For Sellers

St. Louis Real Estate-Home Staging-Vignettes, Anyone?

Filed under: For Sellers, Home Staging, Unrepresented Seller(FSBO)

Want to “POP” an area, a special feature, or a room to attract that Potential Buyer’s Eye?

Use Vignettes!!

What is a Vignette, you say? Well, it is “an arrangement” of three items: one high, one medium, and one low in terms of their height. The items within an arrangement can be greenery, knickknacks, pictures, small furniture items, etc.

The word vignette is pronounced /vin yet/.

Vignettes are interesting to the eye. They are groupings of items that appear to go together in a way that is perceived to be un-cluttered and pleasing.

Use vignettes to draw a Potential Buyer’s eye to a particular area or space in a room, such as the corner of a great counter in the kitchen. In staging a kitchen, it is usually recommended to have the least amount of items on your counters–but an interesting vignette on one end or in a corner area shows off the counters and attracts the buyer’s eye to the space.

Use vignettes to draw a Potential Buyer’s eye to a great feature in your house, such as a fireplace. The vignette could be placed somewhere on the mantle or on the base of the fireplace. This example below shows a wonderful granite shelf that we wanted to emphasize in a master bathroom.
The vignette worked well to POP this great feature!

Use vignettes to draw a Potential Buyer’s eye into a room, such as this interesting arrangement in a small half bathroom. This not only draws them into the room, but the vignette makes the half bathroom more interesting and inviting!

So…Vignettes, Anyone??? We welcome any of your comments about this idea or if you have some “Vignette Ideas” of your own that you would like to describe and share, let us know.

For more information regarding Home Staging Services, feel free to contact me at Homestaging@stlouisrealestatevoice.com and visit our website at www.stlstaging.com.

Sue Rector, ASP Stager
Accredited Staging Professional
HomeStaging Innovations, LLC

Posted by Sue Rector | Read More | Your Comments Are Welcome! | 01.21.2009

St. Louis Real Estate - Don’t color me white!

Filed under: For Sellers, Home Staging, Unrepresented Seller(FSBO)

If you’re about to sell your home and your RE agent tells you to repaint the house white. . . you have to read this first.

White Walls….NOT the New Neutral!

Blinded by the Light Recently while providing Home Sellers with Staging Consultations, I experienced very similar situations. I walked into houses that are for sale and all of the walls were white or off white. In all of these cases, the Home Sellers told me that they had various colors of walls and that their Realtor told them to paint all of the walls white. They all told me that the Realtors suggested this because the rooms will look bigger, brighter, and cleaner…and that white was a “neutral color”.

In my previous article, “Color It Cozy” I discussed how important interior wall color is when selling a house.

When a Potential Buyer comes through your house-for-sale for the first, second, or third time, you want them to feel “Warm and Cozy”. Whether they know it or not, Potential Buyers are looking for that home which emits those “Warm Fuzzies”.

The color white or hues of the color white are NOT colors that will emit warm and cozy feelings. Does the color white or hues of white reflect light better so that rooms seem brighter…Yes. Does the color white or hues of white make rooms appear bigger…Maybe. Does the color white or hues of white make rooms appear cleaner…Not sure about that one.

Think about this…What is the color of SNOW?…WHITE

What is the temperature of SNOW?…COLD

In my experience as a Professional Stager, White = Cold.

Would you want to stay in a COLD room or a WARM room?????

White and hues of white are the Old Neutrals.

There are many different “Warm Neutrals” that will help Potential Buyers to feel “Warm and Cozy” as they go through your house.

Warm neutrals can be hues of Browns, Golds, or Soft Greens.

I have several favorites that I share with my clients when they are interested in presenting their house-for-sale in the Best Possible Showing Appearance. These are Sherwin Williams colors-which can be purchased through that store or matched to other brands that you prefer. I hope that these will be helpful to you if you are considering re-painting your interior walls. When at all possible, paint all the walls the same warm color. It makes your house flow altogether. You might think this would be “boring”, but remember when you stage a house for sale, you are not decorating. Staging is about creating a mood, a setting in order for the Potential Buyer to visualize themselves living there with their things!

