Home Staging with Kim Goeltom, ASP

Recently Staged Listing in Ford's Colony

2011-04-18T11:48:00.002-04:00

Check out this recently Staged listing in Ford's Colony!

https://www.stagedhomes.com/homes/homesdetail.php?mls=132692

Multiple offers in Less than 3 days!!!

2011-04-18T11:19:00.002-04:00

Check out this recently Staged home. I did a Staging Consultation for the homeowners. They had their 'to do list' and they fulfilled my recommendations and now all of their hard work has paid off!

Multiple offers in less than 3 days!

Incredible! I would say the real estate market is doing better!!

Check out the listing!

https://www.stagedhomes.com/homes/homesdetail.php?mls=132691

Great article on Staging from Wall Street Journal!

2011-04-07T11:59:00.001-04:00

Home Staging
Depersonalizing as a Sales Tool
By Iyna Bort Caruso

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but when you’re selling your home, that picture may cost you time and money.

Family photos, along with personal collections and even works of art, make a house a home, but they don’t necessarily make it more saleable, say real estate experts. Home staging ¬— the art of neutralizing and depersonalizing to allow a prospective buyer to mentally move in — does that.

Staging solves common design dilemmas, clutter among them, and employs tricks to maximize a home’s best assets. According to one report, staged homes sell up to five times faster than their non-staged counterparts.

In the 1970s, Barb Schwarz coined the word “staging” and developed it into a marketing concept. Using her background in interior design, theater and real estate, she’s since staged thousands of homes and founded the International Association of Home Staging Professionals.® “A house is like a theatrical set,” she says. “The audience is the buyers coming through.”

Staging is not the same as decorating. In many ways, it’s just the opposite. Decorating personalizes a property to an owner’s tastes. Staging depersonalizes it to show off the space. Buyers only know what they see, not the way it could be.

Surprisingly, even an estate that has been transformed by an interior designer’s touch can benefit from professional staging. A fine work of art might be considered an acquired taste or a period antique collection, however valuable, could distract would-be buyers and cause them to dwell on the items, rather than the home’s features, energy and flow. “In this economy, buyers have so many homes to look at, they can be extremely picky,” Schwarz says. “The star in each home should be the space.”

Staging can be as modest as a paint job and some decluttering or as extensive as a room-by-room overhaul involving furniture rental, repurposing or rearranging. Among the considerations: Is anything impeding flow? Are the areas where the eye settles positive or negative? Think model home — sparkling clean.

Among Schwarz’s suggestions:

•Remove family photographs, trophies and certificates
•Pack away religious items
•Stow personal collections and controversial artwork, no matter how valuable
•Declutter countertops and dresser tops
•Use neutral colors on the walls and floors; for pop, use “movable” color on pillows, towels, etc.
•Neutralize smells from smoking, pets, even strong room deodorizers
A 35- to 55-page home staging consultation report detailing what work needs to be performed averages about $350 and can run as high as $750 for a larger home, Schwarz says. Homeowners can use the report as an action plan and do the work themselves or hire the stager at an additional fee for a turnkey solution. Depending on the size and condition of the residence, that could be $1,500-$8,000 for an average high-end home, plus rental and storage fees, if needed. The numbers sometimes surprise sellers, but as Schwarz puts it, “An investment in staging your property is far less than a price reduction.” However, she says two things sell a home — staging and pricing. Staged homes sell for more money, but they still have to be in a price range that makes sense.

Robbie Briggs of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty in Dallas, Texas,

figures about 35-45% of his clients’ homes are staged in some way, whether that involves professional stagers or recommendations from real estate agents. “We believe in it quite strongly. Every one of us gets used to our own home. We don’t see it through a professional eye,” he says. “A professional gets it looking its very best so buyers pay more and buy it quicker. Staging is a very important process in the overall marketing plan of a property.”

Briggs says some homeowners initially don’t see value and are even offended at the suggestion. But it is not a reflection of the owners’ tastes or their design sensibilities.

“As an example, an owner could have exquisite museum-quality mounts, but we know that half the buyers might find even beautiful animal heads offensive.” Cutting out a large share of the potential market is not the best way to sell a home.

While Briggs says staged homes sell faster, sometimes staging can also turn the “unsaleable” into the saleable. He cites the example of a property listed by another agency for its lot because the home was considered a teardown. The property languished on the market for nine months. Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty eventually took the listing and had it staged with new furnishings, carpeting and paint. It sold in two weeks. “That kind of effort pays off time and time again,” he says.

John Poole, of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada in Toronto, Ontario, is another proponent of staging and says any home will benefit from it, no matter what the price. His firm works with a number of professionals. “It’s an important relationship we have with them. You have to trust in the person that you’re turning your clients over to.”

