February 21st, 2012
2011 was a tough year if you needed to sell your Westchester County condo. According to WPAR stats, annual number of sales were down by almost 11% in 2010 (from 937 sold in 2010 to 835 sold in 2011); and by nearly 17% since 2008, where 1005 condos in
Westchester got sold.
Many seemed to be resigned to having to stay put; year-end also found inventory to be it’s lowest in years, 705 active listings, down from 795 in 2010.
But what if you really really want to sell?
Last year I was brought into a property here in White Plains that had a lot going for it, condo-wise. Very convenient, but uber-private. Great light, generous space, and all the important amenities.
The owner was an exuberant sort, loving life, and had traveled much of the world in order to embrace it first-hand. But he also brought a lot of it back with him.
His love of family and friends only slightly eclipsed his wanderlust, so the walls were filled with beautiful original and exotic artwork, and photos of those near and dear.
The walls were shockingly bright, and bore great testimony to these passions, but did little to enhance the key selling points: space, great natural light, and the fireplace. As referenced below, he was NOT PLEASED at my recommendations-pack art, repaint, move some furniture… but he wanted to move into his new place more than he wanted to be right, so that’s how it went. Here are some of the B&As:
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Got this email today…not sure yet which is my favorite part…
Dear Marie-
You know I loved the look of the apartment I lived in for 26 years.
When you suggested these changes I resisted, but reluctantly I made them.
The result were raves from potential buyers, agents, and most importantly a sale.
Thank you!
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If you have a property that no one is looking at, or making offers on, there is a reason.
Talk to me now, I do remote consults via phone, email and Skype.
Let’s get that property sold so we can all get on with our life.
Tags: get your White Plains condo sold, marie graham preparer of properties, sell and get on with your life, start the conversation, the refreshed home
Posted in Home Selling and Home Staging, Listing Photos, Reality Check, Selling Your Westchester Property | No Comments »
December 29th, 2011
Welcome back to my post-holiday series Give Yourself A Gift For 2012: where good ideas and smart people can help you have your best year ever.
At a recent WCBS Business Breakfast, Barbara Corcoran famed NYC Real Estate agent was the featured speaker. I did not attend, but caught an insight I found fascinating. She spoke about how she saw two types of people in the current market, in pretty 
much a 50-50 split: those sitting tight, and those making big moves.
Historically, recessions have proven to be fertile times for many business of all sizes and types to start, make a move, grow and expand…Hyatt, Sports Illustrated, FedEx, Trader Joes and media giants CNN and MTV are a few of the more well-known biggies that got their start in the midst of economic down cycles.
Will 2012 be your year to make some changes, to make something happen?
You don’t have to have plans for world-wide domination of your industry, but if you have bigger plans, or even are in a space, or a lease that is not meeting your needs, a really good first step would be to talk to a professional who can give you information and feedback to start the process, and I recommend you have that conversation with Trevor Tunell.
Trevor is the Vice-President of family-owned T-Square Properties. T-Square Properties specialize in all aspects of commercial real estate.
They represent Tenants to Landlords (including lease negotiation); represent Landlords to attract new Tenants, and maximize the value of their assets; and manage properties for owners. T Square Properties will also represent your interests if you are looking to buy, sell, or lease a new property.
And it costs nothing to have that conversation.
Besides that Trevor is a nice guy and a smart guy, he and the T-Square team “know” Westchester. They have been Westchester-based since they first opened their doors in 1983.
We all know real estate is hyper-local. Is there any reason to think a conglammorate with sattelite offices would really know the neighborhood better, understand market nuances better-or who’d be in a better position to serve their clients than a company with deep local roots?
As the population ages, the demand for easily accessible, state of the art specialized medical and dental services can only grow; but right now is also an especially good time for anyone in the Personal Services field-or even mid to large-sized corporations to make a move into larger, existing spaces.
Does your business depend on good foot traffic? Today’s economic climate has convinced some successful long-time shop ownersand restauranteurs to retire, making some very attractive storefronts in desirable locations available.
Commercial Real Estate is a highly specialized field. The right or wrong terms or location can make the difference between a dream realized, or a dream deferred. Don’t be afraid, just don’t go it alone.
