My New Blog

WHEN WILL WE AGAIN SEE THE PEAK HOUSING PRICES OF 2005-2006

October 22nd, 2009 11:30 PM

Many sellers want to know how long they would need to wait to again see the prices of 2005-2006. Moody's and Fiserv have actually studied this point. Here are the years that different states will probably return to those prices:

Before 2014 - Maine, Vermont, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Alabama, Alaska, Iowa, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas

2014-2017 - Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon

2018-2022 - New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maryland, Rhode Island, Illinois, Hawaii, Georgia, Idaho, Utah

After 2023 - Virginia, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, California, Nevada, Arizona
from:http://steveharneyblog.com/category/pricing/

Posted by Barbara Tretola on October 22nd, 2009 11:30 PM

More Staging Tips

October 26th, 2009 12:06 AM

Beautiful Staged Homes

A personal message from Linda

PO Box 661

631 793-1315

www.beautifulstagedhomes.com

Linda.Leyble@gmail.com

Beautiful Staged Homes' "Creative Home Staging Strategies" is a free bi-weekly e-newsletter for homesellers, realtors, homebuilders and others who want to be successful in selling their properties. You will get great tips and ideas that will help you create homes that will sell fast because they will attract the widest range of buyer.

Welcome to the Beautiful Staged Homes Newsletter.

I want to thank everyone for coming to our "Successfully Staging and Selling Your Home" at the Sayville Library last week. We had an audience of all home sellers (and future home sellers) -- who stayed til closing time to ask additional questions. We raffled off two great staging accessories - plus one free home staging consultation. So - congratulations to the winners. From that group, I did a home staging consultation already - and the seller and I are embarking on a full staging program.

During the seminar, I went over some unique niche marketing ideas for sellers - so that will be our featured article. Then I'll cover why it's so important to have a professional home stager help you -- especially in this down market.

SEE THE SPECIAL ARTICLE ABOUT MY DESIGN WORK: Last year a publication, ID-Digest, did a few articles about me. One of them featured the work I did in my living room, entry, and dining room. Take a look. Formal but Friendly French in Great River

If you have enjoyed reading this e-newsletter - and you'd like to forward it to a home seller or realtor colleague - please click the "Forward" and "Share" buttons at the bottom of this newsletter. Thank you!

FEATURED ARTICLE

Attract Male Home Buyers with a Staged and Organized Garage

At the Home Staging seminar that I presented last week in Sayville, I went over some unique ways to attract your "most likely buyer". Whether it's a single male, first-time home buyer or a newly married or downsizing couple - sellers shouldn't forget about attracting the male buyer.

If you want to sell your house, homeowners should go the extra mile to make their properties stand out from the competition. While staging and improving your kitchen and bathrooms are the number one and two areas to improve to make a house sell faster, the garage is also paramount, especially if you're trying to appeal to the male buyer.

Even though the female is usually the key decision maker in a home purchase, it's vital to impress the male as well. Don't make the mistake of storing all your excess clutter in the garage -- then close the door, hoping nobody will ask to see it! (A few months ago I saw an advertisement for a home - with the male owner proudly standing in the two car garage - and it was cluttered and packed to capacity with boxes. Not exactly how I would have "merchandized" this home!)

A roomy garage to a man is like a big walk-in closet to a woman. It's an important selling feature that should be featured when you put your home on the market. But most people fail to do this by not organizing it properly to show a potential buyer how they can utilize this important space.

Your objective when selling your home --whether it's DIY or hiring a professional stager to take over the task--is to help buyers imagine living in your home. If your garage looks cluttered (and clutter will make it seem smaller), buyers won't respond kindly to your home. Buyers have a physical or mental "checklist"-- and the garage is on the top priority list for the male buyer. Men like to see the storage possibilities in the space and how they can use it to fix their cars and for other household chores and projects. Most buyers cannot see beyond the clutter - so don't leave it around when you are selling your home.

One main reason why people move in the first place is to gain more storage space. If you give buyers the impression that there is no room for storage (because you've packed the garage to the hilt), they won't see your home as a place that will give them the room and storage they are searching for!

Organized garage

This is the second thing men dream about!