My favorite hues are the hues of Brown and Gold because these will typically go with any décor that you might have, soft hues of Greens may not:

[Show picture list]

Browns: SW6106 Kilim Beige, SW6107 Nomadic Desert, SW6141 Softer Tan, SW6142 Macadamia, SW6085 Simplify Beige, SW6086 Sand Dune, SW6093 Familiar Beige, SW6099 Sand Dollar, SW6100 Practical Beige

Golds: SW6120 Believable Buff, SW6121 Whole Wheat, SW6127 Ivoire, SW6128 Blond.

Remember…staging statistics indicate that the investment in painting whether it is inside or out, gives you the most return for your dollars. Wall colors create a mood, a feeling for Potential Buyers. Make your wall colors “Warm and Inviting”!

If you have any questions regarding wall colors or home staging, feel free to contact me at Homestaging@stlouisrealestatevoice.com .

Sue Rector, ASP

Accredited Staging Professional
HomeStaging Innovations, LLC
www.stlstaging.com

Posted by Sue Rector | Read More | 1 Comment » | 11.24.2008

St. Louis Real Estate - Mold and Moisture Intrusion

Filed under: Building Inspection News, First Time Home Buyer, For Buyers, For Sellers, Relocation Buyer, Unrepresented Seller(FSBO)

The State of Missouri and the surrounding areas have had record rainfall for the year of 2008. It appears that everything has dried out and water levels have receded. The big concern for home owners and potential home buyers is if the home has had any excessive water/moisture intrusion into the interior spaces of the home. If water/moisture intrusion has occurred mold could be manifesting in your home without your knowledge.

Neither the State of Missouri nor any federal agencies currently have any regulations regarding investigation, evaluation, or remediation of mold. The front runners in the development of mold regulations include the states of New York, California, Minnesota, and Texas.

A general home inspection during a real estate transaction typically includes looking for mold, and water/moisture intrusion. This is significant during the inspection of the interior. Every home inspector should be aware of the legal consequences of mold in homes. In fact, mold litigation has been the chief reason for mold awareness in homes. Health issues and the affects mold has on adults and children have been debatable. However, the mere thought of going through trials and litigation over mold, health concerns, and law suits make the whole mold issue significant.

A careful visual inspection for mold and water/moisture intrusion can eliminate 80% of the concern and responsibility of mold being in the home. The 20% of what is going on in between the walls that can’t be seen will always be there. Most good home inspectors will do a virtual photo scan of the entire house to document what the conditions were at the time of the inspection. However, all parties should be aware that lawsuits and litigation can raise its ugly head even when everyone has made a good faith effort to disclose and carefully inspect the property before the real estate transaction has closed.

During the inspection the inspector will typically look for stains and/or mold and then try to determine the source of the stains. Mold does not appear out of the blue by itself. Sources are typically an interior water leak, or water/moisture intrusion from the exterior to the interior spaces or lack of or improper ventilation. If there is an unusual odor or musty smell, air monitoring should be considered. If mold is found, the inspector may also suggest taking a sample to determine and identify exactly what type mold is present in the home, toxic or allergenic. Both these procedures are separate fees from the whole house building inspection.

Take time and talk with your inspector over all these variables and more concerning mold. You can’t afford not to know about mold in your home. And make sure your inspector is ASHI certified!

Harry Morrell
ASHI Certified Inspector

Posted by Harry Morrell | Read More | Your Comments Are Welcome! | 11.10.2008

St. Louis Real Estate - Home Staging WOW

Filed under: For Sellers, Home Staging, Unrepresented Seller(FSBO)

The WOW Factor

“WOW!”

That is what Sellers want Potential Buyers to say… when those buyers walk through their house for sale.

Any house on the market can achieve “The WOW Factor” by meeting or exceeding a Potential Buyer’s expectations. When a Potential Buyer’s expectations are met or exceeded…this could very likely lead to a contract, then a FINAL SALE!

How does a Seller achieve The WOW Factor?

Staging your house for sale is essential in achieving “The WOW Factor”. In one of my earlier articles, I discussed the connection between Home Staging and Internet Marketing. In order for Potential Buyers to say “WOW” when they walk through your house…you first have to get them TO your house.