Tags: grow your Westchester business, start the conversation, T-Square Properties, what's your dream
Posted in Dollars and Sense, Giving the Gift, Home and Professional Services, Small Business Spotlight | No Comments »
December 1st, 2011
De-clutter, De-personalize, (Yada, Yada, Yada): Five OTHER Good Reasons To Bring In A Professional Stager
We’ve seen B&A’s, and videos of properties properly prepared for sale…but buying/selling/staging is a largely visual entity, media can’t really touch on the intrinsic value, or intangible services that consulting with a professional Stager brings.
While it might not make for good TV, here are the first two of five other good reasons why it makes sense to bring a professional Stager into your house buying or selling experience:
1. Consults with a professional Stager can bring perspective to pricing
While the refreshed home never, ever weighs in, or offers input about suitable pricing on a property, physical condition and general appeal do factor into what it will list, and sell for. So YES, comps and agents’ pricing strategy is part of the conversation, to better understand the market, and design the best solution for this property.
Stagers help sellers see their property-and others’ properties-through the eyes of buyers. While a hoped-for result is getting the best possible price for a property, sometimes the answer is that the sellers just cannot do a single thing. At this point consulting with a professional Stager can be the gut-check that supports the reality of an as-is listing price.
2. Professional Stagers provide service to Brokers, Owners and Agents, too.
YES, this professional Stager subscribes to the teach-a-man-to-fish way of thinking, and interested RE professionals are just as much part of my market as the buying and selling public is.
Knowing what I know does not make me an inherently better person, it just makes me good at what I do. Without sounding all prissy-pants about it, sharing the right verbiage with interested RE professionals so they can confidently make it part of their conversations, and integrate it into their own business makes us all winners.
Brokers who introduce me to their agents have one less thing to deal with, and they elevate their ‘brand. Newer agents can learn hands-on, in-house skills, and experienced agents who might already be doing this on their own will be surprised at the time they have freed up, once they know they have a trusted professional they can depend on. Sure, I love to get “the” job, but when I can help make something meaningful happen for a RE professional, I usually get “the client”.
Since more and more people need to stay in their house until it closes, creating a pleasing visual is the the easy part. Starting the conversation with a professional Stager who has in-house, and hands-on experience in managing the people, the process and the expectations could be the best phone call any agent or seller could make. So call already!!
NEXT: Curiosity brings the buyers, staging short sales, and working with buyers.
Tags: home staging, Marie Graham Westchester County Home Stager, professional stager, start the conversation, yada yada yada
Posted in Dollars and Sense, Home Selling and Home Staging, I'm Just Sayin' | No Comments »
September 23rd, 2011
Exclusive Offer For Fans of TRH
Free 15 Minute Personal Consult
If your space, or your stuff isn’t working out the way you want, let the refreshed home help get you going in the right direction.
*Not sure what to do on your bare windows?
*Walls covered with sample paint dots or paper squares?
*Not sure where- or how to place your art in a new space?
*Listless listing?
*Have family moving in-or out-need to re-think, re-calibrate?
*Ready for a change, just don’t know where to start?
No matter if you are looking to down-size or upgrade; if you are staying or selling; need help in knowing how to buy a sofa, where to place it in the room, or just update what you’ve got- the refreshed home has got you covered.
Here’s how it works:
1. Gather relevant info: Send me link to your current listing, take digital photos of what you don’t like-or are considering, scan floor plans or blueprints, that sort of thing.
Detail is important, but so is context, so be sure to include shots of the whole space, even adjacent spaces/issues. Up to 3 links can be considered.
2. Send it to me: marie@therefreshedhome.com Include your phone contact info, along with a brief synopsis of your situation, use code THR53.
3. I will contact you: Your preference, one-to-one by appointment on the phone, or an emailed report-we’ll walk through some solutions together
Life is too short not to have a space that makes you happy!
Free 15 Minute Personal Online Consult available for a limited time only, so don’t delay-start the conversation now!
Tags: Marie Graham Westchester County Decorator, Marie Graham Westchester County Home Stager, start the conversation
Posted in Appearances and Events, Decorating, Home Selling and Home Staging, If It's Free, It's For Me | No Comments »
August 14th, 2011
SCSP seeks UCRw/D
SCSP (smart, creative Staging professional) (that would be me) seeks UCRw/D (upbeat, confident Realtor w/ Designations) (hopefully, that is YOU) OBJECT: cooperative and content clients, more time on your hands, fabulous listing photos, and selling lots of properties quickly, and for the best price
YOU: Positive attitude, reality-based, open-minded, straightforward and direct, good communication skills. Value education and running a customer-service based business. And ohyes, have the desire to sell lots of properties.