Here are some staging tips for the garage:

De-Clutter: Get rid of anything that should not be there. Have a "garage sale," pardon the pun - and sell your unwanted books, tools, clothing, toys etc. Donate items to charity (Salvation Army, Dress for Success) and put seasonal items in off-site storage.

Dress up the Work Area: Buy a pegboard and neatly organize tools.

Add Shelves: Get your stuff off the floor and onto shelves that will help you to get organized.

Other large items: The lawnmower and bicycles can be stored here, if you don't have an outside shed. Bicycles will look neater on racks installed on the walls.

If you have painted recently, store the paint cans that you have used on a shelf (have them look neat and tidy and label each one so that the buyer will know which one to use for touch ups). Dispose of old, rusted paint cans, so a prospective buy won't worry that this will become their headache if they buy the house.

Paint: Try a neutral color, like a mid-tone beige or taupe, instead of the expected gray - on your garage floors. Paint a lighter corresponding tone on the walls.

So -- don't turn off potential male buyers. Engage then with an offer-inducing garage! It will take time and effort, but a professional home stager can help you turn your garage (and the rest of your home) into a paradise.

Why Staging Can Really Help You Sell - Especially in a Down Market

5 Reasons You Need a Home Stager in a Down Market

If you are thinking of putting your home on the market, there are a number of reasons why a professional home stager can help you. Here are the top 5:

1) In a glutted marketplace, your home needs to stand out

It's not unusual now to see several homes on the same street for sale. The same is true for condo developments - there can be as many as 12 or more up for sale at the same time. Buyers know that increased inventory means that prices could go down, so they don't jump at buying a home like they used to.

So - home sellers today are staying in their non-selling houses for longer periods of time. To avoid this, you must make your home stand out from all the competing homes. Home staging gives you an edge in a down market because it helps you to make your home look more inviting, well-cared for and beautiful. If your home is staged - and the other homes on your block or development aren't - the non-staged homes will actually help sell your property faster!

2) Staging helps to preserve your stake in your most important asset

If your real estate agent tells you that you need to lower your price to attract buyers - think first before you agree. Why? If your house doesn't show well, a price reduction may not have the desired effect of bringing buyers in. Your house may continue to languish on the market - at a reduced price (so - less money). A small investment in home staging first is always less than a permanent price reduction. Staging can help you to preserve the equity you've built in your home.

3) Sell more quickly to meet a deadline for a conditional offer on another house

In this down market, there's been a return to offers that are conditional upon the sale of a buyer's existing home. If you are head-over-heels in love with a new home - but you have to sell your existing home first by a particular date - staging will help you to sell your home quickly. So, don't risk losing your dream home - get your home professionally staged to avoid nullifying your offer.

4) Increase the number of showings on your property: Making sure your home looks great online by staging it first

Over 87% of prospective buyers look at homes online before they call an agent or go to an open house. Now that the public can access MLS listings and view houses online from the comfort of their own homes, it's critical for your property to look spectacular in photos. If you only have one photo - or if care has not been taken to showcase the home online - your agent won't even get a request for a showing. Professionally staged homes look great online and in person. Smart realtors are bringing their clients to staged homes first - and they are recommending staging to their sellers because it garners attention to their listings and sells them faster.

ONLINE PHOTOS ARE IMPORTANT: This was an actual home for sale in Portland OR. Not only is the kitchen cluttered, the photo distorted, the paint color loud - but check out the dog in the lower left corner! No photo styling here! Photo courtesy of realtor, Leif Swanson in Arizona.

5) Staging Helps FSBOs

In this down economy, a growing number of home sellers are trying to sell their homes by themselves. While I always recommend that sellers use the agents that I work closely with, "For Sale by Owners" can succeed - if they are willing to work smart. There's a wealth of help online for FSBOs such as websites that help market their properties for them. Home stagers can give these DIY sellers a competitive edge by preparing their homes to attract the widest range of buyer and by making sure that their photos look inviting and beautiful online. Home stagers wear many hats in the staging process - but an important one is being a "photo stylist," so that the home looks like it's ready for a magazine feature.

For these reasons and more, home stagers are like a light at the end of a tunnel for sellers who feel that they don't have any control in the outcome of the home selling process -- and for real estate agents who have some listings that just aren't moving.

