Jackie Riggins asked:




“People feel like you’re trying to move them out of the house before it’s even sold,” says Jackie Riggins, CEO, Property Staging Consultants. “All we’re asking them to do is pack up early. Yet, they don’t want to let go. The bottom line is that if they’re not willing to go through the process, they’re not that willing to sell the home. The sellers have to be totally motivated to do this.”

They might be a bit more inclined to do so, however, if there were an easier way. PODS (Portable on Demand Storage), whose containers are used to store part or all of a home’s belongings during a move or while the home is listed on the market. PODS & Property Staging Consultants work to create a Buy Ready home through staging and storing the items. The items are then housed off-site at a PODS Storage Center. PODS is now in 48 states. Belongings can be stored as long as the homeowner needs.

“I tell my clients to pretend that they’re camping for six weeks-keep in the house what you can’t live without,” advises Jackie Riggins. “Then, move your personal belongings out to the PODS container one room at a time. Take your time with it.

“Homeowners offer way too much ‘eye candy’-distractions,” adds Jackie Riggins. “Prospective buyers need to be able to see the floors, for example. They need the house to be totally free of personal belongings. I explain that they should pretend that they’re having a big garage sale-room to room. Finish one room at a time; mark the boxes then transfer them to the PODS container.”

The real key, says Riggins, is to move extra pieces of furniture out to container. “Big pieces-like an armoire & clutter, eat up square footage,” she explains. “So, if we can minimize those items, it looks like there’s more space.

What’s so helpful-especially when it comes to those larger pieces-is that PODS brings the container directly to your home, explains Jackie Riggins. “They bring it to you-and that’s huge,” she says. By setting up the container in the driveway, homeowners are given time to allow Property Staging Consultants to come in do the Consultation Report©, then come back to complete the Staging process.  Property Staging Consulants  packs up for you. This way it’s easier to get your house ready to show.  Once this is completed they must go through their items, and load everything in the POD.

Especially with the cost of fuel in today’s economy, Jackie Riggins says PODS makes more sense than ever. “When PODS and Property Staging Consultants work together who needs to rent a truck and do it yourself,” says Riggins.  We are both here for the homeowner and Property Staging Consultants have set the standards in home staging.

Jackie Riggins says there’s no better way to get a home sold faster and for more money than to de-clutter and hire a Property Staging Consultant to come make your home stand out amongst the competition.

 

Teri Woods asked:




The “For Sale” signs are popping up like wild flowers and yet the homes sit indefinitely on the market. What does one do to get a quick sell in a slow market?

Pricing your home is the number one key. Even if you have had your home appraised in the past year we suggest you have it appraised again just before listing it on the market. Set your price according to the appraisal and the comps in your area. Over pricing your home will turn potential buyers away immediately.

Condition of your home. Stop and take a good look at the current condition of your home. Ask someone with an objective view to take a look at your home and give you an honest list of what they found to be hindrances. Make the effort prior to listing your home to address each issue raised.

Make your home “stand out” in the crowd! Curb appeal is a definite. A potential buyer will drive past your home even if the price is right if they get a bad first impression from the curb. Clean up the yards and prune your trees and shrubs. Plant bright colorful flowers and put out some garden solar lights. Curb appeal is so important as you want the buyers to want to come inside as soon as they drive up to the curb!

Show your home to appeal to the “masses”. This will include decluttering the entire house, closets and cupboards as well. Remove everything off of your kitchen and bath countertops. If you are going to do some home improvement projects to update your home put your money into the kitchen and the baths. You will regain your investment and updated kitchens and baths sell homes. Update built in light fixtures and carpeting if necessary.

Staging a home for the market will most certainly guarantee you a quicker sell. A home that is “staged” stands out amongst all others. Stat’s prove across the country that a properly staged home will sell at the asking price and sometimes above. If you have your home appraised after all repairs, updates and staging is completed you may well get a higher appraisal value on the home.

If you are looking to “stage” your home on your own we suggest that you get professional advise from a professional home stager so that you are certain that your home is show ready. We at Home Stages Designs offer many Home Staging ebooks to assist the do-it-yourselfers out there. When following the lead of a professional you can rest assured that your home is going to sell quicker than all others that are not show ready. Now days, potential buyers expect to purchase homes that are ready to move into and that they do not have to plunk alot of money into at the onset of the purchase. These are the buyers that will give you your asking price without hesitation.

Make the perfect first impression and sell your home now! See us for more details and related ebooks to get you started on your way to fast home sell.

See us for details on our Home Staging Business & Training Kit on CD-ROM! www.Homestages.com

Tim Ryan asked:




We are all aware that these are stressful times, no matter where you live or what you do for a living. So, what can we do to make life a little easier?

One key word is Zen.

