Jerrilynn: “Please introduce yourself.”

Tanya: “I am Tanya Venable, Principal Home Stager/Property Stylist at Fresh Eye Designs, LLC. I am SC local business owner and I help people get their homes sold quickly and for top dollar.”

Jerrilynn: “Thanks Tanya for introducing yourself to my followers and the other members of WomenPartner International.   Has the recession affected your business like it has the real estate industry?”

Tanya: “Yes, I have been affected by everything that’s going on in the real estate. Thankfully Upstate, SC was ranked 5th by Forbes as one of the best places to be to weather the downturn, so it’s a good thing. More and more people are looking for that competitive edge when it comes to selling their home and Home Staging does that.”

Jerrilynn: “How important is home staging to selling a home in this economy?”

Tanya: “Home Staging is critical when selling your home especially in this market. Buyers are savvy and have a long list of “wants”.  So the more wants your home meets the more buyers you will attract if those “wants” are properly highlighted. The question I always ask home sellers is what sets your home above your competition?”

Jerrilynn: “Tell us about the virtual home staging service you offer.”

Tanya: “Virtual Staging is great because it expands my client base and it is easy for the home seller. Some sellers do not want a stager to actually visit their home if there is alot of work to be done.  So with virtual staging, they can send me pictures  and I advise them on how to stage the room. I have done entire houses this way with great results.”

Jerrilynn: “Who is your ideal client?”

Tanya: “My ideal client is some one who is frustrated with how long their home has been on the market and doesn’t what to do. With just a Home Staging Consultation, I help sellers instantly increase the salability and appeal of their home.”

Jerrilynn: “What led you to join WomenPartner International?”

Tanya: “I like the idea of working with like-minded women who want to grow and expand their business. I love the idea of team work and the support system and collaborative platform that WomenPartner has created.”

It was a wonderful experience.  Thanks Jerrilynn for the interview and for all the hard work you do to help women grow and expand their businesses.  For more info about Jerrilynn and WomenPartner, go to WomenPartner.com.

With everything that is happening today, it such a great time to cherish what matters most in our lives. And not to miss what you don’t have or may have lost but to be thankful for what you do have and the people you have to share it with.

I wish everyone a very safe and Happy Easter!

Please check out http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov

This is a very useful site and its user friendly. Plus you can easily find out if you are eligible for the program. This was set up by the federal government and the help is free.  This may not benefit you personally but if could help someone you know, SO PLEASE PASS IT ON!

Most people still think of home staging as an expense, a financial burden or outlay. It is true that when you sell your house it will cost you money. Maybe repairs have to be done, and updates need to be made. Whether you hire a realtor or sell your home yourself, there is still a cost for getting your home listed and advertised so that buyers can find it. There are other costs like inspections and appraisals that a seller may incur. For every month that a house sits vacant, you incur carry costs that you will not get back. Even if you sell your house “AS-IS” you are inviting low ball offers and leaving money on the table.

As the old adage goes “It takes money to make money”. Selling a home is not free. So how can you minimize your outlay and maximize your return? By having your house professionally staged before you list it.

Here are some of the returns you’ll get on your home staging investment:

1. Increased home value – Statistics show that staged homes can appraise for a higher value than non-staged homes.
2. Increased buyer appeal – The more potential buyers that visit your home the higher your chances are for a quick sale.
3. Increased marketability – The better a home looks the more money buyers are will to pay for it.
   
4. Minimizes the chance of taking a price reduction – Statistics show that staged homes sell faster than non-staged homes and for more money.
   
5. Home Staging can be tax deductible - Considered as an advertising expense you may be able to deduct your staging investment from the sale price of the home. Please seek advise from your tax advisor to see if you qualify. (Reference IRS Publication 523)

What other marketing tool do you know of when selling your home can do so much for so little? Most times home staging is more affordable than you may think.