About Linda Leyble

Linda Leyble is the owner of Beautiful Staged Homes as well as the Studio of Decorative Arts (http://www.studioofdecorativearts.com), a professional mural and faux finishing company. We use color and design to enhance and improve spaces but we also use these techniques to alter the perceived size of a room. As trained decorative artists, we can magically transform dated cabinetry, vanities, countertops and floors into designer showpieces - without demolition and costly replacement. Linda's company was voted one of the "Best of Long Island 2008" companies by the Long Island Press - and was nominated again for 2010.

Linda is also an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP). She received her staging training from the company that started the staging industry over 30 years ago - StagedHomes.com

To experience what Linda and her team can do for you, call us for either a complimentary home assessment or a staging presentation for your office at 631 793-1315.

Sincerely,

Linda Leyble
Beautiful Staged Homes

HOME STAGING SEMINAR: I will be doing another "How to Successfully Stage & Sell Your Home" at the West Islip Library in January 2010. So - stay tuned for details. A Staging Consultation and other Prizes will be raffled off!

Also - I will be soon be offering a downloadable home staging tutorial that both homesellers and realtors will find very helpful. Details to come!

In This Issue

Atrracting the Male Home Buyer

Top 5 Reasons Why a Stager Can Help You Sell Your Home

More On Us

Stage Your Garage!

Top 5 Reasons Staging is Important in a Down Economy

To find out more information about us, visit our blog: www.beautifulstaged
homes.blogspot.com

Save $$$ on a Home Staging Consultation & Report: Normally over $300, this money saving service will give you the tools, ideas and secrets to staging your own home. We will come to your house - review it from top to bottom, inside and out - and then we will write up a 15-20 page report for you to follow. See our website for complete details about this service. Special Price: $220

Try E-Staging: We will review digital pictures of your home...then we'll write up a 10-15 page staging report that will detail exactly what you should do to stage your home for greatest impact - this is the best plan for home sellers on a budget and realtors who really need to stage their listing (but the homeowners won't or cannot stage their homes). Special Price: $1oo

Offer Expires: November 30, 2009

Posted by Barbara Tretola on October 26th, 2009 12:06 AM

Financial tips

October 23rd, 2009 9:01 PM

Rafael Reyes
Sr. Mortgage Banker
Nationwide Equities
Phone: (718) 663-1236
Fax: (718)799-5558
rreyes@nwecorp.com
www.nwecorp.com

Fixer-Uppers Made Easy

If you've been passing up on buying a home because of the expense of anticipated cosmetic repairs, you're missing out on a great opportunity. Sure, it used to be that if you bought a home and then applied for a home equity loan to pay for repairs, the result would be two separate loans (or worse, a mortgage plus a short-term loan for repairs that often had a much higher interest rate). This is not the case anymore if you qualify for an FHA Streamlined 203(k) loan.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's FHA Streamlined 203(k) loan allows qualifying home buyers to finance up to an additional $35,000 into their mortgage to improve or upgrade their home before move-in. With this product, home buyers can quickly and easily tap into cash to pay for property repairs or improvements, such as those identified by a home inspector or FHA appraiser. And the best part is, the additional funds are combined into your mortgage, so you only have to worry about one loan.

There are, of course, rules and guidelines we have to follow, and not every repair qualifies. But if you or anyone you know are interested in taking advantage of this great opportunity, give us a call, and we'll gladly provide you more information about this valuable program.

Unfeasible Fees

Despite the looming crackdown on banks for high overdraft fees, banks are still finding ways to nickel and dime consumers. Here are a couple of painful fees discussed recently by Forbes magazine.

Balance Transfer Fees aren't so balanced when banks charge a fee of between 3 and 5 percent. This means that transferring a balance from a credit card with a 15 percent interest rate to a card with a better rate of 12 percent may not save you anything at all. In fact, depending on your fee, it could cost your more.

Balance Requirement is another costly fee for many consumers with "free" checking or savings accounts. Sure, the bank waives the service charge for maintaining a set minimum balance, but fall below this number and you could be charged up to $8 every time – not to mention the opportunity cost of the money set aside for maintaining your balance in the first place.

