Sheila O'Mara

Fall officially arrived last Tuesday. There are several signs that the season is here, but having a shorter day was very noticeable when I went for an evening walk last week.

All summer if I struck out about 8 pm, the sky was still blazing with the sun. The other night, it was dark and afforded me a glimpse at the neighborhood during twilight hours. A whole new world opened up. I now realize why "twilight" pictures are so effective when trying to sell a house. Lights blazing from the inside and highlighted landscaping made an awesome statement.

Aside from the importance of twilight pictures for home selling, there were a few other staging items I noticed while walking in the dark.

First item was the importance of outdoor lighting in your landscaping. The homes that had solar or electric lights strategically placed throughout their landscaping were far more appealing than those that did not. Now is a great time to add those to your current landscaping by taking advantage of after season clearance sales. Adding curb appeal is rarely a negative thing.

Secondly I noticed much more about a home's interior during twilight. Having a house lit from the inside allowed for a real glimpse into how people are living everyday. I felt almost like a peeping tom, but could hardly help it when there were no window coverings for privacy on windows. Many homeowners have fantastic windows that allow for plenty of light and fabulous views and do not want to cover them with blinds or sheers. I am all for that because as a permanent architectural feature, I want the windows to be showcased ... BUT please consider that the spectacular view that you are enjoying out, someone may also enjoy looking in. That does not mean windows need to be closed up tight like Fort Knox each evening, but be aware of what people are able to see while you are at home with lights on at night.

The third observation and perhaps the most alarming was how much CLUTTER people live with in their daily lives. I saw piles of paperwork on the countertops or stacks of books and magazines on coffee tables. Some kitchens were piled high with dishes and culinary tools that covered most flat surfaces. Let's not forget the entryways that had backpacks and jackets piled high with various shoes dotting the floor.

As a whole people need to declutter and not just people selling their homes. Think about how much smoother the daily grind would be if everything needed was in its place. There are so many ways to conquer the clutter bugs in your home. Start with the three piles I have talked about before. Keep - Sell - Trash! Remember if you don't use it or haven't needed it in more than a year, get it out circulation. This at least gives you a starting point. There are several professionals out there that can help you sort and you can always ask a friend! Sometimes people are too emotionally attached to their "stuff" and need unbiased assistance.

If you don't think your home is cluttered, it may not be. A good test is to stand outside your home with windows uncovered and lights blazing and observe. If it is a well ordered home and decorated to suit your style and needs then AMEN! If you see some problem areas, or feel stress building at just the thought of completing this exercise, then take note and take action!

Ushering in the Fall season is a great time to take a fresh look at how you are living, how your home feels and looks and how your living environment lends to your personal success and achievement each day. Try the twilight exercise and take action to allow the clutter "fall" away from your daily living. The season may be much more enjoyable if you do.

As seen in The News Enterprise, October 3, 2009, authored by Sheila O'Mara owner of Staged SO Right

Take advantage of this fabulous opportunity to discover the latest and greatest Fall decor for your home. If you are looking to update your home's decor, renew your home with seasonal decor for MLS pictures or just want to indulge in an evening of browsing (and shopping) through Elizabethtown's premier home accessories shop, you need to attend Stage It For Fall.

Sheila O'Mara, the owner of Staged SO Right, will be on hand to deliver great ways to insert Fall into your home. Using inventory on hand at Whitt's End, Sheila will create vignettes and various others ways to give old decor new life. You won't want to miss the loads of FREE tips she will share.

Join Sheila and Ginny Whitt, owner of Whitt's End Home and Garden, on

September 15th

6:30 pm

Whitt's End Home and Garden in Cool Springs Plaza in E-town

Refreshments will be served (What is served can also be purchased that night for your Fall and holiday gatherings!)

Get a discount on one item purchased that evening and a discount off staging services that are scheduled that night. You can't lose - get great staging tips, browse through the amazing inventory (even take a sneak peak at some awesome Christmas merchandise) enjoy delicious refreshments, and get a discount for purchases and staging services. What a deal!!!

Looking forward to seeing you and please feel free to bring a friend. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Sheila at 270-300-6045 or Ginny at 270-735-1445.

See you Tuesday night!!!

It is said that approximately 85% of homes are actually being sold online. Not that the actual purchasing occurs on the internet, but that most buyers today are searching the internet for homes before they actually agree to see a home. If a picture of a home does not appeal to them, they keep right on looking. There are some people who feel that if there is not a picture, then it isn't worth going to see.

