IMPRESSIVEHOME

If DRIVEWAYS and/or WALKWAYS could talk..

Susan Brown — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:32:21 +0000

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

As fall approaches, it is important to maintain your landscape as the leaves and pine straw began to cover your walkway and yard. There is no doubt, fall is another beautiful season displaying the variety colors of leaves and cool mornings and evenings.

Driveways/walkways are complimentary to your home. What impression does your driveway have on your home? Is your entrance breathtaking?

Five (5) Tips to MAKE SURE the entrance to your home is impressive to potential buyers

Make sure the walkway is not covered with debris – leaves or pine straw
Make sure there is no grass growing up through cracks
Make sure the driveway is clear of children toy, bicycles
Make sure it is a safe and comfort walkway, no cracks or holes
Make sure you install solar lights for beautification and safety

Make the entrance to your home impressive to potential buyers. You want your home to have a memorable impression.

Contact us if you are selling your home or just purchased your new dream home. We specialize in Home Staging and Interior Redesign.

Susan Brown, Founder/Principal Designer

IMPRESSIVEHOME

A house becomes a home

919-949-2575

www.ihimpressivehome.com

Color vs Color

Susan Brown — Sun, 30 May 2010 20:17:39 +0000

This has been a historical winter: snow, rain and high winds. I’m excited about spring and daylight savings. The ground has begun to release the bulbs giving us the opportunity to enjoy lots of COLOR. When you think of spring/summer flowers, there are numerous of colors – bold and not so bold- and very attractive when a flower bed is designed properly.

“I love color – BOLD colors” is how many homeowners reflect their personality in their home. One of the worst mistakes you can make while your home is on the market, is showcasing your personality. Properly displaying color in your home is very important in order to attract buyers.

If you love bold colors and have a red entryway and/or blue bedroom, you should transform these colors to a neutral color when presenting your home to buyers. However, you can accessorize the home with a pop of color. Just think of light, bright and airy. Many house hunters love bold colors but your house should be catered to a wide range of buyers.

Neutral color makes the rooms appear larger and potential buyers can visualize their furniture in the home. Buyers shouldn’t concentrate on the need to purchase furnishings just to match the bold wall color or remember your house as the house with bright colors. It is impossible to go wrong by showcasing your house with neutral colors.

At Staging by Dee’s Design, we stand by our commitment of quality work, unique service for each client and customer satisfaction. Let us help make your home buyer friendly.

Give us a call or email (info@stagingbydeesdesign.com). We can help!

Susan D. Brown, Owner/Principal Stager

Staging by Dee’s Design

919-949-2575

Creating a STYLISH Transformation.

We style homes to sell…renew rooms to dwell..

Remove the Covering and Reveal the Space

Susan Brown — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:43:05 +0000

There are many styles and colors of wood flooring, which are both eye- catching and beautiful. Wood flooring may entice buyers to fall in love with your home for the beauty they see through their eyes, to the comfort they feel at their feet.

Displaying your wood flooring can make an impact on your home while on the market:

add warmth to the room;
room may appear to be more spacious;
compliment the furnishings of the room;
inspire potential buyers;
invite potential buyers to walk thru your home;
welcome potential buyers to linger, enjoying the richness of the wood flooring.

Covering your wood flooring with an area rug tend to chop up the space or may be perceived as a covering for a damaged floor.

Before placing an area rug on the floor, ask yourself,

What perception do you want buyers to have of your home?
Is the beauty in the area rug worth the doubt it may provide prospective buyers?
Do you want buyers to see the richness of your flooring?

It is amazing the beauty your feet may tread. It may be under your feet, but the “eyes” have it. Let your home reflect its space.

Susan @ Staging by Dee’s Design

www.stagingbydeesdesign.com

What is next……?

Susan Brown — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:17:59 +0000

Your home is on the market – ready for sell – It has a great presentation, priced right and good location.

What do you do now? – Keep the home spacious and clean/ tidy. You need to also emotionally detach yourself from your home. It is now a product on the market.

Most buyers are looking for a “move-in ready” home.

~ Susan @Staging by Dee’s Design

We style homes to sell….renew rooms to dwell

Identifying and Enhancing the Focal Point

Susan Brown — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:31:29 +0000

What attracts potential buyers? What is the first thing a potential buyer notices and/or what grabs their attention? Is it the fireplace, the window with a unique view, or is it the room with high vaulted ceilings?

When preparing your home for the market, it is essential to highlight the focal point for each room. The focal point creates an inviting atmosphere and attracts the buyer’s eye. There should be only one focal point for each room. You want to create a WOW factor for the buyer, not overwhelmed them.

Determine the Focal Point: Most homes have a distinct focal point – fireplace and/or a large window with a unique view. For example, if the fireplace is the focal point, accessorize the mantel, but do not clutter the mantel to the point of distracting the attention away from the fireplace. Instead, hang a large piece of artwork above the mantel. If your focal point for the room is a window with a breathtaking view, arrange your furnishing so as not to block the view. No window treatment is needed.

