may define it better as positive energy flow.

We want positive energy in the home by making it light and bright. We eliminate dark and cluttered rooms. Staging is about emotional connections. Feng Shui is engaging the senses. We use light and color to visually brighten a room. We suggest cookies baking and clean fragrances. Sounds of soft music in the background. Gentle edges and lines-even with plants (silk or otherwise) do wonders for creating a calm environment. Stagers may refer to keeping walkways open for traffic flow while by definition feng shui says it is keeping the positive energy moving throughout the home.

Feng Shui staging (and all staging) is about creating a room of first impression. Stagers will always keep toilet lids down-it is just wrong. According to feng shui, toilets draw energy from the home. Stagers instinctively know to avoid large pieces of furniture on small walls. Feng Shui defines it as support.

Whether your stager is Feng Shui certified or not, you can be sure that the goal is the same. To create a warm and inviting space that makes those prospective buyers want to call it home!