The Katy Texas Blog That Never Runs Dry » staging

Two Free Hours with a Stager Help Katy Homes Sell Faster

Julie Q. Fuelling — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 23:57:56 +0000

According to Drew Meyers, Zillow Business Development Manager, “When agents try to differentiate their listings from others or make the homes they represent really pop, home staging has gone from “nice-to-have” to a “must-have” strategy in the selling process.”

I couldn’t agree more! To separate my listings from the competition, I pay for my sellers to have a free two-hour consultation with a professional stager. Recently, a well-staged listing sold to the very first couple to tour the home. While I can’t promise these results, I can guarantee that professional staging is now an important part of the marketing process.

Ready to sell your home? To take advantage of my staging program, contact me. I have sold Katy and West Houston real estate since 1989. Experience does matter!

How Selling a Katy House Can be Like a Bad Blind Date!

Julie Q. Fuelling — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:47:41 +0000

A few? None? Way too many? How many blind dates have you gone on? Since my parents, happily married for their lifetimes, met on a blind date my heart always erred toward hope.

One of my blind dates actually peeled shrimp and put the shells directly on a linen table cloth. Another brought his brother who “just got in from out-of-town”! Still another, took me to the most depressing movie I have ever seen and I go to a lot of movies. I couldn’t make these things up.

When I list a house, I always tell my sellers that the first impression their house makes is identical to a blind date. Open the door. Take a long look and one of two things comes into your mind:

What was my girlfriend thinking? How long must I give this before it’s rude to bail?
This could have potential!

A potential buyer sizes up a house from the porch into the foyer. Dirty porch, nasty front door, smelly foyer, it’s over! They have made the decision not to buy your house. What was my Realtor thinking?

Pot of bright flowers, swept porch and sparkling door, you have caught their attention in a great way. Walk through the door and it smells delightful! Their first interior view is neat and inviting. While a buyer won’t immediately decide to purchase your home, they will definitely decide not to eliminate it! Your house has absolute “potential”.

Who knows, you might even enjoy a good night kiss!

For information about Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

Is Clutter Preventing You From Selling Your Katy Home?

Julie Q. Fuelling — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:08:01 +0000

By Janine Godwin, CPO®, Guest Author

You signed the contract with your Realtor, the ‘For Sale’ sign is in the yard and it’s been weeks since you’ve had any action on selling your home. Could it be due to excessive clutter? If you have taken a look around your home, and the answer is ‘yes’, it’s time to get serious about making an investment in making your home more appealing. This investment could be the time that you put into cleaning it up yourself, or financial by hiring a professional to assist you. In either case, if clutter exists in your home and you want to sell it, that For Sale sign may sit in your yard longer than necessary.

Buyers consider many things when looking for a home – location, neighborhood, amenities, etc, but they are also looking at how a home is presented. Think about it. No one wants to walk in to a home that is messy. People are attracted to cleanliness and order. For example, when buyers walk into a new model home, they are wowed not only by the decorative scheme that the model presents, but they don’t see clutter. It’s attractive. It’s welcoming and they can see all the details the builder wants to showcase. Granted, it may be a bit sterile, but it still looks inviting. Buyers can easily envision how they can make that home theirs.

On the flip side, if a buyer walks in to a home that is full of clutter, it could possibly block their sense of ‘vision’. People by nature are visual, and they need all the help they can get when you are selling your home. Buyers are always looking for good storage in a home, and they will open closets, cabinets and drawers and check out the garage to get an idea of what storage options are available. Storage can be a deciding factor in their decision, and if these areas are filled to the brim with ‘stuff’, they may not be able to figuratively or literally ‘see’ the potential an area possesses.

If your Realtor suggests that you ‘tame the clutter’ in order to list your home for sale – listen to their advice. Your Realtor wants to assist you in every way possible for your home to sell. If clutter is preventing the sale of your home (or low-ball offers are more prevalent than not) invest in fixing the problem so your Realtor can proudly show your home. If you are not sure how to go about solving the problem, ask your Realtor, as they will have resources available to get your home in shape.

Janine Godwin is a Certified Professional Organizer®, providing business and residential organizing services in Katy and surrounding areas since 2003. She is a member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers), NSGCD (National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization) and the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information on Janine and her Katy professional organizing services, visit Nooks-and-Crannies.com.

Selling Your Katy Home? Curb Appeal Matters Now More Than Ever

Julie Q. Fuelling — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 20:49:04 +0000

For the second year in a row, Realtor Magazine reports that exterior remodeling projects, i.e., maintenance that enhances the value of your property not things like a sunroom, return the most money, as a percentage of cost. This is detailed in the annual Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report-2008. Texas was a region that consistently returned a higher percentage of remodeling costs upon resale.

“Because today’s buyers have much more to choose from in the way of inventory, any home for sale must make a positive first impression,” said National Association of Realtors President Charles McMillan. He continued, “As a trusted source for real estate information, Realtors understand what attracts and motivates their buyer clients, which is why the results of this year’s Cost vs. Value report underscore the importance of curb appeal in the buyer’s eye.”