ME: All of the above, and passionate about it; kind, adaptable, supportive, quick-witted, able to manage both projects and sellers.
Turn-offs: Cranky, jaded, complacent or rude whiners; hobbyists; over-priced listings
Remote Staging and phone consults do-able. Sense of humor a must, GRI, CBR, or CDPE preferred.
I am Marie Graham, owner of the refreshed home. I can bringing life and light into lives, listings, and living spaces. All you need to do is start the conversation!
Tags: home selling, Marie Graham Westchester County Home Stager, my business, start the conversation
Posted in Home Selling and Home Staging, Listing Photos, Smiles | No Comments »
August 7th, 2011
The DIfference Between Staging, and Preparing A House For Sale
Am very big on quotes lately, another one of my favorites is from Mark Twain:
“The difference between the right word, and the almost right word is the difference between lightning, and a lightning bug.”
In reality, there is no difference between Staging, and preparing a house for sale. Perception is another story.
Bless those folks at HGTV. YES they have elevated our collective recognition of the “S” word. YES most of us know the ‘de-clutter, de-personalize’ mantra.
Yet for many “Staging” is on par with Olympic Curling…we are fascinated! We watch as we try to figure it out, but we can’t…so we just watch some more.
Staging, and preparing a house for sale both look at what needs to be done, what can be done to find and demonstrate value for buyers.
Whether you say you are Staging, or preparing a house for sale, you are putting the property’s best foot forward, so that you can sell it in the shortest time, at the best price, so you can get on with your life.
Staging, and preparing your house for sale are not just about pretty visuals. Done properly, Staging-or preparing a house for sale first asks and understands more about the local market, and the agents pricing and marketing strategy. Seller needs, goals and expectations are given equal consideration.
One other thing Staging and preparing a house for sale have in common: each property, seller and agent combine to have their own unique solution.
No matter what you want to call it, look to your results. Have a property that needs to be sold? Start the conversation, and get on with your life.
Tags: home staging, Marie Graham Westchester County Home Stager, Mark Twain, preparing a property for sale, start the conversation
Posted in Home Selling and Home Staging, Smiles, Words of Wisdom | No Comments »
July 16th, 2011
Reality Check: Listing Photos Buyers In Westchester County Will See This Week-Bad Walls
Walls are the largest surface area in any room, so besides paint color, whatever else you may put on the walls is a very important decision. 
Art, properly placed, can make a small room feel bigger, and make big furniture seem smaller.
It can help balance a room, influence traffic flow, create interest where none exists, or call more attention to something you really want to highlight.
Poorly placed, or in poor taste, it can be all buyers will remember about a space. Here are some examples of what Westchester buyers will see this week.
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This art does little to enhance the room, these pieces are too dominant, and compete for attention. It makes the ceiling seem low, and the room feel claustrophobic.
There is little chance a buyer will remember a thing about this house other than it’s the one with the giant contemporary eyeball over the sofa.
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These are not groupings, they’re just a bunch of stuff hung on the walls over a period of time.
Groupings are not an add-as-you-go project.
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Instead, they are best planned and installed at once, tightly spaced and balanced, and centered on a wall space, or over a piece of furniture.
Ideally there is some empty wall space all around it, to give it a neat and important look.
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Am I the only person that finds this picture disturbing?
All this aggressive personality is very territorial, and has no place in a listing photo.
That it is here, and taking up valuable space on MLS says there are larger issues that need to be addressed with both parties before this house can ever hope to be sold.
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Home Stagers create great visuals, as well as great relationships to support both seller and agent during the selling process.
I am here to help you sell your house, which is why I run this series, and continue to make this offer: Claim any of these phtos as your own…yes (sigh) even the last one…and I will Stage your house for up to a half-day for FREE> REALLY.
Tags: listing photos, Marie Graham Westchester County Home Stager, start the conversation
Posted in Home Selling and Home Staging, Listing Photos, Reality Check | No Comments »
July 4th, 2011
Marie's Big Table...hopefully Bella made it out ok!!
Stagers and Agents Together, Part Deux
It’s been a week of big thinking. Last weekend I wrote a post on ActiveRain about Agents working with Stagers, and it was and it was featured nationally. Very cool. Wonderful for the exposure, and brought a lot of great feedback to the table… good thing I work on a big table!!
