November 23, 2009

Staging your home on a shoe string....the bedroom

Posted to Julie Sarton

Since we theoretically spend 1/3 of our lives in our bedrooms, prospective buyers need to see a bedroom that’s not only peaceful and comfortable, but plush and luxurious. To review previous staging blogs in this series, staging the bedroom…or any room….takes place AFTER the important steps of de-cluttering, cleaning, and de-personalizing. An important note on cleaning: make sure you not only keep your sheets freshly laundered, but also your mattress pad, blankets, and spreads. Try tucking a “Bounce” dryer sheet between the blankets to keep them smelling clean, as odor is the #1 turn-off for a buyer. What other inexpensive tips can make your bedrooms invite people in?

LAYERING. Fabric layers add to the feeling of “plush” and “comfortable”, and since the bed is usually the focal point of the bedroom, layer it on! Try turning the bedspread halfway down, and laying a harmoniously colorful folded throw or blanket across the end of the bed or at an angle. Round up your extra bed pillows and buy some inexpensive pillow shams at Wal Mart so that you can place several layers of pillows at the head board; pillows not only add color, but softness. If you can afford an inexpensive new spread and bed ruffle, it dresses the room up and you can take it with you. You can also use the layering technique on chairs or benches in the room.

COLOR. If the bedroom is neutral tones, don’t be afraid to use some warm color here. When you introduce a new accent color, be sure to repeat it two or three times in the room; new red pillows on the bed, a red dried flower arrangement on the dresser, and a red candle on the night stand tie it all together.

As in other rooms, take all the “stuff” off of counter tops and surfaces, and replace it with a few selected decorative objects: flower arrangements, candles, an attractive book, all neatly arranged. If you can leave the lights on for the showing, use warm table lighting, not overhead, and make sure your window treatments let lots of light in. Review tips on staging other rooms in your home, and we’re almost done: Getting Started, The Front Door, The Living Room, and The Kitchen.


Posted by:Julie Sarton



November 20, 2009

Staging your home on a shoe string….the kitchen

Posted to Julie Sarton

These days the kitchen is more than just a work space to prepare food. With modern day open-concept design, and elegant materials such as granite and beautiful woods, it’s become a comfortable gathering place for guests as well as family. Buyers want to feel as comfortable there as in the living room, and even if you don’t have an updated design, there are low-cost tips you can use to stage your kitchen to show it at its best. Once again, this is AFTER you’ve de-cluttered and cleaned it until it squeaks.

  • Start by taking all the practical “stuff” that we traditionally have on counters and surfaces and put it away. Then, pick just several decorative items for each surface. If your color scheme is neutral, pick a few colorful items, such as a bowl of lemons and limes, a flowering plant, or some pretty pottery canisters, and try different arrangements.

  • If you have under-counter lighting, turn this on for showings and leave the overhead lights off.

  • Treat yourself to some new dish towels, bringing them out only for showings, and stash that tired-looking sponge or dish rag under the sink.

  • If you have a table or eating counter in the kitchen, make it look comfortable and inviting with a small centerpiece of fresh or dried flowers , fruit, or a candle arrangement. You might even set the table with some new, cloth place mats and matching napkins; use them only for showings, and you can take them with you to your new home.

  • Make sure all window treatments are letting the light in; if you don’t want the view beyond the windows to draw the eye, put a plant or some flowers on the window ledge to stop the eye there.

  • Since buyers like to open cabinets, pantry doors, and closets, try “facing” the items on the shelves. This is what stores do, and consists of arranging all the cans and boxes neatly so that the labels face forward. It works!

  • If you know a showing is coming up, don’t cook that day with foods that leave strong odors (odors are the #1 turn-off for buyers).

Buyers want to walk into a kitchen that’s spotless, bright, and has some warmth, and they’ll be anxious to see the rest of the house. Don’t forget the front door, the living room, and getting started.


