tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25547138988897748562024-02-21T05:31:52.063-08:00Light, Bright and Airy Home StagingThis Blog is dedicated to sharing tips for home staging. Your home only gets one chance to make a lasting impression on buyers, make sure its sending the right message! Visit our webiste at www.LightBrightandAiry.comshannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-36693340549406516322013-10-23T17:16:00.000-07:002013-10-23T17:16:24.211-07:00FREE STAGING TIPS.... So often I only get called out to work on the hardest houses with the most awkward floor-plans - or after a house has languished on the market for 6+ months without offers. I love a good challenge, but it made me realize that the tips that I apply to a difficult house, also apply to all kinds of Do-It-Yourself types of rooms too.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Make sure that you give each room a true purpose! </li>
<li>If the room feels small, use smaller or less furniture.</li>
<li>If the room feels too large, add a few pieces from another room to fill some of the space, but not all of it.</li>
<li>Also if the room feels awkwardly large, pull the furniture off the wall and "cozy it up" by bringing the furniture closer together.</li>
<li>Watch-out for themes or collections, pack those away now, they are not selling friendly - I get called in all the time to talk to sellers about their beloved collection of ....</li>
<li>Choose mostly neutral colors for furniture, pillows, wall hangings etc., but add one stronger color to add a pop for the pictures - I like red, blue or green.</li>
</ol>
Here are some before and after examples of a tough to decorate house I just finished that went into escrow in 4 days. This is an open Studio type guest cottage with no real focal point or kitchen.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HV0tz28wpIFDIgGZ7DJ2Z0rEawkWfrwKLpfc3urAufQ5Uwi3sh9O9HylUrpMuv-9WPlHAnpiRg5F9HjlhH4Mt961RnkksdVCOvyhrhbZdb7zLuSACcNDHlOnTG3GkMq_7GHGmewU7nE/s1600/iphone+2013+1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HV0tz28wpIFDIgGZ7DJ2Z0rEawkWfrwKLpfc3urAufQ5Uwi3sh9O9HylUrpMuv-9WPlHAnpiRg5F9HjlhH4Mt961RnkksdVCOvyhrhbZdb7zLuSACcNDHlOnTG3GkMq_7GHGmewU7nE/s400/iphone+2013+1301.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0Yc52EAfH4y0WsHsuBO9jXQFyLf7AjyFhaR1bPQr3w60SpxuuhsegqUD20Crst-3EpjL67d9y6lsOakkL44-HrAM1NUmUjk4cI-E-gvodxpGVnCLz8kYMDrb0CQFE0LOaBzwLoqzlHA/s1600/iphone+2013+999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0Yc52EAfH4y0WsHsuBO9jXQFyLf7AjyFhaR1bPQr3w60SpxuuhsegqUD20Crst-3EpjL67d9y6lsOakkL44-HrAM1NUmUjk4cI-E-gvodxpGVnCLz8kYMDrb0CQFE0LOaBzwLoqzlHA/s320/iphone+2013+999.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-70882239198847450272013-05-06T21:53:00.000-07:002013-05-06T21:53:24.698-07:00How is it already May?May is here the flowers are blooming and real estate sales are picking up. Prices are getting stronger, inventory is down and interest rates are still excellent. But even with all those factors you still must prepare your home to look great for a strong sale.<br />
<br />
In honor of may being the fifth month of the year, here are 5 quick tips to help with selling your home:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Clean!!!!</li>
<li>de-clutter</li>
<li>Pack personal items and collections now</li>
<li>Ventilate - fresh air is best!</li>
<li>Mow the weeds</li>
</ul>
<div>
Happy selling!</div>
shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-60765496453737508902010-07-26T15:42:00.001-07:002010-07-26T15:52:37.963-07:00Summer is in full swing!<a href="http://www.cambriapinesrealty.com/Drake_Interior.htm"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498350217889026338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTPq1MZosJVNM9pcerjaUtPmQxwBckM50TKZj-w3-iJI3BuGtkYJ6mJRUeP-FQ7PYIaV1lj8dEUIRftGepz_nQkGmp2EY0UCnRIk6_l666tMpu5LhkMUHZmEfOsXHnkRbEt4yeQ2sn28/s320/380DrakeMay2010.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Wow- Real Estate Season is ON! Staging has been hopping and so is the real estate market! What a fresh change from the past two years! I have seen some great houses lately that have had trouble selling for one reason or another. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The best advice that I can give to sellers is prepare your house and stage before it hits the market- its hard to take back a less than perfect first impression!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here is a great newly staged listing! It is a beautiful home in Cambria- just 2 blocks from the beach!! Click on the picture to view the full info from <strong>Cambria Pines Realty.</strong></div><div></div><div> </div><div>Don't forget to check out our website for other great listings and staging tips!