Agents who are reluctant to work with Stagers confound me. My rationale is that we work in so many similar ways, and where not alike, we can be quite complimentary. As food for thought, last post covered Goals, Skills and Expertise, and Education/Accreditation, here are some more similarities:
Income: Stagers and Agents both make their livings providing a specialized, relationship-based service. We love tho get The JOB, but know 95% of the time we need to get the RELATIONSHIP first.
Passion: Some days-situations-are more challenging than others, but Stagers and Agents I know L-O-V-E what they do. The vast majority, I believe, also continually strive to do it better.
Value: Stagers and Agents offer a value-based service. There is no standardized product, or means of delivery. Our success is tied to the degree we can demonstrate value by diagnosing, then solving problems, and removing pain.
It’s not an abstraction; ours is an interactive process. It means we have to know who you are, and what your pain is.
Time is Money: Most people think of this as a prompt, perhaps a nicer way to say ‘come on, times-a-wasting’. Rather, I believe Stagers and Agents think of time spent as time invested, and make no mistake, it’s an investment they are happy to make.
BUT-success often depends on the investment being a joint account, where all parties participate, contribute, and are committed to the investment.
AGENTS: If you know this to be part of your formula for success, you are JUSTOHSOCLOSE to even greater amazingness! Call me today, let’s talk about how we can get your properties S-O-L-D!!
Tags: Marie Graham Westchester County Home Stager, start the conversation, the right attitude
Posted in Home Selling and Home Staging, I'm Just Sayin', Reality Check | No Comments »
July 3rd, 2011
Stagers And Agents: More Alike Than You May Think (Part One)
Last weekend on Active Rain I wrote a Members-Only post asking agents who never worked with a Stager to please tell me why.
Great contributions, and a some points I did not expect. Knew this was a national stage, but did not expect this amount, or range of input. It’s taken a few days to wrap my brain around it all-and how it relates to my original question.
Whether you are a home seller, or a real estate agent, being comfortable with all that Staging might be may seem a formidable task, but here’s my pitch: It’s really not, because Stagers and Agents really have a lot in common. And where not alike, they can be complimentary.
Goals: At the end of the day, Stagers and Agents both have a single goal, to create and facilitate a new housing situation for their client. What is 100% absolutely the same here is that each does it in their own unique way. We build our brand which encompasses our decisions on marketing, communications, personality, strategy and pricing.
Skills and Expertise: True of really any profession, Stagers and Agents have ranges of skill, and levels of expertise. Descriptions like Short Sale Expert, Top Producer-or Accredited Stager!!-are not a standardized entity, NOR a guarantee of the sale of a property. It comes down to the individual.
Education/Accreditation: While not (yet) standardized or mandated for Stagers as it is for Agents, IMHO it should be. Til then, it’s a great interviewing tool…certainly for consumers, but for other professionals as well.
I like Agents who are Realtors. And have, are proud of, and can explain their designations. (AND PLEASE-ASK ME ABOUT MY DESIGNATIONS!)
I take CE Staging courses, and also audit CE RE classes. Both for knowledge, and frankly, to scope out Agents/Realtors I might like to work with. Sure, some if it can be pretty dry, but those sitting in the back of the room, reading the paper- sorry, we wouldn’t be the best fit.
Mark Twain once commented ‘Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today’. Little good can come when one is more focused on differences. But start the conversation with what you have in common, and be prepared to succeed.
NEXT: Income, Value, Time and PASSION!!
Tags: home staging, Marie Graham Westchester County Home Stager, owning a business, start the conversation
Posted in Home and Professional Services, Home Selling and Home Staging, I'm Just Sayin', Reality Check | No Comments »
May 27th, 2011
When Is The Right Time To Call A Stager? And Why?
There’s an old joke that says the best time to get something in place (I think insurance) is before you need it. Same is true in my field, but HEY I bet you probably saw that coming, right?
BUT- do you know why? It might depend on your vantage point…
SELLERS:
If you have decided to have a conversation with a professional Stager-please!-don’t equate it with tidying up before the cleaning service arrives.
General cleaning is fine, and if you are overrun with excess books, photos, or tschokes-ok to start packing…but don’t make major decisions like tossing upholstery or painting any rooms. Let me see all of what I have to work with.
Good Stagers deal with the reality of your situation, and they also work with what you have, as much as possible. You might think pre-consult purge will help you save face-or some money…it’s not illogical, but it’s not wise.
TALK TO ME NOW-because a denuded room is not a Staged room!
