With so much inventory in the Vancouver market, and fewer sales since the same period in 2009, sellers are definitely feeling the impact of a BUYERS MARKET.   Multiple offers are no longer the norm.  Days on market have been increasing.   See what the Vancouver Sun has to say about our current ” Buyers Market”.

So how do you actually sell YOUR house when there is so much competition AND get the highest price possible that you’ll  feel good about?

1. By working with a expert realtor that understands the market, understands your expectations, markets to the hilt and represents YOU.
2. By setting your price realistically & competitively in todays market ( remember that you’re competing with a load of other fine properties )
3. By preparing your house to sell with EFFECTIVE HOME STAGING.

With so much competition, EFFECTIVE HOME STAGING is a top real estate strategy to ensure that your property STANDS OUT IN THE MARKET, gets noticed and SELLS !

Put yourself in the role of a buyer.

You view two (2) properties in the same neighbourhood.  All things considered equal (size, layout, neighbourhood amenties, price) which property would you most likely pick?

…the house that you’ll need to clean, paint, upgrade before you can really feel at home.

….or….

…the house that is move in ready and already feels like HOME?

 How about two (2) properties in the same condomium complex.  All things considered equal (size, layout, neighbourhood amenties, price) which property would you most likely pick?

….the  “bowling alley” condo that looks impossible to furnish? 

….or….

… the “Liveable” Room with a View?

The choices are clear and proof that STAGED HOMES SELL!   By portraying a “liveable” lifestyle that sellers want, your staged property will sell faster and for a higher price than the competition.

Here’s the facts:

• 63% of buyers will pay more for a property that  is move in ready!
• Staged homes sell up to 50% faster than un-staged homes
• Staged homes sell for up to 7% more than un-staged homes

EFFECTIVE HOME STAGING ensures that the property you are selling STANDS OUT IN THE MARKET.    Make it memorable, make it STAND OUT and it’s as good as SOLD!

For more details about Home Staging, Vacant Staging, Occupied Staging or Interior Design, call Accentuate Home Staging Design Group today at 604-328-6479 or visit our website at http://www.accentuate.ca/.

One thing is certain.  Most buyers will pay more for properties that are in move-in condition.

Whether you’ve been renting out your property for investment purposes or renovating it to sell, implementing just a few key real estate strategies will ensure that you’re property is market ready and will Stand Out in today’s competitive environment.

Try these top makeover tips and your investment property will transform from shabby to CHIC and for minimal cost”

1.   A fresh coat of PAINT.

Often the most overlooked upgrade.  This is  certainly the most cost effective solution with the biggest bang for your buck. A fresh coat of paint,  in neutral tones will do wonders to ramp up the market appeal of your property.  Do it yourself or call in the professionals….but do it properly.  Prep the walls, patch holes, remove switchplates and vents before painting.  You’ll be glad you did….and buyers will notice.    It’s the best investment you’ll make.

2.   Clean or New Flooring .

Buyers are quick to notice the floors….the wear, the tear, pet odours, you name it.    The thought of cleaning them and, even worse, replacing them after move-in can be a deal breaker.  So have your carpets cleaned just prior to your open house.    And if they are in real disrepair, consider replacing them with mid range carpeting, laminate, tile or hardwood.   No need to break the bank….just select mid range products in neutral colours.   Beware the urge to install budget products.  If they look too budget, buyers may think you’ve done nothing all and your investment is lost.

3.   Kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities.

Are your kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanities dated, showing wear and tear? Consider the following makeover solutions, depending on your budget and your energy:

• paint, reface or replace
• replace handles and door pulls with updated ones in brushed nickel or similar
• replace worn laminate countertops if necessary

4.  Landscaping

The curb appeal of your property is the 1st true impression of your property.  MAKE IT COUNT ! Consider these tips to give your house curb appeal that SELLS !

• new mailbox
• polished or new house numbers
• clean yard
• powerwash siding and sidewalks
• add attractive flowering planters

5.  Clean, Clean, Clean

And I mean CLEAN ! Nothing can be a bigger distraction to a potential buyer than a house that not clean.  Pay particular attention to your appliances, bathrooms, floors….and don’t forget door and appliance handles.   Just finished renovating?….then pick up after yourself and leave the place spotless.   Now is the time to show buyers your handywork.

Call us at 604-328-6479 to learn how Accentuate Home Staging can help you prepare your Investment Property to SELL?

Most often, clients are selling the home that they currently live in.  They are savvy sellers and know the benefits of staging their property effectively in order to Stand out in the Market.

The OCCUPIED house is furnished, home decor and family mementos are on full display, the kitchen is fully operational, storage closets are packed to the rafters, the laundry bins are full.    In many cases, all that is needed to prepare those properties for sale is a consultation with a Home Staging Expert who will advise the homeowner on all the necessary changes needed to get their property “open house ready”.

But what if,  as the seller,  you fall into one of these categories?

