Marin County Ranks #7: Best Place for a Long Life
By Erin | September 21, 2008
If you want to live well into your golden years, look no further than Marin County as the perfect place to call home. Money Magazine just ranked Marin County the 7th best place to live a long life.
Money Magazine looked at life expectancy rates in all U.S. counties, and ranked the top 25. The life expectancy at birth for Marin residents is 80.82 years.
For those of us who live here, this news comes as no great surprise (though it’s still nice to hear!) There are countless opportunities to stay active in the great outdoors, with beautiful Muir Woods, the Point Reyes National Seashore and hundreds of hiking trails.
We also have clean air. In fact, earlier this year, the city of Novato earned an impressive distinction: having the best air quality among all small U.S. towns. Neighboring San Rafael ranked #2. (Source: Money Magazine Best Places to Live 2008)
So where in the U.S. do people live the very longest? According to Money Magazine, these counties earned the top spots: Montgomery County, MD (81.31 years), Story County, IA (81.02 years) and Carver County, MN (80.98 years).
Topics: Marin County Living | No Comments »
Marin Stager’s Guide: Baskets as Wall Art, Part 2
By Erin | September 13, 2008
I’m always working on a budget while carrying out a home staging project. I want to maximize every dollar spent so the house can look really impressive when I’m done. To that end, I need to be creative about the design.
In home staging, as in home decorating, not every wall needs a piece of artwork. But at the same time, you don’t want to leave the walls too sparse. If you do, what’s “missing” in the room will overtake what’s “present” in the room.
Here was a recent challenge at a Marin home staging job. I had a wall that needed something on it. But, I was almost out of money to spend (per the job’s budget) and buying a piece of artwork was out of the question. Aside from budget constraints, I faced a design challenge. The wall was next to the room’s focal point, and I needed something that wouldn’t compete or clash with the large metal-framed mirror that hung over the fireplace.
The solution? I think you guessed it. Baskets! I found three round baskets at Ross (see above picture), all in different sizes, and in colors that were also in the nearby mirror frame. I simply hung them up, and voila - it was the perfect splash of color that I needed. Total spent? About $15.
Baskets provide texture and are flexible for use in any space because you choose the number you want to use. I recommend using odd numbers, which is more pleasing to the eye.
Topics: Home Design/Staging Ideas, Home Staging Ideas | No Comments »
Big Wall, Small Picture: A Marin Home Stager’s Solution
By Erin | August 27, 2008
It’s a common challenge, both in home staging and at home. You have a wall that needs artwork, but the surface area is just too large for one standard-sized picture (say, 2′x3′). If a picture is too small (visually) for the space, it doesn’t look right just “floating” there.
What are the solutions? The most obvious is to buy either a larger picture or a grouping of pictures to fit the space. But say you don’t want to spend the money, or happen to really love the too-small picture because the colors are perfect for that particular room. Then you have to get creative! Here’s one way to work with what you have.
You can add size, or weight, to the picture by turning it into an anchor for a grouping. A low-cost way to do this to to buy two baskets to hang next to the picture, one on top of the other, like I did here in a recent Marin home staging job. The baskets should be similar in color to the frame of the picture so the whole thing looks like one unit, and not three things randomly put together.
If you don’t want to use baskets, you can use artwork. Two smaller-sized pieces will work (they can be different sizes from each other), but the frames should be the same material or color as the large framed picture. Also for continuity, the pictures should be similar in theme.
To hang baskets, or anything for that matter, I use drywall hooks. One brand name is Monkey Hook. They are a Marin home stager’s secret! I swear by them to hang all pictures, big or small. If you hit a stud, they won’t do you any good, but otherwise they beat those time-consuming and drywall-damaging wall anchors.
Topics: Home Design/Staging Ideas | 1 Comment »
Marin Home Staging Blog Rises to #1
By Erin | August 25, 2008
For Immediate Release
Marin Home Staging Blog Rises to #1
August 25, 2008 Novato, CA – The official website of Picture it SOLD! Home Staging has now become Marin County’s number one source for information about real estate staging. Launched just last month, www.pictureitsold.biz has filled a niche in the Marin County real estate industry by creating a fun and informative home staging blog, www.pictureitsold.biz/blog. “Center Stage,” as it’s called, is for both Realtors and consumers seeking information about home staging, a real estate marketing tool that continues to explode in popularity as home sellers try to preserve equity in this tough market.