REALTORS:
A good Home Stager is just like any other home professional you can refer to-you want to know them, and be comfortable in speaking how it fits into your business , and how it works BEFORE you meet that potential client in the grocery line, doctor’s office or friend’s BBQ.
Sellers watch TV, so do buyers. EVERYONE has seen those shows. But not everyone gets how to talk with clients about Staging.
YOU KNOW you are always on the cusp of being auditioned by someone, and yesofcourse everything is under the electron microscope.
In my experience, agents that can comfortably speak about how Staging works are a distinct minority.
TALK WITH ME NOW-let me give you a leg up on your competition!
FRIENDS and RELATIVES of SELLERS:
My consults are complimentary. Your loved ones need to know others (that would be YOU) think this is a good idea. You can save them angst, even help them net a higher price on their house.
I am also 100% A-OK with any of the seller’s loved ones, or otherwise important/influential people being at the inital meeting. This is a big decision, and if they respect you in that way, they are ultimately going to ask your opinion anyway-so go ahead, nudge!
HAVE THEM TALK TO ME NOW-so there will be other things for you to talk about-besides how their house is not getting any offers!
NEIGHBORS of SELLERS:
A rising tide lifts all boats.
Houses in your neighborhood that sell quickly, and sell well are good news for everyone else in that neighborhood.
Go ahead. Nudge.
HAVE THEM TALK WITH ME NOW-even if you’re going to miss them terribly, you’ll thank me after the closing!!
Tags: home selling, home staging, start the conversation
Posted in Dollars and Sense, Home Selling and Home Staging, Listing Photos, Reality Check | No Comments »
May 15th, 2011
In Baseball, It’s Called A Suicide-Squeeze…
..in basketball, it’s known as a buzzer-beater, and in football, a Hail Mary Pass.
Last moment, last chance, to win big. You’ve run out of options, back against the wall. Nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
It’s dramatic and nervy, a move borne of both confidence and desperation. Once it’s launched, all spectators hold their breath, and time stands still.
It makes for great sports experiences, but when selling a property… not so much.
Considering Staging as a fall-back, or Phase Two kind of plan will cost both agent and seller time and money.
Homes get the most interest/traffic in the first 2 weeks they are on the market, and MLS has rigid guidelines about what constitutes a ‘new’ listing, so taking it off to clean it up, and give it a second chance to make a better first impression is not encouraged.
Whether you are an agent, or a home seller, do yourself a favor and talk with a professional Home Stager early on. There is nothing to be afraid of-in fact, consider these comparisons:
1. Like any other profession, talking with a Stager is not a decision to hire anyone, you are gathering info.
2. Like any other job interview, you both get to ask questions.
3. Like dating, it needs to work for both of you.
4. Like holiday shopping, delaying and last-minute decisions limit your options.
5. LIke any other major destination, there are numerous ways to get there.
Stagers, are, for the most part, nice and regular people, who just want to help get houses sold. Even if you don’t hire a Stager right away, you will be smarter, and make some better decisions.
REMEMBER-your successes are their successes…so deep breath, relax, and just start the conversation!
Tags: avoiding anxiety, home selling, start the conversation, taking action
Posted in Dollars and Sense, Home Selling and Home Staging, Reality Check | No Comments »
May 13th, 2011
Was out walking Bella earlier, and ran into a dog and her owners that I have never met.
Living in the middle of White Plains, pet-friendly buildings are few and far between; as a result, most dogs and owners know each other, so this was an exciting morning for Bella-NEW FRIEND!
As dog owners are prone to do, they talk about the dogs first. So we did.
Asked if they just moved in, turns out they lived a few blocks away for a while, we just never met.
When our new friends found out where I lived, they confided they loved the property, would come in and just stroll around to check it out; even looked into buying something. Which I found to be very exciting, from both a real estate, and a shareholder point of view.
Then she shared …‘but we just missed the first-time home buyer credit program’.
Those words kind of hung in the air. Thoughts raced thru my head. No matter how you would define ‘just missed’, it’s still been over for the greater part of a year.
While I am not a realtor, or otherwise cleared to speak on behalf of neighbors who are selling-it seemed to be a perfect opportunity to make some sort of statement about a field I believe in, and am confident about.
Questions and suggestions battled each other, trying to form a thoughtful and appropriate response: Define ‘just”. What happened? What did they do in the year since, and what are they doing now?
Stalling-and me, without a TWIXST bar!!-I observed that in my business as a Professional Stager, I’ve seen a nice uptick in the number of people who were making decisions and getting on with their life.