The 2008 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report compares construction costs with resale values for 30 mid-range and upscale remodeling projects. This is the 11th consecutive year that the report, which is produced by Hanley Wood, LLC, was completed in cooperation with REALTOR Magazine. Realtors provided their insight into local markets and buyer home preferences within those markets.

According to Realtor Magazine, “In addition to wood decks and siding, window replacements and kitchen remodels also returned a relatively high percentage of remodeling costs on a national basis. All types of window replacements – upscale and midrange wood and upscale and midscale vinyl – returned more than 76% of costs. A major midrange kitchen remodel returned 76.0% of project costs, while a minor midrange kitchen remodel returned 79.5% of costs.”

The discussion continued, “On a national level, bathroom remodels, while still a relatively good investment, do not return as high a percentage as in previous years. A midrange bathroom remodel was estimated to return 74.4% on resale, comparable to a midrange attic-to-bedroom conversion, at 73.6% of costs recouped, and a midrange basement remodel, at 72.7% of costs recouped.”

Just like last year, home offices, sunroom additions and back-up power generators returned the very least of their cost, all close to only 50%.

McMillan explained that the resale value of any given remodeling project depends on a variety of factors. “A home’s overall condition, availability and condition of surrounding properties, location, and regional economic climate are all factors that will influence the value of any remodeling project,” he said.

McMillan continued, “That’s why it’s important to consult with professionals like Realtors in your area when you want to enhance the value of your home. Realtors see hundreds, if not thousands, of homes every year with their buyer clients and can provide valuable insight into what projects and improvements will make a difference with buyers in your area.”

A Little Staging of Your Katy Home can Translate into More Money

Julie Q. Fuelling — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:55:32 +0000

Ready to put your Katy house on the market? If you’re like me, you watch the home decorating TV shows, the real estate shows, and you know a great deal about what makes a home marketable. I don’t have to convince you that a little bit of effort, done before the sign goes in the yard, will be well worth your while.

You know that you should clean everything and get rid of clutter. Aside from that, how do you broaden the appeal of your house? For starters, try to think of it as a “house” not “your home”. Your property has become commodity for which you want to get top dollar; de-personalize it.

No matter the size of your home, it should always look larger. Remove anything that makes a passage way look tight or a room overcrowded with furniture. Pack it, move it to the garage or, even better, a storage facility.

Rid the house of personal effects, and don’t forget simple things like magnets on the refrigerator. Small distractions to the buyers’ eyes will disturb their thinking, preventing them from picturing the house as theirs. The same goes for family photos, only leave one or two. You want the prospective buyer to imagine their family in the house. It should be “their home”; it will increase the price you get once a buyer becomes emotionally vested in the property.

While you want the rooms to look well-decorated and spacious, avoid turning the house into a perfect home. Try to balance the brand-new look with some of its lived-in warmth.

Potential buyers often feel uncomfortable in bedrooms and bathrooms because they are, by definition, personal and private places. To counter this reaction, make bedrooms and bathrooms look like a model home (toss the lived-in feel out the bathroom window). Clear off all surfaces of the bathroom—remove even simple things like toothpaste and soap. Put out nice, fresh towels instead. The goal is to make these rooms comfortable for buyers. When they’re comfortable, they’ll linger and picture themselves in the house.

Walk through the house and prioritize things that, if changed, would increase the value of your home. For example, repainting a child’s bubble-gum pink bedroom may attract more buyers than something not as apparent, such as replacing an old dishwasher.

You can direct a potential buyer’s eye away from something negative or toward something positive. Use artwork or a room’s own features, such as a fireplace, to capture a buyer’s attention. However, there’s a fine line. You want buyers to be able to appreciate the room and not just focus on the items in the room.

Consider hiring a professional to improve your home’s visual appeal. The fee charged by a “stager” can be worth it if the changes bring a quicker offer or a higher sales price. For recommendations on a Katy stager, contace me at 713-818-2404 or juliefuelling@sbcglobal.net.

17 Simple Things to Make Your Katy House More Marketable

Julie Q. Fuelling — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:48:31 +0000

1.    Make sure your entrance way says “Hey, look at me!”
2.    Prune dead limbs from trees.
3.    Paint (or touch up) exterior, repair screens and windows.
4.    Clean your windows.
5.    Check A/C and heating systems.
6.    Fix leaky faucets, toilets, and faulty lights.
7.    Vacuum drapes and carpets.
8.    Repair wall cracks, re-caulk bathrooms and kitchen.
9.    Clear out closets.
10. Remove excess furniture.
11. Keep cats and dogs out of visitors’ way.
12. Mow lawn, edge driveway and walkways
13. Ensure windows, doors, and locks work smoothly.
14. Weed flower beds and trim shrubs.
15. Throw out junk from garage and storage areas.
16. Clean lawn furniture.
17. If you have a pool, make it crystal clear.

