About Houston's Memorial

I’ve Got to Get Out of the House… (Perspectives on Real Estate and More From a Home Staging Pro)

It happens every time. When a Seller or Agent invites me to look at their house or listing, I start by looking at every inch of the house. Even if the Seller is only interested in Staging one area, I will look at everything because my fresh eyes may notice something that the Seller and/or Agent missed. After I’ve looked over the entire house, my first thought is that I’ve got to get out of the house and take a look outside.

I’ll start with the front of the house. Everyone knows about curb appeal, right? Are the trees and bushes cut back? Are there bare spots in the lawn or is the grass brown? Is there any color to brighten things up? Flower beds need weeding? What does the paint on the house look like? Is any of the paint chipped or is there any mold growing? What color is the front door? (Forrest Green and Red are favorites of Buyers.) Are the windows clean? I could go on and on. Buyers have been known to drive right past a house that is not appealing from the curb.

What surprises many people is that I scrutinize the back yard just and closely at the front. Just like in the front, I’m looking at the paint as well as the trees and scrubs. I’m also looking to see that toys are put away and the swing set is in good repair. Are water hoses and trash cans put away? Outdoor entertainment areas are important to buyers so I’m going to want to see a neat patio and I will also discuss options for Staging the area with the Seller.

Sellers have lots of options so great curb appeal and an inviting backyard are just as critical as any improvements you may make to the interior of the house. Preparing a yard before a house is listed doesn’t have to be labor intensive or expensive. Your Home Stager will be able to assist you with preparing both the inside and the outside of your house for sale in the most economical way possible. A great yard is an excellent investment that will help you get the sales price you want on closing day.

Wishing you a quick sale!

Kathy Strader, ASP

www.MemorialStagedHomes.com

Kathy@MemorialStagedHomes.com

5 Things You May be Doing to Sabotage the Sale of your Home. (Perspectives on Real Estate and More From a Home Staging Pro

The Seller was very anxious to sell his house (at least that is what he kept telling me). The Agent and I were working very hard to sell the house; the Seller; not so much. The Seller finally did accept an offer after the Agent convinced him that to do otherwise would result in a very long wait for another.

This client had taken the time find a top notch Agent and brought me on because he really believed that Home Staging would speed the sale of his house. So why would someone go to all that trouble and expense only to undermine the process? As I was thinking back on my experience with this client, I thought I would share with Sellers everywhere (or at least the ones that read this blog) the 5 things you may be doing to sabotage the sale of your home.

1. Refusing to have the house professionally cleaned (or clean it yourself like a professional) - According to HomeGain.com, Buyers can expect, on average, a 586% return on their investment in a really clean house. I can tell when the house has not been thoroughly cleaned if there are cob webs in the corners and dust around ceiling fan blades. Buyers notice too.

2. Leaving shoes in the middle of the floor – This is the same as leaving breakfast dishes in the sink, or laundry piled in the corner or any number of other things we may do from time to time. When the house is not tidy for Buyers that may drop by, they may begin to wonder what problems there are that they can’t see.

3. Refusing to paint – You hired a Home Stager to help you make your house appealing to the largest number of Buyers. The bright colored bedroom has to go. Hey, I like purple too but if you want everybody to like the room, a more neutral color would be more appropriate.

4. Allowing neighbors to interfere with Buyers - Yes, I know, your neighbors love you and they’re sorry to see you go, but they shouldn’t pester the Buyers that stop by to see your house to determine their suitability as neighbors. Give your neighbors your thanks and then, ask them to stop.

5. Refuse to budge on the price – If a lot of people are seeing your house and no one has extended an offer, something needs to change. Your agent will share Buyer comments with you. If your house is getting comments like, “needs a lot of updating”, and you’re not willing to update, the price of the house is too high.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but they make my point. If you are going to surround yourself with experts in order to sell your house, do not do anything to sabotage your efforts.

Wishing you a quick sale!

Kathy Strader, ASP

www.MemorialStagedHomes.com

Kathy@MemorialStagedHomes.com

Memorial Staged Homes Named Best and Brightest (Perspectives on Real Estate and More from a Home Staging Pro)

Last week I had the pleasure of being an exhibitor at the Houston Build Expo. I shared a booth with two other Home Staging companies and although we worked hard, we had a great time. We found that by working together, the process is much more enjoyable and Expo attendees were impressed by our team work. We were also given the opportunity to present two educational sessions at the Expo titled “Using Home Staging to Turn Lookers into Buyers”.

Prior to the show, I’d received an e-mail from Build Expo asking if I would be at the awards presentation on the first day of the show. It said, “This ceremony will recognize each company for their vital role in the Houston area's economic development, as well as, their contribution to the region's growth and progression.” Well of course I said I would be there. I was thinking, “What a great opportunity to network! “

As it turns out, Memorial Staged Homes, along with my two co-exhibitors, were named Houston Construction’s Best and Brightest. So exciting! The certificate says, “For innovative solutions in the building and construction industry, and for exceptional intellectual and inspired leadership.” We were so honored to be among a larger group, from all segments of the Houston construction industry being recognized for our hard work.