He says more agents are taking the initiative in suggesting staging to sellers. “The way you live in your home is not the way you sell a home. At the end of the day, our job is get sellers the most money for the property, as quickly as we can. Staging is one of the things that can get us there.” He says the rule of thumb in his market is that every dollar invested on staging yields a $1.60 return. “It might not show up in actual dollars, but time on the market might be shortened quite a bit,” Poole explains.

A downside? Sellers sometimes fall back in love with their homes. “That’s happened,” says Poole. “And on the rare occasion, they take it off the market.”

Staging is an Edge in today's Evolving Market

2011-01-27T09:26:00.003-05:00

Staging is a way of having an extra edge in today's market. If you live in an area where there is more inventory on the market than buyers, then in addition to being competitive in price and having a smart and savvy realtor you need to Stage your House. It is just like detailing your car before you sell it. You wouldn't take your car to the dealership with french fries under the seat and a trunk for of 'stuff'! Your house should be detailed as well for Buyers. First impressions are all we have! So make it a good one.

Declutter, Depersonalize and Stage your House!

Latest Home Staging Stats

2011-01-27T09:13:00.001-05:00

Difference in Time On
Market of ASP® Staged versus Non-Staged Homes

94% of ASP Staged homes sell in an average of 29 days or less

Based upon a survey conducted by The International Association of Home Staging Professionals® and StagedHomes.com® of over 1,000 homes (62% Vacant, 38% occupied) across the Continental US and Canada prepared for sale by Accredited Staging Professionals (ASP®) in today's market.

"The Investment IN ASP® Staging Your Home will Always be Less than a Price Reduction ON Your Home!"
- Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging®

Staging in a Buyers Market

2010-08-06T09:28:00.002-04:00

It is true. We are still in a buyers market. Right now it can be quite a battle out there. I have been told by several realtors that it is all about beauty pageants and price wars. The market is even more competitive than ever.

So how will Staging help in this market? Staging will give you an upper edge in any market. Sometimes Staging will help buyers bid higher, or in this market bid where you think they should be already. Sellers who Stage their property are more likely to get the asking price or close to the asking price of their home. By Staging your are going to win the beauty pageant in your neighborhood. If you create a buzz about your house, more people will want to see your house and a higher chance that the word will spread to your potential buyer! It is all about networking and connecting to find the right people at the right time! Happy selling!

What does a Staging Consultation consist of?

2010-05-25T14:50:00.002-04:00

1. I do a walk through the Seller’s home and make a hand written ‘to do’ list of all of the idea’s that they need to implement to get the house ready for Staging.

2. I can rearrange furniture on the spot with the Seller.

3. Sketches on how to rearrange the furniture.

4. Free hand written to do list when I leave the property. (typed list is extra)

5. Free listing on www.stagedhomes.com.

I do a lot of networking to promote my Staged houses!

Staging evolves as the Real Estate Market Evolves

2010-05-25T14:45:00.002-04:00

As with everything.... an industry grows and learns how to do better! I am always looking for new idea's on how to improve my Home Staging techniques and ways to keep it affordable for the average home owner. I have been researching a new product that is on the market and am going to start implementing it in the next 2 months. I can aquire furniture that is made from a very strong corrugated cardboard. The furniture looks like furniture and can even hold up to 400 pounds.

So why would this type of furniture be good for Staging and how is it cost effective?
1. It is less expensive than traditional furniture.
2. It weighs less than traditional furniture.
3. One doesn't need a rental truck or as many assistants or none!

Therefore, the money saved by the Stager can be passed onto the client, making Vacant Staging more Affordable than ever!

Stay posted for photos and for when I will start offering this type of Staging!

Housing Market- Activity

2010-05-25T09:33:00.004-04:00

The housing market did slow down a bit after the tax credits disappeared. Also, realize that the tax credit had put a surge in properties that were in the $200K price range in the Williamsburg and Hampton Roads area. Things seem to be picking up again and buyers are back out visiting houses! The more consumer confidence the faster the real estate market will become more conisistent!

2268 Kings Creek Lane, Newport News

2010-04-13T13:51:00.001-04:00

Contract in 34 days! The buyers are shopping!

Houses are selling!

2010-04-09T11:27:00.001-04:00

All of the houses that I have Staged that are listed under $300K are selling in 35-45days! All of the houses that I have Staged that are listed from $301K to $500K are selling in under 90 days! Awesome news! Buyers are shopping and taking advantages of those tax credits!

Check out the latest magazine that I am in!

2010-02-22T07:57:00.001-05:00

http://www.wburgndn.com/issues/Mar2010Homepp29-30.pdf

Home Staging Tips

2010-02-11T12:07:00.002-05:00

There are so many things a Seller can do to spruce up their house to prepare for the market....