</div><div><a href="http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/">http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/</a> </div>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-91512258858337048392010-03-17T09:42:00.000-07:002010-03-17T09:53:08.974-07:00Spring has sprung!Spring is a great time to refocus and retool if you are planning, hoping or trying to sell real estate. As the weather changes and the rain stops, everything starts to bloom and house shoppers start to come out and look at new real estate options. As you have heard 1,000 times, you only get ONE chance to make a first impression. Real Estate is no different. <br /><ul><li>Buyers shop first from the curb appeal, make sure that you tidy up your yard after all that rain!</li><li>After buyers have decided that they like you curb appeal enough to make an appointment- they then shop with all of their senses, address them ALL: sights of your home, sounds, smells, and feel- we will skip taste!</li><li>Sights- Make sure that your home looks GREAT- clean, tidy and clutter free!</li><li>Smells- Make sure that is smells fresh, the best way to do that is to let in the smells of spring! Baking cookies is good too!</li><li>Sounds- Make sure that it is peaceful, not over stimulated in the sounds- remove pets during showings- chatty birds and barking dogs can be a huge seller turn-off.</li><li>Feel- Make sure that it is not too warm or too cold, either one can be a distraction from a great home.</li></ul><p>Good luck and happy seeling!</p>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-76919466026715270152009-07-17T10:38:00.000-07:002009-07-17T11:25:35.083-07:00Is this the Serengeti, or a California Beach town?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ty4m7R8SK5pWMCW1yza3NMBzeW10nFLwQLkPpoQsOK0UfAi8VKtn7eAPV88ZyPv29ToM1Zc8c_eHhdaM5rKK4oqJXO-on8tFpSDjeP5tvJeQ0Y0rQRZkqo_YXhZJsi6IaczAxqEzSlY/s1600-h/226a.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 125px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359485915603314562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ty4m7R8SK5pWMCW1yza3NMBzeW10nFLwQLkPpoQsOK0UfAi8VKtn7eAPV88ZyPv29ToM1Zc8c_eHhdaM5rKK4oqJXO-on8tFpSDjeP5tvJeQ0Y0rQRZkqo_YXhZJsi6IaczAxqEzSlY/s320/226a.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This is so cool, I had to share! I was working in a condo yesterday, staging it for the market, when I looked out the kitchen window and saw this view... Those are Zebra grazing on the hills of San Simeon, California at the Hearst Family ranch. This is truly the view from the kitchen window, and the view from the living room is of the pacific coast line, it is awesome! If you are looking for a 2 bedroom / 2 and a half bath get-away, look no further! I will attach a link to the full listing as soon as it goes on the market in the next few days! If you are interested sooner, please contact Sand Shell Realty in Cambria and ask for <strong>Terry Farrell, realtor- for more information - 805.927.1511</strong></div><div></div><div>Where else can you see grazing Zebra and the ocean from the same home? This listing is one in a million!</div><br /><div></div>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-66276650103291682742009-07-08T22:21:00.000-07:002009-07-08T22:46:24.722-07:00Great new listing!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxlmj57sD21litJeBWitXNNmVy8bWnmKBP-Men4eiwsWAXh8mv_L0sIOR4RDxpsSYOEIKWtcC1LbumBqdH6WvjNlyl7yqi-jnxVaKgBsnsmi4ZfV0ltdoCnu4e-IFvXssmYyaDRmBpS4/s1600-h/the+lakes.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356329229277481394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxlmj57sD21litJeBWitXNNmVy8bWnmKBP-Men4eiwsWAXh8mv_L0sIOR4RDxpsSYOEIKWtcC1LbumBqdH6WvjNlyl7yqi-jnxVaKgBsnsmi4ZfV0ltdoCnu4e-IFvXssmYyaDRmBpS4/s320/the+lakes.jpg" /></a><br /><br />This is a great new listing just listed by Michelle Brown of Peabody and Plum. It is a large 4 Bedroom 2 1/2 Bath home in Atascadero's premier gated community! It has almost an acre of beautifully landscaped grounds and is a must see house if you are shopping for an elegant house with an open floorplan and a great setting!<br /><br />Follow this link to view: <a href="http://ccrmls.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Centralcoast&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=C17gSi6Zawilmrs2WFy4vK%2FD2eJdBcnpYjQ37%2BPoWIk%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=">Michelle Brown's Listing</a>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-29832534815453778982009-06-17T07:56:00.000-07:002009-06-17T08:20:27.174-07:00The value in a good Realtor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKD_mH6ZCqpuK7tIxgJ2-WOa8vCQHF7_VWoHmySFyZjAmjeVwmP4MAmas_ZkJEZJCOF0bnCK6VUw5MWJcF2ZjO-tatWa8ChQiNVGSbvp6SVfVLsRBXA_ygljVrnzFKY28KSKNVeB-KzwM/s1600-h/P5140003%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348312877289830450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKD_mH6ZCqpuK7tIxgJ2-WOa8vCQHF7_VWoHmySFyZjAmjeVwmP4MAmas_ZkJEZJCOF0bnCK6VUw5MWJcF2ZjO-tatWa8ChQiNVGSbvp6SVfVLsRBXA_ygljVrnzFKY28KSKNVeB-KzwM/s320/P5140003%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I cannot emphasize enough, the importance of putting your real estate transaction in the hands of a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">savvy</span> Realtor! This picture was sent to me by one such Realtor/Broker, Hayley <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Townley</span> of Comet Realty in San Luis <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Obispo</span>. The seller was asked to make sure that the water heater was strapped before the close of escrow. The seller assured all parties that this had been completed. On Hayley <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Townley's</span> Final inspections -she was shocked to find, what the seller called a 'strapped water heater' - please look for yourself!