Selling a Home with Pets

Selling a Home with Pets

We love our furry friends but not every one is keen on pets; especially some of those potential home buyers. That is why it's very important to make sure that your home is free of pet odors, hair, and any pet items. In other words; make it look and smell like no pet has lived there!

As a home stager who meets home owners every week, I understand that it can be difficult to remove your pet from the home for a showing. If you work out of the home it can be almost impossible to pick up your pet for a 2:00p.m. showing.

I suggest asking a trusted neighbor or family member to pick up your pet for the times when you are not home; especially if you are the owner of a large dog! A friend of mine told me that a potential buyer came to look at her home but as soon as the buyer saw her large dog, he/she turned the other way and left! What a missed opportunity!

So, for those of you out there who are selling your home, don't miss an opportunity for an offer by not taking care to remove, board or crate your pets. For more information; watch this video starring my puppy, Penny!

Adding value to your home,
Holly
For more information about staging your Dallas home: http://www.dallasrealestatestaging.com/

Is Your Address Visible?

So, I have been experimenting with various move making software. I made my recent movie in Picasa. It was easy and I have to admit that it was fun! Technology often overwhelms me but I think that I have gained a few skills.

I took photos of a small project and strung the photos together, added some music (from a sample of a few songs that were on my computer), wrote a few titles and voila, a movie was made and here it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7YUv_2JMD4

Tip: make sure that your home address is visible. It's important for emergency vehicles (and their drivers :) to find your address!

Happy Spring!
Holly
www.dallasrealestatestaging.com

Holly Gives Home Staging Advice!

Holly Gives Home Staging Advice on Facebook!

Are you thinking about selling your home? Is your home currently on the market? Do you or does someone you know need home staging advice?

On Friday each week, I will choose one room from one homeowner and provide suggestions and ideas for staging that room. Just “like” our page, Dallas Real Estate Staging, and visit our page every Friday for valuable tips and ideas.

Please note:
1. Send 1-3 photos of any one room in your home and include your first name, city and state.
2. If your photos are not chosen one week, you may send them again the next week.
3. Submit your photos by Thursday at 8pm CST.
4. The room of the week will be chosen and revealed on Facebook on Friday by 8pm CST.
5. The photo will be showcased along with a list of tips, ideas, and suggestions.
6. By submitting your photos you give Holly Bellomy and Dallas Real Estate Staging permission to use your photos, first name, city and state for any and all marketing purposes.
Send your photos to photos@dallasrealestatestaging.com today!

Home Staging Dallas

Home Staging Dallas
I had the opportunity to stage a beautiful home in Dallas, TX. The home was newly renovated with extra square footage. Some wall art and accessories had been place in the home, but it was difficult for potential buyers to see how the long entry, living room and dining room could be used.

Here is a photo of the long space from the perspective of the dining room before the staging:
Here is a photo after the dining set is in place:

Here is a photo of the Dallas home from the entry before staging:

This is a photo of the living room after home staging:

Here is another perspective before home staging:

And, this is the photo of the living room and dining room after the staging:
The home is warm and inviting and now potential buyers can see the possibilities for each space.

Holly Bellomy, RESA-Pro

214-532-9677

www.dallasrealestatestaging.com

holly@dallasrealestatestaging.com

The Dallas Chapter of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) invites all professional stagers, real estate agents and industry related professionals in the Metroplex to join its rapidly growing organization in 2011.

“Membership in RESA not only provides credibility to your business, it creates an excellent network of professionals that share common values and business practices,” 2011 RESA Dallas chapter President Karen Eubank said. “Monthly meetings are structured to engage and support our members by providing insight and information they might not find elsewhere. At each meeting RESA Dallas hosts a speaker that appeals to home stagers as well as Realtors and industry affiliates.”

Start the New Year with RESA Dallas by getting motivated! Our January guest speaker is Artemis Limpert, is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, coach and entrepreneur.

“You have to get in the game to play the game,” Limpert said. “Transforming the world starts with you.” If you are hoping to transform your life, achieve your goals and take your business to the next level, begin your year with RESA and Limpert’s inspiring topic “Get Motivated. Get in the Game!”


About Real Estate Staging Association: Dallas Chapter:
RESA Dallas provides peer-to-peer support for all chapter members, promoting education to real estate agents, homeowners and the general public regarding the value and benefits of home staging. The Dallas chapter has a dedicated membership working to grow visibility and credibility of the home staging profession within the Metroplex.

Please RSVP for January meeting at The Real Estate Staging Association Dallas Chapter on Meetup.com.
For more information on RESA please visit
http://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/
www.facebook.com.
For more information on the guest speaker, Artemis Limpert, please visit www.artemislimpert.com.

