The Biggest Pet Peeves Home Stagers Have About Your Home
When selling a home, you have 20 seconds to make a first impression through your marketing photos and even less when a buyer pulls up to your home.Staged homes are proven to sell faster and for more money. According to the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, staged homes average 23 days on market. 85% sold for up to 23% over list price. We know that the way you live in your home and the way you market and sell your home are two different things and we’re here to help strategically stage your home for success.We provide a team of professional home stagers to make your home the best on the block, but when it comes to staging, the seller has to do their part. That’s why we’ve outlined our stagers biggest pet peeves, so you know exactly what NOT to do to ensure your home sells quickly + for top dollar. Staging Pet Peeves: Mess- Your home should be sparkling clean for showings and pictures. You can’t stage a messy home effectively, so make sure to clean your entire house from top to bottom beforehand.Clutter- Put away items you use all the time - like cleaning products, tools, and personal items. No one wants to see things like a toothbrush or an electric razor plugged into the wall. Also, put away items you never use - like decorative towels and fake plants. Instead put out some nice trays and top them with jars filled with things you get use out of. In the kitchen, we suggest displaying 5 bottles of Pellegrino/ Acqua Panno on the counter. Heavy Drapery- Let some light into your space and make it shine! This means you should remove heavy drapery from windows, and turn on all lights and lamps for photos or showings. It will make the whole place appear lighter and brighter. Also, remove screens when staging. Otherwise your exterior pictures and overall curb appeal may be dulled. Rugs- Beautiful hardwood floors are at the top of many buyers ‘must have’ lists. Buyers love clean flooring, especially if it’s in turn-key condition. You don’t want to cover up those floors with a rug. In fact, we suggest arranging your furniture to showcase the floors rather than covering them. Trash Cans- Remove trash cans from the front of your home. Curb appeal is very important as it’s the first impression your home will make on a potential buyer. You don’t want large recycling and trash cans on your front lawn to be the first thing a buyer sees.Themes- Do away with “mermaid themed” kid bathrooms when staging. You don’t need a under the water shower curtain, starfish hand towels, and seashell soap dispenser. Eclectic looks are much more appealing in the current market.Too Much Furniture- You want your home to look and feel as spacious as possible. It’s crucial you make sure your furniture is proportionate to the size of the space. If you have too many pieces, this might prevent good flow in the room’s layout. Loud Paint Colors- Bold colors can be beautiful on walls, but when staging you want to appeal to as many buyers as possible. Stick with calm, soft, and light colors. Paint is a relatively inexpensive way to drastically change the entire look of a room. The right color choice can make all of the difference to how large and bright the room can be. Covered Grills- Outside spaces sell homes, but what’s the point of having a stellar backyard patio, deck, or outdoor kitchen if the BBQ is covered? Remove the cover off the grill, it’s an eyesore! Source
Is Your Home Fire Safe for Your Pet?
National Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15th is the perfect time to make sure your home’s fire safety plan includes getting your pets to safety, as well as the people, in the event of a fire. Taking preventable measures can protect your home, your family, and your pets in an emergency situation. Many times our pets are the cause of a fire when we don’t take these precautions. PET FIRE SAFETY TIPS: Extinguish open flames. Wagging tails and curious kitties can haphazardly knock over candles. Consider using flameless candles. Remove knobs from the stove when not in use. Dogs may jump on the stove and accidentally turn a knob with their paw without anyone realizing it. Use plastic or metal water bowls for outside, not glass. Glass can actually heat up from the sun to the point of starting a fire. Keep leashes, collars, cages, and carriers close to the exit(s) on your fire escape route plan. That way you have a better chance of grabbing them as you exit the home with your animal. Garages tend to be a good spot. Fire can happen when you aren’t home to rescue your pet- so you need to have a plan just in case this happens: First, take them to a kennel or family member’s if you plan to be gone for an extended period of time. If you don’t have that option, or aren’t going to be gone long, then make sure your pets are secured in the main living area- this is where firefighters will look for them first (or that you have fire alert window clings, see next). Purchase and place fire alert window clings to help firefighters identify how many pets are in the home, and the rooms they may be hiding in (if your pooch prefers your bedroom to hang out in, cling it to your bedroom window- because it is likely that’s where they will be). Put your phone number on them as well. Determine which family member is responsible for which pet in the event of a fire. Go over these plans and practice getting you and your pets out of your home to safety! Source