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Yes that is a car seat belt, nailed to the wall and tied in the middle! This is NOT within the conforming state guidelines on proper hot water heater strapping! So please use a smart realtor, who can catch these issues like Hayley did, when you are buying or selling real estate!!</div>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-77265669295455963902009-06-09T11:51:00.000-07:002009-06-09T11:53:51.152-07:00Check it out!Sleepy little SLO made the top 10 places to live in 2009!<br /><br /><a href="http://http//finance.yahoo.com/news/Best-Places-to-Live-usnews-15476164.html?.v=1">http://http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Best-Places-to-Live-usnews-15476164.html?.v=1</a>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-92214951903125061112009-05-27T12:25:00.000-07:002009-06-17T08:21:05.315-07:00Another great new listing!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqUsvgVDkNEWHxDGIveGwaW8c8mMD3FygtPDGCgnzof4Qy6DAnwL_KMaqossbN-uiuN4wKek7Y5u7G1kLvl9MnBMMkzW7qMQZUNn3H13zeLyDFb_FklCeSW8-zcz6bMUUyFNplPVmQyw/s1600-h/Hwy+41+E.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340588101727339538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqUsvgVDkNEWHxDGIveGwaW8c8mMD3FygtPDGCgnzof4Qy6DAnwL_KMaqossbN-uiuN4wKek7Y5u7G1kLvl9MnBMMkzW7qMQZUNn3H13zeLyDFb_FklCeSW8-zcz6bMUUyFNplPVmQyw/s320/Hwy+41+E.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This is a great horse property! 5 Acres, close to town, yet totally country! It is in the coveted Templeton School District and offers 4 Bedrooms, 2 Full Bathrooms, a great 3 stall barn with an arena, plus guest quarters. All this on 5 fully fenced and gated acres! Bring all of your animals or just enjoy the peaceful countryside!</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Follow this link to the full listing:</div><a href="http://peabodyplum.com/search.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=154939&searchkey=5f1103eb-f353-5dba-564e-5926aae9e48a&npp=10&sr=1">Lauri Strain of Peabody and Plum's Listing<br /></a><div></div>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-46484850226344956382009-04-28T09:56:00.000-07:002009-04-28T11:46:51.560-07:00Staging is not decorating!I have said it before and I will say it again: Staging is NOT decorating! Staging is a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">strategic</span> marketing plan to highlight the very best features in your home, so that buyers can see the house, not your stuff! Remember that you are moving.... you don't need to keep everything out, some items are best stored away early, so that people can better see your house! So get a POD or a storage unit and get your clutter out!<br /><br />Staging doesn't need to cost a fortune, but it is part of marketing your home effectively. I like to think of staging as getting ready for the day- you wouldn't go to work in the morning in your pajamas and slippers - no... you get cleaned up and ready for a professional day. Your house needs to do the same thing - it needs to put on its best 'selling' outfit!<br /><br />Your house should feel homey, neutral and move-in ready!<br /><br />Good luck and happy selling!<br />to contact me direct please go to my website: <a href="http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/">http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/</a> or send email to: <a href="mailto:shannon@LightBrightandAiry.com">shannon@LightBrightandAiry.com</a>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-1860979230175935342009-04-15T19:01:00.000-07:002009-04-15T19:15:05.687-07:00New Featured Listing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDMMbZeHJJQNC4sSYaYNdva4ktfHr5v21DO3M-svUHDNsHpnZ1qT5cxzZU7sHeGSPVOFMWzsQxqqSMTgXP9g4_e1MbWDP9plXN5Wv2HyUy7Fz-yi7_yEWbq9ZAeHqWRIaKBS9vAYxcdM/s1600-h/220.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325104680661988626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDMMbZeHJJQNC4sSYaYNdva4ktfHr5v21DO3M-svUHDNsHpnZ1qT5cxzZU7sHeGSPVOFMWzsQxqqSMTgXP9g4_e1MbWDP9plXN5Wv2HyUy7Fz-yi7_yEWbq9ZAeHqWRIaKBS9vAYxcdM/s320/220.