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Do Empty Homes Sell? (Hint: They Don’t.)

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Taylor Henley

Are you trying to sell your empty home? If you’re not staging, then you’re doing it wrong!

People buy homes, not houses. Potential buyers have trouble visualizing the potential of empty homes. Staging creates a feeling in a room that makes a buyer want to enter. If a buyer can mentally “move in,” he or she will be motivated to buy. In a 2015 profile on home staging, the National Association of Realtors found that 81 percent of buyers find it easier to visualize a property as a future home when it is staged, compared to an empty home.

The problem is that empty homes lack a vision of its layout. One stager suggests that sellers spend a weekend going to open houses and paying attention to what draws them in. chances are, they will be drawn to homes that show beautifully, and uninterested in those that don’t. As a seller, “You have to feel like you’re inviting a special guest over and that special guest is a potential buyer.” You can’t do this in an empty home.

Here at Stage To Move, we will evaluate a vacant or model home and prepare a design plan. The plan will detail the furniture, accessories, and design elements that will appeal to the seller’s target market as well as the associated fees. Our exclusive access to multiple showrooms throughout New England translates to the most up-to-date and desired look for your home.

Vacant home staging typically costs $10-$15,000 for a 3 to 6 month rental. However, statistics show that the benefits of selling your home more quickly that come with staging include price sales and carrying costs (i.e. electric, mortgage, etc.). Thus, the return on investment outweighs the initial upfront costs.

Contact Stage to Move today at info@stagetomove.com for an evaluation.

Taylor Henley is an employee of Stage to Move. She collaborates with owner and home staging expert Kara Woods to produce blog posts that reflect the expertise and innovative design strategies of Stage to Move.

Trends to Ditch in 2016

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Taylor Henley

Note: This is part 3 in a four-part series of design trends for 2016. Check out parts 1, 2 and 3 here, here and here.

Our last few posts have focused on what’s in in 2016. This post will focus on the opposite: what’s out, or what to avoid this year in interior designs. We will also give you examples of how to replace or modify these outdated items to keep your home up-to-date.

Avoid:

Rosy metallic (particularly in accessories). This 2015 phase is on its last legs.
Jute and sisal rugs and other similar items, as they have become ubiquitous.
Outdated styles such as “industrial chic” or “oppressive midcentury modernism”—both were overdone in 2015.

Replace:

Kitchen desks with extra counter space. Don’t forget that quartz countertops are on our list of trends to watch in 2016! Consider also replacing tiled counters with quartz slabs.

TV in a child’s room with creative space, such as a cork bulletin board or an area to hang photos. Let’s be honest—our kids could use the break from technology anyways.

Chevron prints with animal hides.

Whirlpool tubs with large showers or soaking bathtubs. We know, we know—that Whirlpool tub looked so darn enticing at the store. But you never use it, am I right?

Over the range microwave with a microwave drawer underneath the countertop. It may take some getting used to, but you won’t have to worry about spilling your soup as you haphazardly lift it over your head to reheat it.

Naked windows with panel drapes, and brass hardware in your kitchen and bathroom with polished nickel hardware.

Faux finishes with a solid coat of paint.

Now that you’ve gotten an in-depth look at what’s hot and what’s not for 2016, keep in mind that interior design trends do not always translate to staging trends. Interior design is about appealing to the client’s personal taste; staging is about selling to the masses through design. So go ahead and use these interior design tips for your own benefit, but if you are selling, you might want to think about appealing to a broader audience with a transitional design approach.

Trends for 2016: Colors

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Taylor Henley

Note: This is part 3 in a four-part series of design trends for 2016. Check out parts 1 and 2 here and here.

On to the next major category of design trends for 2016: colors.

In general, the top three colors of the year are soft beige pink, navy and indigo blue, and clean modern whites. The 2016 top two Pantone colors of the year are Rose Quartz (soft pink) and Serenity (blue); expect to see these hues pop up in accessories and home décor. Pastels may also play a role, given the soft hues of this year’s Pantone profile:

“Colors this season transcend cultural and gender norms. Vivid brights give way to excitement and optimism, though quiet stability prevails in this season’s palette.”

Clean modern whites are also trending in 2016. Benjamin Moore named “simply white” its color of the year, and Sherwin Williams named “alabaster”:

Benjamin Moore’s 2016 Forecast

For wall colors, try warm grays this year. Grays pair well with cream and white, and easily accommodates seasonal trends. Gray kitchen cabinets are also a rising trend, according to one source.

For accessories, consider items with texture and dramatic color, such as faux fur and sophisticated florals. High contrast is key; bright accents can lighten the area around a dark wall, and black and white palettes in kitchens can really make your home stand out in 2016.

Check back soon for our fourth and final post of the 2016 style series: trends to ditch in 2016!