I am not good at doing math in my head, while people are watching me (old throwback to being at the blackboard!), so I hesitated, the moment was lost, and the subject was changed.
She had mentioned a few moments earlier that some of the units they were checking out were in the low 200′s (which is a GREAT 
price for this property). If I were the seller, or their buyer agent, seems to me that qualified first-time buyers would be in a position to make an EXCELLENT offer-i.e-fewer conditions, and probably a cleaner set of financials.
An $8,000.00 price reduction on a $220,000.00 listing is a very average 3.7%. My instinct was to suggest they find the unit they liked, and have their realtor (YES OF COURSE I encouraged them to work with one!!) approach the selling agent, making an offer with this in mind.
It’s not a ground-breaking idea, and the math isn’t that hard to figure out…so what was really going on? Certainly there could be other reasons they didn’t want to bring up with a virtual stranger.
OR
Maybe they just had buyer burn-out-overloaded with so much bad and incomplete information, that their filters were clogged, and not knowing who to believe, they just threw in the towel?
But as the saying goes, you never know until you ask…if I was a seller who really wanted to sell, or a Realtor, I would have encouraged that conversation. How would you have reacted? What would you have said?
Tags: good idea, start the conversation, what would you do?
Posted in Dollars and Sense, Home Selling and Home Staging, Reality Check | No Comments »
March 25th, 2011
In this business, seeing is believing, but the #1 corollary is that they have to like you, and trust you, first.
Recently I got a call from a Realtor I met last year-he was the listing agent on a property my Staging clients bought, after they sold their house.
He had a seller whose house needed help…not a new story-it had been on the market, with no success. It was a neat and clean space, no conditional issues. They had done some updating, but more needed to be done to make it competitive in this market.
I was there 2 days later, and sent them my report the next day. This was the email the agent sent me:
Hey Marie,
Thanks so much for all your time and care of the Smiths. I enjoyed being with you on the presentation – you have a velvet boxing glove, that’s for sure.
I have wanted to say something about the ‘nothing’ colors in the bathrooms and the kitchen, but they were already a little overwhelmed by my suggestions; it was a relief that you felt the same way, and addressed it with them.
I will catch up with them today, but I think they were very impressed with you and even better LIKED you and TRUSTED you. The changes you suggested are not ‘impossible’ and I think they will help set the property for a definite sale!
I will be in the office tomorrow, let’s talk more then.
Realtors: I know you invest months, often years in educating people, nurturing relationships. I totally get all that is on the line when you make the giant leap from listening to me, to actually bringing me into one of your transactions.
Sellers: I also realize all of what you have at stake. When we meet, I will understand and respect your situation, and all you have gone through. I will be your partner, and show you how to get to the other side.
I have made a successful living working in people’s homes for 30 years.
I know nothing to be truer than no matter what, people will always care about their homes. So four years ago I made my own leap and created the refreshed home.
My business model is not the most traditional. I have never ever chased dollars, so goals are not set or evaluated on sales figures.
My business has grown by simply striving to make people smarter and happier by showing how to make their space and stuff work better, so they can get on with their lives.
Solidly connecting with a responsive, professional, knowledgeable and now trusting Realtor was a home run.
Not a home run that is an insurance run, or even wins the game.
Because he can now comfortably speak with his other sellers and fellow agents about how Staging with the right person can work, this is a bases-loaded, bottom of the 12th, walk-off home run. In the playoffs.
Except in this scenario, everyone wins!
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If you have a home you need to sell, let a professional Stager help. All you have to do is just start the conversation.
Tags: home selling, my business, start the conversation, taking action
Posted in A Day In The Life, Home Selling and Home Staging, I'm Just Sayin' | No Comments »
March 8th, 2011
Why should I spend money to decorate a house I’m just going to sell?
If someone doesn’t like my collection of ____, well, that’s just too bad!!
Can’t buyers just use their imagination?
Sound familiar? I hear these things every day. Home Staging is not a new concept-it’s an idea that has been around since the 70′s, but for various reasons, it’s been slower to gain traction here in the northeast.
TV shows that feature empty trophy houses filled with high-end furniture, or re-dos with unrealistic budgets and timelines has not helped, either.
Selling your house is a high-stakes proposition. And today, because more people need to live in their house until they sell it, it’s
become even more important to find creative, effective reality-based solutions homeowners can live with.
