January 23rd, 2012
As noted in an earlier post, in this market outlandish or unexpected does not sell.
With one possible exception.
Many different and unique visuals come to mind when hearing the words ‘contemporary style house’. Which is part of its appeal.
Which IMO is what makes it the trickiest of architectural styles to prepare for sale. Because these style houses are usually in the upper ends of many markets, it makes it very worthwhile to prepare the house well. Let’s start with the exterior.
Typically these are large houses, with strong, sweeping lines, and lots of glass, and the finishing materials are chosen to compliment the scale and look. The unusual exterior of contemporaries is a great part of the appeal, so it’s critical it be well-maintained. Any updates need to be authentic, and stay true to the design integrity, so value is not lost. Depending on the building materials, you’ll probably have to consider power-washing all the surfaces, painting the trim, even re-staining whatever has faded.
One word of caution: Because of the size and shape of these projects, and often, unusual finishing techniques, this is not the time to trot down to the rent-all place to save a few bucks, or enlist friends in a house-painting party. Before you do anything, speak with several licensed and insured contractors who have the equipment and expertise to work on these style houses.
Windows play a big part in the design of contemporary-style homes, yours should be in top shape. They need to be squeaky-clean, but first, look at the condition of the windows themselves. One of my pet peeves about older contemporaries are those huge double-glazed windows with broken seals, and condensation inside. This dates the house, as well as puts its overall maintenance into question, so get them fixed.
Patios and walkways need to be power-washed as well, and make any needed masonry repairs. Garden beds should be neatly detailed, and landscaping-when weather permits-should be shaped and manicured. Clean and polished sells here, not rustic ‘charm’.
Conceptually, the interior is not that different from most other style homes. Fewer walls and grander proportions will throw buyers off, but here’s what makes this style house different: Most every element in these homes is chosen for its high aesthetic value. Having a trained and clever preparer of properties evaluate your space and provide specific suggestions is always best, but here are some general points to ponder:
- Don’t need to fill the space with furniture, but ratty, underscale or otherwise inappropriate furniture does little to enhance the inherent valu
e of a contemporary house, so rent furniture if you don’t own what is suitable: LR, DR and Family Rooms are the most critical.
- Embrace quality, strong lines and solid colors for the most sophisticated look. It will underscore what drew buyers to the house in the first place, and put dollars in your pocket.
- Don’t rely on ceiling lighting to create a mood. Use area rugs and task lighting to define the traditional living spaces.
- Rent/buy oversize sculptural live plants/trees to fill in the corners, place freestanding can lights on the floor, shining up into the plants to create drama.
- Similarly, big art conveys great presence and character, especially when on a large wall or other prominent feature-like a two story fireplace. If you don’t own any, check out local galleries, or artist guilds to explore options.
- Shots of vivid color are both classic and very of-the-moment.
- Replace worn harware with sleek new handles to freshen cabinetry.
- Updating old or boring lighting fixtures with something fun and eye-catching will engage buyers
- Tons of ever-changing natural light will play havoc with light-weight wall colors. Never pastels, and no white walls-unless it’s an uber-sleek stainless and glass creation.
One last suggestion: working with a smart REALTOR who knows the market and has a plan is always part of my plan, but the unique qualities each contemproary house has makes it harder to get and relay on comps-so make it part of your plan, too.
NEXT: Let’s Get Your Westchester Co-op or Condo SOLD!
Tags: marie graham clever preparer of properties, preparing contemporary house for sale, selling westchester contemporary house, the refreshed home
Posted in Home Selling and Home Staging, Listing Photos, Selling Your Westchester Property, Uncategorized | No Comments »
January 10th, 2012
I have been wrestling with how the very word “Staging” resonates…with buyers, sellers and agents…and just yesterday I wrote about choosing to use PREPARING as the verb of choice to describe what I do.
Then today a Realtor I respect writes about his buyers’ noticing-then becoming pre-occupied with the ‘faked’ elements in a Staged property, instead of the property itself, and asks if a property could be Over-Staged?
Boy, people give this word a lot of power! But I get it, I really do. Here are some thoughts I’d like to share from 30 years of working with people, in their space and with their stuff.
First, it can not be underestimated how intimidating it can be to have a stranger in your house, touching your stuff, and asking you questions about all you hold near and dear: your family, your stuff, money, your values/goals/etc. For people who care about how their house looks, it’s hard to care only a little, easier to care a lot…. and even maybe too much.
Second, Staging is not a new word or concept. There are probably as many ways to stage as there are practitioners, which is not necessarily a bad thing. However, during the almost 40 year history of Staging, there have been many changes in the world around us. Staging, I would suggest, is on at least it’s third version. Sadly, many people-agents, sellers, and other ummm, preparers stopped paying attention after the first. So to clear the air for us all, here are how I would explain the genesis of Staging.
n the beginning, there were breakfast trays…and pastel bath salts, and candles. LOTS of candles. Furniture was trucked into empty trophy houses, and made to look pretty. It was an up market, procurement was big. Buyers wanted to dream about how they might live in their new home. Baths suitable for Roman nobility became the norm, and manufacturers of all said accouterments leapt for joy. It was the 1.0 version of Staging, and it was good…at the time.
hen a pall was cast over the land. The pendulum swung all the way over, and excess was a testimony to bad decisions. While there was still a passion for domicile-feathering, now every coin was squeezed as hard as possible. DIY shows, pros and tips proliferated like dandelions on a sunny May weekend, and finished projects reminded us of a kinder, gentler time…like when we were in Ye Olde Shop, or Home Ec class… or had a dorm mate. Many agents, already beaten badly, railed against bath salts and candles, or shrunk from insisting on any proper preparation of properties. It was the 2.0 version of Staging, and it was BAD.