Would you pay your broker 25 percent commission? Well, Forbes reported that Bank of America is charging customers from other banks $3 for ATM withdrawals. If your bank charges an additional fee, you're likely paying up to $5, or 25 percent, every time you take 20 bucks from the ATM. Ouch!

School Loan Forgiveness Program

Are you having trouble paying back your federal student loans or you just aren't looking forward to 25 years of monthly payments? Well, according to www.FinAid.com, you could qualify for the government's Loan Forgiveness program, which cancels all or part of qualifying federal student loans based on your work or volunteer service.

Created by The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, this program is designed to help certain borrowers with their educational expenses. To qualify, you must: perform volunteer work (AmeriCorps., Peace Corps., and Volunteers in Service to America); perform military service; and teach or practice medicine in certain communities.

Ask your Human Resource professional if you qualify or visit FinAid's website.

There's also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program that discharges any remaining qualifying educational debt after 10 years of full-time employment in certain positions of public service. Jobs include: emergency management, government (excluding members of Congress), military service, police officers and fire persons, public health workers (including nurses, nurse practitioners, nurses in a clinical setting, and others), public education, early childhood education, social work in a public child or family service agency, and many more.

Social Security Suffers

For the first time in 35 years, it's expected that Social Security beneficiaries will receive no cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase next year. Since the automatic COLA went into effect in 1975, beneficiaries have never failed to receive an increase, raising concerns that millions of beneficiaries will suffer a lowered standard of living since, according to The Kaiser Family Foundation, Medicare Part D (prescription plans) and Medicare Part C plans are expected to increase. In addition, about 60% of Medicare Part D plans are expected to have an annual deductible in 2010 while only 45% had an annual deductible last year.

To address these concerns, legislation has been introduced to provide an increase independent of the automatic benefit adjustment, including H.R. 3557, which seeks to provide a 2010 benefit increase based on the average COLA from the past 10 years. The projected increase in Social Security benefits would average $35 per month, or $420 annually. Congress is also considering creating a one-time payment of up to $250 for singles and $500 for couples.

At the time of the writing of this article, however, no such bills have passed, so it's important to review these programs carefully.

.

Rafael Reyes
Nationwide Equities
2112 Broadway
Astoria, NY 11106

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Posted by Barbara Tretola on October 23rd, 2009 9:01 PM

Free Home Buyng Seminars

October 23rd, 2009 5:24 PM

The Home Buying Webinar

This is a FREE Webinar offered by CHL's "THE DREAM TEAM"

This webinar will focus on what lenders are looking for to qualify mortgage applicants. We will explore the four major determinants in mortgage underwriting (income, assets, credit, and appraisals), as well as hope to best position yourself for the best loan terms.

Additionally, we will discuss:

1- the 2009 First Time Homebuyer's Tax Credit and how to leverage it from $8000 to $24,000 or more.

2- The current interest rate environment and whether or not "locking in" your rate is a good idea at the moment.

3- Any changes in the mortgage landscape that are likely to impact buyers.

The presentation will be followed by a live Q&A segment. Pick the brains of mortgage experts.

Register for a session now by clicking a date below:

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

Wed, Nov 4, 2009 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM EST

Renovation Lending Basics

There is tremendous opportunity in today's real estate market to purchase homes that are in need of some work. This webinar will explain both the process and qualification requirements that lenders have today for loan products to help you take advantage of the opportunities.

Join us for the presentation and stay on for the Q & A Session that follows.

Register for a session now by clicking a date below:

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM EDT

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM EST

Credit Scoring and Your Mortgage Application

Your Credit Score is a major determinant in getting a mortgage approved, as well as, the interest rate you will receive. In this Webinar, we will discuss the components of your credit score, how to properly structure and manage your debt for an optimal score, and the role of your score in the context of your mortgage application.

Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration
with information you need to join the Webinar.