That is great news if you have a house that is market ready, looking fantastic and have great pictures posted online. If your pictures are less than stellar or the rooms they depict are less than stunning, then you may have more of a problem.

You may think that your home is stylish, clutter free and clean. Take a picture and see if that is reflected in the photo. Just like when you see a picture of yourself and think "Oh, I have gained more weight than I thought." or, "My hair is so gray - when did that happen?" style, cleanliness and clutter have a way of getting lost after a certain period of time. If you are not satisfied when you look at the pictures of your home, chances are, a potential buyer will not be either. Take a photo and then take action.

When you live in your home, you tend to ignore things that need attention. You become immune to new possibilities because it seems fine the way it is. Sometimes things need to be done like changing the color on the walls or replacing flooring. That old sofa that Aunt Polly gave you sure has been a great staple in your home for the past ten years but you may not have realized how thread-bare it appears. All of those kitchen appliances you have stored on the counter, but only use every once in a while, really equate to clutter in a picture. The things you live with everyday out of necessity could be holding you back from the sale of your home. I can't tell you how often I show a homeowner the "before" pictures, have them complete work, and then show them "after" pictures and they find the difference amazing. That is the effect you are looking for.

So snap a few pictures of each room before you decide to list your home. Make an honest assessment of what may need to be done. Oops - the crown molding you installed last year doesn't even show up in the pictures because the color of the wall is so light that there is no distinguishable contrast. Fixing that with a quick coat of paint in a darker tone will make all of the difference. Once you have made those changes, take another round of photos. Any better? Complete any additional work and then call your real estate agent or virtual tour professional and have them take the phenomenal pictures that will get your house sold. Just like when you are having a professional photo taken of yourself, you would look your best, taking pictures of your home for the internet is the same concept. Put your home's best foot forward.

Staging can help you achieve an updated look for pictures. Having your home reflect the current season is really important. If your home looks like it is decorated in the current season, then it appears that is hasn't been on the market for very long. If you still have Christmas decorations up in June, then that signals buyers that the house has been on the market for quite a while.

If you want some new ideas to update your look for fall, stop by for a free staging workshop on September 15 at 6:30 pm at Whitt's End, Home and Garden in Cool Springs Plaza. Get some great new ideas that will exude warmth and inviting décor for your new fall pictures, sending a strong signal to those potential buyers that your house is ready to be seen.

As seen in The News Enterprise, authored by Sheila O'Mara August 28, 2009

Sometimes people have to learn lessons the hard way. I really appreciate the people who try and help others learn from their mistakes. I try to pay that forward as often as I can. This month I wanted to share one of the very hard lessons learned while selling a house we owned years ago.

We had a few months to sell our house before reporting to the next duty station and that seemed like plenty of time given the excellent market conditions at the time. After receiving orders, we immediately called our realtor. During the listing appointment we asked about changes we should make and our realtor said to get some scented candles to give the illusion of baking and to turn on all of the lights for showings. That was easy - we could do that! Our house was going to sell in no time, right?

We purchased a new wreath and welcome mat for the front door. We made sure everything was clean. We bought some cinnamon scented candles and hoped for the best. We had plenty of showings, but no offers.

We couldn't understand why people weren't falling in love with our daughter's bathroom that had been painted in an "under-the-sea" mural from top to bottom, complete with an octopus with the cutest eyelashes you ever did see. We couldn't imagine them not falling in love with the faux finished fire box that housed our gas log fireplace that didn't work correctly. Did they not love the wall paper that we had put up in the dining room? Couldn't they see my wonderful Precious Moments collection in the beautiful curio cabinet we purchased to house the 75+ figurines? What about all of the great family photos that lined the walls? Why weren't people falling in love with our house????

All we can say is that if we knew then what we know now. We would have hired a professional stager who would have given solid advice and devised a plan on how to accomplish it. Working with a realtor is key in getting a house to sell - there is no doubt about that. Working with a stager is also critical for guidance and direction. If we had employed a stager from the beginning, then we would have known to "fix" all of the detractors in our house before we put it on the market.

Our house oozed with our personality. We loved it, but it wasn't everyone's taste. We left most of the walls builder's beige, but that was the only thing neutral in the whole place. We blamed our realtor for not working hard enough for us, but the reality was: who could imagine themselves in our personalized home filled with our pictures and our collections?