You will have expenses when you sell your home but staging is an investment that you will immediately see a return on. Hiring a knowledgeable and professional Home Stager/Property Stylist will only help you. And may actually save you money as we know of budget-friendly decorating tips and low cost updates that will increase the appeal of your home.

Don’t leave money on the table, get your home professionally staged!

Written by Tanya Venable, Owner and Principal Property Stylist at Fresh Eye Designs, LLC. We work with Occupied and Vacant Home Sellers to get your house sold quickly and profitably! Offering a wide array of Home Staging services in the Anderson, Greater Greenville, and Spartanburg areas of South Carolina, we are Greenville’s Upscale Home Staging and ReStyles Company. Give us a call at 864.351.8305, to see how we can assist you with getting your home sold. At Fresh Eye Designs LLC, Staged Equals Sold!

With all this competition, how can you a home seller make your home stand out from the rest? How can you drive buyers to your front door and get them to want to come in? By getting a Fresh Eye to help you prepare your home for sale before you have it listed.

It is a basic fact that the more prepared you are to deal with a situation the better the outcome. You have a higher chance at passing a test if you study for it. If you prepare to give a speech chances are your delivery will be much better than if you just wing it.

By having a Home Stager/Property Stylist come in with a Fresh point of view and give you an honest opinion about your home, you will be prepared to secure a quick and profitable sale.

Because you have lived in your home for a while there are probably a lot of things that you may not pay attention to that could hinder or delay the sale of your home. For example, let’s say you have pets. Most people who live with pets on a daily basis become accustomed to the smell of their pets. This is not to say that all homes with pets have odors, many of them don’t. But if your does can you tell? Buyers walking into your home for the first time could be overwhelmed by the smell, especially if one has allergies.

The same is the case with minor repairs that have been overlooked or put on the back burner. Broken glass, damaged rugs, or even uncovered electrical outlets can turn buyers away. A Fresh Eye will notice these issues immediately and can help you address them before they become a deterrent for potential buyers.

Has your home been on the market for a while with no interest and you don’t know why? A Fresh Eye can tell you what the issues are and help you increase the salability of your home.

In this market, buyers are hard to come by. Make sure you aren’t turning any buyers off and loosing a potential sale. Prepare your home for a quick and profitable sale, invest in hiring a Home Stager/Property Stylist today!

Another reason, I chose the title Property Stylist is becasuse it really encompasses all that I do as a Home Stager. The average home stager is not average at all! Most Home Stagers provide more services than just home staging alone. From downsizing and organizing to restyles and/or holiday decorating, Home Stagers offer a gammut of services that deal with making a home stylish and functional.

I always say “Invigorate your space, Invigorate your life”. Simple budget friendly changes can breathe new life into a space. Property Stylists do just that and give properties style and function that suits the need at the time.

If your home needs staging to be sold, a Property Stylist will create a neutral and inviting palatte that will appeal to the majority of buyers to get that home sold quickly and profitably. If you want to update the look of your home and create a dream space, we do that too. By listening to your vision for the space we will bring your dreams to life and create the space you have always wanted. Can’t see pass the clutter to determine what you want? We can help there as well.

De-cluttering is a major aspect in Home Staging so we do it well. But de-cluttering is not just for selling a home. A clutter free home can not only help increase your creativity but also helps you feel more relaxed and you will enjoy your space more.

Do you have a special event coming up? Need to host a dinner party, a bridal shower, or holiday dinner? Property Stylists have that covered too. Most ReStyles or themed decorating can be completed in a day.

Need serious work done? Property Stylists can also oversee remodeling or renovation projects.

Realtors, Investors or Builders, we offer services for you as well. From simple design and color consultations to full service home staging, we can assist you in securing a quick and profitable sale for your property/listing.

Whatever design dilemma you may have, a Property Stylist can assist you! If you are unsure as to what services your local Home Stager/Property Stylist offers, give them a call and explain your design dilemma. I am sure they will come up with a fresh and creative solution for you.