Register for a session now by clicking a date below:

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 7:15 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 7:15 PM - 8:30 PM EST

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

Posted by Barbara Tretola on October 23rd, 2009 5:24 PM

Preparing your home before selling

October 18th, 2009 9:04 PM

OUTSIDE

_____Check that doorbells work.

_____Check for missing roof shingles.

_____Check for loose/damaged/clogged gutters/downspouts.

_____Check attic ventilation and condition of vent screens.

_____Check to see if there is standing water, especially near the foundation, after irrigation or rainfall.

_____Check for cracks in foundation walls.

_____Check structure (including attic and foundation crawl space) for pests (termites, wasps, spiders, nests, etc.).

_____Check exterior weatherproofing (stain, paint, etc.).

_____Check for any wood in direct contact with soil, including fences and gates.

_____Check for loose wiring (electric, cable, phone) and poor wire terminations.

_____Check for holes and damage to siding, doors, windows, and trim so that structure is weatherproof.

_____Check condition of fences or gates (leaning, damaged).

_____Check that any exterior outlets are weatherproofed and not in permanent use for any landscape lighting.

_____Check condition of landscape components (retaining walls, landscaper timbers, etc.).

_____Check for overgrown vegetation, especially in walkways; growing on siding, roof, chimney, fences, or in gutters; or too close to utility lines.

_____Check for trip hazards in walkways, driveways, and stairways (deterioration, vegetation, etc.)

_____Check for loose, missing, or rusted guardrails and handrails at stairways, decks, balconies, and porches.

_____Check that landscape lighting/irrigation systems work, and that sprinklers don't spray on fences or buildings.

_____Check condition of pool and spa, and related equipment and utilities.

_____Check that ponds, fountains, and waterfalls, and related utilities, work properly and are protected from children.

PLUMBING

_____Check that seismic straps are on the water heater.

_____Check that stoppers work in bathtubs and sinks.

_____Check for clogged drains.

_____Check that toilet seat bolts and screws are tight.

_____Check that faucets don't drip or leak around the base.

_____Check stop action on faucet handles.

_____Check condition of caulk/grout in bathtubs/showers.

_____Check insulation on water pipes in foundation crawl space and attic.

_____Check for safe and easy access to water shutoff valves (street curb, water heater, sinks, toilets, etc.).

_____Check for safe and easy access to any gas shutoff valves (meter, furnace, water heater, etc.).

_____Check for loose toilets and loose toilet tanks.

ELECTRICAL

_____Check for safe and easy access to electric panels and main circuit breaker.

_____Check that ceiling fans work on all speeds.

_____Check for burned out lights, including ceiling fans.

_____Check for damaged or loose outlets and light switches, including covers for outlets and switches.

_____Check for unplugged appliances, and unplug anything that is unnecessary to facilitate outlet testing by the Buyer's property inspector.

_____Remove extension cords and outlet multipliers.

_____Check that outlets work.

_____Check for outdated two-prong outlets and upgrade them to three-prong outlets.

_____Check for properly working GFCI outlets in kitchen, bathrooms, garage, and exterior.

_____Check that exhaust fans work in kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry area.

_____Check that any electrical junction boxes have covers.

INSIDE

_____Check condition of towel holders and bathroom tissue holders.

_____Check condition of bathtubs, showers, and shower doors, and replace old shower curtains.

_____Check that safety seal shows on floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors.

_____Check that carbon monoxide alarms work.

_____Check that smoke alarms work, and that they are present on each floor of multi-story houses.

_____Check for loose kitchen and bathroom countertops.

_____Check ease of operation for doors (including closet doors and cabinet doors), drawers, and windows, including windows nailed or painted shut.

_____Check for missing, loose, or damaged hardware on doors (including closet doors and cabinet doors), drawers (stops and guides), and windows.

_____Check for loose glass panes in windows and doors, as well as glass with holes or cracks in them.

_____Check that latches/locks work on doors (including closet doors and cabinet doors), drawers, and windows.

_____Check for damage to screen windows.

_____Remove excessive storage (closets, attic, garage).

_____Check for damage to walls and ceilings that need to be patched and painted.

_____Check for moisture stains on ceilings and walls; around doors and windows; near sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and showers; and near the dishwasher.

_____Check for loose, missing, or damaged guardrails and handrails in stairways.

_____Check for loose, broken or missing baseboards and door and window moldings.

_____Check for cracked tiles or deteriorated grouting in kitchen and bathrooms.

_____Check that kitchen appliances work.

_____Check that an anti-tip device is installed on the range.

MISCELLANEOUS

_____Let dogs and cats vacation for a few hours with a family member, friend, or at a pet spa. Check that other pets (birds, snakes, rodents, etc.) are caged.