The ceremony was followed by a reception, and then it was back to work. So many attendees and fellow exhibitors to meet, but everyone was so pleasant. Not only did I have the opportunity to share a great deal of information on Home Staging, I learned so much and got a much better understanding of how important the Construction industry is to the economic development of my city. I do believe the Build Expo has made me a better Home Stager.

Wishing you a quick sale!

Kathy Strader, ASP

www.MemorialStagedHomes.com

Kathy@MemorialStagedHomes.com

Virtual Deception?

Virtual Staging is widely poo pooed among professional Home Stagers and is often referred to as “virtual deception”. Barb Schwarz, the creator of Home Staging, says “My main concern with virtual staging is the fact that if the manipulated images are shown to home buyers they’ll be sorely disappointed if and when they visit the home. “

Like Real Life Home Staging, Virtual Staging can increase traffic to a home by improving MLS pictures. Although I could find no statistics on Virtual Staging, it stands to reason that if you increase traffic to a house you are more likely to sell the house. Virtual Staging can also give Buyers ideas about where furniture may go. Since Virtual Staging can be considered virtual deception, it is recommend that the listing disclose that the house has been digitally altered and that only images of furniture and accessories should be added and nothing that is part of the house like light fixtures or paint colors. Yes, some virtual stagers have been known to change paint colors, add landscaping and alter kitchen cabinets and countertops.

In addition to improving listing pictures and increasing foot traffic, Real Life Home Staging creates a WOW moment when Buyers walk in the house. Not only will Buyers have an idea about how to decorate, they should be able to visualize their own furniture fitting into the house. Real life staged homes draw Buyers in emotionally. Since Buyers shop with logic and buy with emotion, isn’t that what Sellers want? Buyers will also want to linger in a home that is beautifully staged with real life furniture and accessories. Real Life Home Staging makes Buyers feel welcome. They don’t have to go back and look at the pictures to see what could be, they can see it and feel it in a very tangible way while they are in the house.

Yes, Real Life Home Staging requires a greater investment than Virtual Staging but Real Life Home Staging has more to offer. Real Life Home Staging is about what I call, the “warm and fuzzy.” You know, the thing in us that triggers a positive emotional response. In addition to creating an emotional response in Buyers you can also see that there is documented proof that Real Life Home Staging offers an average 299% return on the Seller’s investment. I love it when hard facts and emotion come together!

If you would like to know more about how Real Life Home Staging can improve the odds that you will sell your house, we should talk.

Wishing you a quick sale!

Kathy Strader, ASP

www.MemorialStagedHomes.com

Kathy@MemorialStagedHomes.com

This Time, I’m The Buyer (Perspectives on Real Estate and More From a Home Staging Pro)

My Yetti and I have been interested in buying property in the country for the last couple of years. Prices on country property did not drop with the rest of the real estate market but recently they started to come down to a place Yetti and I can afford, and we finally found the property we wanted. Rolling hills, beautiful oak and cedar trees, a seasonal creek; the property spoke to us. We responded with a rousing, “Yes! We want you”, and we prepared to make an offer.

The property has been on the market for over a year, but I’m guessing we must be the first seriously interested party. Before submitting our offer we asked a series of questions.

Us: “Does the property qualify for an agricultural exemption?”

Agent: “Let me check on that.”

Us: “What were the taxes last year?”

Agent: “Let me check on that.”

Us: “Any material deficiencies we should know about?”

Agent: “Let me check on that.”

Us: “Is there a survey we can look at.”

Agent: “Let me check on that.”

After the third request, we finally did receive the 2010 survey. At that time the agent called and said, “The seller wanted to make sure you know that over 2.5 acres of the property are outside of the fence.” Um, that’s the road, the public road. Maybe I’m naïve, but that is probably information that should have been shared from the very beginning. We also learned of two more restrictions that were never brought up before even though we had discussed restrictions. My head hurts.

When we pointed out that part of the property (public road) that was being sold was in front of property that the Seller was retaining title to, the agent said, “Oh, you caught us on that one.” We walked away…

As we continue our search for our retirement heaven, I wanted to share what I’ve learned and would like to share with Seller’s Agents.

1) Be prepared. A good seller’s agent anticipates what questions the buyer will have and is ready with information.

2) You can never offer too much information about the property. Buyers love information and the more we have on the property you are selling the more our comfort level will increase.

3) Avoid surprises. No property is perfect, but if you have information that may be perceived as a negative, share it early in the process. If you don’t, the buyer is likely to feel deceived and it could kill the deal.

Wishing you a quick sale!

Kathy Strader, ASP

www.MemorialStagedHomes.com

Kathy@MemorialStagedHomes.com