1. Fresh coat of paint- neutral wall color

2. Wax those hardwood floors

3. When the snow melts- add fresh mulch, weed and add some flowers that are appropriate with the weather

4. Get a storage unit- put extra stuff/ special collections/ photos, etc...

5. Detail clean/ q-tip clean

6. Shovel the driveway and make a clear path to the front door, if you have snow- keep Buyers safe and not afraid to enter

7. Depersonalize- pack away photos and personal memorabilla

8. Organize your closets

Here are just a few of the basics. They are time consuming, but worth it. All of your hard work will pay off!

Check out my most recent Staged home!

2010-01-07T14:56:00.002-05:00

http://www.stagedhomes.com/homes/homesdetail.php?mls=129414

Each house I Stage is unique and has wonderful qualities. It is alot of fun to work with all different size/shapes of houses.

It is 2010 and the market has started off strong! Home Staging has been picking up and that means houses are selling and buyers are looking at taking advantage of the tax credits and are serious shoppers!

Now is the time to get those houses Staged, listed and priced appropriately! Try all different kinds of marketing, networking, listing on many different sites, etc.

I look forward to helping people sell their home is 2010. I have a good feeling about this year and the real estate market!

Depersonalize, Depersonalize, Depersonalize!

2009-10-08T14:38:00.000-04:00

Buyers need to visualize themselves in a property. Take down all personal photos, certificates and personal collections. People are easily distracted in today's busy world. Take down those trophies and photos and replace with neutral art!

HumorousTips from Carol Johnson

2009-10-06T20:32:00.000-04:00

Humorous Top 10 Tips for ASP Stagers
By Carol Johnson, ASP
Founder of the Recruiting Network

“Let Me Tell You How I Work”…. Or pay the price later.

Q-Tip Clean doesn’t mean picking them up off of the bathroom floor.

The wrong colors can cost the sellers a lot of green.

Occasionally clients interpret “Clutter Free” to mean accessorizing with Free junk.

When staging for the holidays keep inflatable yard décor to three items, small, medium and large.

Investing in ASP Staging is cheaper than flushing dollar bills down the toilet.

ASP’s should make it a policy to have a policy about policies and changing policies.

When buyers see spots on the carpet they think the roof leaks.

It is against the law to say there is a law about a law that isn’t a law.

Staging with “hairy balls” increases offers by 97%.

Author’s Note: At the Recruiting Network, we believe that ASP staging is good for the public and the designated ASP Real Estate Agents and ASP Stagers who serve them. We encourage brokers to include ASP staging and training in their standard operating procedures because the public is learning to expect it as a result of expanded media coverage and television network programming. If these 10 items are not funny to you, you need to catch up on Barb’s latest ASP Staging course. Smile, me……

Carol Johnson, ASP

*******************************

Don't forget the landscape!

2009-10-06T20:30:00.001-04:00

Make sure the mailbox is clean, straight and doesn't have any rust.
Paint the front door a fresh coat of paint.
Remove cob webs.
Use a bleach/ water combination to remove mold from decks/porches/ etc....
Fresh mulch smells good and looks good!
Check to see if you need to powerwash the house or roof.
Stain the deck if it needs a facelift.
Add some colorful flowers to the front of the house.

Home Staging Class

2009-09-04T18:15:00.002-04:00

I will be teaching a Traditional Home Staging class on Thursday, September 10th at the Williamsburg Area Association of Realtors from noon to 1PM and CE credits will be earned! Go to http://www.waarealtor.com/ to learn more and sign up for the class!

What is the difference between Home Staging to Sell and Interior Design/ Decorating?

2009-07-31T10:10:00.002-04:00

The biggest difference is depersonalizing verse personalizing. When someone is Staging their house to sell they need to declutter and depersonalize and make sure the house does not look like the home owners. The home is now a house a product for sale and needs to be neutral of the home owners energy.

Interior Design/Decorating is all about making a home represent a homeowner, the complete opposite of Staging. Interior Design is about personalizing and knowing the energy of the home owner.

Make sure you are clear on your intentions/actions when Staging that you are not decorating. That is the biggest mistake I have seen people make when trying to Stage their own home, they end up changing their decorating style, to another style they adore and it is still personalized, not de-personalized and of course the result is not a Staged House.

2009-07-30T16:59:00.002-04:00

"Your Investment in ASP Home Staging will always be less than your first Price Reduction"
- Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging

Check out Stagedhomes.com to learn more about Barb Schwarz.

Welcome to my Home Staging Blog!

2009-07-30T16:09:00.002-04:00

Everyday I am entering the world of Online Social Media more and more! Check out my website at www.kimgoeltom.com to see my Staged listings.

94.8% of all Staged Homes are selling in 37 Days- stats from Stagedhomes.com and are current- Email me for a copy of this document!

Look for me at the WAAR Trade Show in September teaching a Home Staging Class for Realtors!