No, you don’t have to sit in a room, surrounded with candles, repeating the latest Gregorian chant, unless you want to. But creating a Zen environment is still a simple process with great results.

Incorporate Zen into your decor:

You don’t have to completely embrace a Feng Shui lifestyle to create a relaxing environment.

* Use accent pieces to tie the Zen feeling into your home decor. Try traditional wall plaques with nature-inspired images such as trees, mountains, lotus blossoms or images that evoke serenity and gentle relaxation.

* Incorporate earthy and neutral tones with furnishings and flooring.

* Create as much natural light as possible by avoiding heavy window coverings.

Declutter is the answer: Your interior decorating efforts can create a sense of Zen at home in a number of ways, starting with the old adage, “A place for everything, and everything in its place”.

* Only have one thing in one space – your computer desk is for the CPU, monitor and printer only. Pens and one or two books for reference are the exception.

* Buy a bookshelf and use it for just for books. If you have too many, use a library-style system for categorizing and alphabetizing titles.

* Create a workable file system where you can access what you need within 30 seconds. Place incoming faxes and letters with corresponding files as they arrive.

Creating Zen in just 15 minutes a day:

Have fun with this one. Buy an egg timer at the dollar store and for only 15 minutes at a time, tackle the often-overwhelming task of decluttering.

* Take one room, or even one corner of a room, and clear away all unnecessary items. You will feel better, guaranteed.

* Tidy up the kitchen while you are boiling the kettle for tea (or coffee). If the kitchen is already clean, spend the boiling time tidying the living room.

* Throw away any outdated bottles or questionable products in your fridge. Remember: when in doubt, throw it out.

Find some time for yourself:

Beyond having a physically clean environment around you, taking time for yourself is another key to living a Zen life.

* Take a 20-minute walk. You can choose to listen to music, inspiration tapes or just the natural sounds around you.

* Make lists for things you have to do, and celebrate crossing them off when completed.

* Meditate for 10 to 15 minutes each day.

* Be thankful for all the positive things in your life now, and the things to come.

The Apartment Dude asked:




Hey Apartmentites! Brianne here, your apartment decorating and style expert, and I want to share with you a little insight on making your apartment fit the mold of the motto at Apartment Home Living.

Okay, so at this point I think it is safe to admit that there is a huge variety of things that people “Live 4″ out there, but one specific “live for” is our motto around here and it rings true with just about everyone…(except those sad and forlorned emo-kids.) We (most of us at least) Live for Fun!

So why not let it show in your apartment decorations too? Here are a few simple ideas to help you decorate your apartment to reflect playfulness and energy.

1. Keep the Dining Area Simple- Try a small wooden table and don’t decorate it too heavily. Allow the wood grain to shine and show off the simplicity. Let all the attention be put on the furniture. It becomes cheaper for you and makes a bolder statement. Avoid bulky drapes and let the sun shine through using light fabrics and light colors on the windows. You want you kitchen area to feel fresh and rejuvenating. The light provides energy!

2. Extra Space Can Be Great- If you have a ton of extra space in your apartment, turn some of it into an area for you to do the things that you really enjoy. Whether its a game station or a reading spot, maximize your storage and space possibilities by building shelves to house your favorite games, DVD’s, or books! Nothing says “fun” like having a space that is purely meant to celebrate what you do for “fun.”

3. Mirrors and Candles- So you want to have some really energetic, expressive, and fun walls but not sure how to do it? Easy. Take a bunch of left over or old mirrors and attach them to a wall at varying levels first. Right there, you suddenly have created an “open” feel that goes beyond fun and free. Then if you are feeling like really make the place great. Take a ton of candles (if allowed in your lease) and place them on small shelves in front of each mirror. It gives off a classic almost Victorian type feel in a fun and energetic way!

4. Accent Wall!- Don’t waste the time and energy painting an entire room. Instead, roll one solid (and very bold) color of the most important wall in a room and let it draw all of the attention. In your living room, make this either the wall behind your entertainment center or couch. In your bedroom, make it the wall behind the headboard. In the bathroom, make it the wall with the mirror. Remember…everything on that wall is going to stand out more, so don’t put your ugly old stuff there.

5. Put Your Life Into Your Environment- You should always have your apartment reflect yourself. In fact, it should be a spitting image! If you have a bold, bright sense of humor, using bright colors and letting in lots of light can really help match your apartment to you. One of my friends once framed a dozen different jokes and hung them all throughout his apartment. Everywhere you went…you could have a laugh. If music is your thing, how about framing cd inserts and hanging them throughout. If you can’t express yourself through the way your apartment looks and feels, when can you?!

If you follow these simple tips and have a little fun while decorating, your place will feel incredible in no time with energy and tons of flowing freedom!

For more info on the apartment lifestyle, check out ApartmentHomeLiving.com