If we were to have a consultation done in that house, there is no doubt that it would have saved us the thousands of dollars that we lost on that house. Making a few changes and packing some of that stuff a little early would have yielded us much higher gains than complaining about our realtor did. Creating a comprehensive plan for the home and additional marketing help could have made all of the difference.

The moral to this story is that even though you may have a great house that is well decorated and beautifully landscaped, doesn't mean that it will appeal to buyers. It is worth the investment to hire a professional stager to do a consultation for your home. It would have ultimately saved us a ton of money and time in the long run. It would have been worth the investment! Please don't make our mistake: a professional stager can assist you in making great decisions while saving you time, stress, and money.

As seen in The News Enterprise, July 24, 2009

I am just bursting-at-the-seams excited about a new networking group that has formed in my area. That area being the Heartland of KY. The group is called Networking for Women in the Heartland. Not incredibly original, but it tells who we are and what we do - no question about that.

This group started because quite frankly there was a huge need. This area did not have many networking opportunities for women and a group of amazing friends and I truly feel that keeping company with other forward, positive thinkers is beneficial to our personal and professional lives ... so we hatched this group.

The group is founded on four pillars:

1. Positive energy - no negative nellies allowed! We truly believe that if we think, behave and speak positively, that energy will follow us.

2. Relationship building/networking: As women we network in a variety of ways and with many people. Providing an outlet in which to do that only helps us propel our businesses and personal lives. Isn't it better to already know great "go-to" people before you need them? If you have ever been able to connect two people for a mutual benefit - it is a fabulous feeling.

Exercise performed at the last luncheon about types of handshakes

3. Community Service: So many women are being pulled in a million directions, but still feel compelled to serve our community. We have provided an outlet for that to happen. At each luncheon we will have a different charity, cause or organization that we will highlight and honor in some way. Maybe one month it will be dog food at the humane society or another a canned food for the soup kitchen. By bringing those items to the luncheon - you are networking and performing a great community service if you choose to participate. Love that!

4. Professional development: Each luncheon we have a featured speaker who will help us in some aspect of our professional lives. We also have a professional development scholarship fund. This fund was created to allow members the opportunity to apply for scholarships to enhance their professional development. Maybe there is a conference that someone wants to attend, but can't foot the whole bill - this fund would be able to assist with that. How many places do you know of that provides free money to its members to enhance them and further their careers?

We currently meet every third Wednesday of the month for lunch at the Brown-Pusey House in Elizabethtown, KY. Our venue has had to change because of the growing membership. We have secured another location in anticipation of the membership outgrowing the Brown-Pusey House as well. It is not a bad challenge to have. Membership is currently at 33 and we have only had two meetings. Luncheon attendees have two visits before they need to join as a member. We are expecting to top 100 by the New Year.

Dr. Gail Demery of Demery and Associates (left), our guest speaker with the President, Linda Lindsey (right)

We will have quarterly evening functions and the during the Fall quarter we will have our first SIP and SEE. This will be held at Claudia's Tea Room in Sonora - a fabulous venue. There will be a business expo and then the opportunity to sip tea and dine on the most delectable delights from Claudia's. Proceeds for this event will go to SpringHaven, Domestic Violence Program and Shelter. Can't wait!

One of the other benefits of joining this group is the business spotlights. Each luncheon we have three businesses that have five minutes each to highlight what they do. Those three businesses also provide a door prize and those are raffled off with our opportunity tickets. The proceeds from the opportunity tickets goes directly to the professional development scholarship fund. How cool is that?

The power of face-to-face networking is so important. It is vital to survive in today's economy. Being able to feel comfortable with people who you will work with, need to provide a service for, refer to someone else is a great use of your time and energy. This group has already turned out to be the best $50 I will spend in my marketing budget. The exposure to new people on a monthly basis is awesome.

I am extremely proud of this group of amazing women. I have been so excited to be a part of this amazing concept. Being named the vice president for this year has also helped my desire to propel this group to heights we never thought possible when we first started. The President Linda Lindsey, the President Elect Melanie Parker, the Treasurer Sarah Lenihan and the Secretary Beckie Henry, round out the Executive Board. I couldn't have asked for a better group of women to work with and be inspired by on a daily basis.

If you would like to join - contact me please! Our next luncheon will be on AUgust 19th at the Brown Pusey House in E-town. Free-style networking starts at 11am and lunch and program begin at 12pm. I promise you will be out the door by 1pm (I am the time keeper!)

If you want more information about starting your own group like this one in your area - email me. I would be happy to share what I can. You can't go wrong networking with other people - don't waste another minute!