Picture it SOLD! Home Staging is a full-service staging company that serves Marin and Sonoma Counties. Its blog is user-friendly and features home staging and design ideas in the form of articles, photos and videos.
On average, staged homes sell for 6.9% more than non-staged homes, and as much as 50% faster. In today’s real estate market, in which there are fewer buyers, sellers need to do all they can to make their homes stand out from the competition. Home staging is critical in achieving this, and Picture it SOLD! Home Staging’s new website and blog are a good starting point.
Topics: Picture it SOLD! In the News | No Comments »
A Marin Home Stager’s Guide to Choosing Room Colors
By Erin | August 21, 2008
If you’re trying to design a room and are stumped by what colors to use, here’s some advice: find an object you really like and it let it serve as the building block of your room. This object could be a throw pillow, a rug, a tapestry, a painting, etc. Something colorful is best. Then, choose three colors from the item and use those colors in the room. Use the most neutral color for the wall paint, and the other two as accent colors throughout the room. Here’s an example from a recent Marin home staging job. Read on…
This was an empty living room with pale yellow walls. The focal point was the fireplace, so I needed to place something substantial over it. I found a really cool mirror with a frame of reproduction (old tin) ceiling tiles. The tiles were painted a faded red, brown, sage green and yellow/gold. This mirror became the building block for the rest of the room. I had white sofas (most neutral-colored sofas would work), dark brown furniture, and throw pillows in brown, pale yellow, red and green. My accessories were red, green and yellow/gold.
Once I had an object from which to work, the decisions were easy! I didn’t have to walk aimlessly around the store thinking, “What might look good?” Instead, I could focus on the colors in the mirror and I knew the room would look tied together. Creating harmonious rooms is one of the goals of home staging.
If your object has lots of colors, a good rule of thumb is to pick two complementary colors and one “grounding” color, like brown. Complementary colors are on opposite sides of the color wheel. For example, blue and orange, red and green, yellow and purple. 
Topics: Home Design/Staging Ideas | No Comments »
Even “Pretty” Houses Need Home Staging
By Erin | August 19, 2008
From time to time, I hear Realtors and homeowners rule out hiring a home stager on a particular home because, as they say, “It’s such a pretty house, it doesn’t need staging!”
While on the surface this may seem logical (buyers like pretty houses), it is a flawed theory. Just because a house is pretty (whether this means it’s architecturally attractive, has “character,” is well-decorated, well-kept, well landscaped, etc.) doesn’t mean it’s ready for market.
A home with lots of curb appeal could still have drawbacks inside, such as clutter, distracting paint colors, displays of family photos or poor furniture arrangement. Even homes that are considered “well decorated” are prime candidates for home staging. That’s because such homes often reflect too much of the homeowner’s tastes. When selling a house, you want to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. To that end, home staging “neutralizes” a house so buyers focus on the house itself, and not the seller’s plate collections, abudance of floral vases or impressive display of antiques. All these things are great for living in the home, but are a detriment when trying to sell the home.
As homeowners, we get very used to the way things look in our homes. It’s hard to be objective about the way our house will look to buyers. Home stagers are trained to know what buyers are looking for in a given market, and how to play on the psychology that goes along with home buying.
So, again, even “pretty” houses need staging. Take a look…
Topics: Home Staging FAQs | No Comments »
7 Home Staging FAQs
By Erin | August 17, 2008
When should I call a home stager?
The best time to call us is the day you decide to sell your house. By bringing us in at the beginning of the sales process, we can tell you exactly what your house needs to be market-ready. This may include advice about paint, landscaping, bathroom/kitchen updates, de-cluttering, etc. We want you to make smart decisions about how to prepare your house for sale, and we know what buyers are looking for. We can estimate how much staging you’ll need to get the biggest return on investment, and provide you with a bid. We are happy to work with your budget, and we try our best to come up with a plan that works for you.
How long will it take to stage my house?
It depends on the service you choose. A Restyling, where we rearrange and work with your furnishings, typically takes less than a day. A Complete Furnishing of a vacant home can take 1-2 days, depending on the scope of the project.
Do I need to leave the house while it’s being staged?
The home staging process is a lot like what you see on HGTV. Our clients leave on the day of staging (or redesign). While you’re gone, we rework your rooms, and then we’ll call to give you a return time. Then you come back and see your house. The best part for you will be the big reveal!