Price, Location, and Great Internet Pictures, along with a creative descriptive write-up will get that Buyer to make an appointment to see your house. A Staged Home makes the Internet marketing pictures of your house for sale look great! The old saying of “A picture is worth a thousand words” continues to hold true today. Pictures of a house for sale can impact a Potential Buyer much more than a list of the house’s features.

But what is very important for Sellers to understand is that pictures can be deceiving. There is nothing worse than a Buyer arriving at a house that they saw on the Internet, and immediately the house is Below their expectations. Meeting, but especially Exceeding a Buyer’s expectations of a house they make an appointment to see, will keep their interest, get them inside….and hopefully this will lead to a contract!

Barb Schwarz, Creator of the Staging Concept and Founder/CEO of Stagedhomes.com, says that staging is the process of preparing a home for sale regardless of price, location, or condition.

Staging a house for sale gets the house in the Best Possible Showing Appearance.

Staging defines the home’s space in terms of size and function.

Staging accentuates the special features of a home.

Staging creates a “welcoming ambiance and atmosphere” which will be very pleasing to a Buyer

…and that’s when they say “WOW”!

Does your house for sale have “The WOW Factor”? Is it in the Best Possible Showing Appearance? Based on your internet marketing, will a Buyer’s expectations be met or exceeded when they drive up and come through your house?

If you are considering selling your house or currently have your house on the market…and you don’t know or don’t feel that it has “The Wow Factor”, then consider Home Staging Services. An Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) can assist you to achieve “The WOW Factor” through Staging Consultation Services, Hands-On Staging Services, or Vacant Home Staging Services.

With excess inventory in this current market, Buyers can be and are being particular about the houses they make appointments to see. Make sure that your house for sale has “The WOW Factor” online and in person!

For more information about Home Staging Services and putting the “WOW” in your house for sale, feel free to contact me at homestaging@stlouisrealestatevoice.com .

Posted by Sue Rector | Read More | Your Comments Are Welcome! | 10.16.2008

St. Louis Real Estate - You Selling? - Read This!

Filed under: For Sellers, Mortgage News

Selling Your Home? reprinted with permission from Gorman and Gorman Home Loans, 11960 Westline Industrial Drive Suite 110, St. Louis, MO 63146

Consider a Seller Concession…

Lowering the price of your home may sell it more quickly, however offering certain incentives can actually be much less expensive and may be more effective. Major impediments to home purchase include the lack of cash and lack of income to qualify. How can you help?

For example, if your home is listed for $300,000, you can offer…

Three percent towards the buyer’s closing costs. This will lessen the cash necessary for the purchase. For example, if they are obtaining an FHA mortgage, you may have just cut the cash requirement in half!

Three percent towards a temporary buy-down of the interest rate. In this case you would be helping the purchaser pay a lower rate in the early Concessions years of the mortgage, without the long-term risks of an adjustable rate mortgage. A “2-1” buy-down off of a thirty-year fixed rate at 6.0% would give the buyer a 4.0% rate in the first year and a 5.0% rate in the second year. The mortgage payment would be reduced by approximately $200 or more than 10% for the first 12 months. Now more buyers can “afford” your home.

It might seem that $9,000 to $18,000 of “concessions” are expensive and certainly they are. However, .compare these numbers to the cost of lowering the price by 10.0% ($30,000) to make the house sell faster. A well-placed concession could be less expensive and make the home sell faster.

The Brother Team
Jeff, Doug, Chip, & Rachel

Gorman & Gorman Home Loans

Direct Phone: (314)812-0374

jbrother@gorman-gorman.com

Tags: St.+Louis+Real+Estate, Home+Sellers, Seller+Concessions, Gorman+and+Gorman

Posted by Doug Aegerter | Read More | Your Comments Are Welcome! | 09.02.2008

St. Louis Real Estate - Home Staging - To Stage or NOT

Filed under: For Sellers, Home Staging

Clutter, YEWH To Stage…Or Not to Stage…That is the Question, for Home Sellers and Listing Agents by Sue Rector, HomeStaging Innovations, LLC

Clutter…
Too Much Furniture…
Personalized Wall Colors and Patterns…
Those Collectibles…

In this market, anything and everything needs to be done to give your house the edge, whether you are the Seller or the Listing Agent.