Tips for Winter Home Staging

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Taylor Henley

It’s the middle of winter, and you just found out that your company is relocating you to Jupiter, Florida. That’s great for your frozen bones—but what about your home? Use these tips to help sell your home ASAP—even in winter.

First, focus on the curb appeal. In winter, it’s easy to neglect the outside of your home, but it’s crucial that your potential buyers’ first impressions be good ones. Clear the driveway, paths, and decks, and add some salt to protect against slipping on ice. Turn on the porch lights, and consider adding some urns and planters to your front stoop if it looks a bit empty. Add a winter-themed welcome mat to complete the job.

Second, keep your entryways clean. As one stager observes, “During winter it is especially important to remove mucky boots outside and keep family gear hidden in a closet or trunk, where potential buyers won’t trip over them.” The last thing you want your potential buyer to see is your muddy footprints all over the foyer.

Third, emphasize visual (and physical) warmth. Make sure every light is on—things can get dark in winter! And crank that heat. Seal your windows and holes, and move furniture away from the vents to ensure proper air circulation. Nobody wants to buy a home where they are too distracted by the cold to pay attention to its amenities. Add some throws, pillows, and richly textured materials in warm colors to create an image of warmth and coziness.

Fourth, highlight features of your home that are particularly useful in winter, such as fireplaces, basement playrooms for kids, and indoor fitness centers. Consider accentuating your home’s entertaining possibilities as well, as winter is a popular time for indoor dinner parties.

Keep these tips in mind as you are getting ready to sell your home, and you will be off to sunny Florida in no time!

Trends for 2016: Style

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Taylor Henley

Note: This is part 2 in a four-part series of design trends for 2016. Check out part 1 here.

Part 2 of the “Trends for 2016” series features accessories and designs that are predicted to be popular this year. If you are planning on selling your home this year, consider investing in a few of these:

Quartz composite countertops. Along with natural stone, quartz countertops (rather than granite) come out on top for 2016. Quartz provides unique patterns and colors and requires little maintenance. Caesarstone recently introduced a line of six neutral colors for its durable quartz countertops. Consider also mixing countertop materials in 2016. Granite, wood, and marble combinations all work well together, for example.

Porcelain floors. Porcelain is less expensive than hardwood and wears better than real wood. According to one stager, “Porcelain can be found in traditional small tiles or long, linear planks. It is available in a variety of colors and textures, including the popular one-color combos with slight variations for a hint of differentiation.”

Fireplaces. Fireplaces universally signal warmth and even romance, according to one source. Technology is making this amenity even more accessible—look for fireplaces in more than the traditional living spaces (including outdoor spaces!) in 2016.

Ceilings as 5th walls. This year, use ceilings as a way to add style to your home. Check out the room below as an example:

Black metals. According to the Wall Street Journal, this “decidedly unflashy material is appearing as simple hardware, bathroom fixtures and even flatware.” Designers blend it with wood and glass, or even create entire pieces of matte black metal.

Old world ornamentation. In the past few years, interior design has gone from overdone drapery to naked windows to, finally, back to some softness. “Fringe, cording, and tassels soften the austerity of modern upholstery.”

Rounded furniture and accessories. Smooth, rounded pieces of marble, and softer, rounder pieces of furniture are on the rise in 2016.

Check back soon for part 3: colors of 2016!

Trends for 2016: Amenities

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Taylor Henley

Note: This is part 1 in a four-part series of design trends for 2016. Check back soon for parts 2, 3 and 4!

Now that we are starting to settle into 2016, we at Stage to Move wanted to share with our readers our analysis of interior design trends for the new year. Whether you are looking for a new home or renovating your current one, here are some trendy amenities to keep an eye out for this year.

Sustainable appliances. Unseasonably warm temperatures this past fall reminded everyone of the importance of taking care of our planet, and 2016 is sure to reflect that. Look for green design products and long lasting materials with style. One stager recommends keyless entries, free-standing bathtubs and two master suites for multi-generational living.

Indoor/outdoor living. Outside is coming in, and inside is going out! Consider incorporating natural materials such as copper, marble, and brass into your home. “Glamping”—“glamour camping”—is also in. Built-in sunrooms and porches offer the best that nature has to offer in the comfort of luxury living.

Indoor fitness. The fitness craze has yet to abate, and one-stop spaces for exercising, meditation, yoga and spa treatments will continue to be popular in 2016. One stager adds that showers are also getting an upgrade in 2016, with features such as programmable temperatures and water flow and waterfall fixtures.

New technologies. Dedicated charging spaces, preferably in the kitchen or in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the home, are all the rage this year. Advanced security systems such as smartphone-monitored nanny cameras and motion sensors are also on the rise. You may also want to check out new functionalities in cabinet drawers and kitchens for a simpler upgrade.

Check back soon for part 2: style trends for 2016!