Are you insured?
Yes, we carry comprehensive general liability insurance. Not all stagers do, so be sure to ask. Our furnishings are also insured. Still, we require that homeowners keep their homeowner’s insurance current while the house is staged.
Do you charge by the hour, or by the job?
In general, we give quotes based on the job. That way, clients know up front how much they’re investing. The exception is with the In-Home Consultation. We charge by the hour for any consulting time at the property beyond the initial 75 minutes. Click here for pricing information.
Why should I stage? I’m not interested in “spending” money on something “extra.”
I encourage you to look at staging for what it is: an investment in your house. Studies in every real estate market show that staged homes sell for more money than non-staged homes - on average 6.9% more. If you have a $700,000 house, that is a difference of more than $48,000. So, how can you afford not to stage? For more about the proven benefits of home staging, click here.
My friends always compliment me on the decorating I’ve done in my house. Why do I need to stage?
A common misconception about home staging is that it’s decorating. In fact, staging is the opposite of decorating. Decorating is based on a homeowner’s personal tastes, while staging is all about de-personalizing the house and removing the homeowner’s footprint, so to speak. The goal of staging is to make a house more marketable by making it appealing to the greatest number of prospective buyers. The house needs to be impersonal enough not to infringe on a buyer’s own sense of style. We are experts at removing the homeowner’s personality to reveal the home’s personality. Afterall, people are buying the house, not the homeowner’s stuff.
Topics: Home Staging FAQs | No Comments »
Top Reasons Your House Isn’t Selling
By Erin | August 13, 2008
Top Reasons Yor House Isn’t Selling… and FOUR Things You Can Do About It
In much of the Bay Area right now, it is a Buyer’s Market. In real estate terms, this means that less than 25% of all homes for sale are in escrow. Put a different way, at least 75% of all homes for sale are waiting for a buyer.
In essence, buyers are in the driver’s seat, at least for the most part. While it is harder to get loans these days, people who are mortgage pre-approved are sitting pretty. There are scores of homes from which to choose, and buyers are in no particular hurry to write offers. Unlike during the sales frenzy of just a few years ago – when buyers were all too eager to overbid and make all kinds of concessions to sellers – buyers are now taking their time and looking for value. Unless they find the perfect house at the perfect price, they just sit on the fence and wait.
So if you’re a seller, what should you do? Make the beds, put out the For Sale sign and hope for the best? No way! You need to step up and seize all the control you can in order to get your house sold. While the market is slow, there are still homes selling. You want yours to be one of them.
With all the negative housing market headlines, it’s easy for sellers to feel helpless. But loathing the current market isn’t going to sell your house; understanding it is.
There are six things often named as factoring into the sale of every house: price, location, condition, presentation, the market and the Realtor you choose. Of those factors, sellers have control of four: price, condition, presentation and the Realtor.
- If your home isn’t selling, look first at PRICE. A home’s asking price must be based on recent sales (say, the last 6 months), and as hard as it is, you must let go of what the price could have or would have been at the height of the market two years ago. Because of the sheer inventory of homes for sale, sellers not only need to price their homes appropriately for the market, but aggressively. And since buyers are looking at the total Days on Market when making an offer, price the house well at the beginning to avoid low-ball offers later on.
- The next factor is CONDITION. Buyers want a house that is “move-in ready.” Sellers who decide not to make upgrades because “the next guy will do it” are missing an opportunity to connect with buyers. Today, “good condition” is more than just a solid foundation. Buyers want updated kitchens and baths.
- The PRESENTATION of a home is also extremely important, and I find, often overlooked. An important marketing tool for your house is property staging. This means preparing your home to appeal to the broadest population of potential buyers. It can include de-cluttering, rearranging furniture, painting, yard work, etc. Most buyers have a hard time seeing a home’s potential. Staging presents the home in its best light. Some Realtors include staging as part of their service.
- Hiring the right LISTING AGENT is also important. Choosing a Realtor solely because he or she recommends the highest asking price is not necessarily the best move. The market determines what your house is worth, not the Realtor. Picking someone who is honest and has a strong, varied marketing plan will go a long way in getting the house sold. Make sure the Realtor will provide professional photography as part of his or her service. Internet pictures are tremendously important, and I’ll talk about that in a second.