There is so much inventory out there, Buyers need not rush into anything until they find that special house….the one where they can visualize themselves living there, with their things. The house that emits those warm fuzzies! The house that makes them feel like they are at home!

How does your house become that home that they love? Make sure it is staged! Whether it is a Staging Consultation Service for ideas and solutions, or Occupied Staging Services where the staging is completed for you with your belongings and budget, or Vacant Home Staging Services, with added furniture and accessories to define and accentuate….Houses that are Staged sell faster than Non-Staged houses, that is a fact!

Staging puts your house in its best possible apperance! The MLS pictures will look great, attracting Buyers and their Realtors to make that Staged Houses Sell Faster2 appointment for a personal visit.

Then when they get there…WOW!

Our staging team, We Stage St. Louis, has helped to sell over $7.6 Million in Homes within the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area, since January, 2007. Our Staged properties sell in an average of 40 days, and we are helping to get our Sellers 98.1% of the LP at closing. 90% of our Staged properties have SOLD!

Staging make a difference, especially in a more challenging housing market!

Reduce your nice clutter and your not-so-nice clutter, neutralize your walls and other areas, and accentuate your house’s special features through staging…..Get your house Sold!

Accredited Staging Professionals (ASP Stagers) are available to help you get your house sold with ideas and solutions based on professional guidelines that have proven to be successful.

If you are planning to place your house on the market in the near future or if your house has been on the market for awhile, decide to have your house staged! It is never too early or too late!

Make the decision TO STAGE….

Sue Rector, We Stage St. Louis

Sue can be contacted at suerector@stlouisrealestatevoice.com

Tags: St.+Louis+Real+Estate, Home+Staging, ASP+Stagers

Posted by Doug Aegerter | Read More | Your Comments Are Welcome! | 08.10.2008

St. Louis Mortgage News - The View From 30,000 Feet

Filed under: For Buyers, For Sellers

St. Louis Real Estate Voice guest editor Chris Scheer takes a look back at the past 12 months of the mortgage industry and a hopeful look forward.

As a buyer, seller, or investor, how do you feel about the mortgage mess and how has it affected your home purchase plans? . . . what’s the view from street level?

What a difference a day makes! by Chris Scheer, Cornerstone Mortgage, O’Fallon MO

Over the past 11 months the mortgage industry has gone through one of the most tumultuous times in recent history. The BIG Question! As mortgage companies went out of business, others were rescued by the Federal Reserve and program guidelines changed like your mother told you to change your underwear; DAILY. Many people, loan officers included were caught not being up to date on the ever changing landscape of guideline changes. I can admit I had challenges with 2 condo loans in particular.

In addition to the ever changing landscape of product and guideline changes we have also seen a rate climate that reminds me of a playground toy, the sliding teeter totter! Rates go up one day, down the next, up again then up and up and then a drastic drop followed by more upward movement. I continue to preach to my clients, that locking in is the best defense in the current market. We can always look to renegotiate if rates go down drastically but, once they go up you are screwed. As my old mentor told me, “pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.

Let’s hope that the reforms FHA has instituted effective July 14, 2008 and the merger of Countrywide and Bank of America signal a change to the whirlwind of changes and the rest of the year is filled with calm waters for borrowers to sail in.

For questions or comments on this post, please contact Chris Scheer at chrisscheer@stlouisrealestatevoice.com

Tags: St.+Louis+Mortgage, St.+Louis+Real+Estate, Buyers, Sellers, Investors, FHA, Countrywide+Mortgage, Bank+of+America

Posted by Doug Aegerter | Read More | Your Comments Are Welcome! | 07.05.2008

St. Louis Real Estate - Mortgage News - FHA takes the gloves off

Filed under: First Time Home Buyer, For Buyers, For Sellers

Take the Gloves Off FHA Lifts 90 Waiting Period by Chris Scheer, Cornerstone Mortgage, O’Fallon, MO

In a move to help get foreclosures off the books of lenders quicker and help avoid deterioration of properties that have been foreclosed upon the Department of Housing and Urban Development has lifted their ban on writing a contract if the title has changed in the past 90 days.

See the following article: FHA Lifts Waiting Period, Extends Insurance Coverage

For further clarification you can visit HUD’s website.

For questions or comments please contact Chris Scheer at chrisscheer@stlouisrealestatevoice.com