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>This is a great new listing, that we just completed staging! Follow this link for the full details and virtual tour: <a href="http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?t=1859244&sk=30&prt=10003">http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?t=1859244&sk=30&prt=10003</a> </div><div>To contact me directly please visit my website: <a href="http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/">www.LightBrightandAiry.com</a></div>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-37108081035152659122009-04-15T14:38:00.000-07:002009-04-27T15:57:11.505-07:00Spring is Here!<p>Spring means 2 important things to home sellers on the central coast!<br /></p><ol><li>The rains have come and watered the weeds, and now the sun is shining and making every weed in sight take ahold of your yard! So get the weeds under control before your house is hiding behind a jungle of weeds. </li><li>Spring is a rare time in real estate when potential buyers have a renewed faith in the real estate market, if you are a seller.... don't miss it!</li></ol>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-51577238679929497592009-02-16T22:17:00.000-08:002009-02-16T22:32:37.337-08:00Staging for Spring!We just got back from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Las</span> Vegas Market and Furniture Show! Yippee- good fun was had by all and we got tons of great new ideas and stuff! Its hard to focus on Spring while its still raining, but get ready for the spring selling season! I firmly believe that this spring staging is going to be crucial to stand out from the crowd in this crazy market! Here are some quick tips for successful spring selling 2009:<br /><ul><li>Depersonalize (as always)!</li><li>keep the chill off your house, turn the heat on so that its not chilly when buyers enter to view your home.</li><li>make sure that your home is priced right for your neighborhood, even the best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">stager</span> can't fix - way over priced!</li><li>Keep the rain and mud outside.</li><li>Remember staging is all about selling, its not about high fashion - make your house look great- in a warm, neutral way, not decorator specific!</li><li>In this tough market- get real with your budget for staging, landscaping and repairs! </li><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pre</span>-plan for success and you should see results!</li></ul>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-80166047523061179522009-01-23T22:40:00.000-08:002009-01-23T22:49:44.510-08:00Don't be a seller-zilla<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>, here is the home staging nightmare of the week! <br /><br />Beautiful, ornate home! Lots of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">faux</span> paint everywhere, very peach walls! Yikes, it needs a neutral touch added to every room! The seller had made it VERY clear to me that I need to decorate in her style - perhaps this is why this beautiful home has been on the market so long.<br /><br />As a seller make sure that you step back enough to allow you home to be staged for the market, not just so that you like it! For Pete's sake you are selling, what do you care if you like it, as long as lots of buyers do?<br /><br />Don't be a seller-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">zilla</span> and bite the hand that is going to help you get top dollar! Let your home <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">stager</span> - <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">depersonalize</span> and neutralize!shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-4649677173334464672009-01-19T09:02:00.001-08:002009-01-19T09:10:12.740-08:00great new staging stuff!I have just finished a big shopping trip to the California Gift Show and the LA Mart! It is always fun to attend these kinds of shows and get great new tips, trends and staging items. Some things I noticed from the decorating world: sparkling winter-white fabrics, bright oranges and greens for spring seem to be the hot new colors of 2009. For staging we would scale back on the orange and bright green, but it is always good to see what the cutting edge offers, so that we stage close to that edge, but with neutrals that have a broader appeal.<br /><br />Also from the shows we got some great new table settings to make your dining area pop. We saw lots of great ideas for table arrangements and some new trends in furniture. I am looking forward to 2009 being a great year for the real estate market to take a turn for the better and I expect staging and home preparation to continue to play a big role in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">saleability</span> of your home.<br /><br />Happy Selling!