If you- OR YOUR SELLER- have made the decision to sell your house (and get on with your life!)-please join me at 11am on Saturday March 12th, in the Community Room in the Mt. Kisco Public Library, 100 Main Street.
ALL ARE WELCOME!! Bring an open mind, along with your questions, a pad to write on, even some photos of your spaces, if you’d like. Let me help demystify the process, and help you see your property through the eyes of a buyer, so you can get your house SOLD!
Tags: home selling, listing photos, local events, start the conversation
Posted in Appearances and Events, Dollars and Sense, Home Selling and Home Staging | No Comments »
February 13th, 2011
…truly I don’t, but have to ask: is it really part of your marketing plan to show your properties as estate sales? And if so, how’s that working for you?
Last week I was looking at the listings on a local agency’s web site. I know the agency, they are quality and successful, and I’ve done business with a number of agents there.
IMHOP, most of the listing photos looked sad- very, very sad: white-or overly bright-colors on the walls; small/underscale/old furniture-faded, and just placed wherever; no lamps, and-this is the worst-twin beds, in white chenille spreads.
It read-this is the detritus of what heirs did not want, and we’re just going to toss it when it sells. It was leftover Nanna furniture. I love, and miss all my Nannas very much, so these photos reminded me of a sad time, not a happy one.
Take a look at the photo above (not from afore-mentioned agency) Can you tell if it’s from a 1 BR coop in a pre-war building, listed at $145K, or the Master in a 4 BR single family home, currently being offered for $765K? Could your buyers? And is either scenerio motivating?
YES-Real Estate is hyper-local, there are very specific markets within even the same ZIP code. This agency is in a beautiful small town with reasonable average income per resident, and many unique properties. Many people live there well- FOREVER, so there is not a lot of turnover, until, well, you know…
I know of several communities where an inherited, old-money look is appealing; and there are agents-even other businesses that actively cultivate it, for many reasons. There is nothing wrong with that.
My concern is-is it a concious choice? Is it what buyers in your market expect, and most importantly, is it successful for you and your sellers?
Staging is a business decision. For sellers, it is about choosing to move forward. For buyers, it is about having a vision of what the future can hold, and often that future means moving up.
I am in the business of helping sellers and agents get their properties SOLD. If what you do works for you, that’s what matters. If it doesn’t work for you, call me and let’s find something that can does. Remember, if you are in charge of your space, you are in charge of your life!
Tags: home selling, listing photos, start the conversation, taking action
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January 31st, 2011
Why should I spend money to decorate a house I’m just going to sell?
If someone doesn’t like my collection of ____, well, that’s just too bad!!
Can’t buyers just use their imagination?
Sound familiar? I hear these things every day. Home Staging is not a new concept-it’s an idea that has been around since the 70′s, but for various reasons, it’s been slower to gain traction here in the northeast.
TV shows that feature empty trophy houses filled with high-end furniture, or re-dos with unrealistic budgets and timelines has not helped, either.
Selling your house is a high-stakes proposition. And today, because more people need to live in their house until they sell it, it’s become even more important to find creative, effective reality-based solutions homeowners can live with.
If you have made the decision to sell your house (and get on with your life!)-please join me at 10am this Saturday, in the upstairs conference room in the Ossining Public Library, 53 Croton Avenue.
Bring an open mind, along with your questions, a pad to write on, even some photos of your spaces, if you’d like. Let me demystify the process, and help you see your property through the eyes of a buyer, so you can get your house SOLD!
Tags: home selling, listing photos, local events, start the conversation
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December 28th, 2010
January has arrived in a big way, and it’s hard not to get drawn into the whole resoloution thing.
While we may want a new set of circumstances, that whole actual change-thing…well, maybe not so much.
Many find the allure of setting a new path, and aiming high for the New Year comes to metaphorical fisticuffs with the realities of the cold, short days of winter.
What if I had a suggestion that could help save, even make you money? Required no special clothing, no measuring or weighing, no renouncing of anything. No lifestyle change, or on-going time commmitment; in fact it could free up some time, and make you more productive??
There is a lot of pressure in January, but if you are a REALTOR, or a property owner who wants to sell in the New Year, here’s your key to a long-term lease in a happy place: resolve to start a conversation with a Professional Stager.
Sorry, no Ginzu steak knives will be thrown in, but finding out more about how to put your property’s best foot forward could be the most most productive hour you will spend all year. Buyers who want to be in a house by summer are looking now, is your house ready?