_____Certain items should be inspected annually due to their inherently dangerous nature. These include gas-using appliances, pool/spa equipment, roof, and the fireplace and chimney. If they have not been inspected within the last 12 months, having it done now can make escrow go more smoothly.

_____Check that filters are in place and clean (kitchen range hood, heating/cooling, bathroom fans, etc.)

_____Check for soot, cobwebs, and wildlife in the fireplace and lower areas of the chimney.

_____The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that the fireplace and chimney undergo a Level II inspection any time real estate ownership is transferred, and I recommend having that done prior to the Buyer's inspection.

_____Check that the fireplace damper opens/closes easily.

_____Check for manufacturer installation guides, operating instructions, or user guides that you can provide to the buyer, especially for kitchen appliances; heating and cooling system; water heater; security, irrigation, fire suppression, central cleaning, and water modification systems; water well; and septic system.

_____Many property inspectors exclude inspection and testing of some specialized systems, such as security and irrigation systems. Once you get the Buyer's inspection report, note what the Inspector did and did not do or could and could not do. Offer to meet with the Buyer to demonstrate how those systems are operated and maintained, and provide the contact information for any companies that regularly service the systems.

_____Check for receipts and warranty papers for any work done on the property, particularly for inspections and work done to prepare the property for sale.

Posted by Barbara Tretola on October 18th, 2009 9:04 PM

Free Home Buying Seminars

October 13th, 2009 4:49 PM

The Home Buying Webinar

This is a FREE Webinar offered by CHL's "THE DREAM TEAM"

Please feel free to forward these Webinar's to your clients who are looking to purchase or renovate a home, they will thank you for it!

Register for a session now by clicking a date below:

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

Renovation Lending Basics

Join us for the presentation and stay on for the Q & A Session that follows.

Register for a session now by clicking a date below:

Tue, Oct 13, 2009 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM EDT

Tue, Oct 20, 2009 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM EDT

Credit Scoring and Your Mortgage Application

Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration
with information you need to join the Webinar.

Register for a session now by clicking a date below:

Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:15 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Tue, Oct 20, 2009 7:15 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

Continental Home Loans | 175 Pinelawn Road | Melville | NY | 11747

Posted by Barbara Tretola on October 13th, 2009 4:49 PM

FREE Seminar on Home Staging

October 8th, 2009 6:10 PM

Beautiful Staged Homes

PO Box 661 Great River NY 11739

631 793-1315

www.beautifulstagedhomes.com

Linda.Leyble@gmail.com

Welcome to the Beautiful Staged Homes Newsletter

Greetings!

SEMINAR REMINDER: I want to send you another note about the "How to Successfully Stage and Sell Your Home" seminar that I am doing in Sayville next Wednesday at the Sayville Library at 7PM. Registration is highly recommended. Details about how to register are at the end of this newsletter - hope to see you there! Home sellers - bring your questions for me. Realtors - bring your clients...especially if you are experiencing any difficulties in getting them to stage their homes.

Today I wanted to continue talking about the kitchen when staging your home for sale. Knowing the type of buyer most likely to buy your home, you can create a kitchen that will appeal to them.

Next, I'd like to discuss some design tips on creating a cozy and warm atmosphere in your home. With the fall and winter months ahead, you want to make sure your prospective buyers see your home as a place to nestle in and read a good book...cozy up by the fire...create a wonderful home-cooked meal etc. So - layer on the fall color palette - bring out your cozy throw for the sofa - and begin to entice your buyers!

The Kitchen: Part III

What Type of Buyer Will Your Kitchen Appeal To?

Buyers will make a buying decision many times based solely upon your kitchen. So - look long and hard at how your kitchen looks and "what" it says to the buyer about your home in general.

But - you can create the type of kitchen that your "most likely buyer" will fall in love with. Manufacturers, retailers and severvice companies do "target marketing" all the time - why not you?

There will be the ultra career-minded buyer - who could care less about the kitchen because they work late and they eat out more than they eat in...but as a home seller you want to appeal to the type of buyer who will most likely show up at your front door.