Contact:

Stefanie Levine
817-494-4881
stef@niptuckhome.com
Karen Eubank
214-912-9263
eubank@sbcglobal.net
Holly Bellomy
http://www.dallasrealestatestaging.com/

Home Staging for the Master Bedroom: Before and After: Plano

Home Staging for the Master Bedroom: Before and After: Plano



We had the opportunity to stage a master bedroom in Plano.
This is what the master bedroom looked like before the home staging.
This is what the room looked like after the home staging.

To stage this master bedroom in Plano, this is what we did:

1. We highlighted the tall ceiling and shape of the bed with three framed prints. These belong to the homeowner and were originally used in the family room. They look great in the master bedroom and tie in perfectly with the decor.

2. We changed out the lamps. The original lamps were buffet lamps, so we took them to the dining room and placed them on the buffet. The homeowner then purchased a new pair of lamps, according to our specifications, that are jut the right size and scale for the furniture.

3. We suggested drapes to add the look and feel of luxury. We purchased four drapery panels at JC Penney for less that $140. The curtain rods were purchased at Target for less that $40 each. The red drapes add color and sophistication to the room. Dallas Real Estate Staging installed the rods and hung the drapes.

4. Then, to finish the room, we brought in some accessories for the homeowner to lease.

This Plano, master bedroom is complete!

What can you learn from this home staging example?

First, drapes do not have to be expensive; they just have to look expensive. If your walls are beige and you have white wood blinds; drapes are a great addition to give the room the look of luxury.

Second, use what you have. Try bringing in art and accessories from another room.

Third, every room needs more that one source of light. The ceiling fan with light kit just won't cut it! Consider table lamps and floor lamps. Lamps are a wise investment because you can take them with you to your next home!

And remember, the master bedroom is one of the most important rooms in the home, so make sure to stage it!

Holly Bellomy is a home staging consultant for Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Fairview, Lucas, and the surrounding areas.

For more information visit: www.dallasrealestatestaging.com

Home Staging for the Senses

Home Staging for the Senses
The Sense of Hearing

Noise! We’re inundated with sounds all day long! While some sounds bring a smile to our face like the laughter of a child, other sounds, such as the chronic barking of a dog can be exasperating.

We can all agree that a quiet, peaceful house is priceless; especially at the end of a long day. This is what potential buyers are looking for too, a quiet sanctuary to unwind in at the end of a day, or for those who work from home or who are retired a quiet paradise may be necessary.

There are some sounds that are not appealing to home buyers. Three of them are road noise, barking from dogs, and interior noises that clamor for maintenance.

Road Noise:
While it may be challenging to sell a home that is located near a busy street or strip mall there are a few things you can do to compensate for the noise pollution.

First: Make sure that your home has extra curb appeal. A well manicured lawn and fresh paint on the home’s exterior are a must. The goal is to get the buyers into your home.

Second: Clear out all clutter inside your home: extra furniture, toys, etc. and rent a storage unit for these items.

Third: Make all necessary repairs before listing your home. Don’t give buyers more reason to say “no” to your home.

Fourth: Hire a home stager to make sure that your home stands out from the other homes in the area.

The key is to create an environment so irresistible that your home is chosen above the others in the neighborhood. And don’t despair; there is a buyer out there for every home!

Barking from Dogs
I have also visited homes to perform consultations all the while listening to dogs bark while I looked at each room with the home owner. There is nothing more distracting than a barking dog! Take your dog with you for showings or find a neighbor or pet sitter who will care for your pet for showings.

Interior Noises
There are other bothersome sounds that you can take care of. These include leaky toilets, smoke detectors, dripping faucets. I remember a time when I went to look at a vacant house to prepare a bid. I toured the house, all the while listening to the chirp of the smoke detector which needed a new battery. I couldn’t get out of that house fast enough because the noise was so irritating.

And for those pleasant sounds, play them up!

Music: If you have speakers, use them! Play a satellite or cable station through all interior and exterior speakers. Light jazz music is preferable.

Movies: Play a movie to show potential buyers how wonderful it will be to have their own movie room; all the while distracting them from the road noise.

Water feature: Do you have a pool with a fountain or other water feature? Turn it on for showings and let the soothing sound of the water entice potential buyers.

In other words, maximize the positive and eliminate the negative!

Holly Bellomy is a home staging expert who specializes in occupied and vacant properties in Allen, Plano, McKinney, Fairview, Lucas, Frisco, Dallas, and Richardson.

For more information log on to: www.DallasRealEstateStaging.com