In this market, I am puzzled by how many homes I see where it’s clear the sellers are not taking control. And to be fair, I’m not talking about pre-foreclosure sales, but “regular” sales. By pricing too high, not improving the condition and/or not staging, sellers are missing key steps to selling their houses.
If sellers want to be competitive, they have to compete. That means pricing well for today’s market and impressing buyers with a beautiful, clutter-free home. A whopping 84- percent of buyers begin their home search online, according to the National Association of Realtors. This means the first impression that buyers have of a particular house is on the internet. This is where buyers pre-screen houses. If the pictures don’t dazzle, buyers will cross that house off their list.
The message I’m trying to get across is this: Sellers, don’t despair! Listen to your Realtor’s pricing advice, hire a home stager to give you a consultation, and make your house stand out from the crowd! For less than the price of a home inspection, you’ll get a professional, objective assessment of what your house needs to make a buyer come down off that fence.
Topics: Home Staging & Real Estate Trends | No Comments »
Trends To Watch in Home Design
By Erin | August 10, 2008
Before I talk about trends in home design, let’s distinguish a trend from a fad. While a fad is short-lived, a trend is not. A trend is said to last 10-30 years. This is important because if you’re investing in a remodel of your house, you want to base your choices on design concepts with some staying power.
As a home stager, I like to stay current so I can best advise clients on home improvement projects to net them the most return on their investment when they sell their house.
At a recent San Francisco Bay Area home staging conference, Christine Rae, the author of Home Staging for Dummies, talked about trends in kitchens, baths and flooring. I’d like to share them with you!
KITCHEN TRENDS
- Multi-layered finishes. For example, lower cabinets having a different finish (color) from the upper cabinets, or an island with a different finish from the other cabinets
- Bar-height table for casual dining
- A “Keeping Room” off the kitchen. This is a space to entertain; a bay with seating so guests can be close to the chef but not in the way
- Hardwood tiles
- Natural finishes
- Mirrors and chandeliers
BATH TRENDS
- In general, think ‘ultra deluxe.’ Candles and bubbles are no longer enough
- Warming drawers
- Heated floors
- Mini fridges
- Cappuccino makers
- Fireplaces
- Steam showers
- Plasma TVs
- High-end area rugs
- Upholstered chaise
- Separate toilet enclosures
- Roomy showers (5-feet wide so a bath tub could be installed later)
- Solid wood cabinets, vessel sinks
- Natural stone, lots of glass, nice lighting
FLOORING
- Ceramic, tumbled marble, travertine, slate and matte porcelain. These have been trends for awhile, but now there are new tile shapes
- Deep texture, rugged, worn-looking tiles
- Tiles set on the diagonal
- Floor tiles size 24″x24″ with thin grout lines
- Fewer flooring transitions
- 5-inch wide wood planks
- Carpet with neutral colors, geometric patterns
- Bamboo flooring
Topics: Home Staging & Real Estate Trends | No Comments »
Baskets as Wall Art - A Home Staging Trick
By Erin | August 6, 2008
When you have a large, blank wall, filling it with a picture is great, but it can be expensive to buy a big piece of art. A clever alternative is to hang baskets in a display. It’s relatively inexpensive and creates a great focal point in any room.
I used this idea in a recent home staging project. The above picture is from a mudroom. Instead of installing a big shelving unit, which would’ve been costly, I wanted to give the idea of storage, so baskets were an easy home staging solution. You could do a display in any room, though: in a dining room over a buffet, or in a family room over the sofa, for example.
What you need:
- An odd number of baskets (5 or 7 is a good amount)
- Baskets with a flat bottom work best (because the bottom sits flush against the wall and is easy to hang)
- Baskets of varying sizes and colors/textures
- Spray paint (optional). If you are trying to match something in the room, you can spray a couple of the baskets. I did this in the above picture, matching the paint on the bench to 3 baskets. I used spray paint with a satin finish.
- Screw-in wall hooks (smaller in size)
How to do it:
- Lay out the baskets on the floor before hanging them up. This way, you can move them around to get the arrangement you like.
- Hang each basket with a screw-in hook. Screw the hook in the wall and hang the basket through the hook.
- Find lightweight decorative objects to place in some or all of the baskets.
- Stand back and enjoy!
Tip: Best not to hang a display over the back of a sofa if you have small kids. They likely will pull down any decorative pieces you have in the baskets.
Topics: Home Design/Staging Ideas | No Comments »
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