Great News for Home Staging

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), “home staging seems to be a more important selling tool than ever.”

NAR points to a new book, “Staging to Sell: The Secret to Selling Homes in a Down Market,” which found that even in today’s slower housing market, 95 percent of staged homes sell (on average) in 35 days or less. On the other hand, homes that are not staged take 172 days or more to sell, if they sell at all.

Source: Fallbrook Bonsall Village News, Thursday, August 27th, 2009. Issue 35, Volume 13.

Let's get this news out there...

Remember I am here and ready to help you sell your home!

Yard Sale Saturday

Hi, welcome to this week's Yard Sale Saturday. There was not much out there this week as there have been showers for the last two days and a few folks rescheduled for next weekend. I am already looking forward to that!

The first sales I found did not have much of anything - baby clothes and toys, so I had seen a sign for a block sale and doubled back to that area.

At the first sale I found some nice place mats (6 for $2.00) and some ribbon, but the best find was these glass dessert size plates - all 6 for 50 cents. I like glass plates for staging as they can be used with almost any decor and can also be used for candles, dresser tops, etc.

The other homes in this block sale did not have much - one was all old electronics - but one sale did have some great photographs by the owner...I wish I could take photos that well.

Well, onto one more set of sales in a nicer upscale community and I hit the jackpot - but only for one thing. This absolutely mint cocktail set from the early 60's. It features six mint condition glasses and a mixer that is over sized for today, but just the right size for the period.

Really cool, eh? Quite the "Mad Men" vibe...I know that I when I spotted I immediately had to grab it as I though my bestest would just love it.

Any great finds for you this weekend?

Safe and Sound

I know that I should not tempt fate. I work hard not to do that, especially with a 17 year old son who has just started driving.

Everytime he goes out in the car, I say a small silent prayer - not just for him, but for anyone who is on the road when he is. Everytime he walks back into the house, I quietly thank G-d again for bringing him back home safely.

But I worry even more when he gets into another driver's car. Who hasn't read the stories lately about Moms driving impaired and smacking into other cars, or teens who drag race, or just drive too fast. It seems the passengers are just as likely to be hurt as the drivers. Of course, I know all of these kids and have since most of them were small. But I still worry. So my prayers are more frequent. And my sleep is less sound.

This summer he has worked as a camp counselor and most of the other counselors are older (18-20) and he was out many nights, so my sleep has been less than stellar...lol. Last night, we decided to let him stay overnight at an end of camp party and be home by 6:00 this morning for work. This is a big thing as we do not encourage overnight parties, but we do trust our son. So we let him go. And while I did go to sleep, it was not the most restful.

I was wide awake at 5:00 am - and when I crept out of my bedroom and looked in his, there he was, sleeping in his room. I thanked G-d for keeping him and his friends in his care. And I was happy he was home.

Safe and sound.

A Quiet Friday

I am sitting here on my comfy sofa in my family room. My little cat Suzy, barely 7 lbs, is curled up in a ball next to me and my darling hubby is lying on the floor curled up with the pillows.

Both are sound asleep.

Both are gently snoring.

It is quite peaceful.

I am happy that my darling hubby is getting some nap time in. Since he has become a non-smoker, his sleep has been quite disrupted. I know that is adding to his difficulties and so it is good (even though I am not sure it will help later tonight) that he is getting a "cat nap".

It wonderful to have a quiet day, when there is little to do - perhaps some laundry or a quick trip to the store - and just enjoy the opportunity. I finished a scarf I had been knitting, read a bit and did some computer time reading blogs and such.

I know that soon enough my son will be home from work, hungry and tired. I know that soon enough we will be getting ready to go bowling (for charity). I know that soon enough the weekend and madness of activity will begin. But for now I am enjoying this time.

A Quiet Friday.

Latest Staging Day Pictures

I have been working diligently on Devonshire Design's latest staging project, plus I have been going out most evenings to meetings for the group I volunteer with that I have had no time to post or read blogs!

But I am thrilled to tell you all that yesterday we had a very successful staging day and here are some of the great before and after pictures for you to view.

This is the Living room and Dining room. As you can see from the after picture the look from the front entry is open and airy, lots of room and very modern. We worked to de-emphasize the television as we have the family room downstairs.



And a peek at the Family Room....




Changing the panel walls to a light creme color and adding a family game area, opens up the room and makes it much more welcoming. Since you can see if from the front entry, we wanted a bright and cheery space when looking downstairs. It looks terrific.

You can view the full day's video here: http://www.youtube.com/user/DevonshireDesignLtd

The family was so helpful with getting everything done, while Devonshire Design worked on the furniture and arranging, the family was cleaning the outside and inside.

Today they are having 6 showings and I am certain they will have a quick sale!

Focal Points - myth or necessity?

How many times have you heard that every room needs to have a focal point? But is that true? Can a room design be successful without a focal point - a fireplace, a great view or even the television?

I think so. Sometimes you may just have a beautiful piece of furniture that sets the tone of the room - then make that the "focal point". Maybe you have a piece of art that you could put on an easel and make it the focal point.

How about a room that once once considered the formal living room. You know the room without the television? Well, if you have one without a fireplace or some other obvious focal point - why not make the conversation area the focal? Arrange the seating into "intimate" conversations areas. A bigger room could hold two or three of these. This makes the room all about the seating groups with no defined focal point. Can it work? You bet!

Do yourself a favor when re-arranging or re-decorating your rooms. Don't be locked into convential ideas about focal points - think about what you love in the room and call that the focal point.

And if you are still stuck - call me! I'd be happy to help!