• you are simply out of time and energy to make those changes on your own.
• you have spare bedrooms  or work rooms that never got completed and they’re currently storing your ‘overflow’.
• some or all of your furniture is either so outdated,  oversized or undersized that it completely overshadows or undersells the true selling features of your house.
• you admittedly ARE a “pack rat”…whether a “collector” or a “pile filer” you know that your house is CLUTTERED.
• you just can’t keep ahead of the clutter and house cleaning amidst packing, preparing to move AND maintaining your job, caring for your children, carrying on with “LIFE”

If any of this sounds familiar, then you may just need a Home Staging “intervention”.     Don’t forget,   buyers need to imagine living in your house.  They need to visualize how their possessions will fit in.      Selling your house could be a tough sell if potential buyers can’t get past the perceived disorder .

These are all issues that Home Staging experts face on a daily basis. And this may just be the time to seek qualified, professional help from an expert Home Stager …..to ”enhance” the house that you live in.

As certified Home Staging professionals, Accentute Home Staging will work along with you or complete the necessary staging for you – using what you already have and, only if necessary,  supplementing with additional furniture and home decor or arranging for cleaning and packing services. From editing, adding or re-arranging furniture, re-hanging art to de-cluttering and re-organizing, we make the necessary in-home changes needed to get your house market ready.

So how does Accentuate do it? Click here for a Behind the Scenes look at what it takes to Accentuate an occupied property…

Want more information about enhancing furnished properties, staging vacant properties or our extensive rental inventory?

Call us today at 604-328-6479 to learn how we help you MAXIMIZE the DEMAND for your next listing.

But what about those of you that, for all the organizing and decluttering you do, your kitchen remains – well, dated and inefficient. It’s time for a change, isn’t it?

But where do you start? Here are some easy and ‘low cost ’ ideas to update your kitchen without major renovation:

• Replace door and drawer handles
• Give your cabinets a facelift — new door and drawer faces
• New lighting
• Stainless appliances
• Update your accessories
• Change your flooring
• PAINT
• Replace your countertop
• Treat yourself to new cookware, spices, etc.
• Butcher block work table
• Stools
• Dated cabinets no more! A quick, low cost makeover for those

Considering an full scale Kitchen renovation? Look out for our upcoming blog on “Extensive Kitchen Renos Part 2” for more details.

If you can’t wait that long, send us a comment/email with your question.

Accentuate at the TD Canada Trust Home Show

This weekend, Accentuate participated in another local event—the Annual TD Canada Trust Home Show 2009 at the Johnson Street branch in Coquitlam.

We were honoured as featured speakers to present the business of Home Staging to TD customers— what it is, why it helps sell homes and tips on how to prepare homes for selling.

Thank you to everyone that attended our information seminar and who also dropped by our display table to learn more about how Home Staging can help you sell your homes faster and for top dollar.   A big thanks as well to Tom Lewis, Small Business Advisor,  for coordinating the show.

We also drew for a terrific prize this weekend.    And the WINNER is…….Janet Ong who won a 1-hour Accentuate Staging Consultation .   Congratulations Janet!

We invite you to drop by and attend our presentation “Home Staging – Who, What, Why and How?”

Come by to learn more about Accentuate, the business of home staging, why it can help you sell your home faster and for top dollar in today’s market as well as “D-I-Y” tips.

Where:
TD Canada Trust
2nd floor, 1140 Johnson Street, Coquitlam, BC

When:
Saturday April 25 at 11:30am

Looking forward to seeing you,

Katherine van Leeuwen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Accentuate Home Staging Design Group
ph: 604-328-6479   www.accentuate.ca fx: 604-931-2449

Notice when you visit someone’s house that the party ends up in the kitchen?   Fighting it doesn’t change the fact that people love the kitchen.  The kitchen is the heart of the home -family and friends gathering to talk, socializing and entertaining.  No wonder kitchen renovations improve the value of your home and your lifestyle.

Here are some easy and ‘almost free’ ideas to get you started in creating your perfect kitchen.

• Most of us can relate to some form of kitchen clutter.  “My cupboards are a mess and I can’t find anything!  Arghh!”  Let’s take back control of our own kitchens.  First step – organize those cupboards.  How many empty yogurt containers do you really need anyway? 

• Take stock of what you need to cook and entertain with– appliances, containers, mixing bowls, cookbooks, pare it down, and then re-organize them in your cupboards by those same categories.  Mixing bowls will now always be in the same place.  Save time and energy and (very likely), create much needed space.   More on this later.

• Show off those counters!  Nothing is more unsightly than a messy kitchen counter covered with every small appliance you own!  As useful as they all are, workspace is probably more desirable.  Remember that cupboard space you just freed up in Step One?  Move everything into all those shelves. Now, look at all that counterspace!

• Good lighting is key.   Think of your kitchen like you do your office.   Create ambiance with task and accent lighting. It can be one of the quickest and  most cost effective changes you’ll make.  Consider the “zones” of your kitchen – zone 1:  work zone 2: entertain.   

Check out our blog on “Extensive Kitchen Makeovers” for more details – it will be published sometime in January. If you can’t wait that long, send us a comment/email with your question.