“Green” Paint is Not Just a Color Anymore

Julie Q. Fuelling — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:28:52 +0000

Until recently, “green” paint was a decorative effect perhaps recommended by an interior designer. It had very little to do with science and even less to do with the environment except for bringing nature to mind. Not so today.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), indoor air is three-times more polluted than outdoor air; it’s considered to be one of the top five hazards to human health. This unsafe situation is caused mostly by paint emissions and household sealants that continue to release dangerous emissions for years after application. These elements also deplete the ozone layer.

Paint manufacturers are scrambling to produce low Volatile Organic Compounds, (VOCs), or no VOCs products. Entire advertising campaigns are based on the promotion of environmentally friendly paints. However, buyer beware; things may not be what they seem. There are no real production or evaluation standards. Even”Consumer Reports” magazine has not settled on acceptable standards.

According to an article printed on RisMedia.com, “Everyone is advertising their paints as low VOCs or no VOCs. But buying green isn’t that easy. Advertising that appears to be eco-friendly can be deceptive. Although the can may say the paint is low in volatile organic compounds, some brands inject a hefty dose of these chemicals when the colorant is added at the store. And low or no VOC paints also can contain suspected carcinogenic ingredients.”

Eartheasy.com, a website that specializes in “ideas for environmentally sustainable living” says, “Most paint manufacturers now produce one or more non-VOC variety of paint. These new paints are durable, cost-effective and less harmful to human and environmental health.” Eartheasy.com has an informative article on the three new types of paint: Natural paints, Zero VOCs and Low VOCs. There is a detailed list of available products in each category; just click the hyperlink above.

What’s a consumer to do? Search the internet and do your homework. Read labels carefully and ask questions. Check to see if the Natural, Low VOCS or Zero VOCs product you are considering is certified by an organization such as Greenguard or Greenseal. Remember, there are no definitive labeling standards.

Trust your nose and beware “that new paint smell”; it produces symptoms including watering eyes, headaches, dizziness and escalates asthma. These are sure signs of dangerous irritants within the paint! Consumers are demanding alternatives; the times have changed and you, your family and the Earth deserve a healthier product.

How Selling a Katy House can be Like a Bad Blind Date

Julie Q. Fuelling — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:19:06 +0000

A few? None? Way too many? How many blind dates have you gone on? Since my parents, happily married for their lifetimes, met on a blind date my heart always erred toward hope.

When I list a Katy house, I always tell my Katy sellers that the first impression their house makes is identical to a blind date. Open the door. Take a long look and one of two things comes into your mind:

What was my girlfriend thinking? How long must I give this before it’s rude to bail?
This could have potential!

Who knows, you might even enjoy a good night kiss!

What is “Staging” and How Can I Get Some in Katy Texas?

Julie Q. Fuelling — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:05:15 +0000

“Staging?” What does this term mean with respect to residential real estate? I’m sure you’ve heard about staging; the TV home shows, especially the real estate ones, have greatly contributed to this burgeoning trend. In fact, these shows make staging seem like an everyday real estate occurrence coast-to-coast. Like almost all real estate trends that become standard practice, staging originated on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and moved inwards toward middle America.

According to professional stager Lori Matzke, “Professional home stagers are practiced in the art of preparing a home for resale. They work with the ‘flow’ of a home, eliminate clutter, edit and arrange furniture, and even assist in enhancing curb-appeal. With the aid of a professional home stager, your house can make a notable first impression on potential homebuyers.”

Staging is a new concept here, a practice still in it’s infancy in Katy real estate sales. During the 19+ years that I’ve been a Katy Realtor, only recently has home staging become a topic to discuss at listing appointments. Don’t be fooled by the slow start as staging is rapidly becoming the standard and not the exception. Every seller wants “a leg up” on the competition and staging is often that very edge.

The new construction industry has always employed “merchandisers”, someone who is a combination of an interior decorator and marketer. A merchandiser is responsible for decorating a builder’s models and implementing “theme rooms” like nurseries and media rooms. Stagers create very much the same ambience for resale homes; usually, they use the homeowners own furniture and decorative pieces.

There is now a national professional organization, Real Estate Staging Association, RESA, that includes stagers with a wide range of training, certifications and designations. The Real Estate Staging Association is the member run trade organization for professional stagers in North America. They provide support services and educational resources for professional stagers in addition to providing vital information regarding the benefits of staging to Realtors and consumer. They have a fascinating website: www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com.

So, what’s this cost? There’s a variance in pricing depending on many factors including the length of time a stager has worked professionally; whether they will have to bring their own decorative pieces into the home; and, how much time you will employ the stager. If you are interested in visiting with a stager prior to putting your house on the market, feel free to contact me, www.get-me-to-katy.com or 713-818-2404. I will be pleased to give you a list of Katy area stagers.