<br /><br />Feel free to contact me directly through my website: <a href="http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/">www.LightBrightandAiry.com</a>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-74599180096492775542009-01-11T21:12:00.000-08:002009-01-11T21:14:44.308-08:00New stuff headed our way!I am off to the LA Gift Show to pick up new goodies for home staging! I will be back next week with new toys for decorating the homes of the central coast! I look forward to sharing with all of you great new gadgets and tricks for making your home look its best when you are selling!shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-41131999268232335442008-12-22T16:38:00.000-08:002008-12-22T16:41:11.233-08:00Winter Staging TipsHappy Holidays and happy winter home selling. As winter gets off and running there are some things to keep in mind when your home is on the market.<br /><ul><li>As it gets rainy and wet, make sure that your door mats are clean and dry, and at each door, so that when people show your house, they don't track muddy footprints throughout.</li><li>Make sure that your heater runs at least enough to keep the chill away, since a frigid house can be a turnoff to buyers. </li><li>Change your heater filter regularly during the winter- it helps your heater and it helps reduce the musty smell of winter -plus filters are a cheap way to keep an expensive appliance working well. </li><li>With sunset being so early, many buyers will be seeing your home at dusk or in the dark- make sure that it all looks as good in the night as it would during the day. </li><li>Remove tripping hazards and illuminate dark spots in your driveway and rooms. </li><li>Make sure that your entry light has a good bulb and gives good illumination. </li><li>Set a few lights on timers that come on at dusk. </li><li>Check your rain gutters and drains- few things show worse than if your house looks like it could flood from a small drizzle, just because you forgot to clean away the debris blocking the flow of water.</li></ul><p>Good luck and happy winter home selling! For more information or to contact us directly please check out our website: <a href="http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/">www.LightBrightandAiry.com</a> </p>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-28246593483913939762008-11-10T12:37:00.001-08:002008-11-10T12:53:25.738-08:00Staging + Professional Photos / Virtual Tour Sale!Light Bright and Airy Home Staging and Central Coast Virtual Tours are now offering a coordianted sale for a limited time only.<br /><br /><strong>Staging + Still photos<br /></strong>Includes: Photos sized and formatted for the MLS<br />· Hi resolution photos for flyers and submission to real estate magazines<br />· Slideshow with no branding for the MLS<br />· Slideshow with office branding<br />$475 right now only $400<br /><br /><strong>Staging + virtual tour</strong><br />Includes: Photos sized and formatted for the MLS<br />· Hi resolution still photos for flyers and submission to real estate magazines<br />· Virtual tour with no branding for the MLS<br />· Virtual tour with office branding for internet<br />$600 right now only $500<br /><br />To check out our websites, please visit:<br /><a href="http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/">www.LightBrightandAiry.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.centralcoastvirtualtours.com/">www.CentralCoastVirtualTours.com</a>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-43053742157503988992008-10-28T21:06:00.000-07:002008-10-28T21:59:33.116-07:00Expect more!!In this down market everyone has excuses for homes not selling and homes declining values! But this is the time we need to all dig deep and expect more from ourselves and our professionals! Realtors need to be helping you with what they do best... Marketing!<br /><br />They need to be helping you<br /><ol><li>Stage your home so it looks great</li><li>Get great photos taken </li><li>Do virtual tours</li><li>Make great flyers </li><li>Give your house a great internet presence</li></ol><p>Gone are the days of homes selling above asking price in hours. We are into the time when houses take months to sell, but the ones that look great and are marketed effectively ARE still selling. Make your sales team work for you, after all you are paying them thousands of dollars to sell your house! Make sure you get your money's worth!</p>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-25852620461980086832008-09-03T09:51:00.000-07:002008-09-06T12:17:08.712-07:00Home Staging on a tight budgetI hear a lot these days that home staging is too <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">expensive</span> and my house doesn't warrant the expense!<br /><br />Let me first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dispel</span> the first part of that myth: <strong>home staging costs too much</strong>. If you use the right <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">stager</span>, it can be done on a VERY tight budget. Maybe as little as $100 if you have some good stuff to work with. Of course you can always spend $5,000, but in many cases that isn't necessary. YOU set the ground rules and the budget, and a smart home <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">stager</span> can work within your budget, as well as prioritize for you the most important places to spend those dollars.