Depending on the price range and location of your home, your kitchen may appeal - or not - to some of the following types of buyers:

The "efficiency expert buyer"...the cleaning fanatic - who wants to see the all important "kitchen triangle" - and uncluttered countertops
The "family first" homebuyer - who wants to see the kitchen as a place to cook home cooked meals for their family. A large kitchen eating area...a large sized refrigerator and oven...lots of storage space...lots of counter space for preparing meals
The multi-tasking mom who helps her kids with their homework in the kitchen (so - a kitchen island or a large kitchen table will help sell her on your house).
The "entertaining" buyer who sees the kitchen as a gathering place. You'll want your kitchen to have "great flow" and ample space for friends and family to share important moments in life. Access to a great room room or den from your kitchen will be important
The "status seeker" buyer who sees the kitchen as a place to extol their financial status. They will look for - the Viking range, the wine refrigerator...the Sub Zero refrigerator...marble, granite or honed limestone or concrete countertops...beautiful wood or pillowed limestone floors..gorgeous, tall cabinetry - all the bells and whistles you'd see in a designer kitchen

THE LUXURY KITCHEN MAKEOVER: We did a beautiful kitchen makeover for a home that is currently on the market. Since the home is priced in the high $800K range, the home seller wanted to make sure that her kitchen reflected the price. The seller already had upper tier appliances - and all the other designer accoutrements (the client is an interior designer) - she just needed an update for her cabinetry and her kitchen island.

This is actually a "during" photo - but the cabinetry was a mid tone taupe color and it was showing signs of wear

Since the home seller had her family living there (plus two small dogs) and since she wanted a factory finish on the cabinets, we took all of the cabinet faces off and we sprayed it offsite (we also gave it a catalytic finish for ultra durability). The homeseller had chosen a Benjamin Moore color (White Sand). She did not want any spraying in the home, so for all of the remaining spaces - we had to prime, paint and topcoat to match the factory finish. This meant "absolutely no paint strokes!"

After: The cabinetry looks brand new - lighter and more upscale. (We took this picture right after everything was installed - so we had not cleared everything off the countertops!)

We also added two beautiful, scrolled onlays on two of the drawer fronts - for a more upscale touch. Additionally, we created a faux marble finish on the island - a lovely and inexpensive way to update a surface. Put a glass top on - and it's durable also. Having a custom-made marble top would have been very expensive - plus the marble would have taken longer to be fabricated. Even in a luxury kitchen - you can save money when updating it.

Design Tip: Create A Warm and Cozy Home for Fall

Staging Ideas That Will Take the "Chill" Out of the Air

When you think of the fall and winter, you think about spending more time inside the home. Make sure your house has that "cozy at home" quality that homebuyers are looking for. Add little touches like a special spot in your bedroom or den for reading...a cozy sofa with a textured throw in front of the fireplace...or create the perfect area in your den to watch football games. Give the prospective buyer the idea - the lifestyle that they are searching for - that your home is a warm and inviting place to live in in the cold, winter months.

Bedside reading

Even a simple touch like some books with reading glasses by the bedside will give the buyer the idea that your home is a place where they can spend some nice, quiet time

So - bring out your fall color palette: Warm -toned cushions, pillows and throws will help give the buyer the idea of settling in in a comfortable, restful space. Russet colored table runners, fall colored plates, a lovely autumnal bouquet, and a bottle of red wine - will help set the tone in the kitchen or dining room. Add an extra plush rug, beautiful soaps, fall colored candles, a warm, white terry cloth robe and thick cotton bath towels in your Master Bath.

Welcome the Season...and you'll welcome your buyers!

UPCOMING SEMINAR ON HOME STAGING IN SAYVILLE NY

I will be doing a FREE Seminar on Home Staging at the Sayville Library on Wednesday, October 14th at 7 PM until 8:30 PM. Address: 88 Greene Avenue in Sayville. Registration is recommended. Call 631 589-4440 ext 305. Hope to see you there - prizes will be raffled off - including a Home Staging Consultation among other staging accessories. Realtors are encouraged to attend with their clients!

Yours truly,

Linda Leyble
Beautiful Staged Homes

In This Issue

Make Your Kitchen a "Must Have" for the Most Likely Buyer

Make Your Home Warm and Toasty for the Fall and Winter Season