New Year, New Home, New You!

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Taylor Henley

Are you reaping the financial benefits of an improved economy? Are you thinking of selling your home and using the profits to upgrade to a nicer space? You couldn’t have picked a better time to do so.

First, the value of your home is steadily increasing. In 2015, the value of all homes across the U.S. increased $1.1 trillion, growing 4.1 percent over the past year alone. In the latest Zillow Home Price Expectations Survey, more than 100 economic and housing experts pinned home value growth for 2016 at about 3.5 percent.

Second, the supply of listings will rise with each passing month during the spring. According to Keeping Current Matters, a resource website for realtors, “The #1 reason to not wait until spring…The supply of listings increases substantially after the new year (including new construction) which lowers the demand for your house.” Getting your home on the market right now can give you an edge over spring competitors.

Of course, don’t forget an essential ingredient: home staging. Staging can relieve the stress of selling your home; stagers maximize your home’s appeal to buyers to help you sell your home quickly and for the best price possible. Choose Stage to Move to make selling your home as easy as possible this year. New year, new home, new you!

How Selling Your Home Can Boost the Economy

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Taylor Henley

A year ago this month, the Economists’ Outlook blog of the National Association of Realtors released an analysis of “pent-up seller demand.” By 2014, a typical homebuyer had lived in his or her house for four years longer than the historical average. Weaker economic conditions, stagnant wages, low interest rates for mortgages and, especially, the housing market crash meant that potential sellers preferred to stay in their homes for longer.

But just as car sales have soared in the past year, so too can home sales—if pent-up sellers start making moves. Mortgage rates remain at historic lows, and home values are up significantly, making this a great time to sell. And in doing so, sellers boost the economy. The NAR’s most recent analysis found that the total economic impact of a typical home sale in the United States is $52,205.

This figure is generated from a median priced home of $176,800. It includes: $15,912 of income generated from real estate industries; $4,429 of additional spending on consumer items such as furniture, appliances, and remodeling; $9,764 of economic “multiplier effect” on general consumer spending from increased income; and $22,100 in construction of new homes, using the standard estimate that one new home is constructed for every 8 existing ones. If a home sells above the median price, the economic impact will be even greater.

Thus, every home sale improves the economy. Consider selling today—Uncle Sam may thank you!

Home Staging 101: What Do Buyers Look For in a Luxury Home?

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Taylor Henley

Now that you know the luxury market is on the rise, here are some tips for you, the seller, to make your home as attractive as possible to the luxury buyer.

A recent survey found the following:

54% of luxury buyers indicated a chef’s kitchen as an important feature;
44% consider the home’s views of oceans, mountains, or cityscapes as significant;
38% responded that the square footage of the property is key attribute;
36% included the presence of an expansive master suite as an important factor.

Obviously, there are some features here over which you have little control at this point—namely, the location and the square footage of the property. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t tailor your home to the luxury buyer. Check out our bedroom (link to post) and kitchen posts for helpful tips, for example. Resale value is also critical; keeping your home in prime condition, with up-to-date amenities, is a big boost here.

You may also want to consider staging your home to cater to a younger generation of luxury buyers. Bolstered by the tech boom and an ambivalence (at best) towards the stock market, millennials (young people in their 20s) now compose the second-largest group of recent home buyers, making up 28% of the pool. (“Generation Y,” the age group just slightly older, ranks first.) According to one developer, these buyers tend to prefer modern touches such as floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings, and open floor plans.

If you are thinking about remodeling your home and intend to sell at some point, therefore, consider adding a modern touch. It could add significant value to your home down the road!

How to Stage Your Home During the Holidays

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Taylor Henley

The home market always slows down during the holidays, and understandably so—it can be difficult to search for a new home among the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. But as a seller, keeping your home on the market during the holiday season can be an advantage, if you do it right. Those who are house hunting are probably serious buyers, so the holidays can be a great chance for you to attract the perfect buyer.

The main rule of thumb for home staging during the holidays is simplicity. Decorating your home is fine; just don’t go overboard. Clean and declutter before you decorate, always keeping in mind that the holiday season brings more clutter—furniture for guests, decorations, a menorah, etc.—that can distract the buyer from your home’s finest features. Keep the size of the decorations to a minimum to avoid making your living room seem smaller. Choose ones in colors that coordinate with the room and home décor, and, as one stager helpfully adds, don’t forget to shovel the walkway!

Lastly, be sure to remove your decorations (or delay putting them up) before you photograph your home to sell. Don’t take photos with your holiday decorations. They will distract the buyer, and if your home remains on the market post-holidays, they immediately signal to the buyer exactly how long your home has been on the market.

With our help, you don’t have to fear keeping your home on the market during the holidays. So enjoy your mother-in-law’s famous latkes and rest easy knowing that you may just land a great holiday present—a buyer!