<br /><br />The second part of the myth: <strong>my house doesn't warrant the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">expense</span> of home staging</strong>. If you look at the simple math of letting your home sit on the market for 2 or 3 extra months and make 1 or 2 more price reductions, you have probably already lost $10,000 with those 2 options alone. Most price reductions in most markets around the country today are going to be at least $5,000 and even 1 extra month of mortgage to pay will probably run at least $1,000. As <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">compared</span> to maybe $500 worth of home staging for a furnished home and about $1,000-1,500 for a vacant home. That is not even taking into consideration that if your home is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">looking</span> its best, buyers will probably ask for less money off and fewer repairs than if you list the home in its current state.<br /><br />Great home <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">stagers</span> have lots of tricks up their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">sleeve</span> about how to make your home look great with a few easy trade secrets that can really help your home look its best! Plus <strong>home staging is now a tax write off</strong>, just like realtor fees, it is considered part of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">expense</span> of selling your home! I urge you to at least call a home <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">stager</span> and get a quote before you list your home, most <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">stagers</span> should give you a quote free of charge, no strings attached. So why not see if having a professional make your home look its best is a possibility for you?shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-79303227562714612502008-09-02T19:42:00.000-07:002008-09-03T09:45:03.706-07:00Staging around strange smells and pets!The resounding comment that I continue to hear from Realtors is what to do with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">people's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">weird</span> smells and how to hide their pets!!<br /><br />Lets <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">address</span> the smells first:<br /><ol><li>Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate! (Unless it is snowing outside)</li><li>Have your carpets cleaned before listing the house and then keep pets and shoes off the carpet.</li><li>Vacuum regularly.</li><li>Don't spray with room scents, do something more subtle, like a reed diffuser or bake cookies before the showing (seriously)!</li><li>Paint a few worn walls, this will help the smell in 2 ways- it will add the new smell of paint plus it will cover the musty smell of the old wall.</li></ol><p>Pets:</p><ol><li>Not everyone is a pet lover, so tripping over a pet during a showing may make buyers not want to view the whole property.</li><li>Even pet lovers, don't want to smell your pet in their potential new home.</li><li>Arrange to have your pet stay with friends or family during every property showing, its a great time to take your pet for a walk.</li><li>Clean your pet often while your home is listed to keep the smell of your pet to a minimum.</li></ol>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-22464299549268927502008-07-30T23:49:00.000-07:002008-07-31T00:00:11.282-07:00Guest Blogging!I have been asked to be a guest blogger for a real estate blogger that lives in my area. So for my debut next Monday, check out his blog link! <a href="http://www.slocountyhomes.com/real_estate_weblog.htm">http://www.slocountyhomes.com/real_estate_weblog.htm</a><br /><br />I will be sharing my real estate and staging insight now with my readers as well as with his! I hope you will check out his blog too! He has been blogging about the local real estate market since 2003! Who knew there were blogs in 2003?<br /><br />I will be blogging there every other Monday!shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-21408795877312229872008-07-18T17:47:00.000-07:002008-07-18T18:01:50.909-07:00Top 10 Reasons to hire a home stager<ol><li>You want it to sell quickly!</li><li>You want it to sell for top dollar!</li><li>You want your house to look great before the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Realtors</span> see it.</li><li>Your nose doesn't work well in your own home and you want it to smell nice before it hits the market</li><li>You want someone to do the cleaning for you.</li><li>Their are lots of unfinished decorating projects you don't have time to finish.</li><li>Your house has lots of tiny <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">boo boos</span> that buyers will hate.