Create the Focal Point: If the room does not have a defined focal point, you can create one by first defining the purpose of the room. Use a sofa or large piece of artwork as the focal point in a room functioning as a living room. Strategically place your furnishings.

In the bedroom, the bed serves as the focal point. Enhance the bed with a headboard and dress the bed with new beddings and accessories. Furnishing can be a focal point in your dining area such as a large table or a hutch.

A focal point makes a statement! Remember, you want your home to attract a wide range of potential buyers while on the market.

Susan D. Brown, Stager and Owner

www.stagingbydeesdesign.com

919-949-2575

Inexpensive Do-It Yourself Staging Tips for the Kitchen –

Susan Brown — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:47:15 +0000

The kitchen is the most utilized room in your home and in many cases, the focal point when selling your home. It is important to keep it tidy and free from clutter as potential buyers put a lot of interest in the kitchen.

Several DO-IT YOURSELF staging tips to enhance your kitchen’s best features and help turn your house into a marketable home:

Kitchen fixtures should be polished.

All appliances
Faucets

Counter tops – Keep clutter free.

Potential buyers need to visualize the potential use of the counter space available.

Floors – mop, polish

Tables

Remove excessive accessories from the table. A simple accessory such as a fruit bowl will suffice.
No more than 4 chairs should be placed at the table. You are selling space not furniture. Less is more.

Windows

Remove window treatments
Clean windows
Let there be light

A clean and clutter free kitchen invites potential buyers to see the rest of your home.

Susan D. Brown, Principal Stager and Owner

Staging by Dee’s Design

www.stagingbydeesdesign.com

919-949-2575

We style homes to sell … renew rooms to dwell.

Curb Appeal Tips

Susan Brown — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:14:06 +0000

Do you know potential buyers are curious about the inside of your home if the curb appeal is impressive?

Let your house stand out while on the market by taking inventory of your home. Remember, it’s on stage 24/7.

1. Trim overgrown bushes….
a. Overgrown bushes block the view of your home.

2. Lawn manicure…

a. Keep the lawn mowed and the leaves raked.

3. Remove cars …

a. If you have a car that is inoperable, have it towed away. This can deter the potential buyers from viewing your home.

4. Fix light fixtures …

a. Replace light bulbs.

b. Replace outdated light fixtures.

5. Paint front door…

a. The front door invites the buyers inside. Be sure it is painted with a welcome color and old door knobs are replaced.

6. Prepare the flower beds…

a. Add color with plants/flowers.
b. Weed beds and add mulch.

c. Get rid of dying plants/flowers.

7. Repair driveway….

a. Repair cracks and get rid of any stains.

Put away the trash cans, recycle bins and hoses.
Keep the lights on for the potential buyers and don’t forget the “welcome “ mat .

~ Susan Brown

www.stagingbydeesdesign.com

Creating an Identity

Susan Brown — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:52:59 +0000

What do you want the potential buyer to remember most about your home?

Your home must display it’s uniqueness in today’s competitive market. It is important that the buyer can easily identify the purpose of each room as they visualize themselves as the owner.

Often times you hear:

What’s the purpose of this room?
How can I utilize this room?
Will my furniture fit?

Eliminate the guess work during the potential buyer’s tour of your home

For example, if you use your bedroom for a bedroom and an office, remove the office furniture and showcase the bed, side chair, end tables, and lamps. Stage another room using your office furniture.

Remember to create a purpose for each room.

Room function is so important when showcasing your home. You want to get the “sold” sign posted.

~Susan Brown

Staging by Dee’s Design

www.stagingbydeesdesign.com

Must See…

Susan Brown — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:17:03 +0000

As a seller, you want potential buyers to see your home as their dream home. You need to showcase space, not your lifestyle… potential buyers “must see” spacious room.

You don’t want the potential buyers to concentrate on your furnishings, but spacious rooms, walk in closets and large bathrooms. It’s very important that you de-clutter, depersonalize and arrange your furnishings for an easy traffic flow.

Less is more.

Let your home stand out! Potential buyers must envision your house as their home.

Susan D. Brown, Stager/Owner

Staging by Dee’s Design

www.stagingbydeesdesign.com

info@stagingbydeesdesign.com

919-949-2575

Why Stage “this” House?

Susan Brown — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:12:04 +0000

Have you ever wonder why some homes are more appealing than others during your house hunting trips? Staged properties attract house hunters.

10 things you should know about a “STAGED” house.

A staged house appears to be move in “ready…
A staged house is inviting to buyers…
A staged house results in a faster sell time…
It gives the property a competitive edge…
Potential buyers find a staged house irresistible…
A staged house enchances the features of the home and potential buyers can envision the house as their home…
A staged house allows the potential buyer to see the home; not focus on the homeowner’s personal belongings…
A staged house is not cluttered…
A staged house gives each room its identity…
The cost for staging is usually less than the average price reduction…

We style homes to sell.

Susan D. Brown, Owner/Stager

Staging by Dee’s Design

www.stagingbydeesdesign.com