Finally, balance and sensibility returned. While budget mattered, everyone saw that quality work attracted a quality buyers…and generally sold the castle quicker, for more coinage. Savvy sellers and agents look to start conversations with clever preparers of properties, to see how they, too, could comfortably speak of such things. Afore-mentioned clever preparers found their voice, and made managing the peoples’ needs and expectations, as well as their stuff -just as important as creating an engaging visual. People just chilled. They decided it was time to make decisions and move on with their life. It is the 3.0 version of Staging, and IT IS GOOD.
Moral of the story: Do not miss the carriage. Stop thy whining and gnashing of teeth, forsake living in the past. Before all craziness of the buying season hits hard, open thy mind, and get thee to your communication device of choice, and get to know a good preparer of properties.
Tags: genesis of staging, marie graham clever preparer of properties, the refreshed home
Posted in Dollars and Sense, Home Selling and Home Staging, I'm Just Sayin', Reality Check, Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 29th, 2011
IRENE: Why Are You So Annoyed By All The Media Coverage??
Forty-eight hours out from Irene’s entree, and twenty-four hours after her exit, both local events and reactions are all over the road.
While unaccustomed to, and weary from the 24/7 media coverage, this no-so-mini-rant comes down on those whining about it.
In fact, I argue their annoyance was preventable, and largely self-induced. (And before anyone gets their panties all knotted up, please note the use of both singular and plural pronouns)
In our super-caffeinated, overly-stimulated world, too many have lost the ability to prioritize and unplug themselves from the stream when appropriate.
Information is king, and yes there is a lot of it; but while we are all looking for ways to get/stay ahead in business, we need to look at how our own other actions fuel the beast. If our brains are too busy responding to texts, tweets, pokes, prods, alerts and the like, it’s information overload, and we find ourselves unable to pull back and differentiate.
Weather is a lot like real estate: hyper-local, and very individual-one’s experience is largely predicated to their own mindset, and many other unique circumstances. Responsibility is involved. You need to be knowledgeable and prepared; ready to act, while maintaining respect (a healthy fear?) of the unpredictability of the process.
And yes, there will always be hype, and yahoos who behave badly-whether by way of price gouging, or low-ball offers, but loss of life is not on the table in real estate.
The sad, and singular death here in Westchester was not a direct result of a random act of nature; rather it was a foolish, ignorant act of 5 young thrill-seekers getting on an inflatable boat. They not only risked their own lives, they risked the lives of those trying to save them (beyond the death of one of the five, three first-responders were injured).
Look-publicizing (to justify) the use of tools that have been long-paid for is not a new thing. I am reminded of the section in Arlo Guthrie’s classic Alice’s Restaurant, about one-third in, where he describes the evidence-gathering process for his littering arrest in 1960′s Stockbridge MA, including the use of aerial photography.
Westchester has been my home my entire life, hurricanes and tornadoes are largely uncharted territory. Saturday night the entire county was under a tornado watch. While we had a bag packed, Doug and I took turns sleeping, thinking one of us should be aware and alert if one suddenly materialized.
Thankfully it did not, but I was grateful for the real-time information that could have saved us precious moments if one did.
There are many good reasons someone would need to be readily available, and/or connected 24/7; whether you had loved ones traveling, or as the storm drew nearer, this weekend was one of them.
BUT
Perhaps it might be time to re-evaluate the power we give to media and our devices, and the stuff we choose to fill our brain with? I’m just sayin’….
Tags: media overload, taking responsibility, Westchester death from Irene
Posted in Better Health/Better Life, Community/Greater Good, I'm Just Sayin', Reality Check, Uncategorized | No Comments »
January 23rd, 2011
Staging is the art of making someone’s space, and their stuff look their best. With more and more sellers needing to stay in their house til it sells, you are working with their things, that more often than not, need a little TLC.
Take a good look at the next few kitchen/dining sets you come across. Specifically, the legs and/or bases of wooden tables and chairs, especially if they are painted or finished in a light color.
In a home that’s really lived in, these really can get scuffed up. While there are lots of creative 
solutions and specialty products out there, I’m very fond of quick, easy and cheap…and of instant gratification.
On a very damp-but not dripping wet- sponge, or even paper towel, make a small amount of toothpaste into a watery paste, and rub GENTLY on the offending marks, along the legnth of the leg.
The dissolved abrasive will break up the mark, then just wipe and dry. Each chair might take just a few minutes, and when you’re done, they’ll not only be scuff-free, they’ll be minty fresh as well!
This is one of the projects I do, or assign to the homeowner, very early on. If they see how simple and easy it can be to make a difference, it’s a lot easier for them to get behind this big, mysterious thing we call ‘Staging’.
Tags: easy staging ideas, inexpensive fixes, taking action
Posted in Dollars and Sense, Home Selling and Home Staging, Uncategorized | No Comments »