</li><li>Your house is decorated very personally and you love it and hate to change it.</li><li>You have to move out right away and don't have time to worry about it.</li></ol><p>And # 10. You only have one chance to make a great first impression on buyers and you want your house to stand out from the crowd!</p><p>For help in Templeton, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Paso</span> Robles, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Atascadero</span>, San Luis Obispo or the rest of the Central Coast please call Light, Bright and Airy Home Staging and visit our website @ <a href="http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/">http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/</a> </p><p></p>shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-38574602327657019982008-07-15T08:27:00.000-07:002008-07-15T22:52:21.551-07:00Real Estate Wis-dumb!<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Every time</span> I blog, I try to share tips that I have learned from my 10+ years buying, selling, managing and flipping real estate. Today is no different! Today is about the importance of honing your craft! Too many people pick <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Realtors</span> and lenders because they are friends and neighbors, of course that doesn't mean don't use your friends, it just means DO YOUR HOMEWORK! A good realtor will continue to hone their craft every year. They will not only sell houses, but they will also attend continuing education classes in areas that pertain to the local real estate market and the economy.<br /><br />Here are some important ways to make sure you are getting the best REALTOR for you!<br />1. Check their references<br />2. Call their past clients<br />3. Check the State and County Board of Realtors website to make sure their license is in good standing!<br />4. Talk to friends and lenders to check realtor reputations<br />5. Have the realtor show you what they have represented for buyers and sellers over the last 24 month, if it similar to what you are looking for, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">that's</span> helpful! If its not, think about whether or not you want this person helping you spend hundreds of thousands of YOUR dollars.<br />6. Your Realtor should be a wealth of knowledge not just a salesman!! He/She should thoroughly understand the market that you are shopping in. Good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Realtors</span> spend time looking at houses and knowing their market!<br /><br />On the other side of buying real estate is the Lender or Bank. Most people have traditionally shopped for a lender based on interest rates that they lure you in with. Interest rates are important, but honesty at the beginning of the lending process could save you months of anguish in the end. I am here to say that not all lenders are created equal!!! Much of the current real estate crisis can be blamed on dirty banks and dirtier lenders!! Shop smart when looking for a lender, you aren't buying a used car, you are buying a payment for 30 years that will be the roof over your family's head!!! Make sure it is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">commitment</span> you are ready to make! Conventional wisdom still comes to play here... use your best judgement, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Here are some tips for watching your back and finding the right lender, so you don't end up down the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">foreclosure</span> road!!<br /><br />Important tips for picking the right LENDER!<br />1. Ask the lender to provide you with a list of all the fees for their services as well as fees through the life of the loan.<br />2. Just as important as interest rates are POINTS, those are loan fees tacked onto the loan, that are really similar to paying a higher interest rate, but sneakier! So make sure when a lender gives you a quote that you are actually comparing apples to apples!<br />3. Check the lenders reputation, can they close the deal! With so many banks having trouble these days, you need someone to be straight with you from the beginning, can you afford what you are buying, can you pay all the fees and close the deal?<br />4. Get REAL about what you can afford! How much can you put down? Can you afford the payment? Does it include impounds (property taxes and fire insurance)? Is their mortgage insurance? Too many people over buy to keep up with the Jones' not realizing that getting an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">interest</span> only or negative amortization loan will come calling in 3-5 years and your payment could double!!! Are you ready for that?<br />5. Don't be sold on a loan that is too risky for your family. Remember this is your HOME! Don't let the lender sell you the wrong situation for your family, just so they can get a $1000 commission on something you are stuck with for 30 years!