Posted by:Julie Sarton



November 19, 2009

Sharon's Annual Victorian Christmas Evening

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Julie Sarton

One of my favorite, most anticipated annual holiday events each year is the Victorian Christmas Evening in charming Sharon, Wisconsin. It’s like stepping into a Charles Dickens novel, with the historic downtown area alive with lights, chestnuts roasting, carolers singing, dancers in the streets, food aplenty, warm drinks, Christmas music, and decorated vintage horse and buggies. Most of the local residents and merchants are decked out in authentic Victorian regalia, amongst whom can be found the Town Bum and the Town Crier, with Santa making his appearance later. The seductive aroma of wassail, hot chocolate, spiced cider and rum toddies drifts out of the local shops, restaurants, and bars, while many are enticed by Christmas sweets, roasted nuts, kettle corn, fried bread and hot soups. The sounds of traditional carols can be heard as the village Christmas tree is ceremoniously lighted, while others explore the local shops.

The highlight of the evening is the carriage parade. The vintage, historic carriages are decorated with hundreds of tiny lights and are pulled by horses ranging from ponies to large Clydesdales, with costumed drivers in colorful Victorian attire. Every year its quiet beauty takes my breath away. So dress warm and step back into history for a delightful evening with friends and family. Starting at 5:00 PM on Friday, December 4 (2009), you can get directions and more information by calling the Sharon Main St Association at 262-736-6246, or visiting their web site . Tis’ the season!

Posted by:Julie Sarton



November 17, 2009

Swing high, swing low, sweet housing market...

Posted to Julie Sarton

Overall, the housing market is showing significant signs of recovery, according to statistics reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Although most states showed increases in existing home sales for the third quarter in 2009, many were still registering double-digit losses, proving how diverse the market can be. When buying and selling, study your local market. If you have many properties selling in foreclosure, this will affect everyone’s home values. If you’re in an area with high unemployment, this will also affect everyone’s home values. If you’re in a resort-driven area with many high end second homes, you’ve probably had significant declines in existing home sales. I live in a resort-destination town on a beautiful lake, and we’ve seen our vacation home sales (especially those between $500,000 and $1,000,000) stagnate over the last two years. While the first time homebuyer’s tax credit is the main reason for increased sales in most areas, it doesn’t help the vacation home market.

Along with declining home sales, most areas have also seen dramatic decreases in home prices and value. While NAR reported that 123 out of 153 metropolitan statistical locations reported lower median home prices (compared to third quarter of 2008), 30 locations reported price gains. Most people are waiting for the elusive “bottom” of the market to buy; the Catch 22 is that until people start buying again, prices will probably continue to deflate and evade a “bottom.” The best advice I’ve heard on determining the market bottom is that you’ll know it when you see it in the rear view mirror, and then it’s too late!

Logical reasoning leads us back to studying and knowing our own market direction, influences, and inventory. Based on area comparables, if a home looks to be a good value, you like it, and you qualify for a well-priced loan package….it’s time to buy! Click here for more information and regional statistics on the 3rd quarter from NAR.

Posted by:Julie Sarton



November 16, 2009

Staging your home on a shoe string...the living room

Posted to Julie Sarton

Now that you’ve enticed buyers through your newly staged front door, it’s time for first impressions inside. The living room is usually the first room they see, and sets the stage for the rest of the home. Again, staging is the whipped cream on the pie, and the last step after de-cluttering, cleaning, and neutralizing; it can make a home appeal to the senses and emotions of the buyer, with messages of comfort and warmth. Try different furniture arrangements that emphasize spaciousness and openness, yet appear intimate and cozy. If any of your furniture is getting worn or ragged, invest in some inexpensive slip covers or a colorful throw. Some fresh, plush pillows will also invigorate older sofas and chairs. Make sure all personal photos are put away, so the buyers can imagine themselves living there, and pick some of your best art pieces for the walls.

After de-cluttering all surfaces and tables, pick a few decorative objects and place them in groups of 1, 3, or 5 on several tables and the mantel; fresh flowers and plants, dried flowers, candles, small baskets with pine cones, and magazines or books add color and warmth. Make sure all curtains and blinds are open (blinds can be down but open vertically) so that the room looks bright and fresh. When I show homes, one of my pet peeves is walking into a closed up, dark, gloomy room! If your home is being shown from mid-afternoon on, turn on the lights and let the agents turn them off as they leave. Ceiling lights make a room look cold and impersonal, while horizontal table lighting is warmer and cozier. Since offensive odor is the #1 reported turn-off for buyers, air out the home beforehand if possible, make sure the litter box is clean, and spray some Febreze around judiciously. You’re on your way to the ‘wow’ factor, and ready to move to the next room.