Be in touch directly, or come see me. Saturday January 29th I will be speaking at the Mount Kisco Public Library; Saturday February 5th at the Ossining Public Library. Send-or better yet-BRING-your sellers.
Tags: home staging, start the conversation, taking action, the right attitude
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December 11th, 2010
Come close. Closer.
Now relax.
And yes, that’s the first thing.
1. It is not easy being involved in the housing industry these days, but of all the things I know for sure, the desire for a space to call one’s own is in our DNA is near the top of the list. If we all took a deep breath, we’d all be a lot better off.
2. Start the conversation What most people know about Staging is what they see on TV. HGTV elevates your level of pain, but it’s not reality. Stagers know what buyers like to see, and how to make your house look it’s best, but a good Stager will welcome your questions, because that’s how we come up with solutions you can live with.
3. You can do more than you think you can. REALLY.
Tags: avoiding anxiety, home selling, my business, start the conversation, taking action, the right attitude
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November 26th, 2010
Have written about belonging to ActiveRain before, the nationwide online community of Real Estate professionals, almost 197K strong.
As a Stager, it’s a great place to be-these are some of the smartest people in the business, and the more I understand what Realtors think about and why, the better I am at my job.
About every 3rd or 4th day a Realtor writes a featured post about getting a house ready for sale: how important it is, what it entails and why. INEVITABLY agents from all corners respond, YES! OF COURSE! IMPERATIVE!!
These responses make me crazy.
OK< I admit, my inital, gut level response is why the heck are none of these vocal, pro-staging agents located in my state, or even my time zone??
Then-frustration. It is the same (small-ish) pool of people. Saying the same thing.
The reality is there is a big disconnect most Realtors have between Staging as a good thing in principle, vs. Staging that actually puts money in their pocket. The few and the vocal are preaching to the choir, the rest view Staging as an intellectual pursuit.
Investing time energy and some funds in putting a house’s best foot forward is something that needs to be spoken of at the first meeting, directly and confidently. You get confident about something by doing it.
I find it absolutely stunning that new agents are indoctrinated on presentation scripts, but not this. That experienced agents take less-than-desirable listings, thinking the buyer’s agent will work the magic. Or brokers allow dated, out of focus, under-lit and otherwise odd/unhelpful to abysmal photos be shown on their listings. .
I understand the plethora of challenges you all face, but if you, your seller, fellow agents or agents you supervise/mentor are not getting the results you want, might it not be time to change things up a bit?
Being pro-Staging does not mean you talk about it when it is easy and the sellers are amenable. It does not mean you talk about it in the third person, as in you’ve seen it done in other homes, or on all the HGTV shows.
Instead, you need to find a local professional Stager that you like, and start the conversation BEFORE the house goes on the market. BEFORE you meet your next listing call. BEFORE you start thinking about the next/newest techno-way to bump up your business. BEFORE you plan the next price reduction.
Invest the time NOW. To that end, I am declaring December to be Start the Conversation month.
To any now-enthused Owner-Broker, Mentor, or Office Manager reading this: Call me.
If your office is within a 25 mile radius of White Plains, I will come to your office for a 1/2 day during the month of December and run a workshop for your INTERESTED agents, for free. REALLY.
Tags: home selling, my business, start the conversation, taking action, the right attitude
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October 24th, 2010
Reality Check: Listing Photos Westchester Buyers Are Seeing 10.24.10
Currently there are approximately 4300 single family homes on the market in Westchester, over 900 condos and close to 1600 co-ops.
This weekend there were over 150 Open Houses and who knows how many buyers and investors trollin
g local listings online, this is a sample of what they are seeing this week.
Appliance doubling as a message center, a household that really, really likes pink, and oh darn, photo UNAVAILABLE!
Additionally we have Springtime on the Hudson; trees, probably somewhere near the Hudson…
as well as some very busy people who apparently needed to leave the room in a hurry…
MLS give you 30 opportunities to showcase your listing. The should be seasonally correct, show the space-not the ‘stuff’-and give perspective that is unique to that property.
Do you really not have time to clear off the fridge, turn on lamps or move the storage bucket out of camera range??
I want to help agents and sellers be more successful, and you need to show a space that people want to see. My offer still stands: claim any of these photos as yours, and I will spend a 1/2 day Staging your property/photos for free. REALLY.
Tags: home selling, home staging, inexpensive fixes, listing photos, start the conversation, taking action
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