<br /><br />All the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pessimism</span> aside, I very strongly believe in the use of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Realtors</span> and good lenders, just do your homework, so you don't get stuck in a bad situation!<br /><br />Good luck and happy home buying!shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554713898889774856.post-13223174442906308712008-07-07T08:41:00.000-07:002008-07-14T10:21:32.697-07:00Staging for LivingSo many people these days fall into the trap of over spending on remodels and over personalizing their construction decisions because it seems like the thing to do at the time. I am here to tell you - in order to have a fighting chance at getting that remodeling money back when you sell - make choices that will hold value and think of budget saving choices everyday!<br /><br />I watch too many remodeling shows and see too many displays at home improvement stores that seem to express that everyone should spend at least $15,000 remodeling their kitchen. I am not sure where all those statistics come from, but in a declining market $15,000 is a lot of money to spend out of pocket on any house, even the very best neighborhoods should check all of the numbers before spending that kind of money.<br /><br />Here are some easy steps to insure success:<br />1. <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Evaluate!!!</span> </strong>Check the values in you neighborhood before you start any home improvement project. There are lots of places to estimate home values these days, 2 good options are local Realtors and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">zillow</span>.com. Make sure that your updated value after the price of your remodel is still at least 10% more than you owe plus what you have spent!!<br />2. <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Check the neighbors!</span></strong> Look at the houses in your neighborhood, is yours already the nicest? If that is the case then spend very cautiously! If yours has room for improvement to catch up to the neighborhood, you have a little more room to spend, but in today's market, spend cautiously.<br />3. <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Paint!!!</span></strong> Remember that paint is something that many home owners can do themselves and it can make big changes without much expense.<br />4. <span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>Do-it-yourself</strong>...</span> If you can. But keep in mind that if you don't have the time, patience or know how to make it look professionally done, you might be wasting your time and money. You can really save on labor costs by doing some of the hard work yourself, but a poorly done remodel is worse than an outdated house!<br />5. <span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>Always get at least 3 quotes</strong>!!</span> And always get referrals from happy customers!! You are the only one who will keep your budget in mind! Most contractors get paid a percentage of how much you spend, so keep in mind that the more you spend, the more they make. They have a vested interest in getting you to spend top dollar, whether its right for you and your home or not.<br />6. <span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>Stick to your budget</strong>!</span> Most importantly make a realistic budget from the beginning! Make sure budget at least 10% over what you expect to spend, because there are always items that will come up that were not accounted for. That doesn't mean find something on the first day to spend that extra money on because its in the budget!!<br />7. <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Neutral, timeless choices are best! </span></strong>Keep the materials and colors modest and timeless. Don't spend over the top or on ultra personal touches unless money is NO object and you know that you are for sure going to live there for a VERY long time. Odds are high that your job could change or you will need to move for some reason and ultra custom touches cost a fortune and don't always help you on the resale. Too custom can narrow your marketability when selling or become a sticking point that buyers see as an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">expense</span> because they will need to change it out.<br /><br />Good luck with your property remodeling on a budget! If you would like to contact us for more info or specific questions or to view photo examples of remodeling on a budget please visit our website @ <a href="http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/">http://www.lightbrightandairy.com/</a> or if you live in our area: Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero or San Luis Obispo county please feel free to have us out for an evaluation of your project.shannondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032290389913327373noreply@blogger.com1