Posted by:Julie Sarton



November 13, 2009

Staging your home on a shoe string… the front door

Posted to Julie Sarton

Never underestimate the impact of the ‘curb appeal’ of your home, as this is the first impression a buyer gets. If it has it, it says “Please come into this well-kept home”, and if it doesn’t it says “Go away, the inside is just as bad.” Dressing your front entrance to show well is one of the least expensive things you will do to get your home ready; it merely takes some time and elbow grease. The first chore, obviously, is to make sure the lawn around the entrance is mowed and weeded in the summer, raked in the fall, and shoveled in the winter. Summer also affords you the opportunity to plant some colorful flowers along the walkway. Next, look at your front door area with buyer’s eyes. Clear away all cob webs, wash any dirt and dust, and if there’s glass clean it on both sides. If any paint is chipping, touch it up, and replace any worn door mats. Sweep the front stoop or porch, using a mop if necessary, and the walkway leading up to it.

Now that everything is sparkling, place some seasonal arrangements near the door and on the porch: potted flowers in summer, dried weeds and gourds in fall, and evergreen sprigs and holly berries in winter. You might even put a spot light on your newly decorated entrance. When your home is listed, leave the outside lights on until later in the evening to show it off. If you’re listing a seasonal, second, or vacant home, make arrangements with a lawn service to keep it mowed, raked and shoveled…there’s nothing I hate more than to show a vacant home where we have to wade through snow or leaves. It looks abandoned, uncared for, and uninviting. Make buyers eager to go inside.

Posted By: Julie Sarton



November 10, 2009

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended

Posted to Julie Sarton

Last week President Obama signed legislation that not only extended the first time homebuyer’s tax credit, but expanded the tax credit to some existing homeowners. Here are some high points:

1) First time homebuyers: As before, a tax credit of up to $8000 will be available for contracts signed and accepted by April 30, 2010 and closed by July 1, 2010. The definition of first time buyer remains the same, i.e. any buyer who has not owned a home for three years prior. The combined income limits have been raised from $75,000 to $125,000 for single buyers, and from $150,000 to $225,000 for married buyers. A new provision puts an $800,000 cap on the cost of the home.

2) Existing homeowners: New to this bill, buyers moving from an existing home to a new home may claim a $6500 tax credit, as long as the home being sold has been a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years. The buyer may move up or down in price with the new home, but the $800,000 cap on the cost of the home applies, as does the new combined higher income limits. As before, any buyers married but filing separately may claim half of the tax credit.

Wow! There has never been a better time to buy. The huge inventory of homes is begging to be bought at rock bottom prices and mortgage interest rates, and Uncle Sam keeps trying to help. Get together with a mortgage loan officer, get pre-qualified, establish your price range, and start your search. With such large inventories out there, make sure you work with a good local realtor who is familiar with the homes in the area.

Posted By: Julie Sarton



November 09, 2009

STAGING A HOME ON A SHOE STRING…..Getting Started

Posted to Julie Sarton

In a tough real estate market like this, showing your home in its best light can determine whether or not it sells quickly. Even if your home has appealing features and is priced well, it still needs to show well to gain that extra advantage. Many sellers are choosing to have their homes professionally staged. Professional stagers are highly skilled artists and designers, and bring in a vast array of items to “dress” each room, creating a dramatic atmosphere to capture all five senses of prospective buyers. Staging makes your home look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer, and more inviting. It’s what you do after cleaning, de-cluttering, painting, and making minor repairs. With that said, however, if you can’t afford the luxury of a professional stager, there are inexpensive ways that you can dress your home up yourself to show at its best.

I recently met with two sellers, anxious and willing to learn and implement some staging techniques that will make their home stand out. We went room by room and discussed different options as they eagerly took notes. We concentrated on making inexpensive changes that would improve first impressions of buyers, from the inside to the outside. We decided to put off listing the home until the staging ideas were complete, at which point we would take lots of photos for the listing and for a virtual tour. They worked diligently, and when I came back to see the home I was stunned and delighted at the difference! It looked fresh, clean, spacious, bright and organized….a home any buyer could visualize themselves in. More on inexpensive staging later, when I will have ideas to get each room of your home ready to show.

Posted By: Julie Sarton