Dream Vacation Spots Based on Zodiac Sign
Many factors go into planning a trip: some people prefer a tropical destination while others crave an adventure. If you're looking for guidance on where to book your next trip, astrology can provide some insight. Read on to discover where you should vacation next, based on your zodiac sign. Aquarius - PERUJanuary 20 - February 18 An ordinary vacation will bore you, Aquarius. You need something adventurous and different. You would prefer to go somewhere off the grid, or at least somewhere most people wouldn’t consider. Peru is a good option; particularly, the city of Machu Picchu, because it is located at the top of a mountain in the middle of a tropical rainforest. Pisces - FIJIFebruary 19 - March 20 Pisces are dreamers and want to spend their holiday mentally checked out. As water signs, they are happiest on beach vacations. Try visiting Fiji, the tropical waters of Bora Bora will have a pisces feeling right at home. Aries - HAWAIIMarch 21 - April 19A perfect vacation for an aries would mix challenge with tranquility. The beautiful scenery and challenging trails located on the island of Kauai offers both. The trail along the northshore is not for the faint of heart and takes nearly an entire day to traverse, but the breathtaking view of the ocean and luscious vegetation make it worth it. Taurus - SEDONAApril 20 - May 20 Taurus are the most dedicated, hardworking, and stubborn of the signs. Getting them to take off work and go on a vacation is a feat of its own, so the destination has to be worth it. A weekend stay at a spa in Sedona, Arizona will do just the trick. Taurus will be forced to take a break and relax, and will enjoy the natural scenery of the desert as well. The further out of reach from cell service, the better. Gemini - ITALYMay 21 - June 21 Geminis are constantly bouncing in different directions. They want to do it all on vacation, so a place with options is a must. Italy offers both historical sites including museums and tours, attractions, beaches, wineries, cities, countryside, and more. Gemini will be more than happy jumping from one excursion to the next on this Italian vacay. Cancer - CAPE CODJune 22 - July 22 Cancers need a low-key vacation where they will feel safe, comfortable, and calm. Otherwise, they won’t be able to relax and enjoy their time away. Renting a little cottage in Cape Cod is just what the doctor ordered. Cancer can enjoy a calming beach trip without the crowded beaches, noisy boardwalks, and wild bars and restaurants. Leo - LAS VEGASJuly 23 - August 22 Leo loves to be the center of attention. A trip to Vegas will serve them perfectly when they step out onto the strip and into the spotlight. Plus, Leo’s tend to be both confident and lucky, qualities that will serve them well when gambling in the casinos or hitting the slot machines. Virgo - SOUTH AFRICAAugust 23 - September 22 Active and curious, Virgo is looking for a once and a lifetime trip packed with adventurous excursions. Cape Town, South Africa has just that, with rich history, bustling metropolis, and nearby wildlife reserves. You can’t beat the amazing safari experience. Libra - GREEK ISLANDSSeptember 23 - October 23 Libra’s ideal vacation boasts a combination of bustling social settings as well as time to relax. Libras are natural social butterflies but also enjoy alone time to learn during their travels, about themselves and their surroundings. The Greek Islands, including Mykonos, Santorini, and more pack both secluded seafront getaways and thriving bars and taverns. Scorpio - EGYPTOctober 24 - November 21 Scorpios seek mystery, challenge, and hidden gems, without stepping too far out of their comfort zone. Cairo, Egypt is a great mix of both contemporary and old world wonders. In just a short drive you can experience the Pyramids of Giza, where you’ll get a rich cultural experience, and be back in the city in time for lunch somewhere familiar. Sagittarius - ICELANDNovember 22 - December 21 Sagittarians crave to get away from it all. They do not care about 5 star resorts, getting the best instagram pictures, or doing the cliche tourist stuff. They want a vacation with meaning, one they will never forget. They want to see what the world has to offer and take in the powerful sites. A sagittarius would gladly spend days underneath the aurora borealis in Iceland for just a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Capricorn - TOKYODecember 22 - January 19Capricorns seek a change of pace on vacation. They want to be immersed in a whole new world, rich with opportunity and experiences unlike anything they have ever experienced. If you're a Capricorn, book your trip to Tokyo, Japan stat. The culture shock alone will stimulate all of your senses and provide everything you need to have a great get-away.
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