Hi Everyone!

Wow we have been having some great hot weather, which is all good as it makes me think of Mexico and how much I LOVE it there! Here is a picture of one of the resorts we were at in Cancun back in March!

Does Your Property Stand Out from the Rest?

If you have listings that are not moving, could the reason be that the MLS photos do not entice the 80-92% of buyers who shop online?

Check out your photos now, especially the ones of properties that have been sitting on the market for over 60 days. Do the photos draw buyers in, with a focal point, a nicely designed room?

The majority of MLS photos I review truly are not a positive reflection of the property’s potential; they provide no reason for a buyer to look at more photos or hang around for the virtual tour.

If your photos don’t yell STOP, CHECK ME OUT!! You are probably wasting your $$ on a virtual tour of the property.

Don’t take my word for this – check out the 2010 report released by the Real Estate Staging Association, - Consumers Guide to Real Estate Staging

If you know of a great article, story you would like to share or perhaps a business that has a product or service that blows you away, let me know as I would be happy to showcase them in our blog.

Click on link for more information

Quiet, private Glenmore home. Newer oversized kitchen opens up to huge   entertainment deck backing onto Knox mountain park.. go for a hike..take the dog for a walk, all outside your doorstep! 4 bedrooms,2.5 baths, great games room in basement, triple car garage, Central a/c, newer roof. Great Value!

Further information that educates agents and home sellers on

Home Staging, who should pay for it and why…

Who Pays for Home Staging?  Click here to read more:

How to create the perfect little girl’s room

• 1) Start with a neutral base

Keep the backdrop pale and simple, and update with accessories as the fads come and go.

• 2) Maximise storage

Make use of awkward nooks with custom shelving and buy under-bed boxes for clothes and toys.

• 3) Pick versatile furniture

A day bed will last through to her teens, doubling as a sofa for reading or chatting to friends.

• 4) Use durable finishes

Washable wall paint, vinyl wallpaper and tough floor paint will make the space child-proof.

• 5) Make a play corner

Add fabric-covered foam blocks for squashy seating and storage for dressing-up clothes.

• 6) Add the right lighting

Use a combination of ambient and task lighting for reading, colouring, games and puzzles.

• 7) Choose versatile bed linen

She might pester you for cartoon-character designs, but go for something classic.

• Add soft touches

Floor cushions are a must, so she can make herself comfortable while playing.

• 9) Pick simple window treatments

Go for simple curtains or a roller blind, which she can open herself.

• 10) Let her express herself

Don’t make every decision for her – let her pick accessories and add favourite things. Plus, why not paint a wall or panel with blackboard paint for her artwork? Dust-free chalks will minimise mess.

Read  for Pacific Ave details

Selling Your Home?

Effective home staging solutions will showcase your property to make that all important first impression that will turn lookers into buyers.

Making Your Listing a Beautiful Place to Sell

You can realize top dollar for your home as well as enhance the way you live in your space, giving you a renewed sense of pride in your home or property. We want your home to be shown in the best possible light to prospective buyers to get you the best price possible in the shortest amount of time… You only have one chance to make a good first impression.

Can You Afford Not to Stage Your Home?

Statistics show that staged homes sell faster than non-staged homes and usually for full price. Some even go into multiple offers in just days, not the months it takes for other listings. Taking the extra few days it takes to stage and prepare your home for sale is definitely worth the investment!

Book your consultation now to see these same benefits others have found!

Contact ShoeString Home Staging today 250-212-0057.

Stand out from the houses on the street and let us help you home SOLD!!!

If you know us already… welcome to the April 2010 Newsletter!
It’s April!! Hopefully now we can get onto the business of enjoying sunshine and beginning our spring yard clean ups!  As always our aim with our monthly newsletter is to fill it with great articles, information and stories that will inspire and educate you.

What Does APRIL Mean for Your Home?

Adding elements of style creates emotional connection points.

Place things in a prominent area that can enhance the home

Positive Look means a positive home, achieve a great style for your home.

Rediscover setting points of interest for each room. Give the feeling of elegance; introduce accent colour

Inviting and comfortable. Transform your home to make it their home.

Less time, more done. These things can be especially effective when selling your home.

Tips to Enhance your Home:
The sun is beaming down and little buds are beginning to bloom. The days are getting longer so pay your garden the same attention as your interior. We like Pier One’s Spring Wicker Collection. Check it out in the Spring Flyer (page 16-17) of their flyer. After all the digging and pruning, you’ll want somewhere to put your feet up. Now, where’s the homemade lemonade

If you know of a great article, story you would like to share with us or perhaps a business that has a product or service that blows you away, let us know as we would be happy to showcase them in our newsletter.

Sincerely,
Kym Tarr

Vacant homes that are staged sell 78% faster than unstaged homes

click on this link for our latest statistics RESA Staging Stats – February 2010

Yes!  It can be a very expensive mistake for a home seller not to have their property staged!  With 80% of home buyers surfing the internet and pre screening homes, ask yourself does your  property stand out  when compared to others in your area and in the same price range?  If it doesn’t, why doesn’t it?

Don’t you want your property to sell quickly… so  you can move closer to the kids, go live in Europe for awhile, or buy that cute  little cottage down by the lake!

There is significant evidence out there that STAGING WORKS, so it is frustrating to watch home sellers take price reductions on the list price their home rather than stage it.

Perhaps it is because some just cannot see the VALUE in staging their home. They tell themselves that the current way of selling a home has always worked so why change.  But with progress comes change, and part of that change is HOME STAGING.

Really when you think about it, would you sell your car without at least cleaning the junk out of it first.   For that matter would you sell anything that you thought had value without fixing, repairing, updating it first.   No Way!
You would want to get the most money for it as possible!   You placed a value on the item when you purchased it and you would want whomever buys the item to perceive the same value.  It is no different with your home, it is even more important.  There is more money at stake!

So before you list your property for sale, or if your property is already listed contact a local real estate agent that is familiar with Home Staging and its benefits, then as a team you can work together to get the most value from  likely the biggest investment in your life!

Which kitchen could you see yourself cooking dinner for the family in?