ReStyles are pretty easy to accomplish but it all depends on the style you want. Before you begin making any changes decide what the function of the room will be. Is it going to be an office, a reading area, a work out room, a kid’s playroom, or simply a bedroom? Once you decide on the function of the room then decide on the style you like. Are your tastes traditional, contemporary, modern, or eclectic?

Once you have figured out the basics you can get started making other decisions like color and if you want a themed room or not. Your vision for the space will determine what pieces you will be able to use in the space. If there are furniture items that you already have and want to keep you build from there. You can also make great use of what you already have by re-purposing and re-arranging items in your home. Pulling pieces from one room and using them in another can save you time and money. Plus less consumption is always good for the environment.

Another plus to ReStyles is that they are generally less time consuming than full out decorating or re-modeling. Most ReStyles can be completed in a day or less, depending on the size of the room of course.

If you have a small budget and need to update the look of your home a ReStyle is your best option. Simple updates like painting and re-arranging furniture in a room can create a major impact. De-cluttering and organizing goes along way as well. Adding accessories like artwork and maybe some plants if you like greenery can be the finishing touches to your room.

If you want a ReStyle for you entire home, don’t be overwhelmed. Begin with one room at a time and before you know it you will have the home of your dreams.

Wikipedia defines it best, “Home Staging is the act of preparing a private residence prior to going up for sale in the real estate marketplace.” Although the definition of home staging can be summed up in one sentence, there are many aspects to the home staging process.

De-cluttering and de-personalizing top the “to-do” list when staging a home. This is necessary because when you are selling your home you need to show it in it’s best light. Unfortunately most buyers can’t see past clutter so it’s best to get rid of it, so buyers can see how much your home really has to offer. After all buyers love spaciousness, so show off as much clear space as possible. This includes your yard, garage, basement, and attic. Decide what you really need to keep and what you can give away. If it’s old and broken get rid of it. Most people can downsize about 30% of what they have. Holding a yard sale or donating items that are in good condition are great ways to de-clutter and be green at the same time. Plus this will save you time and money you are packing and moving.

If you have alot of personal pictures, collections, or knick- knacks that only you will love pack them away. There are two very good reasons for this. First, when you are selling your home it is all about the buyer. Buyers want to feel invited in and not like they intruding into your life. A minimal amount of personal photos is fine but don’t over do it. Secondly, the collections that you hold dear maybe very valuable or have sentimental value to you and your family. You want to keep those items safe and secure from possibly being damaged or misplaced.

Making repairs and minor updates are other key aspects of home staging. Most buyers are not investors so they don’t want diy or a fixer-upper. They want “move-in ready”! So give it to them. Neglected repairs and out of date fixtures are sure ways to date a home. Let’s face the majority of people like shiny and new. So make necessary repairs and updates so that when buyers visit your home the can focus on the best features your home has to offer and not minor details. Updates can include removing wall paper, painting, updating lighting fixtures, updating bath fixtures, etc.

Once you have finished de-cluttering, de-personalizing, making repairs and updating start cleaning and keep cleaning. When you are selling your home, your house can never be to clean. Spotless is the way to go! Clean every room in the house especially the bathrooms, the kitchen and any area that has been neglected for a while.

Finally there is furniture placement and decor. Furniture placement can make or break a room and possibly a sale. If there is no flow where buyers can easily move from one room to another it can make the room feel cramped and small. Remember buyers love spaciousness so create a clear pathway to get from one room to another throughout the entire house. When choosing decor keep it neutral. You can’t please everyone but the goal is to make your home as appealing as possible to the majority of buyers that will possibly buy your home.

It may seem like a lot to do but the reward of a quick and profitable sale will be well worth the effort. Home Staging puts your home in showcase condition so it is always best to stage before you list it. This way it looks great from the moment is it viewable to the public and you won’t loose out on any potential buyers.